Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza Sliders (Printable)
Cheesy pepperoni sliders baked with a sweet-hot honey glaze on soft rolls. Crowd-pleasing party food ready in 35 minutes.
# 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 non-stick spray.
02 - Using a bread knife, slice the slider buns horizontally 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 over the bottom buns. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella over the sauce in an even layer.
04 - Arrange the pepperoni slices in a single layer over the mozzarella. Top with the remaining shredded mozzarella, covering the pepperoni evenly.
05 - Place the top slab of buns over the assembled 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. Stir until well blended. Using a pastry brush, generously coat the tops of the buns with the mixture.
07 - Sprinkle the grated Parmesan evenly over the brushed 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 cool slightly. Garnish with chopped fresh basil if desired. Slice along the bun seams into individual sliders and serve warm.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The honey hot sauce butter on top creates this glossy crust that tastes like something from a restaurant but takes almost zero effort.
- They pull apart like little pillows of joy and disappear so fast you will want to make a second batch immediately.
02 -
- If you skip the foil cover for the first bake the tops will brown too fast while the cheese inside stays cold and sad.
- Letting them rest for five minutes before slicing is the difference between a beautiful pull apart and a sloppy cheese avalanche.
03 -
- Hawaiian rolls add a subtle sweetness that pairs perfectly with the spicy honey glaze so try them at least once.
- Double the recipe for any gathering because a single pan of twelve will vanish before you finish saying they are ready.