Air Fryer Ham and Cheese Sliders with Aioli Sauce

Our air fryer ham and cheese sliders recipe is made with simple ingredients, piled on Hawaiian sweet rolls, and ready in less than 30 minutes. And we’ve included an easy Aioli sauce to take them to the next level.

These tasty air fryer sandwiches make for an easy meal and are a great choice when it comes to party appetizers and entertaining during football games. We always make a double batch because they reheat well, so it’s a quick lunch or dinner idea and makes for a nice snack. 

If you love the ham and cheese combo, you’ll want to try these pinwheels or crescent ring recipes. They’re similar in flavor to the sliders, but use crescent roll dough in place of the Hawaiian rolls.

And for more game day foods, be sure to check out our Philly cheesesteak sliders or copycat Big Mac sliders. Both are fun little sandwiches that guests love and are simple to make, even when you’re feeding a crowd.  

Air Fryer Ham and Cheese Sliders Ingredients

For the Aioli Sauce:

• mayonnaise –  creamy and tangy, this is the base of the sauce. 
• spices: paprika, dill, onion powder – add a smokiness and freshness and deepens the flavors.

For the Sliders:

• Kings Hawaiian rolls – this slightly sweet bread crisps up nicely on the outside while the inside stays soft and fluffy. 
• deli ham – we used thin-sliced Black Forest ham but you can use honey ham if that’s what you have on hand.  
• Swiss cheese – adds a slightly nutty flavor and is great for melting.

How to Make Ham and Cheese Sliders in Air Fryer

Let’s start by making the sauce. Combine the mayo and spices in a small bowl and set aside. 

Next we’ll make the sandwiches by separating the rolls and use a serrated knife to cut them in half horizontally. Add 2 slices of ham and 1 ounce of cheese to the bottom half of each roll.

Spread a 1/2 tablespoon of aioli sauce on the cut side of the top buns, then place the top of the rolls face down on the cheese. Continue with the remaining ingredients.

Lightly grease the air fryer basket with oil (an oil mister works great for this). 

Place the sliders in the air fryer basket and cook for 5 minutes at 350 degrees F or until the cheese has melted and the sandwiches are warmed through. 

Tips for Making Ham Sliders

• For a quicker preparation, slice the slab of rolls at one time rather than slicing each individual roll apart. Then when you’re ready to serve, simply cut the sandwiches apart.
• Be sure the sliders are placed in the basket in a single layer, with a little room between each one, when cooking.
• Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you may not be able to make 12 sandwiches at one time. If you’re basket is smaller just cook in batches.  

Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Another reason we love this recipe is because it’s so forgiving – you can easily swap out ingredients based on preferences or what you have on hand.

• Other deli meats: turkey, roast beef and pastrami are good options if you don’t like ham.
• Using leftover ham: this recipe is a great way to use up your holiday ham and leftover turkey.
• Type of cheese: any melting cheese works, like American, cheddar cheese, Havarti, Muenster, provolone, or pepper Jack.
• Bread: regular slider buns, dinner rolls, or King’s Hawaiian Pretzel buns (these are amazing!).
• For a traditional butter topping: melt butter in the microwave and add sesame seeds, poppy seeds, Everything But the Bagel seasoning, or parsley. You can even add a little Dijon or Worcestershire for more flavor before brushing the tops of the rolls before air frying.  
• More condiment ideas: skip the aioli and use honey mustard, spicy brown mustard or plain mayo. 

How to Make Ham and Swiss Sliders in the Oven

Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare the ham and cheese sandwiches as directed, then line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the assembled sliders on the sheet pan and cover them with aluminum foil. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the sandwiches are heated through and the cheese has melted.

What to Serve With Mini Sandwiches

When making them as a main course, they go great with zesty Italian pasta salad or butternut squash fries.  If you’re serving them as an appetizer for a party, we pair them with a classic cheese ball and a colorful crudite board​.  

Need more air fryer help? Check out our favorite air fryer accessories, best oils to use and tips for choosing the right air fryer. This is the air fryer model I’m currently using.

How to Store Leftover Sliders

Place the cooled sliders in an airtight container then store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The rolls will get soggy from the sauce the longer they are stored. Reheat in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 3-5 minutes or wrap in foil then heat in the oven at 325 degrees F for 10-12 minutes. 

You can totally feed your hungry teens without losing your mind! These air fried sliders are ready in a flash, easily customizable and always a crowd-pleaser. We’d love to hear about your favorite combo or dipping sauce – share it in the comments below.

More Easy Slider Recipes: 

• Beef Brisket Sliders
• Loose Meat Sliders
• Hawaiian Roll Breakfast Sliders
• Thanksgiving Leftovers Sliders with Turkey