Hot Honey Pepperoni Sliders (Print Version)
Pepperoni and mozzarella sliders glazed with sweet-hot honey butter, baked until golden and melty.
# What You'll 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 Make It:
01 - Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Slice the slider buns horizontally 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 mozzarella over the sauce.
04 - Arrange the pepperoni slices in a single layer over the cheese. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella on top.
05 - Place the top slab of buns over the filling.
06 - In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, honey, hot sauce, garlic powder, and Italian herbs. Brush this mixture generously over the tops of the buns.
07 - Sprinkle grated Parmesan and a pinch of red pepper flakes (if using) over the tops.
08 - Cover loosely with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and tops are golden brown.
09 - Let cool slightly. Garnish with fresh basil if desired. Slice and serve warm.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- They vanish within minutes at any gathering, which tells you everything you need to know.
- The sweet heat from that honey butter glaze is the kind of flavor that makes people close their eyes mid bite.
- Pull apart sliders feel like a party trick but they are genuinely one of the easiest things you can assemble.
02 -
- Do not skip the foil tent because uncovered the whole time dries out the buns before the cheese has a chance to fully melt.
- Letting them rest for even three minutes before slicing keeps the filling from oozing out everywhere and actually makes them easier to separate.
- These reheat surprisingly well in an air fryer at 350 degrees for about four minutes if you somehow end up with leftovers.
03 -
- Warm the honey slightly before mixing it into the butter so everything blends smoothly without separating.
- Doubling the batch in a second dish is easier than trying to cram everything into one pan because overcrowding leads to uneven melting.