Mini Grilled Cheese Hawaiian Rolls (Print Version)

Soft Hawaiian rolls filled with cheddar and mozzarella, brushed with garlic butter and baked until golden and gooey.

# What You Need:

→ Rolls

01 - 1 package (12 count) Hawaiian sweet rolls, unseparated

→ Cheese Filling

02 - 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, thinly sliced
03 - 4 oz whole milk mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced

→ Garlic Butter Coating

04 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
05 - 1 tsp garlic powder
06 - 1 tsp dried parsley flakes
07 - ½ tsp sea salt

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
02 - Using a serrated bread knife, slice the entire block of Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally, keeping them connected. Do not separate into individual rolls.
03 - Place the bottom half of the rolls on the prepared baking sheet. Arrange the cheddar and mozzarella cheese slices in an even layer across the surface, covering it completely.
04 - Place the top half of the rolls back over the cheese layer, pressing down gently to create a unified sandwich slab.
05 - In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, garlic powder, dried parsley, and sea salt until well combined.
06 - Using a pastry brush, generously coat the tops and sides of the assembled rolls with the garlic butter mixture, ensuring even coverage.
07 - Loosely tent the rolls with aluminum foil and bake for 10 minutes, allowing the cheese to begin melting.
08 - Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the tops are golden brown and slightly crisp.
09 - Remove from the oven and let rest for 2 to 3 minutes. Using a sharp knife, cut along the roll seams to separate into 12 individual mini sandwiches. Serve immediately while warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • These little sandwiches disappear faster than anything else at any gathering I bring them to.
  • The whole block of rolls bakes together so you never have to assemble twelve individual sandwiches.
  • That garlic butter crust on top will make people think you spent far more effort than you actually did.
02 -
  • If you separate the rolls before slicing they will fall apart during assembly, so always slice the whole block together as one unit.
  • Covering with foil for the first bake is critical because uncovered tops will burn before the cheese inside has time to melt completely.
03 -
  • Let the cheese come to room temperature before assembling so it melts faster and more evenly during baking.
  • Brush a little extra butter mixture between the layers, not just on top, for flavor that runs through every single bite.

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