Pepperoni Pizza Sliders — Pizza by way of supremely cheesy sliders!! EASY, ready in 15 minutes, and perfect for parties because everyone LOVES them! Totally IRRESISTIBLE!!
Table of contents
Easiest Pizza Appetizer
One of the most popular recipes on my site and Facebook over the past many years have been these Ham and Cheese Sliders. Between holiday parties, game day parties, or as an easy weeknight dinner option it’s not shocking why they’re popular.
Since pizza seems to be a universal favorite, it was an easy decision to make pepperoni pizza sliders and my family raved about them.
They said it’s the best thing I’ve ever made in the history of my 14+ years blogging. It’s bittersweet that something so easy and that’s ready in 15 minutes gets the highest compliment of all.
Hawaiian bread is one of my all-time favorite kinds of bread and it’s absolutely perfect for the sliders.
Melted butter is spiked with onion, oregano, and garlic to deliver classic pizza flavoring. Throw in Parmesan and loads of melted mozzarella cheese and you’ll be in gooey, cheesy, buttery fingers heaven.
Pizza Sliders Ingredients
To make these oh-so-easy and cheesy pizza sliders with Hawaiian rolls, you’ll need:
- Hawaiian sweet rolls
- Pizza sauce
- Shredded mozzarella
- Mini pepperoni
- Unsalted butter
- Dried minced onion
- Grated Parmesan
- Dried oregano
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh parsley
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How to Make Pizza Sliders
If you need a fast, easy, and foolproof recipe, this easy slider recipe has your name all over it!
Follow these easy and very straightforward directions:
- Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half so you have a “slab” of tops and a “slab” of bottoms.
- Place the bottom slab into a 9×13-inch foiled-lined baking dish.
- Spread the pizza sauce over the bottom slab of rolls, followed by a sprinkling of mozzarella, a layer of pepperoni, and then the remaining mozzarella.
- Top with the remaining slab of rolls.
- Brush with a mixture of melted butter and herbs.
- Let the Hawaiian roll pizza sliders rest on your counter for 5 minutes before baking.
- I like to garnish these Hawaiian roll sliders with additional Parmesan and fresh parsley just before serving them.
Tips for Making Pepperoni Pizza Sliders
When slicing the rolls in half horizontally, that’s as far as I go with slicing. I do NOT divide the 12 rolls into individual rolls and instead keep two “slabs” of 12 bottom rolls and 12 top rolls – all connected.
For me this is easier and far less “picky” of an assembly process and makes the prep go much faster. Plus the melted cheese is more contained as the easy pizza sliders bake.
I used store-bought pizza sauce, but you’re welcome to use your favorite homemade sauce as well.
Recipe FAQs
You could use regular dinner rolls if you’re in a pinch. But the Hawaiian bread stays soft and tender in the interior and the base of the sliders have an ever-so-slight crispiness from the buttery mixture that drips down during baking.
Use your favorite store-bought brand, or make your own homemade pizza sauce in a couple of minutes.
Definitely! You can doctor up the pizza sliders with cooked bacon, sausage, or your other pizza fixing favorites. I kept this pizza appetizer basic since my family appreciates basic when it comes to pizza.
Yes again! I personally prefer using mozzarella in the pepperoni pizza sliders because it becomes super stretchy and gooey once melted. But use any blend of cheese you’d like.
If you can’t find mini pepperoni at your grocery store, regular sized may be substituted. Likewise, you can use turkey pepperoni or another pepperoni alternative if you don’t eat the regular kind. This pepperoni pizza sliders recipe is fairly flexible.
No, these Hawaiian bread sliders are best eaten right away. If you bake these in advance and then reheat them for guests, I fear the rolls would become soggy.
Although this pizza appetizer is best made and eaten right away, leftovers will keep for about three days in the fridge. Reheat gently in the microwave or pop into a warm oven.
Recipe Video Tutorial
Love Pizza Appetizers? Try These Next!
I have no doubt you’re going to LOVE these ultra cheesy Hawaiian roll pizza sliders. After you make the sliders, try one of my other reader-favorite pizza flavored appetizers next:
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Pepperoni Pizza Sliders
Ingredients
- one 12-count package Hawaiian sweet rolls, sliced in half (see directions for more details)
- 1 cup pizza or marinara sauce
- about 2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- one 5-ounce package mini pepperoni, regular size may be substituted
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted (1 stick)
- 2 tablespoons dried minced onion
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnishing to taste
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh Italian flat-leaf or regular parsley, optional for garnishing
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F. Line a 9×13-inch pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray; set aside.
- Using a large serrated knife, slice the rolls in half so you have a ‘slab’ of tops and a ‘slab’ of bottoms; don’t pull the rolls apart and slice individually because you want to keep them connected.
- Place the bottom ‘slab’ of rolls in prepared pan.
- Evenly add the pizza sauce to the bottom slab of rolls.
- Evenly sprinkle with about 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese; set remainder aside.
- Evenly layer the pepperoni over the cheese.
- Evenly sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Add the top ‘slab’ of rolls; set aside.
- To a medium microwave-safe bowl, add the butter and heat on high power to melt, about 1 minute.
- Add the onion, 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, oregano, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and whisk to combine.
- Evenly and slowly pour or spoon the butter mixture over the rolls. Use a spatula or spoon to spread the mixture over the tops. Some of the mixture will pool at the base of the rolls.
- Cover with aluminum foil and allow rolls to stand at room temp for about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Bake covered for about 12 to 15 minutes or until cheese has melted.
- Evenly garnish with Parmesan cheese to taste and optional parsley. Slice into individual sliders and serve immediately. Sliders are best warm and fresh.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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More Easy Slider Recipes:
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Originally posted May 29, 2017 and reposted May 19, 2023 with updated text.
Hi Avery
We really enjoy your recipes, first email we check every morning. We have ben making similar ones tor years, but we like them crunchier so we use english muffins, toast them first then even more crunch..jimmiemarie
Thank you so much for the lovely message! This was so nice to wake up to this Sunday morning! Have a wonderful day and thanks for being a loyal supporter!
great
great
Hi. I’ve just found you site which is amazing!
I’m in Australia. Can you tell me what the Hawaiian Sweet Rolls are please & thanks.
Regards Suzy
https://amzn.to/3aPu9KI
You could probably make the ham and cheese part the night before and then add the butter sauce and bake before a party.