Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza Sliders (Printable)
Pepperoni and mozzarella sliders brushed 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 - 1/4 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 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
11 - Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
→ Optional Toppings
12 - Fresh basil leaves, chopped
# How To Make:
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 along the bun seams into individual sliders and serve warm.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- That honey hot sauce butter on top transforms ordinary rolls into something people will actually fight over at a party.
- Everything assembles in one pan with zero fussy techniques, so you can chat with your guests instead of hiding in the kitchen.
- They reheat surprisingly well the next day, if you even have leftovers.
02 -
- Do not skip the foil cover for the first 15 minutes or the tops will brown long before the cheese inside has a chance to melt properly.
- Letting them rest for five minutes before slicing keeps the filling from spilling out everywhere and actually helps the layers set.
03 -
- Hawaiian rolls add a subtle sweetness that pairs amazingly with the spicy honey butter, so give them a try even if you are skeptical.
- Brush the glaze on right before baking, not ahead of time, or the bottoms can get too soggy to hold together when serving.