Description
Delightful pizza sliders bring Italian-inspired flavors to bite-sized perfection, combining classic marinara, melted cheese, and savory pepperoni. Small yet packed with bold taste, these miniature sandwiches offer a quick, crowd-pleasing appetizer you’ll crave at every gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 slider buns (Hawaiian rolls work great)
- 24 slices pepperoni
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Cheese and Sauce:
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup marinara or pizza sauce
Seasoning and Finishing:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 375F (190C) and lightly coating a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Carefully slice the slider buns horizontally, keeping them connected as a single unit.
- Arrange the bottom bun halves evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Spread a uniform layer of marinara sauce across the bun bases.
- Distribute half of the mozzarella cheese over the marinara sauce.
- Create a layer of pepperoni slices or alternative toppings across the cheese.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the pepperoni layer.
- Gently place the top bun halves back onto the assembled base.
- Craft the garlic butter topping by combining melted butter, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese in a small mixing bowl.
- Generously brush the prepared garlic butter mixture over the top of the bun surfaces.
- Shield the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 10 minutes.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-12 minutes until the cheese melts and bun tops turn golden brown.
- Allow the sliders to rest and cool for 5 minutes after removing from the oven.
- Slice the connected sliders into individual portions.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.
Notes
- Customize Toppings: Swap pepperoni for ham, bacon, or vegetarian alternatives like bell peppers and mushrooms to suit different dietary preferences.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free slider buns or lettuce wraps for a low-carb alternative that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
- Make-Ahead Hack: Assemble sliders up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate, covered. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before baking to ensure even cooking.
- Cheese Variations: Experiment with different cheese blends like provolone, cheddar, or a spicy pepper jack to add unique flavor profiles to your sliders.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 40mg