Pizza Sliders
I remember one chaotic Saturday afternoon. Friends were coming over for the game, and I had promised “pizza.” But the thought of making dough from scratch or even waiting for delivery felt like too much work.
I needed something fast, something cheesy, and something everyone would love. That’s when I stumbled upon the magic of sliders.
These little guys have all the flavor of a great pepperoni pizza packed into a soft, buttery, pull-apart roll. They’re the ultimate party food, perfect for game day, movie nights, or just a super simple weeknight dinner.
Forget the delivery fees and long wait times. Let’s make something amazing right in your own kitchen.
What You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity. You only need a handful of common ingredients to pull off these cheesy wonders.
- Hawaiian Sweet Rolls: One 12-count package. The slight sweetness is a perfect match for the savory toppings.
- Pepperoni: About 48 slices, or a 6-ounce package. Feel free to use more if you’re a pepperoni fanatic.
- Mozzarella Cheese: 8 ounces of sliced or shredded low-moisture mozzarella. Sliced works best for even coverage.
- Marinara Sauce: 1/2 cup of your favorite brand. Don’t use too much or the buns will get soggy.
- Butter: 1/4 cup, unsalted. This will be for the amazing garlic butter topping.
- Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon.
- Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon of this dried herb blend adds that classic pizza aroma.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: 2 tablespoons, for that extra salty, cheesy kick on top.
Tools Required
You don’t need any fancy gadgets for this recipe. Just a few kitchen basics will do the trick.
- A 9×13 inch baking dish
- A serrated bread knife
- A small bowl for melting butter
- A pastry brush or a spoon
- Aluminum foil
How to Make Pizza Sliders
This process is so simple, you’ll have it memorized after the first time. Let’s get to it.
Step 1: Prep Your Buns and Oven
First things first, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Take your block of Hawaiian rolls and, without separating them, use a serrated knife to slice the entire slab in half horizontally. You’ll have a top sheet and a bottom sheet of buns.
Step 2: Start Assembling
Place the bottom slab of rolls into your lightly greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread the marinara sauce evenly over the cut side of the rolls.
Step 3: Layer the Good Stuff
Next, layer on the cheese. If you’re using slices, lay them down to cover the entire surface. Then, arrange the pepperoni slices on top of the cheese. I like to do a double layer for maximum flavor.
Step 4: Put a Lid On It
Place the top slab of rolls back on top of the pepperoni layer, completing your giant pizza sandwich.
Step 5: Make the Garlic Butter Topping
In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt your butter. Stir in the garlic powder and Italian seasoning until well combined.
Step 6: Brush and Garnish
Using a pastry brush or the back of a spoon, spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over the tops of the rolls. Make sure to get it into all the little crevices. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. This is key to melting the cheese without burning the tops. Bake for 15 minutes.
Then, remove the foil and bake for another 5-7 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and completely melted.
Step 8: Serve Immediately
Let the sliders rest for just a minute or two before cutting them apart and serving them warm. Watch them disappear!
Pro Tips
I’ve made these sliders more times than I can count. Here are a few tricks I’ve learned along the way to make them absolutely perfect every time.
- Toast the Bottoms: To guarantee your sliders never get soggy, separate the top and bottom slabs of rolls and place them cut-side-up on a baking sheet. Bake for 3-4 minutes at 375°F before assembling. This creates a slight barrier against the sauce.
- Don’t Drown Them in Sauce: It’s tempting to add a lot of marinara, but less is more here. A thin, even layer provides all the flavor you need without turning the rolls into a mushy mess. Serve extra marinara on the side for dipping!
- Foil is Your Friend: Don’t skip the step of covering the sliders with foil for the first part of baking. This traps steam, helping the cheese melt evenly and warming the sliders all the way through. Removing it at the end is what gives you that perfectly golden, toasty top.
- Shred Your Own Cheese: While pre-shredded cheese is convenient, it contains anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting as smoothly. Grating a block of low-moisture mozzarella will give you the best, stretchiest cheese pull.
