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Some meals never go out of style, and grilled cheese is definitely one of them. These Hawaiian Roll Grilled Cheese Sliders take that classic comfort food and turn it into a shareable tray of buttery, melty goodness.
The soft sweetness of Hawaiian rolls pairs perfectly with warm, melted cheese, and the garlic butter finish gives the tops that irresistible golden flavor. They bake quickly in the oven and come together with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand.
One of the reasons I love this recipe so much is how practical it is for real life. These sliders are easy to make ahead and pack up for lunches when you’re heading out for the day. They travel well for picnics, trips to the park, or even a day at the zoo, and they’re just as good warm or at room temperature.
You can also keep the recipe flexible. This version uses a blend of mozzarella and cheddar, but you can easily swap in two cups of any cheese blend you like. Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, provolone, or even a pizza blend all work beautifully.
Serve them with a warm bowl of roasted tomato soup, alongside one of our homemade soups, or pair them with something from the Slow Cooker Meals collection for an easy family dinner.
And if you love homemade breads, don’t forget to browse the Bread Recipes section or explore more sandwich ideas in the Sandwich Recipes category on the site.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Classic comfort food in an easy slider format
- Bakes quickly in the oven
- Perfect for make-ahead lunches
- Great for picnics, park days, and zoo trips
- Easy to customize with your favorite cheese blends
- Kid-friendly and great for sharing
- Pairs perfectly with roasted tomato soup
Ingredients
- Hawaiian sweet rolls
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
- Butter
- Mayonnaise (optional)
- Garlic salt (optional)
If you prefer making things from scratch, you can also use homemade mayonnaise instead of store-bought.
Equipment
Baking Sheet – A sturdy baking sheet helps the sliders bake evenly in the oven.
Parchment Paper – Parchment keeps the cheese from sticking and makes cleanup much easier.
Mixing Bowl – Used to combine the cheese and seasonings.
Pastry Brush – Perfect for brushing the garlic butter evenly across the tops of the rolls.
Tongs or Spatula – Helpful for placing the top buns back onto the hot melted cheese after the first broil.
How to Make
The key to this recipe is melting the cheese first before adding the top buns. This technique helps the cheese melt evenly and creates that irresistible cheesy layer inside the sliders.
Start by slicing the Hawaiian rolls lengthwise so you have a top and bottom layer. Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on the bottom portion if you like. The mayonnaise adds richness and helps the bread toast slightly in the oven.
Next, combine your shredded cheeses with garlic powder and Italian seasoning. This simple seasoning step gives the sliders a subtle garlic-herb flavor without overpowering the cheese.
Spread the seasoned cheese mixture evenly over the bottom layer of rolls and bake the sliders at 350°F until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly.
At this stage, the cheese is exposed on top, which is intentional. A quick broil allows the cheese to lightly toast and develop extra flavor.
After that brief broil, carefully slide the tray out of the oven and place the top half of the rolls over the melted cheese. Since the tray is hot, using tongs or a spatula makes this step easier.
Brush the tops with melted garlic butter, then return the sliders to the oven for a final short broil. This gives the tops their beautiful golden finish and that buttery garlic flavor everyone loves.
Once finished, slice into individual sliders and serve warm.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
PrintHawaiian Roll Grilled Cheese Sliders
These baked grilled cheese sliders are made with soft Hawaiian rolls, a seasoned blend of cheddar and mozzarella, and finished with garlic butter. They bake quickly, then broil until the tops are golden and the cheese is perfectly melted. Serve them warm with tomato soup for a classic comfort food meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Sandwiches
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Sliders
- 1 (12-count) package Hawaiian sweet rolls
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 TBSP butter, divided
- 1 TBSP mayonnaise (optional)
Garlic Butter Topping (Optional)
- 1 TBSP butter, melted
- ⅛ tsp garlic salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, combine the shredded mozzarella, cheddar, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Toss until evenly mixed.
- Slice the Hawaiian rolls lengthwise, separating the top and bottom halves.
- Place the bottom half of the rolls on the prepared baking sheet. Spread mayonnaise over the bottom cut side if using. Spread butter over the top cut side.
