Pizza Sliders with Pepperoni

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These Pizza Sliders with pepperoni are an easy and delicious appetizer! Filled with lots of cheese, sauce, and pepperoni, they’re perfect for game day, holiday parties, or any kind of get-together!

Pizza Sliders

If you’re on the hunt for an amazing appetizer that is super easy to make, these pizza sliders filled with pepperoni and mozzarella cheese are for you!

They make great game-day appetizers. They are also wonderful for barbecues, backyard parties… pretty much any get-together with a crowd! Every time I make these, someone asks me for the recipe, and there are rarely leftovers.

Made with a simple combination of Hawaiian rolls, pepperoni, fresh mozzarella, and a special homemade garlic butter rub on top, they truly are to die for. My kids love my pizza sliders recipe so much they have even started to request them for their birthday. Yes, they’re that good!

Some other great game day options to serve alongside these Hawaiian roll pizza sliders are these Reuben Sliders, Homemade Chili Cheese Dip, or Toasted Ravioli. It would make for quite the spread!

Why You’ll Love My Pizza Sliders Recipe

So easy to make
Ready in just 45 minutes
Perfect for a crowd
They’re like mini hand-held pizzas
Full of savory flavor thanks to the garlic and herb butter topping

Key Ingredients to Make Hawaiian Roll Pizza Sliders

HAWAIIAN ROLLS – My favorite for pizza sliders! Though, you can also use any small bun — they don’t have to be Hawaiian rolls. Just keep them small so they are appetizer-sized.
PASTA SAUCE – Use any brand and flavor you like.
PEPPERONI – I try to use a high-quality pepperoni as it has the best flavor, but you can use whatever you usually buy.
FRESH MOZZARELLA – I like the fresh because it’s easy to slice and place on the bun. Plus, it melts so nicely! It makes the best cheese pull. However, sliced or shredded mozzarella works just fine as well.
GARLIC BUTTER RUB – You’ll need Parmesan, butter, garlic powder, basil, and oregano. I combine them and then use the mixture to brush over the tops of the sliders. Don’t skip this step! It really adds a lot to the pepperoni sliders.

overhead: my pizza sliders recipe in a pan

Instructions to Make Pepperoni Sliders

RECIPE PREP: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease the bottom of a 9×13-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside for now.

ASSEMBLE THE PEPPERONI PIZZA SLIDERS: Cut the buns in half and set the tops aside. Place the bottom half of the buns into the prepared pan and spread evenly with the pasta sauce. Top the sauce with pepperoni slices, then add the fresh mozzarella — you want to add one slice of cheese per pepperoni slider. Add the top half of the rolls to the top of the cheese.

COAT WITH GARLIC BUTTER: Add the melted butter, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, dried basil, and oregano to a small bowl and combine. Spread the top of the buns with the mixture.

BAKE: Cover the pizza sliders recipe with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 5 minutes. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips for Making Pepperoni Pizza Sliders

When assembling your pizza sliders, be sure to layer the ingredients evenly. This helps to distribute the flavors — you’ll get a little bit of something in every bite!
As this pizza sliders recipe requires minimal ingredients, high-quality ones are best. I already mentioned how much I love fresh mozzarella and good-quality pepperoni… the same goes for the Parmesan and butter. It really does make a difference!
Feel free to customize your Hawaiian roll pizza sliders with some extra ingredients. Sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or onions would work wonderfully.

3 hawaiian roll pizza sliders in a basket with parchment paper

FAQ

How do you keep pizza sliders from getting soggy?

There are a few key steps you can take to prevent your Hawaiian roll pizza sliders from getting soggy. First, make sure your oven is fully heated to 350 degrees F. Secondly, add the pizza sauce carefully, and don’t be tempted to add too much. A thin layer is all you’ll need — anything more and the bottom buns will go mushy!

Can I use a different type of cheese?

If you can’t tell already, I love me some fresh mozzarella! That said, you can try provolone, cheddar, or even a blend of several Italian cheeses for a more unique flavor. Feel free to experiment!

Can I make pepperoni pizza sliders ahead of time?

Yes! Making your pepperoni sliders in advance is a great way to save time on the day of a party. I recommend assembling the sliders as instructed, then refrigerating them until ready to bake. It’s also best to add the garlic butter topping just before you pop them in the oven to keep them from going soggy.

What to Serve With My Pizza Sliders Recipe

For a game day spread of appetizers, I’d pair them with:

Toasted Ravioli
Vegetable Tray
Reuben Sliders
For dessert: No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars (cut into bite-sized pieces) or Easy Berry Cheesecake Cups

Or, for a more complete meal:

Make these into larger sandwiches and serve as the main dish
Any side salad
Vegetable Tray
Chips
For dessert: No Bake Vanilla Cheesecake served with desired fruit topping

More Pizza Recipes To Try

Thanks so much for reading! Let me know what you think about this pizza sliders recipe!

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