Monte Cristo Hawaiian Sliders

Monte Cristo sliders are my go to for an easy brunch or crowd pleasing party snack. They combine sweet and savory flavors with gooey cheese and a satisfying buttery crust. These handheld sandwiches disappear fast my family always asks for seconds and they work for both breakfast and lunch gatherings.

The first time I made these sliders for a neighborhood potluck they were gone in under ten minutes and everyone asked for the recipe. They are now my secret trick when I need something impressive but simple.

Ingredients

• Sweet Hawaiian dinner rolls: provide a tender slightly sweet base that holds everything together choose rolls that are still connected so slicing is easy
• Deli sliced ham: adds saltiness and heartiness look for ham with a mild smoke and bright pink color
• Deli sliced turkey: offers a leaner savory layer use freshly sliced turkey for the best flavor
• Gruyère cheese, grated: delivers a nutty and creamy melt pick a block and grate it yourself for superior melting
• Butter, melted: creates a golden crust and rich flavor choose unsalted for better control
• Egg, beaten: helps bind the sauce and gives a little richness fresher eggs will blend better
• Worcestershire sauce: adds a punch of umami flavor use a good quality bottle for depth
• Dijon mustard: brings gentle heat and tang a French mustard gives the truest flavor
• Mayonnaise: lends creaminess and helps emulsify the sauce choose real mayo for best results
• Powdered sugar for dusting: introduces that signature Monte Cristo sweetness use fresh unopened sugar for extra fluff
• Raspberry preserves on the side: cut the richness with bright tart flavor try preserves with real fruit pieces for texture

Instructions

Prepare the Baking Dish:

Line a nine by thirteen inch baking dish with parchment paper or foil and give it a light coating of nonstick spray. This will make removing the sliders later extra easy.

Slice the Rolls:

Keeping the rolls connected use a serrated knife to slice them in half horizontally without separating the individual rolls. This means you get one large top piece and one bottom piece.

Build the Bottom Layer:

Gently set the bottom half of the rolls into your prepared baking dish. Press them into the corners so they fit snugly.

Layer the Meats and Cheese:

Start by evenly draping slices of ham across the bottom half then follow with turkey. Sprinkle the grated Gruyère cheese evenly on top making sure some reaches the edges for extra cheesy bites.

Mix the Sauce:

In a medium bowl whisk together melted butter beaten egg Worcestershire sauce Dijon mustard and mayonnaise until the mixture is smooth and a little creamy. Make sure the egg is fully blended with no streaks.

Sauce the Sliders:

Pour half of this sauce evenly over the layered meat and cheese making sure to coat the edges as well as the center for flavor in every bite.

Add the Top Layer:

Place the top half of the rolls carefully over the fillings. Press gently so everything sticks together without squishing the rolls.

Finish with Sauce:

Brush or slowly pour the remaining sauce over the tops of the rolls using the back of a spoon to push the sauce into any crevices.

Bake the Sliders:

Slide the dish into a preheated oven at three hundred twenty five degrees Fahrenheit. Bake uncovered for twenty five to thirty minutes. Keep an eye on the tops and if they brown too quickly lay a piece of foil over them without sealing tightly.

Cool and Cut:

Once they are bubbling and golden take them out and let them cool for five to ten minutes. This helps them set and makes slicing clean lines much easier.

Finish and Serve:

Slice into twelve sliders. Lightly dust the tops with powdered sugar. Serve warm with a little bowl of raspberry preserves for dipping.

Gruyère is my favorite here for its nutty melt and deep flavor. When I was a child my grandmother would sneak a slice to me straight from the cheese paper so every time I use it for these sliders they feel extra nostalgic and comforting.

Storage Tips

To keep leftovers fresh refrigerate the cooled sliders in a sealed container for up to two days. For best flavor reheat them in the oven for about ten minutes so the bread stays crisp. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep the crust golden.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you cannot find Gruyère swiss cheese gives a similar gooey texture. Regular dinner rolls work if you do not have Hawaiian rolls but add a little more sugar to your sauce for sweetness. Smoked turkey or ham adds another flavor twist that works well too.

Serving Suggestions

Pair these sliders with a light salad for brunch or offer them as finger food at parties with extra raspberry preserves and Dijon mustard for dipping. They are great alongside breakfast potatoes or simply with fresh fruit.

Cultural and Historical Notes

Monte Cristo sandwiches originated as a spin on the French croque monsieur but they took on their iconic sweet and savory twist in classic American diners. The addition of powdered sugar and jam gives them a playful brunch vibe that everyone remembers.

Seasonal Adaptations

You can swap in sliced roasted chicken after Thanksgiving. Try cranberry or blackberry jam in place of raspberry for winter months. Add a sprinkle of fresh herbs to the sauce for a springtime touch.

Success Stories

This recipe always wins raves when I bring it to family potlucks or holiday brunches. Kids love how bite sized and cheesy the sliders are and grownups always comment on the touch of sweetness. One friend told me these sliders were the highlight of her baby shower buffet.

Freezer Meal Conversion

You can assemble the sliders up to the sauce step and freeze the unbaked tray tightly wrapped for up to one month. To serve bake directly from frozen adding five extra minutes to the cooking time until the cheese is melty and the tops are golden.

Monte Cristo sliders are always a hit for crowds and are so easy to make ahead. Serve warm with a dusting of sugar and a dip of jam for the full experience.

Recipe FAQs

→ What cheese works best in these sliders?

Gruyère cheese melts well and has a mild, nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the meats and sweet rolls.

→ Can I use different deli meats?

Absolutely. While ham and turkey are classic, you can use chicken or roast beef for a different twist.

→ Why add powdered sugar?

Powdered sugar enhances the sweet and savory combination, echoing traditional Monte Cristo flavors.

→ How should I serve the raspberry preserves?

Serve raspberry preserves on the side for dipping, balancing savory and sweet notes in each slider.

→ Can these sliders be prepared ahead?

Yes. Assemble, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours in advance. Bake just before serving for best results.

→ Are Hawaiian rolls necessary?

They add a subtle sweetness, but any soft dinner roll can be used as a substitute.