- Evenly distribute the seasoned cheese mixture over the rolls.
- Bake for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted.
- Turn the oven to low broil and broil for about 2 minutes, watching carefully so the cheese does not burn.
- Carefully pull the tray partially out of the oven. Using tongs or a spatula (the bread will be hot), place the top half of the rolls over the melted cheese.
- In a small bowl, mix 1 TBSP melted butter with ⅛ tsp garlic salt.
- Brush the tops of the rolls with the garlic butter mixture.
- Return to the oven and broil for 2–3 minutes, until the tops are golden and lightly crisp.
- Smash slightly if desired for that traditional grilled cheese look.
- Slice into individual sliders and serve warm.
Notes
Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, provolone, or a pizza blend work well in place of cheddar or mozzarella.
Watch closely during broiling. Hawaiian rolls brown quickly because they contain sugar.
These sliders pair perfectly with roasted tomato soup for a classic grilled cheese meal.
Recipes That Pair Well With This
These sliders are incredibly versatile and pair well with many comforting meals.
For the classic combination, serve them with roasted tomato soup. The bright tomato flavor balances the rich melted cheese perfectly.
They also pair wonderfully with recipes from the Homemade Soups collection, especially creamy soups or hearty vegetable soups.
If you’re planning a cozy dinner, browse the Slow Cooker Meals category for comforting dishes that cook while you go about your day.
You can also explore my Bread Recipes if you enjoy homemade baked goods alongside your meals.
And if sandwiches are your thing, you’ll find plenty of inspiration in the Sandwich Recipes collection.
When dinner is finished, don’t forget dessert! My full collection of Dessert Recipes has plenty of sweet treats to finish the meal.
More Recipes to Try
If you enjoy comforting family-style meals like these sliders, you might also enjoy:
- Roasted Tomato Soup (coming soon!)
- Dutch Oven Cheddar Bread
- Jalapeño Cheddar Dutch Oven Bread
- Garlic Butter
- Homemade Mayonnaise
- Garlic Butter Rice
- Mexican Restaurant Style Spanish Rice
- Fluffy White Rice
- Creamy Beef Enchiladas
- Pineapple Chicken
You can also explore more ideas in the Easy Dinner Recipes, Sandwich Recipes, Bread Recipes, and Dessert Recipes collections.
Tips for Little Helpers
Kids love helping with this recipe!
They can help:
- sprinkle the cheese mixture over the rolls
- mix the seasonings into the cheese
- brush the garlic butter over the tops before the final broil
Just be sure an adult handles the oven and hot baking sheet.
Tips for Success
- Use freshly shredded cheese for the best melt.
- Watch carefully during broiling so the rolls don’t brown too quickly.
- Slice the rolls evenly so the sliders bake consistently.
- Don’t skip the garlic butter finish — it adds a lot of flavor.
FAQs
Can I use different cheeses?
Yes. This recipe works with almost any melting cheese. You can use mozzarella, cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, provolone, or a pizza blend.
Can I skip the mayonnaise?
Yes. The mayonnaise adds flavor and helps with browning, but the sliders will still work without it.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes. They are great for make-ahead lunches and pack well for trips to the park, picnics, or zoo outings.
Can I serve these with soup?
Absolutely. They pair perfectly with roasted tomato soup or other recipes from the Homemade Soups collection.
Storage
Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing Instructions
Wrap the baked sliders tightly in foil and freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through.
Variations
You can easily customize this recipe:
- Use two cups of your favorite cheese blend instead of the suggested cheeses.
- Add sliced ham or turkey for a heartier sandwich.
- Sprinkle parmesan over the garlic butter topping.
- Add fresh herbs for extra flavor.
Final Thoughts
These Hawaiian Roll Grilled Cheese Sliders are simple, comforting, and incredibly practical for busy days. Whether you’re serving them with soup for dinner or packing them up for a family outing, they’re an easy recipe that everyone enjoys.
They’re also endlessly adaptable, which makes them a great recipe to keep in your regular rotation.
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