Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza Sliders (Printable Version)
Pepperoni and mozzarella sliders baked golden with sweet-hot honey glaze for an irresistible party bite.
# 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)
→ Toppings (optional)
12 - Fresh basil leaves, chopped
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
02 - Using a bread knife, slice the slider buns horizontally in one piece to create a top and bottom slab, keeping the individual rolls attached. Place the bottom slab into the prepared baking dish.
03 - Spread the pizza sauce evenly across the bottom buns. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella over the sauce in an even layer.
04 - Arrange all 36 pepperoni slices in a single overlapping layer over the mozzarella. Top with the remaining shredded mozzarella.
05 - Place the top slab of buns over the layered filling, pressing down gently to adhere.
06 - In a small mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, honey, hot sauce, garlic powder, and dried Italian herbs. Brush the mixture generously over the tops and sides of the buns using a pastry brush.
07 - Sprinkle the grated Parmesan evenly over the glazed buns. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired for extra heat.
08 - Cover the 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 rest for 3 to 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh basil if desired. Slice along the bun seams into individual sliders and serve warm.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sweet and hot honey butter glaze on top transforms ordinary rolls into something guests will actually remember and ask about.
- Everything assembles in one pan with zero fuss, which means you can whip these up while carrying on a conversation and holding a drink.
02 -
- Do not skip greasing the baking dish because melted cheese and sauce will glue themselves to the bottom with surprising determination.
- The foil covering during the first bake is essential because uncovered buns dry out before the cheese has time to melt completely.
03 -
- Taste your honey butter glaze before brushing it on and adjust the hot sauce to your preference, because the heat level is the one thing you cannot fix after baking.
- Use a serrated knife to slice the rolls and again to cut the finished sliders, because a smooth blade will press down and squash all that beautiful filling out the sides.