Pizza Sliders
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Pizza Sliders give me everything I love about pizza in easy mini pull-apart sandwiches. Hawaiian rolls stay soft inside while garlic butter makes the tops golden and crispy. Mozzarella melts between layers of pepperoni and pizza sauce, creating stretchy cheese pulls that make everyone reach for seconds. You’ll watch them disappear in minutes.
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I make them for game day parties, movie nights, and family gatherings because they’re easy to serve and everyone loves them. They travel well to potlucks in the baking dish and stay fresh when covered at room temperature for about a day or in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven to bring back that crispy top.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Pizza Sliders with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
You’ll have these easy pizza sliders ready in about 35 minutes, and most of that time is hands-off baking.
Prep the Baking Dish and Rolls
Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Slice the entire sheet of Hawaiian rolls horizontally without separating them into individual rolls.
Place the bottom layer in the baking dish, cut side up. Using a serrated bread knife makes slicing through the rolls much easier and cleaner.
Mix the Cheese Filling
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded mozzarella, freshly grated Parmesan, red pepper flakes if using, and half of the dried oregano. Mix everything together so the seasonings distribute evenly throughout the cheese.
Layer the Pizza Fillings
Spread half of the pizza sauce over the bottom rolls in an even layer. Sprinkle half of the cheese mixture over the sauce.
Layer the pepperoni slices evenly across the cheese. Top with the remaining cheese mixture. Place the top half of the rolls over the filling. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
Make the Garlic Butter
While the sliders bake, stir together the melted butter, minced garlic, and remaining oregano in a small bowl. The garlic butter is what makes the tops golden and incredibly flavorful.
Finish Baking
Remove the foil and brush the tops of the rolls generously with the garlic butter using a pastry brush. Return the uncovered dish to the oven and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the tops are golden and the cheese has melted completely.
Serve With Warm Sauce
Warm the remaining pizza sauce in a small pan over low heat. Serve the sliders hot with extra Parmesan and the warm sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy!
If you’re taking them to a party or potluck, keep the sliders in the baking dish and cover with a 9×13 silicone lid to seal them in. An insulated casserole carrier like this one keeps them warm during transport so they arrive ready to serve. The carrier also protects the dish and makes it easy to carry along with the warm sauce in a separate container.
Ingredients
- 12 mini rolls Hawaiian rolls recommended
- 12 ounces mozzarella cheese shredded
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus extra for serving
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1¼ teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 14-ounce jar pizza sauce
- 6 ounces sliced pepperoni
- 4 tablespoons salted butter melted
- 2 cloves garlic minced
Video
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Slice the entire sheet of rolls horizontally. Place the bottom layer in the baking dish, cut side up.12 mini rolls
- In a bowl, combine the mozzarella, Parmesan, red pepper flakes, and half of the oregano.12 ounces mozzarella cheese, ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1¼ teaspoons dried oregano
- Spread half of the pizza sauce over the bottom rolls. Add half the cheese mixture. Layer the pepperoni evenly. Top with the remaining cheese mixture.1 14-ounce jar pizza sauce, 6 ounces sliced pepperoni
- Place the top half of the rolls over the filling. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- Stir together the melted butter, garlic, and remaining oregano.4 tablespoons salted butter, 2 cloves garlic
- Remove the foil, brush the rolls with the garlic butter, and bake uncovered for about 10 minutes, or until golden and melty.
- Warm the remaining pizza sauce in a small saucepan. Serve sliders hot with extra Parmesan and warm sauce on the side.
Notes
- Don’t separate the rolls: Keep the sheet of rolls intact when you slice them horizontally. This makes them easier to layer and creates the signature pull-apart effect.
- Brush butter generously: Don’t skip the garlic butter step. It’s what makes the tops golden and adds incredible flavor. Make sure to brush it all the way to the edges.
- Different names, same sliders: You can call these Hawaiian rolls pizza sliders by different names; they work as an appetizer, main dish, or snack, and the base can be called buns or rolls interchangeably. Marinara sauce and pizza sauce mean the same thing, too.
- Endless customization options: Try different proteins like cooked chicken, ham, or bacon instead of pepperoni, use provolone cheese or fresh mozzarella for varied melts, substitute garlic powder for fresh garlic, swap marinara for alfredo sauce to make white pizza sliders, mix Italian seasoning into the butter, or add sautéed onions and fresh basil as extra toppings.
- Flash freeze for meal prep: If you’re making these ahead, assemble the sliders completely but don’t bake them. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 1 month. Bake from frozen, adding about 10 extra minutes to the covered baking time.
- Reheat in the oven: The oven keeps the rolls crispy on top and melty inside. Cover with foil for the first 5 minutes, then uncover to crisp up the tops.
Nutrition
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually keep them in the baking dish covered tightly with aluminum foil, which makes reheating super easy.
To reheat, place them in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes, until warmed through, and the cheese is melty again. You can also freeze them in a freezer-safe glass container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat in the oven. The microwave works in a pinch, but the rolls won’t stay as crispy.
What to Serve With Pizza Sliders
These sliders are hearty enough to be a main dish, but I usually serve them with a simple green salad or Caesar salad on the side. Roasted vegetables such as broccoli, zucchini, or bell peppers are also great. For parties, I set out chips and dip, veggie trays, or mozzarella sticks.
If you’re serving them for game day or a casual gathering, they pair perfectly with wings, loaded nachos, or a big bowl of popcorn. Keep it simple since the sliders are already packed with flavor.
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I’ve got other easy slider recipes perfect for game day and gatherings.
