Gooey Cheesy Pizza Sliders Recipe: Fun Party Snack Winner!

Sliding into comfort, these cheesy pizza sliders bring a delightful twist to classic game-day snacks.

Packed with melted mozzarella and zesty marinara, each mini sandwich delivers bold flavor in one perfect bite.

Crispy edges and gooey centers make these sliders irresistible for hungry crowds.

Layered with pepperoni and herbs, they combine the best elements of pizza and sandwiches.

Quick to assemble and even faster to disappear, these sliders transform ordinary appetizers into extraordinary bites.

Serve them hot and watch everyone dive in with excitement.

Bake Your Pizza Sliders Like This

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 375F and give your baking dish a quick spray of non-stick magic.

• Create the Base

Gently split your slider buns into bottom and top halves, keeping them connected. Nestle the bottom layer into the baking dish.

• Layer the Flavor

Spread a generous swirl of marinara sauce across the buns. Sprinkle a handful of mozzarella, then add a playful layer of pepperoni. Crown it with another sprinkle of cheese.

• Top and Dress

Place the bun tops back on. Whip up a zesty butter mixture with garlic, Italian herbs, and Parmesan. Lovingly brush this golden goodness over the slider tops.

• Bake to Perfection

Cover your creation with foil and slide into the oven for 10 minutes. Then uncover and bake for another 10-12 minutes until the cheese bubbles and the tops turn a gorgeous golden brown.

• Serve and Enjoy

Let the sliders rest for a few minutes. Slice them up and serve immediately. Optional: Scatter some fresh herbs on top for an extra touch of deliciousness.

Easy Tips for Better Pizza Sliders

• Cooking Tips & Variations
• Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble the sliders up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate, covered. Just pop them in the oven when ready to bake for a stress-free meal prep.
• Vegetarian Twist: Swap pepperoni for roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms. Add a layer of spinach or arugula for extra nutrition and flavor.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free slider buns or lettuce wraps for a low-carb alternative that still delivers maximum taste.
• Spice It Up: Experiment with different cheese blends like provolone, fontina, or add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a zesty kick. Try alternative meats like ham, salami, or shredded chicken for variety.
• Kid-Friendly Hack: Let kids choose their own toppings to make dinner interactive and fun. Use mini cookie cutters to create playful cheese or pepperoni shapes that will excite little eaters.

How to Serve Pizza Sliders at Parties

• Game Night Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for sports events, movie marathons, or casual gatherings where friends want shareable, easy-to-grab bites that disappear quickly.
• Dipping Delight: Serve alongside marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or garlic aioli for extra flavor punch that lets guests customize their slider experience.
• Family-Style Feast: Arrange sliders on a large wooden board with fresh herbs scattered around, creating an inviting centerpiece that encourages everyone to dig in together.
• Party Pairing Perfection: Complement these mini pizzas with cold beer, crisp white wine, or refreshing sparkling water to balance the rich, cheesy goodness.

Save Pizza Sliders for the Next Day

• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep your pizza sliders in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 350F to maintain crispiness.
• Quick Freezing Trick: Wrap individual sliders in aluminum foil, then store in a freezer bag. Frozen sliders stay delicious for 1-2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before warming.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours before baking. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before baking to reach room temperature.
• Portion Planning: Create single-serve portions by cutting sliders before storing. This makes reheating easier and helps control serving sizes for quick meals or snacks.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 12

Pizza Sliders Ingredient Rundown

• Slider Buns: Soft, pillowy bread that creates the perfect handheld pizza experience, choose fresh and slightly sturdy buns for best structure.
• Marinara Sauce: Zesty tomato base that infuses classic pizza flavor, select a rich, well-seasoned sauce for maximum taste.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy, melty cheese that provides gooey texture and authentic pizza essence, opt for freshly shredded for superior melting.
• Pepperoni: Spicy, savory meat topping that delivers traditional pizza punch, look for thinly sliced varieties for even coverage.

• Butter: Rich, golden spread that creates a luxurious and glossy finish, use unsalted for better flavor control.
• Garlic Powder: Concentrated aromatic seasoning that adds deep, robust flavor without raw garlic intensity.
• Italian Seasoning: Harmonious blend of dried herbs that introduces complex, Mediterranean-inspired notes.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, nutty cheese that provides a crispy, flavorful crust topping, select freshly grated for maximum taste.

• Fresh Basil or Parsley: Vibrant herb that adds fresh, bright finishing touch and visual appeal, choose crisp, fragrant leaves.

Tools Needed to Make Pizza Sliders

• Baking Dish: 9×13-inch pan for assembling and baking sliders.
• Small Bowl: For mixing garlic butter topping ingredients.
• Pastry Brush: To spread melted butter mixture over slider buns.
• Sharp Knife: For slicing buns horizontally and cutting final sliders.
• Aluminum Foil: To cover baking dish during initial baking stage.
• Measuring Spoons: For precise seasoning measurements.

Cheesy Pizza Sliders Recipe

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4.6 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Classic pizza sliders offer a miniature twist on traditional Italian-American favorites. Cheese, pepperoni, and marinara sauce combine perfectly between slider buns for a quick and delightful meal you can enjoy with friends and family.

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Ingredients

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• 12 slider buns (Hawaiian rolls)
• 24 slices pepperoni
• 2 cups (473 ml) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup (237 ml) marinara or pizza sauce
• ¼ cup (59 ml) grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat: Position oven rack to center and warm to 375F (190C), lightly mist 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Layer Foundation: Slice slider buns horizontally while maintaining connection, arrange bottom halves evenly across prepared baking dish.
3. Sauce and Cheese Base: Spread marinara sauce uniformly over bun bases, generously distribute half the mozzarella cheese creating a smooth initial layer.
4. Protein and Topping Layer: Arrange pepperoni or alternative toppings across cheese surface, sprinkle remaining mozzarella to create complete coverage.
5. Top and Season: Replace top bun halves, whisk melted butter with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese, then lavishly brush mixture over bun surfaces.
6. Bake and Melt: Cover dish with aluminum foil, bake for 10 minutes, remove foil and continue baking 10-12 minutes until cheese becomes molten and bun tops transform to golden perfection.
7. Finish and Serve: Rest sliders for 5 minutes after removing from oven, slice into individual portions, optionally garnish with fresh basil or parsley before presenting.

Notes

• Temperature Control: Monitor oven heat closely to prevent burning; 375F is perfect for even cooking and crispy golden tops.
• Sauce Distribution: Spread marinara sauce evenly to ensure each slider gets consistent flavor and moisture.
• Cheese Layering: Add cheese in two layers for maximum melt and gooey texture, preventing dry or uneven cheese coverage.
• Butter Brushing Technique: Apply garlic butter generously but gently to avoid soggy bun tops; use soft brush for uniform coating.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 230
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg