tray of pizza slider

10 Pizza Slider Recipes Perfect for Parties and Family Nights

Introduction: Mini Pizzas, Massive Joy

Picture this: it’s pizza night, the house smells like garlic and melted cheese, and there’s no scramble over who gets the last slice. Instead, you’ve got trays of pizza sliders on a baking sheet, each one slathered with mozzarella, nestled in buttery rolls, ready to vanish in seconds. That’s the vibe I aim for.

I’ve tested these 10 recipes over time—some during lazy family dinners, some at crowded parties where people keep asking, “How did you make these?” (Spoiler: there’s a bit of butter and clever layering involved.) Whether you’re feeding kids, friends, or just yourself with leftovers in mind, sliders are the unsung dinner heroes.

tray of golden pizza sliders baked on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

What You’ll See (Again and Again)

Before we dive in, here’s what you’ll commonly see across all these slider recipes:

  • Use rolls (soft dinner or Hawaiian rolls) as the base.
  • Brush or mix with unsalted butter (keeps salt in your control).
  • Layer generously with mozzarella cheese (or blends) for ooey-gooey melt.
  • Bake on a baking sheet (rimmed is safer).
  • Optionally cover with aluminum foil early in cooking to prevent too-rapid browning.
  • These are perfect for any pizza night, party, or casual family dinner.

Slider Recipe Format

Every recipe below follows this structure:

  1. Mini introduction (story or serving note)
  2. Overview — star ingredient, flavor profile, best occasion, difficulty
  3. Times & temp (Prep time, Cook time, etc.)
  4. Ingredients (with notes)
  5. Instructions (step-by-step, sensory clues)
  6. Tips & Variations
  7. Short FAQ
  8. Closing line / call to action
Irresistible Pizza Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls

1. Classic Pepperoni Pizza Sliders

Intro

This one’s been my fallback when I’m low on time but high on craving. The familiar combo of pepperoni + mozzarella just nails comfort.

Overview

  • Star Ingredient: Pepperoni
  • Flavor Profile: Savory, cheesy, slightly spicy
  • Best Occasion: Game night, kid gatherings
  • Difficulty: Very easy

Times & Baking

  • Prep: 10 min
  • Cook: 20 min
  • Total: 30 min
  • Oven Temp: 375 °F (190 °C)
  • Serves: 12 sliders

Ingredients

  • 12 soft rolls (dinner rolls, split)
  • 1 cup pizza sauce
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 24 slices pepperoni
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp dried oregano

Note: Using unsalted butter lets you adjust salt, especially since pepperoni is already salty.

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil (for easy cleanup).
  2. Cut rolls in half horizontally (but keep them connected as a “sheet”).
  3. Spread pizza sauce on the bottom half.
  4. Layer mozzarella cheese, then pepperoni.
  5. Close with top half of rolls.
  6. Mix melted butter + garlic powder + oregano; brush that on top.
  7. Bake ~20 minutes until cheese bubbles and tops golden.
  8. If tops are browning too fast, tent with aluminum foil for last 5 min.

Tips & Variations

  • Swap pepperoni with turkey pepperoni for milder flavor.
  • Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat.
  • Use a mix of mozzarella + fontina for extra melty texture.

FAQ

  • Can I do it ahead? Yes—assemble sliders, cover, and refrigerate. Bake just before serving.
  • Can I use other rolls? Absolutely. Brioche or soft kaiser rolls work nicely (just adjust baking time slightly if crust is thick).

Closing: If people ask how you made these, just wink and say “magic”—they don’t need to know about the butter brushed underneath.

BBQ chicken pizza sliders fresh out of the oven.

2. BBQ Chicken Pizza Sliders

Intro

We once brought these to a summer BBQ. They disappeared so fast I had to make a second batch off camera.