Substitutions and Variations
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to customize. You can swap out ingredients to match your taste or use whatever you have on hand. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
| Category | Variation Idea | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | Cooked Italian Sausage | Crumble and brown it first. |
| Protein | Mini Meatballs | Use pre-cooked, sliced in half. |
| Sauce | Pesto or Alfredo | Great for a chicken variation. |
| Cheese | Provolone | Adds a sharper, tangier flavor. |
| Veggies | Olives, Onions, Peppers | Sauté veggies first to soften. |
You can also try a “Supreme” version with cooked sausage, pepperoni, diced green peppers, and black olives. Or go for a “Hawaiian” twist with diced ham and pineapple. The possibilities are endless!
Nutrition and Dietary Swaps
While these are an indulgence, you can make a few adjustments to fit different dietary needs. Please note that the nutritional information is an estimate and can vary based on the specific ingredients you use.
| Nutrient (per slider) | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 280 kcal |
| Protein | 11 g |
| Carbohydrates | 22 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
- For a Gluten-Free Version: Simply use your favorite brand of gluten-free dinner rolls. The rest of the ingredients are typically gluten-free, but always double-check labels.
- For a Vegetarian Option: Skip the pepperoni and load up on veggies like mushrooms, bell peppers, and onions. You can also use plant-based pepperoni alternatives.
- For a Lower-Carb/Keto Option: This is trickier, but you can find recipes for keto-friendly dinner rolls online or buy them pre-made. Use a sugar-free marinara sauce.
Meal Pairings and Efficiency Tips
These sliders are hearty enough on their own, but they also play well with others.
For a full meal, serve them alongside a simple green salad with a vinaigrette, some crispy French fries, or a bowl of carrot and celery sticks with ranch for dipping. The freshness of the veggies cuts through the richness of the sliders beautifully.
To make this recipe even faster:
- Prep Ahead: You can chop any veggies or mix your butter topping ahead of time.
- Teamwork: If you have kids or a partner in the kitchen, turn it into an assembly line. One person can handle the sauce, another the cheese, and so on.
Make-Ahead Tips
Yes, you can absolutely prepare these ahead of time! Assemble the sliders completely, but do not add the butter topping yet.
Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, let the dish sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes, then add the butter topping and bake as directed. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the initial covered baking time.
Leftovers and Storage
If you somehow have leftovers, they are easy to store. Let the sliders cool completely, then place them in an airtight container. They will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, the oven or an air fryer is your best bet for crispy results. A few minutes at 350°F (175°C) will bring them back to life. Microwaving works in a pinch, but the rolls will be much softer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. My sliders came out soggy on the bottom. What did I do wrong?
Ans: This is a common issue! It’s usually caused by too much marinara sauce. Next time, use a thinner layer and try the pro tip of pre-toasting the bottom buns for a few minutes before assembling.
Q2. Can I use different kinds of rolls?
Ans: Absolutely. While Hawaiian rolls add a nice sweetness, regular dinner rolls, brioche slider buns, or even potato rolls work wonderfully. Just make sure they come in a pull-apart sheet for easy assembly.
Q3. Can I freeze these pizza sliders?
Ans: Yes. They freeze well. Assemble them completely but do not bake. Wrap the entire dish tightly in two layers of plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. To bake, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator and then bake as directed.
Q4. How can I add a little spice to them?
Ans: There are a few easy ways! You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to your marinara sauce or sprinkle some on with the pepperoni. You could also use spicy pepperoni or a pepper jack cheese instead of mozzarella.
Wrapping Up
And there you have it—a simple, crowd-pleasing recipe that delivers all the cheesy, savory goodness of pizza with almost none of the effort. These Pizza Sliders are a true game-changer for easy entertaining and quick family meals.
They are forgiving, endlessly customizable, and honestly, just plain fun to eat. I hope you give them a try for your next get-together.
If you make them, I’d love to hear about it! Drop a comment below and let me know how they turned out or if you came up with any creative variations of your own.
