Italian Sliders
Looking for a delicious and easy-to-make snack (or game day food) that everyone will love? With some deli meats, Hawaiian rolls and a delicious garlic butter glaze on top, you can create these Italian Sliders!
UPGRADE YOUR SLIDER GAME
This simple recipe for Italian Sliders is a must-try! They are incredibly savory, cheesy, and garlicky delicious, making them a great choice for an easy and tasty dinner, lunch, snack or whenever you please! I generally love to make these for football watching parties. Everyone loves little handheld foods and these are just so flavorful and I haven’t found anyone yet that doesn’t love them. Even folks that wouldn’t generally eat giardineira seem to love it on these. I also like to make them for an easy weeknight dinner that I serve with some potato chips. I can guarantee you’ll be returning to this recipe over and over!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
I prefer the Hawaiian Sweet Rolls but you could use any of your favorite dinner rolls.
Absolutely! Your kitchen, your rules! If this is too much for you, just use less. It’s easy to adjust.
I highly recommend using fresh garlic. It really makes a huge difference in the flavor. We aren’t using a ton of spices so fresh garlic is key. However, if you are in a pinch you can use garlic powder or jarred garlic. Start with a little bit, taste it and add more if necessary.
Giardiniera is a type of Italian relish or condiment made from a mix of pickled vegetables, typically including cauliflower, carrots, celery, peppers, and olives, all of which are chopped or sliced and preserved in vinegar or oil. The vegetables in giardiniera are usually pickled with a blend of spices, such as garlic, and oregano. You typically see it as a topping on muffuletta sandwiches.
If you don’t like Giardiniera, you can substitute with sliced pickled banana peppers or peperoncini peppers or just leave it off altogether.
These sliders can be made ahead of time but they are best served warm. So you will want to reheat them in the microwave or toaster oven before serving.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and place it back in the oven for several more minutes. The steam created will help the cheese melt faster.
Leftover sliders can be stored in an airtight container and should be refrigerated for up to 3 days. You can freeze them for up to 3 months. The bread may change texture once frozen and thawed.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)
- Hawaiian sweet rolls – you can use any type of roll you enjoy.
- deli sliced pepperoni – if all you can find are the smaller pizza style pepperoni, that is fine. You’ll just be using a bit more. I like the deli sliced because they are larger but use what you can find.
- sliced salami – I use a Genoa salami as it is softer and larger in size than the hard salami. It makes it easier to eat as well.
- sliced provolone cheese – or you can use mozzarella cheese.
- salted butter– you can use unsalted butter if sensitive to salt.
- garlic – I really prefer fresh garlic in this to really amp up that flavor. But you can use the jarred stuff or about a teaspoon of garlic powder (or more to taste).
- oregano – if you don’t want to use just oregano, you can use Italian seasoning instead
- giardiniera– get more info on this ingredient and other swaps to try in the FAQ section above.
- marinara sauce – used for serving (store-bought or homemade marinara sauce).
HOW TO MAKE ITALIAN SLIDERS:
Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Leaving them attached, slice the Hawaiian sweet rolls in half (creating a top and bottom) and then set the top half aside. Place the bottom half in a glass baking dish. In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter and minced garlic.
Using a spoon or basting brush, spread half of the butter mixture over the bottom half of the buns. Layer the salami over the bottom buns.
Followed by the pepperoni. Note: you can use as little or as much meat as you enjoy. Add the giardiniera.
Add provolone cheese. Place the top buns back on top.
Using a spoon or basting brush, spread the remainder of the butter mixture over the top of the sliders and then sprinkle oregano over the top. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for about 15 minutes, on the middle rack, until cheese is melted and the top of the buns turn a golden brown.
Cut them apart and serve with marinara sauce.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
- Italian Grinder Sliders
- Monte Cristo Sliders
- Mississippi Pot Roast Sliders
- Pizza Pull-Apart Sliders
- French Dip Sliders
- Honey Mustard Ham Sliders
- Big Mac Sliders
- Reuben Sliders
- BBQ Chicken Sliders
- Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Sliders
- Glazed Hawaiian Party Rolls
- Italian Sub Squares
- Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders
- Roast Beef Sliders
Originally published: July 2018
Updated photos and republished: November 2024
Italian Sliders
Ingredients
- 12 Hawaiian rolls (1 pack)
- ¼ cup (1/2 stick) salted butter, melted
- 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- ½ pound deli sliced pepperoni
- ½ pound sliced Genoa salami
- ½ cup giardiniera, diced (optional)
- 8 slices provolone cheese
- 1 teaspoon oregano (or Italian seasoning)
- marinara sauce (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Leaving them attached, slice 12 Hawaiian rolls in half (so you have a top and a bottom half) and then set the top half aside. Place the bottom half in a glass baking dish.
- In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) salted butter, melted and 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced. Using a spoon or basting brush, spread half of the mixture over the bottom half of the buns.
- Layer 1/2 pound deli sliced pepperoni, 1/2 pound sliced Genoa salami, 1/2 cup giardiniera, diced and 8 slices provolone cheese. Place the top half of the rolls back on top.
- Using a spoon or basting brush, spread the remainder of the butter mixture over the top of the sliders and then sprinkle 1 teaspoon oregano (or Italian seasoning) evenly over the top.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the top of the buns turn a golden brown and the cheese is melted. If your cheese hasn't melted enough to your liking, put it back uncovered in the oven for a few more minutes until cheese has melted.
- Cut them apart and serve with marinara sauce.
Notes
- Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Thank you I can’t wait to try these for New Year 2019
Brandie @ The Country Cook, thank you for your blog post.Really thank you! Awesome.