Overview

  • Star Ingredient: BBQ sauce
  • Flavor Profile: Smoky, sweet, tangy
  • Best Occasion: Backyard hangouts, casual parties
  • Difficulty: Easy

Times & Baking

  • Prep: 15 min
  • Cook: 20 min
  • Total: 35 min
  • Oven Temp: 375 °F
  • Serves: 12 sliders

Ingredients

  • 12 rolls
  • 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken
  • ½ cup BBQ sauce
  • 1½ cups mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup red onion slices
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven, line baking sheet with foil.
  2. Mix chicken + BBQ sauce.
  3. Spread mixture onto bottom roll layer.
  4. Sprinkle mozzarella, top with onion slices.
  5. Sandwich with top rolls.
  6. Brush tops with melted butter.
  7. Bake ~20 min until cheese is melted and edges crisp.
  8. Sprinkle chopped cilantro before serving.

Tips & Variations

  • Add bacon bits for extra depth.
  • Use spicy BBQ sauce if your crowd can handle heat.

FAQ

  • Can I swap chicken type? Yes, leftover grilled chicken or rotisserie works great.
  • Omit onion? Sure—especially if serving to kids.

Closing: Serve with extra BBQ sauce on the side for dipping.

Margherita pizza sliders on a white ceramic serving platter.

3. Margherita (Caprese) Pizza Sliders

Intro

If you love a clean, fresh pizza, this is your slider. Basil, tomato, mozzarella—it’s summer on a roll.

Overview

  • Star Ingredient: Fresh basil
  • Flavor Profile: Bright, herbal, mellow
  • Best Occasion: Wine & cheese nights
  • Difficulty: Easy

Times & Baking

  • Prep: 10 min
  • Cook: 15 min
  • Total: 25 min
  • Oven Temp: 375 °F
  • Serves: 12

Ingredients

  • 12 rolls
  • 1 cup tomato (pizza) sauce
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella
  • 1 cup fresh mozzarella slices
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and foil-line your baking sheet.
  2. Spread sauce on bottom halves of rolls.
  3. Layer shredded mozzarella and fresh mozzarella.
  4. Top with top roll layer.
  5. (Optional) Brush tops with melted butter.
  6. Bake ~15 min until cheese melts and top is golden.
  7. After baking, layer fresh basil leaves (or tear and scatter).

Tips & Variations

  • Drizzle with a tiny bit of good olive oil or balsamic glaze after baking.
  • Add thin tomato slices or roasted garlic for nuance.

FAQ

  • Can I skip fresh mozzarella? Yes—but texture changes; fresh gives the creamy blobs.
  • Use dried basil instead? You’ll lose that fresh punch; fresh is worth it.

Closing: These are elegant but so simple—they’ll fool people into thinking you spent hours.

4. Meat Lover’s Pizza Sliders

Intro

This is for the crowd that thinks “meat + more meat” is the only pizza philosophy.

Overview

  • Star Ingredient: Italian sausage
  • Flavor Profile: Hearty, bold, rich
  • Best Occasion: Dinner parties where everyone’s hungry
  • Difficulty: Medium

Times & Baking

  • Prep: 20 min
  • Cook: 25 min
  • Total: 45 min
  • Oven Temp: 375 °F
  • Serves: 12

Ingredients

  • 12 rolls
  • ½ cup pizza sauce
  • 1 cup cooked sausage crumbles
  • ½ cup pepperoni slices
  • ½ cup bacon bits
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted + 1 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Preheat; foil-line baking sheet.
  2. Spread sauce on bottom rolls.
  3. Add mozzarella, sausage, pepperoni, bacon.
  4. Sandwich with top rolls.
  5. Brush top with butter + garlic powder mix.
  6. Bake ~25 min or until cheese bubbles and top is golden.

Tips & Variations

  • Omit one meat to simplify without much flavor loss.
  • Add mushrooms for earthiness (if you dare).

FAQ

  • Do you need all three meats? No—you can pick two or even just one.
  • Will it be greasy? Slightly. Using unsalted butter and draining cooked meats helps control that.

Closing: This is “go big or go home” pizza in slider form.

5. Veggie Supreme Sliders

Intro

For nights when you want pizza without feeling like you just inhaled a brick. Balanced, fun, and colorful.

