Description
Pepperoni Pizza Sliders combine all your favorite pizza flavors—melty mozzarella, zesty pepperoni, tangy pizza sauce, and garlic herb butter baked together on soft slider buns. These easy, crowd-pleasing appetizers are perfect for parties, game day, or quick family dinners. Ready in just 25 minutes with simple ingredients!
Ingredients
For the Slider Sandwiches:
- 12 slider buns or small Hawaiian rolls (the slight sweetness of Hawaiian rolls is perfect here)
- 12–18 slices pepperoni (about 1–2 per slider, depending on size)
- 1½–2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (the star of the show—don’t skimp!)
- 1–1½ cups pizza sauce (store-bought works beautifully, or use your homemade favorite)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan or Italian blend cheese (adds that extra savory punch)
- Optional toppings: sliced black olives, diced bell peppers, banana peppers (customize to your family’s taste)
For the Butter Topping:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted (makes the tops golden and irresistible)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme—all the pizza vibes)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (because garlic makes everything better)
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes (for those who like a little kick)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C)—this moderate temperature ensures the cheese melts perfectly without burning the tops.
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray, or line it with parchment paper for even easier cleanup.
Slice all the slider buns in half horizontally, keeping the bottoms together as one connected sheet and the tops as another. This makes assembly so much easier and helps the sliders bake evenly.
Place the bottom halves in an even layer in your prepared baking dish, cut side up and ready for all those delicious toppings.
Now comes the fun part! Spread a thin, even layer of pizza sauce over each bottom bun—not too much or they’ll get soggy, just enough to coat them with that tangy tomato goodness.
Add 1 to 2 slices of pepperoni on each slider, depending on the size of your pepperoni and how much you love it. Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella over the pepperoni, making sure every slider gets plenty of that melty cheese.
If you’re adding optional toppings like olives, bell peppers, or banana peppers, sprinkle them on now. Finish with a light dusting of grated Parmesan or Italian blend cheese over everything for extra flavor.
Carefully place the top halves of the slider buns over your beautifully layered fillings. They should fit snugly together like a puzzle.
In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. If you like a little heat, add that pinch of red pepper flakes now.
Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil—this creates a steamy environment that helps the cheese melt beautifully. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is completely melted and everything is warmed through. You’ll know they’re ready when your kitchen smells absolutely amazing.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 2 to 3 minutes if you want the tops golden brown and slightly crisp. I always do this step—it adds such a nice texture contrast.
Remove the sliders from the oven and let them cool for just a few minutes. This brief rest helps the cheese set slightly so they’re easier to cut and less likely to burn eager mouths.
Use a sharp knife to cut between the sliders, separating them into individual servings. Serve warm with extra pizza sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Make them extra crispy – Skip the foil entirely and bake uncovered at 375°F for 15–18 minutes for crunchier tops
- Slice smarter – Use kitchen shears instead of a knife to separate the baked sliders—it’s faster and creates cleaner cuts
- Avoid cheese overflow – Keep cheese about ¼ inch away from the edges so it doesn’t spill out and burn in the pan
- Batch cooking trick – Double the recipe and bake in two pans simultaneously; freeze one pan before baking for an easy make-ahead meal
- Common mistake to avoid – Don’t use pre-shredded cheese if you can help it; freshly shredded melts better because it doesn’t have anti-caking agents
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking