These Cuban Sliders are packed with layers of savory ham, tender pulled pork, melty Swiss cheese, and tangy pickles all baked into buttery, golden rolls. Every bite delivers that classic Cuban sandwich flavor in an easy, shareable slider form. Perfect for parties, game day, or a satisfying family meal, these sliders are always a hit.
Recipe Essentials
- 🍽️ Course: Main Course / Appetizer
- ⏱️ Cooking Time: 25 minutes
- 🍴 Servings: 12 sliders
- 🧄 Flavor Profile: Savory, tangy, cheesy, rich
- 🍚 Best Served With: Chips, coleslaw, pickles
- 🧊 Make Ahead?: Yes
Summarize and Save This Content On
These sliders bring all the bold, layered flavors of a traditional Cuban sandwich into a simple baked dish. The combination of salty ham, juicy pork, and melty cheese with tangy pickles creates the perfect balance in every bite. They're easy to assemble and bake, making them ideal for feeding a crowd without stress.
These Cuban sliders were inspired by my BBQ chicken sliders and crack chicken sliders on this site, and pairs well with this amazing pizza pasta salad and sweet potato fries.
Jump to:
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Authentic Cuban flavor made easy: Classic sandwich taste in simple slider form
- Perfect for parties: Easy to make and great for feeding a crowd
- Loaded with layers: Ham, pulled pork, cheese, and pickles in every bite
- Quick and simple: Minimal prep with big flavor payoff
- Make-ahead friendly: Assemble in advance and bake when ready
- Balanced texture: Soft buns, melty cheese, and crunchy pickles
- Customizable: Easy to adjust ingredients and spice level
- Family-friendly: Mild, savory flavors everyone loves
Ingredients
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to create these flavorful Cuban sliders, making it perfect for a quick and delicious meal.
- Hawaiian slider rolls: Provide a soft, slightly sweet base that balances the savory filling
- Ham: Adds salty, savory flavor and classic Cuban sandwich taste
- Pulled pork: Brings juicy, rich texture and depth of flavor
- Swiss cheese: Melts smoothly and adds a mild, creamy element
- Pickles: Add tangy crunch that balances the richness
- Butter: Helps create golden, toasted tops
- Garlic powder: Adds subtle savory flavor to the topping
- Poppy seeds: Provide texture and visual appeal
- Parsley: Adds freshness and color
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
Variations
- Spicy Cuban sliders: Add jalapeños or spicy jalapeno hot sauce
- Turkey Cuban sliders: Swap ham for turkey
- BBQ Cuban sliders: Mix pulled pork with hot BBQ sauce
- Cheesy Cuban sliders: Add extra Swiss or mozzarella
- Mustard Cuban sliders: Spread yellow mustard or jalapeno mustard on buns for classic flavor
Instructions
This recipe is easy to follow and comes together in just a few simple steps, making it perfect for beginners and busy cooks alike. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and spray an 8x13 casserole dish lightly with nonstick spray.
Slice and place the bottom half of your sliders into the bottom of your casserole dish.
Layer your ingredients over the bottom buns, starting with the ham and then the pulled pork.
Next add swiss cheese and pickles.
Finally place the bun tops on last.
In a small bowl, combine your melted butter with the garlic powder and brush it over the bun tops. Sprinkle the poppy seeds over the tops.
Bake in your preheated oven uncovered for 15-20 minutes or until the tops are toasted and the sliders are heated throughout, and the cheese is melted. Sprinkle with parsley.
Slice the sliders and serve!
Recipe Tips
- Use slightly toasted bottom buns: Prevents sogginess from juicy fillings
- Layer cheese on both sides of meat: Creates a moisture barrier
- Use thick-cut deli ham: Adds better texture and flavor
- Warm pulled pork before assembling: Ensures even heating
- Pat pickles dry: Reduces excess moisture
- Brush butter evenly: Helps tops brown and adds flavor
- Bake uncovered: Keeps tops lightly crisp
- Let sliders rest before slicing: Helps them hold together
- Use a serrated knife: Keeps layers intact when cutting
- Add mustard before baking: Boosts authentic Cuban flavor
If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy Italian sliders and bbq meatball sliders.
Storage Directions
- Refrigerator: Store in airtight container up to 3 days
- Freezer: Freeze up to 2 months
- Reheat: Bake at 300°F until warm
- Make Ahead: Assemble ahead and bake when ready
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with potato chips, jalapeno coleslaw and more pickles.
- Add a side salad, french fries or black bean and corn salad
- Serve at parties or as a main course
- Pair with chili relleno soup
- Serve with dipping sauces like jalapeno mustard or creamy jalapeno sauce
Recipe FAQs
Yes, turkey or chicken works.
Cuban sliders are made with ham, pulled pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard layered on soft rolls and baked until warm and melty.
Slice Hawaiian rolls in half, layer ham, pulled pork, Swiss cheese, and pickles on the bottom, add the tops, brush with butter, and bake until golden.
A Cuban sandwich is typically pressed and served whole, while Cuban sliders are smaller, baked in a pan, and designed for sharing.
Yes, you can assemble Cuban sliders ahead of time and refrigerate them. Bake just before serving for the best texture.
Use cheese as a barrier, lightly toast before adding toppings, drain meats well, don't overload filling and avoid adding too much moisture from sauces or pickles.
Swiss cheese is traditional because it melts smoothly and complements the salty ham and pork.
Yes, you can make Cuban sliders with just ham, but adding pulled pork gives a more authentic flavor.
Yes, Cuban sliders can be frozen for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven for best results.
Optional but recommended.
More Slider Recipes
Do you love easy slider recipes? Here are more recipes you may enjoy trying.
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Cuban Sliders
Ingredients
- 12 Hawaiian slider rolls still connected
- 1 pound deli sliced thick ham or leftover ham
- 2 cups pulled pork or leftover
- 6 slices Swiss cheese
- 2 cups dill pickle chips
- 2-4 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
- 2 tablespoons parsley chopped
Instructions
Optional Bun Toast
- Preheat your oven to 325°F or 350°F. (350°F is standard, but 325°F gives more control and prevents over-browning)
- Slice the slider buns in half (keep them connected). Place cut side up on a baking sheet. Lightly brush with extra melted butter.
- Bake slider buns for about 5 minutes, until they are light golden brown. Let cool slightly before adding filling.
Make Your Sliders
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and spray an 9x13 casserole dish lightly with nonstick spray.
- Slice and place the bottom half of your sliders into the bottom of your casserole dish.
- Layer your ingredients over the bottom buns, starting with the Ham, then the pulled pork, then swiss cheese, pickles, and finally place the bun tops on last.
- In a small bowl, combine your melted butter with the garlic powder and brush it over the bun tops. Sprinkle the poppy seeds over the tops.
- Bake in your preheated oven uncovered for 15-20 minutes or until the tops are toasted and the sliders are heated throughout, and the cheese is melted. Sprinkle with parsley.
- Allow sliders to rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with yellow mustard or jalapeno mustard.
Notes
- Use slightly toasted bottom buns: Prevents sogginess from juicy fillings
- Layer cheese on both sides of meat: Creates a moisture barrier
- Use thick-cut deli ham: Adds better texture and flavor
- Warm pulled pork before assembling: Ensures even heating
- Pat pickles dry: Reduces excess moisture
- Brush butter evenly: Helps tops brown and adds flavor
- Bake uncovered: Keeps tops lightly crisp
- Let sliders rest before slicing: Helps them hold together
- Use a serrated knife: Keeps layers intact when cutting
- Add mustard before baking: Boosts authentic Cuban flavor
Leave a Reply