Hot Honey Pepperoni Sliders (Printable version)
Pepperoni and mozzarella sliders baked golden with a sweet-hot honey butter glaze for parties or weeknight dinners.
# What you need:
→ Breads & Bases
01 - 12 slider buns or Hawaiian rolls, unsliced
→ Cheeses
02 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
03 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Meats
04 - 36 slices pepperoni
→ Sauces & Condiments
05 - 1 cup pizza sauce
06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
07 - 1 tablespoon honey
08 - 1 teaspoon hot sauce (such as sriracha or hot chili oil)
→ Seasonings
09 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
10 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
11 - Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
→ Toppings (Optional)
12 - Fresh basil leaves, chopped
# How To:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
02 - Using a bread knife, slice the slider buns horizontally in one piece to create a top and bottom slab, keeping the individual rolls attached. Place the bottom slab in the prepared baking dish.
03 - Evenly spread the pizza sauce over the bottom buns. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella (1 cup) over the sauce layer.
04 - Arrange the pepperoni slices in a single, even layer over the mozzarella. Top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella.
05 - Place the top slab of buns over the layered filling, pressing down gently to compress the sliders.
06 - In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, honey, hot sauce, garlic powder, and dried Italian herbs until well combined. Using a pastry brush, generously coat the tops of the buns with the glaze.
07 - Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the glazed tops. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired for extra heat.
08 - Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the bun tops are golden brown.
09 - Remove from the oven and let cool for 3–5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh basil if desired. Slice along the individual roll seams and serve warm with extra pizza sauce on the side for dipping.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sweet and spicy honey butter glaze soaks into the rolls and creates this incredible golden crust that tastes like something from a bakery.
- Everything bakes in one dish, so cleanup is almost nothing, which matters more than people admit.
02 -
- Do not skip the foil cover for the first 15 minutes, because it traps steam and melts the cheese through completely before the tops brown.
- Letting the sliders rest for 3 to 5 minutes before slicing keeps the filling from spilling out everywhere when you cut them.
03 -
- Slicing the buns while still connected as a single slab is the real trick here, because it keeps the sliders together and makes layering incredibly fast.
- Brush the honey butter mixture all the way to the edges of the rolls, since the corners get the crispiest and taste the best.