There are nights when I want all the flavors of pizza without waiting for dough to rise or calling for takeout. That’s exactly why I make these Pepperoni Pizza Sliders. They’re cheesy, buttery, loaded with pepperoni, and baked until the tops are perfectly golden and crisp while the cheese turns irresistibly melty.
These sliders are one of my favorite recipes for game day, movie nights, birthday parties, or even a quick family dinner. They’re incredibly easy to put together using soft Hawaiian rolls, plenty of mozzarella, pizza sauce, and pepperoni. Best of all, I can have them on the table in about 30 minutes.
If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing recipe that disappears almost as fast as it comes out of the oven, these Pepperoni Pizza Sliders are it.
Why I’ll Make These Again and Again
- Ready in about 30 minutes
- Perfect for parties and game day
- Kid-friendly and adult-approved
- Crispy, buttery tops with gooey melted cheese
- Easy to customize with favorite pizza toppings
- Great for making ahead
Ingredients
For the sliders
- 12 Hawaiian rolls
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 24 slices pepperoni
- 8 ounces sliced mozzarella cheese (or 2 cups shredded mozzarella)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the garlic butter topping
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Serrated knife
- Small mixing bowl
- Pastry brush
- Aluminum foil
How I Make Pepperoni Pizza Sliders
Step 1
I preheat my oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 2
Without separating the rolls, I slice the entire package horizontally so I have one large top half and one large bottom half.
Step 3
I place the bottom half of the rolls into the prepared baking dish.
Step 4
I spread the pizza sauce evenly over the rolls.
Step 5
Next comes a layer of mozzarella, followed by the pepperoni slices. I sprinkle a little Parmesan over the top before adding the remaining mozzarella.
Step 6
I place the tops of the rolls back on.
Step 7
In a small bowl, I mix together the melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, Parmesan, and parsley.
Step 8
I generously brush the butter mixture over every slider.
Step 9
I loosely cover the pan with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
Step 10
I remove the foil and continue baking for another 8–10 minutes, until the tops are beautifully golden and the cheese is bubbling around the edges.
Step 11
I let the sliders rest for about 5 minutes before cutting them apart and serving warm.
Tips for the Best Pizza Sliders
- Use low-moisture mozzarella so the sliders don’t become soggy.
- Covering the pan first keeps the rolls soft while the cheese melts.
- Uncovering during the last few minutes creates a perfectly crisp, buttery top.
- A serrated knife makes slicing the finished sliders much easier.
- Let them rest before serving so the cheese stays inside each slider.
Easy Variations
One of the things I love most about these sliders is how easy they are to customize.
- Add cooked Italian sausage
- Include sautéed mushrooms
- Try sliced black olives
- Add diced bell peppers
- Sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes for heat
- Use provolone instead of mozzarella
- Add cooked bacon
- Make them supreme-style with multiple toppings
What I Serve With Them
These sliders pair well with:
- Caesar salad
- Garlic Parmesan fries
- Potato wedges
- Mozzarella sticks
- Fresh fruit
- Pasta salad
- Ranch or marinara for dipping
Storage
I store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating
For the best texture, I reheat them in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes until warmed through.
The microwave works too, although the rolls won’t stay quite as crisp.
Pepperoni Pizza Sliders Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 12 sliders
Ingredients
- 12 Hawaiian rolls
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 24 slices pepperoni
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garlic Butter
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Slice the rolls in half horizontally.
- Place the bottom half in the baking dish.
- Spread with pizza sauce.
- Layer mozzarella, pepperoni, Parmesan, and remaining mozzarella.
- Replace the tops.
- Mix the butter topping ingredients.
- Brush generously over the rolls.
- Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake another 8–10 minutes until golden.
- Rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Slider)
- Calories: 290
- Protein: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Cholesterol: 42mg
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 5g
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these ahead?
Yes. I assemble the sliders several hours ahead, cover them tightly, refrigerate, then brush on the butter just before baking.
Can I freeze them?
Yes. I wrap the baked sliders tightly and freeze them for up to 2 months. I thaw them overnight before reheating.
What rolls work best?
Sweet Hawaiian rolls are my favorite because they’re soft, fluffy, and develop wonderfully buttery edges, but any pull-apart dinner rolls work well.
Can I use homemade pizza sauce?
Absolutely. Homemade pizza sauce gives these sliders even more fresh pizza flavor.
Final Thoughts
Whenever I need an easy recipe that everyone gets excited about, these Pepperoni Pizza Sliders are one of my first choices. They’re buttery, cheesy, packed with classic pizza flavor, and simple enough for busy weeknights while still being impressive enough for parties. Every time I make them, they’re the first thing to disappear from the table.
