Ham and cheese sliders are a classic party appetizer or quick weeknight dinner Their sweet Hawaiian rolls combined with salty ham, melty cheese, and tangy mustard sauce make a mouthwatering bite-sized sandwich While freshly made sliders are ideal, it’s not always possible to cook them on demand. Luckily, you can successfully freeze ham and cheese sliders with a few tips!
Benefits of Freezing Sliders
Freezing ham and cheese sliders provides several advantages
- Make ahead for parties or entertaining
- Assemble when you have time
- Pull from freezer anytime for quick meals
- Avoid waste of leftover ingredients
- Always have kid-friendly snacks on hand
- Prep bulk sliders when ingredients are on sale
- Save money by buying ingredients in bulk
With the right freezing and reheating methods, frozen sliders taste freshly made. Keep reading to learn how to freeze ham and cheese sliders perfectly.
Can You Freeze Assembled Sliders?
The sources confirm you can freeze fully assembled ham and cheese sliders before baking them. Assembling the sliders first allows you to pull the frozen sandwiches straight from the freezer and bake until heated through.
To freeze assembled sliders:
- Construct sliders but don’t bake them.
- Place on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, about 2 hours.
- Transfer frozen sliders to a freezer bag or airtight container.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw in the refrigerator before baking as directed.
This approach saves time since the sliders just need a quick bake before serving.
Can You Freeze Unassembled Slider Components?
You can also freeze the unassembled ingredients for ham and cheese sliders:
- Slice rolls and freeze in a single layer on a sheet.
- Freeze ham slices separately.
- Grate cheese and freeze in portions to use later.
- Portion out sauce ingredients like butter, mustard and Worcestershire.
When ready to make sliders, thaw rolls, ham and cheese. Mix up fresh sauce and assemble. This method provides more flexibility but requires assembling the sliders before serving.
Pro Tips for Freezing Sliders
Follow these pro tips for best results when freezing ham and cheese sliders:
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Freeze assembled sliders in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to bags. This prevents them sticking together.
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Wrap baked frozen sliders tightly in plastic wrap or foil before bagging to prevent freezer burn.
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Use freezer bags or airtight containers to prevent moisture loss. Exclude as much air as possible.
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Label bags with contents and freeze-by date so you know what’s inside.
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Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality. Discard if they get dried out or freezer burned.
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Thaw sliders overnight in the fridge before serving. Don’t thaw at room temperature.
How to Reheat Frozen Sliders
Reheating your frozen ham and cheese sliders is simple:
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Thaw sliders completely in the refrigerator before reheating.
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Place on a baking sheet or in an aluminum pan.
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Bake frozen sliders for 18-20 minutes until buns are toasted and cheese is melted.
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Microwave individual frozen sliders on 50% power for 1-2 minutes until hot.
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For grilling, thaw sliders first. Grill on medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side.
Check the internal temperature to ensure sliders reach 160°F. Let rest for a few minutes before serving.
Adapting Any Slider Recipe for Freezing
The techniques for freezing ham and cheese sliders will work for almost any slider recipe. Follow these tips:
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Assemble sliders fully before freezing, or freeze components separately.
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Use high-quality freezer bags or containers to prevent freezer burn.
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Wrap individual frozen sliders well in plastic wrap or foil before bagging.
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Label bags clearly with recipe name and freeze-by date.
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Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
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Reheat frozen sliders in the oven until hot and crispy.
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Add a few minutes to the reheating time for frozen sliders.
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Always check the internal temperature to ensure food safety.
Perfect for Meal Prepping
Making a big batch of ham and cheese sliders is ideal for meal prepping. Having a stash of frozen sliders on hand means you’ve got quick, hearty meals ready anytime. Just thaw and reheat a few for dinners on the go. Sliders are also great portable meals for work lunch.
You can enjoy freshly baked sliders without all the work by utilizing your freezer. Follow the guidance above and you’ll have perfect ham and cheese sliders from your freezer anytime.
Freezer-Friendly Baked Ham and Cheese Sliders
FAQ
Can ham and cheese sandwiches be frozen?
How long do sliders last in the fridge?
Why are my sliders soggy on the bottom?
Can you freeze ham & cheese sliders?
How to Freeze Ham and Cheese Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls: Once the sandwiches are assembled, you can either cover them with foil and bake in a 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes (just until the cheese melts); or you can wrap the dish tightly and keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How do you make Ham sliders in a crock pot?
Stir together brown sugar butter mixture. Spread a layer of the butter mixture on the top half of the rolls and on the bottom half of the rolls. Add ham and cheese, then replace the tops of the rolls. Arrange the sliders in a greased baking dish; cover with foil. Bake in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes, until the cheese and butter melt.
How do you reheat Ham and cheese sliders?
To reheat the sliders, cover them with aluminum foil and bake in a 350°F oven just until warmed through, about 5-10 minutes. You can also reheat individual servings in the microwave for about 30-60 seconds. Make the ham and cheese sliders without poppy seeds.
Can you freeze hot ham & Swiss sliders?
Come home to an easy supper: hot Ham and Swiss Sliders! Not only do they taste fabulous, but they’re also freezer-friendly. On a large work surface, slice the rolls in half through the middle. If they are attached as dinner rolls often are, you can leave them together in groups of six, and slice horizontally through each large mass of rolls.