Craving pizza but want something a little different? Try these Pepperoni Pizza Sliders! This fun twist on a classic favorite combines the best parts of pizza with the convenience of sliders. In just 50 minutes, you can have a pan of cheesy, saucy, pepperoni-packed mini sandwiches ready to serve.
These sliders are perfect for game day, kid-friendly dinners, or anytime you want to switch up your usual pizza night. With customizable toppings and fillings, you can easily adapt this recipe to suit everyone's tastes.
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I love to serve these on game days. We'll set up a "slider bar" with extra toppings like sliced olives, banana peppers, and different cheeses so everyone can customize their own.
These pizza sliders are also perfect for weeknight dinner. When we're short on time, I'll prep the sliders in the morning and keep them in the fridge, ready to pop in the oven when we get home.
These sliders have saved us on many busy nights when ordering takeout seemed tempting. With just a few minutes of prep, we can have a homemade meal that satisfies our pizza cravings without the expense or wait of delivery.
For breakfast check out these Hawaiian Roll Breakfast Sliders. These
Buffalo Chicken Sliders On Hawaiian Rolls are another great option for game day or easy family dinner.
Ingredient Notes
See printable recipe card below for all ingredients, specific measurements, and complete instructions.
- Dinner Rolls - Keep them connected when slicing for easier assembly. Any brand works, but brioche adds extra richness.
- Mozzarella Cheese - Shredded works best for even melting. You can use pre-shredded or shred your own for better melting.
- Pepperoni - Regular or mini both work well. Feel free to substitute with other meats like ham or sausage.
- Pizza Sauce - Store-bought is quick, but you can use homemade, too. Spaghetti sauce is a good alternative.
- Butter - Melted butter helps the tops brown nicely and adds flavor.
- Parmesan Cheese - Adds a salty, tangy flavor to the topping. Freshly grated is best if you have it.
- Italian Seasoning - Optional, but adds a nice herb flavor. You can make your own blend if you prefer.
- Garlic Powder - Also optional, but great for extra flavor in the topping.
- Additional Toppings - Get creative! Try vegetables like bell peppers or onions, or other cheeses like cheddar.
How To Make Pepperoni Pizza Sliders
Let's start by prepping our baking dish. Lightly spray a 9x13 cake pan with cooking spray and preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Now for the rolls. Here's a pro tip: keep them connected! Slice the whole set of rolls horizontally through the middle, creating one large top and bottom piece. This makes assembly much easier and faster.
Place the bottom half of the rolls in your prepared pan. Now it's time to layer on the good stuff. Start with half of your shredded mozzarella, spreading it evenly over the rolls. This first cheese layer helps prevent the bread from getting soggy.
Next, spread your pizza or spaghetti sauce over the cheese. If you're using mini pepperonis, this is when you'd sprinkle them on. For regular-sized pepperoni, lay the slices out evenly over the sauce.
Add the remaining mozzarella on top of the pepperoni. This is also a great time to add any extra toppings you might want, like bell peppers or olives.
Carefully place the top half of the rolls onto your loaded bottom half. Brush the tops with melted butter - this will give you a beautiful golden color when baked.
In a small bowl, mix together the Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning (if using). Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the buttered tops. The Parmesan adds a nice salty crunch.
Cover the pan with aluminum foil, trying not to let it touch the tops of the buns. This prevents them from drying out while baking.
Slide your pan into the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes. After this time, remove the foil and bake for another 3-5 minutes to toast the tops to a nice golden brown.
Once done, take the sliders out and let them cool for a few minutes. Then, using a sharp knife, cut along the original lines of the dinner rolls.
Serve these sliders while they're still warm and gooey. They're great on their own, but you could also pair them with a side salad for a more complete meal. Enjoy your homemade pizza sliders!
Slider Variations
- Change the cheese. While mozzarella is classic for pizza, you can experiment with different cheeses. Try a mix of mozzarella and cheddar for a sharper flavor, or use provolone for a different taste.
- Swap the meat. Pepperoni is just the start! Try using cooked and crumbled Italian sausage, ham, bacon, or even shredded chicken.
- Experiment with sauces. You can use marinara, alfredo, or even pesto in place of the pizza sauce for a different flavor.
- Add a crispier top. For extra crunch, brush the tops with an egg wash (beaten egg with a splash of water) instead of butter before adding the Parmesan topping.
Make-Ahead, Storing, and Freezing
Make Ahead: You can assemble these sliders up to 24 hours in advance. Prepare the recipe as directed, but don't bake them. Instead, cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. When you're ready to bake, remove from the fridge, replace the plastic wrap with foil, and bake as directed, adding an extra 5-10 minutes to the cooking time.
Store: If you have leftovers, let the sliders cool completely before storing. Place them in an airtight container or wrap the pan tightly with plastic wrap. They'll keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave individual sliders for a quick snack.
Freeze: These sliders freeze well, making them great for meal prep. After baking and cooling completely, wrap individual sliders or rows of sliders tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. They'll keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then bake in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes, or until hot and cheese is melty.
Recipe Tips
- Keep the dinner rolls connected when slicing and assembling. This makes the process much easier and helps the sliders hold together better.
- Don't overdo it on the pizza sauce. A thin layer is enough to prevent the bread from getting soggy.
- If using vegetables as toppings, consider pre-cooking them slightly to remove excess moisture. This helps prevent the sliders from becoming watery.
- For extra flavor, mix some garlic powder or Italian seasoning into the melted butter before brushing it on top of the rolls.
- Make sure the foil doesn't touch the tops of the rolls when baking. This prevents the cheese from sticking to the foil.
- Let the sliders rest for a few minutes after baking. This makes them easier to cut and handle.
There you have it - a simple, crowd-pleasing recipe for Pepperoni Pizza Sliders. Easy to make and endlessly customizable, these sliders are perfect for any occasion. Whether it's game day or just a fun twist on pizza night, you’re going to love these cheesy, saucy mini sandwiches.
Pepperoni Pizza Sliders Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 dinner rolls (or Hawaiian Sweet Rolls)
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella
- 2 6-ounce packs pepperoni (20-25 slices)
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- ½ cup melted butter
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian season
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare a 9x13 cake pan with lightly sprayed pan spray. Heat oven to 375 degrees.
- Use a long serrated knife to cut the rolls in half lengthwise, as a whole. Don't separate them individually. Place the bottom side of the rolls in the pan.
- Spread 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese over the top of the bottom section of the rolls.
- Top the cheese with the pizza or spaghetti sauce and spread evenly.
- Add the pepperonis evenly over the sauce.
- Spread the other 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese evenly over the pepperonis.
- Place the top half of the rolls over the bottom half.
- Brush the tops of the rolls with the melted butter.
- Mix the parmesan cheese, garlic powder and Italian seasoning in a small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the rolls.
- Cover the pan with aluminum foil and try not to let the foil touch the top of the buns.
- Bake sliders for 25 minutes. Remove the aluminum foil and toast the tops of the bun for another 3-5 minutes.
- Remove from oven and cut sliders along dinner roll lines. Enjoy!
Joanne
Monday 12th of August 2024
These look delicious!