Pizza sliders are an innovative snack that combines the best of both worlds – Italian flavors and Hawaiian sweet rolls. The simplicity of this recipe makes it perfect for a party or a family dinner, as it allows you to get creative with your favorite toppings. The garlic butter topping adds a rich and savory element that complements the sweetness of the rolls, creating a unique flavor profile that will leave everyone wanting more. Whether you’re in the mood for comfort food or something new and exciting, this fusion recipe is sure to impress. By blending the flavors of Italy with the sweetness of Hawaii, pizza sliders become an unexpected delight that’s easy to make and fun to eat. If you enjoy trying out new pizza recipes, you might also appreciate some of our other favorite variations, such as Instant Pot BBQ chicken French bread pizza or mini pizza bagel bites.
Why You’ll Love These
Indulge in the delightful fusion of sweet and savory flavors with these mouthwatering pizza sliders. Soft Hawaiian rolls provide the perfect base for a harmonious blend of Italian sausage, melted cheese, pepperoni, oregano, and a rich garlic and onion topping. The best part? This recipe is surprisingly easy to execute, making it an ideal choice for beginners. Simply assemble the ingredients without the need for dramatic flair – no dough-tossing required! With this recipe, you can effortlessly feed a crowd by doubling or tripling the quantities. And the beauty of pizza sliders lies in their customizability: add your favorite toppings to create a personalized delight that’s sure to satisfy any pizza lover.
How to Make Pepperoni Pizza Sliders
To bring this mouthwatering dish together, follow these steps with precision. Begin by cooking the sausage in a skillet, breaking it up as it browns, until the excess grease has been drained. Next, stir in the pizza sauce and parmesan cheese to create a rich and savory mixture. For the assembly process, start by cutting the rolls in half horizontally and arranging them in a baking dish coated with cooking spray. Add a layer of provolone cheese followed by the sausage and cheese mixture, then top it all off with pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and a sprinkle of oregano. Finally, add the roll tops to complete the sliders. Meanwhile, prepare the topping by whisking together melted butter, basil, garlic powder, and onion powder. Brush this fragrant mixture over the rolls to infuse them with flavor. To cook the pizza sliders, cover the baking sheet with foil and bake in a preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle parmesan cheese over the top, and return it to the oven for an additional 5 minutes. Once cooked, let the sliders rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Substitutions and Variations
For those who require gluten-free options, substitute traditional rolls with gluten-free alternatives. The possibilities for toppings are endless! Consider adding sliced mushrooms, corn kernels, spinach, tuna, crispy bacon, savory ham, and briny olives to create a personalized pizza slider experience. To elevate the flavor profile, experiment with different seasonings such as Italian seasoning or add a spicy kick with red pepper flakes. Additionally, feel free to swap oregano for marinara sauce or any other pizza sauce that suits your taste buds.
How to Store Pizza Sliders
When it comes to storing and reheating your pizza sliders, here are some helpful tips: Refrigerate them for up to three days in an airtight container, making sure they’re tightly sealed to maintain freshness. For longer storage, you can also freeze the sliders individually, which allows you to simply thaw what you need as you go. To thaw, place the frozen pizza sliders in the fridge overnight and let them defrost at their own pace. When it’s time to reheat, wrap each slider in foil and bake in the oven until warmed through, being careful not to overcook or burn them.
Top Tips
Shredding your own mozzarella from a block is a game-changer when it comes to melting. It’s worth the extra effort. To take your pizza sliders to the next level, don’t be afraid to get creative with toppings – whatever you love on a traditional pizza will likely shine here. These bites are also incredibly easy to scale up or down depending on your needs. Whether you’re hosting a party, gathering with family and friends, or just want to have some extra goodies on hand for a quick snack, this recipe is a great choice. Just remember to be generous when applying the butter – it’s what gives these sliders their golden glow. And don’t serve them straight away; let them cool for a few minutes first so you can easily slice them apart and enjoy.
Recipe for Pizza Sliders FAQs
While Hawaiian rolls are renowned for their soft texture and sweet flavor, they may not appeal to everyone. A suitable alternative is standard rolls, such as burger rolls. Alternatively, you could utilize leftover rolls from Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner as a snack after the holidays. For those seeking vegetarian options, pizza sliders can be easily adapted by substituting Italian sausage and pepperoni with a favorite vegetarian protein, like sliced portobello mushrooms. To take it a step further, vegan versions are also possible. Start by selecting vegan-friendly rolls and then choose your preferred plant-based proteins and cheese alternatives. From there, the possibilities are endless, and you can add any toppings, seasonings, or vegetables that strike your fancy!
Pepperoni Pizza Sliders Recipe
Pizza Sliders
Meet pizza sliders, the ultimate comfort food that combines the rich flavors of Italy with the sweetness of Hawaii. This delightful treat consists of Italian-inspired fillings served on a bed of soft Hawaiian sweet rolls and topped with a savory garlic butter. Perfect for spoiling your loved ones or satisfying your own cravings, this recipe is sure to become a new favorite. With only 10 minutes of prep time and 35 minutes of cooking time, you can indulge in these bite-sized wonders in no time. Enjoy 12 servings of pure bliss!
Instructions
Preheat your oven to a cozy 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by spritzing it with cooking spray and setting it aside. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage until it’s no longer pink, breaking it up into crumbly bits as you go – this should take around 8-10 minutes. If there’s excess grease, drain it away.
Once the sausage is browned and cooked through, stir in some pizza sauce and sprinkle on some Parmesan cheese. Take the skillet off the heat for now.
Now it’s time to assemble our sliders. Start by placing the bottom halves of the rolls, cut side up, into the prepared baking dish. Add a layer of sliced provolone on top of the rolls, followed by the sauce and a sprinkle of oregano. Top everything off with some pepperoni slices and finish it all off with a layer of mozzarella cheese.
To give our sliders an extra boost of flavor, mix together some butter, basil, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl until well combined. Brush this topping mixture all over the rolls, making sure to use every last bit.
Cover the baking dish with nonstick foil or spritz a piece of foil with nonstick cooking spray, then pop it into the oven for 20 minutes. After that time has passed, remove the foil and sprinkle some extra Parmesan cheese on top. Return the sliders to the oven for an additional 5 minutes.
Once they’re done, let the sliders cool in the pan for 10 minutes before cutting them along the seams and serving.
Notes
I’m a firm believer in the art of crafting my own mozzarella cheese from block form, rather than relying on pre-shredded store-bought varieties. The difference lies in the melting quality – it’s simply more divine when done by hand. Feel free to get creative with your pizza toppings and apply that same enthusiasm to these delightful pizza sliders. After all, the possibilities are endless! To achieve that radiant golden hue, be generous with the butter application. And speaking of parties, these little gems can be prepped ahead of time, scaled up or down as needed for gatherings, and even double-tripled for larger events. Just remember to let them cool slightly before serving, as they do get quite hot. After a few minutes’ repose, you can effortlessly separate the individual sliders using a knife or pizza wheel along the roll seams.