Overview

  • Star Ingredient: Mixed veggies (peppers, mushrooms)
  • Flavor Profile: Fresh, savory, cheesy
  • Best Occasion: Family dinners, meatless nights
  • Difficulty: Easy

Times & Baking

  • Prep: 15 min
  • Cook: 20 min
  • Total: 35 min
  • Oven Temp: 375 °F
  • Serves: 12

Ingredients

  • 12 rolls
  • 1 cup marinara sauce
  • 1 cup sautéed mushrooms
  • 1 cup bell peppers, sliced
  • ½ cup black olives, sliced
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for brushing)

Instructions

  1. Preheat, foil your baking sheet.
  2. Spread marinara on bottom rolls.
  3. Layer mushrooms, peppers, olives, then mozzarella.
  4. Top with roll lids.
  5. Brush top surfaces with melted butter.
  6. Bake ~20 min until cheese melts and edges crisp.

Tips & Variations

  • Roast veggies first to deepen flavor.
  • Add spinach or zucchini slices.

FAQ

  • Can I omit olives? Yes—just skip or replace with more peppers.
  • Use vegan cheese? Absolutely, if you want a plant-based variant.

Closing: Even meat-lovers may ask for seconds.

6. Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Intro

If you have a devout following of spice-lovers, this one’s the hero. Hot sauce + cheese = chaos in a good way.

Overview

  • Star Ingredient: Hot sauce
  • Flavor Profile: Spicy, tangy, creamy
  • Best Occasion: Game days, spicy-food nights
  • Difficulty: Easy

Times & Baking

  • Prep: 15 min
  • Cook: 20 min
  • Total: 35 min
  • Oven Temp: 375 °F
  • Serves: 12

Ingredients

  • 12 rolls
  • 1 cup shredded chicken
  • ½ cup hot sauce (like Frank’s)
  • 1 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • Green onions for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat, foil a baking sheet.
  2. Toss chicken in hot sauce.
  3. Spread mixture on bottom rolls.
  4. Drizzle or spread ranch/blue cheese.
  5. Sprinkle mozzarella, top with rolls.
  6. Brush top with melted butter.
  7. Bake ~20 min.
  8. Garnish with green onion slices.

Tips & Variations

  • Use blue cheese instead of ranch for sharper flavor.
  • Add celery bits for crunch after baking.

FAQ

  • Too spicy? Scale back hot sauce or mix with extra ranch.
  • Make it mild? Use milder wing sauce and skip garnishes like jalapeño.

Closing: These are messy but worth every napkin.

7. Hawaiian Pizza Sliders

Intro

Pineapple haters, beware—but for the rest of us, this is the sweet-salty ticket.

Overview

  • Star Ingredient: Pineapple
  • Flavor Profile: Sweet, tangy, cheesy
  • Best Occasion: Summer nights, casual parties
  • Difficulty: Easy

Times & Baking

  • Prep: 10 min
  • Cook: 20 min
  • Total: 30 min
  • Oven Temp: 375 °F
  • Serves: 12

Ingredients

  • 12 rolls
  • 1 cup pizza sauce
  • 1 cup ham slices (diced or split)
  • 1 cup pineapple chunks, drained
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Preheat, line baking sheet with foil.
  2. Spread sauce on bottom half.
  3. Add ham, pineapple, mozzarella.
  4. Top with roll lids.
  5. Brush tops with butter.
  6. Bake ~20 min until cheese is bubbly.

Tips & Variations

  • Use fresh pineapple for the best flavor (not canned syrupy).
  • Add crispy bacon on top for crunch.

FAQ

  • Will pineapple make it soggy? If chunks are undrained, yes. Drain them well.
  • Omit ham? You get a “pineapple & mozzarella” version—fruity and fun.

Closing: This one always starts debates—just know you’re the slider overlord.

8. White Pizza Sliders

Intro

Sometimes you want no tomato, just creamy garlic, cheese, and love.

