Hawaiian Bread Ham Sandwiches
Updated September 2026 with step-by-step directions, make-ahead tips, swaps, serving ideas, and answers to common questions.
These little sandwiches are amazing!
I made them for my bible study the other night and they were a big hit!
What you’ll need:
An oven on 350º
Sandwiches:
2 packages of Hawaiian rolls
1 lb Shaved ham from deli
12 Slices of swiss or provolone
Dressing:
1 stick of butter
2 Tbsp Dijon Mustard
2 Tbsp poppy seed
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 Cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp of Onion Flakes
Melt the butter. Mix in the rest of the dressing ingredients. Sit to the side.
Build the sandwich. I actually had bought the Hawaiian bread mini sub rolls and cut them in half and then I didn’t have to cut them down the middle since they were made to be sub rolls anyway. I took my ham and just laid it on liberally. Don’t worry about stacking an individual sandwich - you can cut them all up again at the end. After I put about six slices of cheese to cover the complete loaf of bread so I used 12 slices in all covering my two packs of rolls.
Then I put the tops back and covered them in dressing.
Then I covered them in foil and put them in the fridge for like 10 minutes. I heard you should do it over night or not at all so whatever is best for you.
After that I put them in the oven, still covered, for 15 minutes and voila! Hawaiian bread ham sandwiches!
I got some of this recipe from food.com and some from http://itssoverycheri.com/2011/07/21/poppy-seed-hawaiian-ham-sandwiches/
How to make them turn out every time
If you’ve never made these before, here’s the whole process in order:
- Keep the rolls in one slab. Take each package out, set it on a cutting board, and slice the whole slab in half horizontally with a long serrated knife. Don’t pull the rolls apart yet.
- Layer the bottom half. Set the bottoms in a 13x9 baking dish (two packages fit snugly), then add the ham and cheese in even layers.
- Put the tops back on and sauce them. Spoon the butter mixture over the tops so every roll gets some poppy seeds and onion.
- Cover and bake. Bake at 350º, covered, for about 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted. For crispier tops, take the foil off for the last 5 minutes.
- Cut and serve. Use a sharp knife to cut along the lines between the rolls.
About that “overnight or not at all” question: both work. Letting them sit covered in the fridge for a few hours or overnight lets the sauce soak into the tops, which a lot of people love. If you’re short on time, bake them right away. They’ll still disappear.
Easy swaps and variations
- Cheese: Swiss is classic, but provolone, sharp cheddar, or pepper jack all work.
- Meat: Try turkey, roast beef, or a mix of ham and turkey.
- Sauce: No onion flakes? Use 1 teaspoon of onion powder. You can cut the brown sugar in half if you want them less sweet.
- Mustard: Honey mustard works in place of Dijon if you have picky eaters.
Serving ideas
These are made for a crowd. Serve them for a small group, a potluck, a game day, or a baby or wedding shower. Pair them with a fruit tray, chips, a green salad, or a pasta salad. For dessert, my easy fruit pizza feeds a crowd just as easily.
Keep food safety in mind if they’re sitting out. Cooked ham and cheese shouldn’t stay at room temperature for more than two hours, so put leftovers in the fridge when the party winds down.
A quick note on sources: the blog I linked above is no longer online. The recipe is a classic, and you’ll find versions of it on most big recipe sites if you want to compare.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make Hawaiian roll ham sandwiches the night before?
Yes. Assemble the sandwiches, pour the butter sauce over the tops, cover the pan tightly with foil, and refrigerate overnight, up to about 24 hours. Bake them straight from the fridge, still covered, and add 5 to 10 minutes to the bake time so they heat all the way through.
How many sandwiches does this recipe make?
Two standard 12-count packages of Hawaiian rolls make 24 small sandwiches. Plan on two or three per person as a meal, or one or two each on a party spread with other food.
How do I keep the bottoms from getting soggy?
Spoon or brush the butter sauce over the tops instead of pouring a lot of it down the sides, and don't let the sandwiches sit in a pool of sauce for days. Uncovering the pan for the last few minutes of baking also helps the tops and edges crisp.
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container within two hours and eat them within three to four days. Reheat them covered with foil in a 350 degree F oven for about 10 minutes, until the cheese melts again and the ham is hot.