Description
Pepperoni Pizza Sliders are a delicious and easy-to-make snack or meal perfect for parties, game days, or a quick family dinner. These sliders combine the classic flavors of a pepperoni pizza layered between soft slider buns, topped with melted mozzarella cheese, seasoned butter, and optionally garnished with Parmesan and fresh basil for an irresistible treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Sliders
- 12 slider buns
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup sliced pepperoni
Butter Mixture
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Garnish
- Fresh basil leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the sliders.
- Prepare baking dish: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Slice the buns: Carefully slice the slider buns in half horizontally, keeping them connected, and place the bottom halves in the baking dish.
- Spread pizza sauce: Evenly spread the pizza sauce over the bottom halves of the buns to create a flavorful base.
- Add cheese: Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce.
- Layer pepperoni: Arrange the sliced pepperoni on top of the cheese layer for a classic pizza flavor.
- Add more cheese: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the pepperoni to ensure gooey, melted coverage.
- Top with bun halves: Place the top halves of the slider buns over the cheese to complete the sandwich structure.
- Prepare butter mixture: In a small bowl, combine melted butter, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning to create a savory spread.
- Brush the mixture: Generously brush the butter mixture over the tops of the slider buns for flavor and browning.
- Sprinkle Parmesan: Optionally, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top for an extra layer of taste.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until the tops are golden and the cheese is bubbly.
- Cool slightly: Remove the sliders from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes to set and handle easily.
- Slice and serve: Use a sharp knife to cut the sliders into individual portions and serve warm, garnished with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- Keeping the slider buns connected when slicing prevents them from moving around during assembly and baking.
- Use a baking dish that fits the sliders snugly for even baking.
- Covering the dish with foil initially helps melt the cheese without drying out the buns.
- For extra crispiness, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking but watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Fresh basil adds a fresh, aromatic touch but can be omitted if unavailable.
- These sliders can be customized with other toppings like olives, mushrooms, or bell peppers to suit tastes.
