Pepperoni Pizza Sliders (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ For the Sliders
01 -
1 package (12-count) Hawaiian dinner rolls
02 -
½ cup pizza sauce (homemade or store-bought)
03 -
2.5 ounces mini pepperoni
04 -
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
→ For the Garlic Herb Butter Topping
05 -
¼ cup butter, melted
06 -
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
07 -
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
08 -
1 teaspoon garlic powder
09 -
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
10 -
¼ teaspoon salt
11 -
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
# Instructions:
01 -
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare a 9x13-inch baking dish by spraying it with nonstick cooking spray or lining it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
02 -
Using a sharp serrated knife, carefully slice the entire package of Hawaiian dinner rolls horizontally through the middle, keeping all the rolls connected. You'll end up with one slab of tops and one slab of bottoms. Place the bottom half of the rolls in the prepared baking dish, cut side facing up.
03 -
Evenly spread the pizza sauce over the bottom half of the rolls, going all the way to the edges. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese (1 cup) over the sauce layer, distributing it evenly.
04 -
Arrange the mini pepperoni evenly over the first layer of cheese, slightly overlapping them to ensure every bite gets some pepperoni flavor. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese on top of the pepperoni to help hold everything together.
05 -
Carefully place the top half of the rolls over the filling, matching it up with the bottom half so the individual rolls line up properly.
06 -
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, grated Parmesan cheese, minced parsley, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and red pepper flakes. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
07 -
Using a pastry brush or spoon, spread the herb butter mixture evenly over the tops of the rolls, making sure to cover the entire surface. Some of the mixture will drip down the sides, which will add flavor and help crisp the edges.
08 -
Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil, tenting it slightly so it doesn't touch the tops of the rolls. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. The foil prevents the tops from burning while allowing the filling to heat through and the cheese to melt.
09 -
Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the tops of the rolls are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese inside is completely melted and bubbly.
10 -
Remove the sliders from the oven and let them rest for 3-5 minutes. This brief resting period allows the cheese to set slightly, making the sliders easier to cut and serve. Use a sharp knife to cut along the seams of the rolls to separate them into individual sliders. Serve warm.
# Notes:
01 -
If using store-bought pizza sauce, you may need more than ½ cup as homemade sauce tends to be thicker.
02 -
For a deluxe version, add additional toppings like cooked Italian sausage, sautéed mushrooms, or black olives between the pepperoni and final cheese layer.
03 -
The red pepper flakes add a mild heat - adjust the amount based on your preference or omit entirely for a kid-friendly version.
04 -
These sliders can be assembled up to a day ahead and refrigerated, just add the butter topping right before baking.