Overview

  • Star Ingredient: Garlic butter / cheese blend
  • Flavor Profile: Creamy, garlicky, rich
  • Best Occasion: Date nights, cozy dinners
  • Difficulty: Medium

Times & Baking

  • Prep: 15 min
  • Cook: 20 min
  • Total: 35 min
  • Oven Temp: 375 °F
  • Serves: 12

Ingredients

  • 12 rolls
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • ½ cup grated parmesan
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 1–2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Fresh parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and foil a baking sheet.
  2. Mix butter + garlic.
  3. Spread ricotta on bottom halves of rolls.
  4. Sprinkle mozzarella + parmesan.
  5. Close with top halves.
  6. Brush tops with garlic butter.
  7. Bake ~20 min until cheese melts and top is golden.
  8. Garnish with parsley after baking.

Tips & Variations

  • Add spinach for a white-Florentine twist.
  • Use mascarpone or cream cheese for extra creaminess.

FAQ

  • Will it taste too heavy? The garlic butter helps cut the richness.
  • Tomato version possible? Sure—but then it becomes more “white + tomato” hybrid.

Closing: Serve with a crisp salad to cut through richness.

9. Taco Pizza Sliders

Intro

Because sometimes pizza night needs a fiesta twist. Think tacos meet pizza.

Overview

  • Star Ingredient: Taco-seasoned beef
  • Flavor Profile: Zesty, cheesy, bold
  • Best Occasion: Taco Tuesdays, family mashups
  • Difficulty: Medium

Times & Baking

  • Prep: 20 min
  • Cook: 20 min
  • Total: 40 min
  • Oven Temp: 375 °F
  • Serves: 12

Ingredients

  • 12 rolls
  • 1 lb ground beef + taco seasoning
  • 1 cup salsa
  • 2 cups cheddar (or cheddar + mozzarella)
  • Jalapeños (optional)
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Preheat, prepare foil-lined baking sheet.
  2. Cook beef with taco seasoning.
  3. Spread beef on bottom roll halves.
  4. Spoon salsa on, then cheese.
  5. Top with roll lids.
  6. Brush top with melted butter.
  7. Bake ~20 min until cheese melts.
  8. Optionally add jalapeños or top after with sour cream/guac.

Tips & Variations

  • Mix in beans (black or pinto) for heartiness.
  • Use pepper jack cheese for extra bite.

FAQ

  • Too messy? Serve with napkins or plate liners.
  • Make vegetarian? Use taco-seasoned lentils or plant beef.

Closing: These always get conversation: “Is this taco or pizza?” Yes.

10. Breakfast Pizza Sliders

Intro

Yes—you can convert pizza sliders into breakfast glory. Try this on a lazy weekend.

Overview

  • Star Ingredient: Scrambled eggs
  • Flavor Profile: Savory, comforting, cheesy
  • Best Occasion: Brunch, lazy Sunday mornings
  • Difficulty: Medium

Times & Baking

  • Prep: 20 min
  • Cook: 20 min
  • Total: 40 min
  • Oven Temp: 375 °F
  • Serves: 12

Ingredients

  • 12 rolls
  • 6 eggs, lightly scrambled
  • 1 cup breakfast sausage crumbles
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar (or cheddar + mozzarella)
  • ½ cup diced bell peppers
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Preheat, foil-line your baking sheet.
  2. Scramble eggs gently (don’t overcook).
  3. Spread eggs over bottom halves of rolls.
  4. Add sausage, peppers, then cheese.
  5. Top with roll lids.
  6. Brush tops with melted butter.
  7. Bake ~20 min until cheese is melted and tops golden.

Tips & Variations

  • Add a dash of hot sauce or salsa for flair.
  • Use ham or bacon in place of sausage.

FAQ

  • Will eggs dry out? Not if you don’t over-scramble them.
  • Can I omit peppers? Yes—just keep it simple.

Closing: These are ideal for brunch or “breakfast-for-dinner” nights.

Wrapping It Up

We’ve now covered 10 pizza slider recipes that bring together all your must-have elements: soft rolls, melted mozzarella cheese, a dab of unsalted butter, careful use of aluminum foil when needed, baked on a baking sheet, all perfect for pizza nights and cooking in crowd-friendly quantities.

If you’re into more inspiration, check out these external recipe sites:

Food52: (they feature weeknight and party recipes)
Serious Eats: (deep dives, technique, and recipe editors)

The Spruce Eats: (practical, home-style recipes)

Zach Miller
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