Hot Honey Pepperoni Sliders (Printable)
Pepperoni and mozzarella sliders baked with a sweet-hot honey butter glaze 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
# Steps:
01 - Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
02 - Using a serrated bread knife, 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 cheese over the sauce layer.
04 - Arrange the pepperoni slices in a single, even layer over the cheese. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella on top of the pepperoni.
05 - Place the top slab of buns over the filling, pressing down gently to secure the layers.
06 - In a small mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, honey, hot sauce, garlic powder, and dried Italian herbs. Stir until well blended. Using a pastry brush, generously brush this mixture over the tops of the buns.
07 - Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese and a pinch of red pepper flakes (if using) evenly over the glazed bun tops.
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 tops are golden brown.
09 - Remove from the oven and let cool slightly for 3 to 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped basil if desired. Slice along the bun seams into individual sliders and serve warm.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sweet and spicy honey butter glaze on top is genuinely addictive and people will ask you for the recipe every single time.
- They take barely any effort but look like you spent hours, which is the best kind of cooking trick there is.
- Everything bakes in one dish so cleanup is almost nothing.
02 -
- Do not skip the foil cover for the first 15 minutes or the tops will brown before the cheese inside has a chance to fully melt.
- Letting them rest before slicing is not optional because if you cut too early the filling spills out and you lose the structural magic.
03 -
- Slice the rolls while they are still cold and slightly firm because warm rolls compress and tear under the knife.
- Brush a thin layer of pizza sauce on the inside of the top buns too for flavor in every single bite, not just the bottom.