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Mini Grilled Cheese Hawaiian Rolls: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe

Mini Grilled Cheese Hawaiian Rolls

This recipe transforms a whole pack of sweet Hawaiian rolls into a buttery, gloriously cheesy tray of pull-apart sliders, perfect for sharing. The subtle sweetness of the rolls pairs perfectly with the savory, melted cheddar and mozzarella, all topped with a flavorful garlic butter. It's an incredibly easy and crowd-pleasing dish for parties, game days, or a quick weeknight meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 200
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 12-pack of King's Hawaiian sweet rolls
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning (optional)

Equipment

  • Serrated bread knife
  • 9x13 inch baking dish or baking sheet
  • Small bowl
  • Aluminum foil

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat Your Oven: First things first, get your oven preheating to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your rolls will bake evenly and the cheese will melt perfectly.
  2. Prepare the Rolls: Take the entire slab of Hawaiian rolls out of the package but do not pull them apart. Using a long, serrated bread knife, carefully slice the rolls in half horizontally, creating a top slab and a bottom slab. Place the bottom slab into a 9x13 inch baking dish or on a baking sheet.
  3. Butter the Bottoms: In a small bowl, mix your softened butter with the garlic powder and optional dried herbs until well combined. Spread half of this garlic butter mixture evenly over the cut side of the bottom slab of rolls.
  4. Layer on the Cheese: Now for the best part. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly over the buttered bottom rolls. Don't be afraid to pile it on and get it all the way to the edges!
  5. Complete the Assembly: Place the top slab of rolls back on, creating one giant sandwich.
  6. Butter the Tops: Spread the remaining garlic butter mixture over the tops of the rolls. This is what will give them that beautiful golden-brown, crispy crust.
  7. Wrap and Bake: Tightly cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. This step is crucial as it traps the steam, allowing the cheese to become perfectly gooey and melted without the tops of the rolls burning. Bake for 15-20 minutes.
  8. Golden-Up: After 15-20 minutes, carefully remove the foil. Return the rolls to the oven and bake for another 5-7 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and slightly crispy.
  9. Rest and Serve: Let them cool for just a minute or two before using a knife to slice along the seams to separate the individual sliders. Serve immediately while they’re hot and cheesy.

Notes

For the best results, use blocks of cheese and shred them yourself for superior meltiness. Ensure butter is softened to room temperature, not melted, to prevent soggy rolls. Variations include adding deli ham or using other melting cheeses like Gruyère or provolone. The sliders can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated before baking.