Pin
Skip boring snacks and grab these super juicy cheeseburger sliders with soft Hawaiian rolls. You can throw them together in just thirty minutes, so they're awesome for last-minute get-togethers or when everyone's already hungry on a weeknight. The sweetness from those rolls, plus gooey cheese and tasty beef, will totally win you over—regular burgers just won’t hit the same after this.
I made these for my first Super Bowl get-together, and now my crew asks for them at every game night, for birthdays, or basically any evening we want a fun meal and don’t have much time.
Mouthwatering Ingredients
- Butter: use for buttering the pan and brushing the rolls—the edges get that craveable golden crunch with real butter
- Brown sugar or maple syrup: a touch of sweetness that pulls the glaze together, brown sugar works best but maple syrup is awesome too
- Dijon mustard: gives the glaze a smooth and mild tang—pick classic Dijon for easy brushing
- Sesame seeds: give each roll top that real burger vibe and add a little crunch—swap in everything bagel spice for fun
- Cheddar cheese: brings all that melty goodness—grate it fresh from the block if you can, it’ll melt way better than the bagged stuff
- Hawaiian rolls: they toast to a perfect golden on the outside, and stay super soft inside—grab the bakery-fresh kind if you can
- Olive oil: just enough for softening the onion—any basic olive oil is fine for sautéing
- Kosher salt and black pepper: really important so every bit of beef tastes right—coarse salt brings out the best flavor
- Garlic powder: gives a nice savory hit—fresh or recently opened is always more flavorful
- BBQ sauce or ketchup: extra rich taste and a hint of tang—pick your fave sauce or switch it up for classic ketchup
- Mayonnaise: makes the beef moist and creamy—use either regular or light
- Finely chopped onion: brings sweet and savory flavor depth—yellow or white onions work great
- Lean ground beef or medium ground beef: for classic juicy mini burgers—use beef with a bit of fat for best taste
Simple Step-by-Step Directions
- Dig In and Serve:
- Cut the sliders apart using a serrated knife along the lines where they’re joined. Chow down while they’re piping hot so no one misses out on the gooey cheese and those crispy buttery edges.
- Make the Glaze and Bake:
- Put the butter, Dijon, and brown sugar in a microwave-safe bowl. Nuke for about 25 seconds so it melts together, then blend well. Brush over the tops of your assembled sliders, then scatter on sesame seeds while it’s still melty. Pop the baking dish in a 350 degree oven, and let it bake uncovered for around 13 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the tops get gold and the cheese is bubbling.
- Slice and Stack the Rolls:
- Carefully split the whole sheet of rolls in half so you’ve got a big top and a big bottom—don’t pull them apart all the way. Place the bottoms in your prepared pan, lay down half the cheese, push on all the beef mixture, then finish it with the rest of the cheese and the roll tops.
- Mix in the Good Stuff:
- Turn off the heat. Dump in mayo, BBQ sauce or ketchup, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, then mix it all up. Taste and add extra seasoning if you want.
- Brown the Beef:
- Toss the ground beef in with the softened onions. Keep breaking it up and frying for about 3 minutes, or until pretty much all the pink is gone. If you see a lot of grease, drain it off or dab it with a paper towel so your sliders don’t get soggy.
- Soften the Onion:
- Pour some oil into a big skillet, fire it up to medium-high, and add the onions. Stir now and then and cook for about six minutes, until they’re golden and fragrant. That’s your flavor foundation.
- Get Your Baking Dish Ready:
- Rub a bit of softened butter all around your baking pan. If you’re into easy cleanup, lay down some parchment or foil first. That simple buttery layer is what gives you that golden crisp crust.
Pin
The best part for me is always the ridiculously soft Hawaiian rolls. Biting into that fluffy, buttery, sweet bread with the savory meat mix instantly reminds me of cozy family movie nights—everyone grabbing one more slider before the lights came on.
Best Ways to Store
If you’ve got leftovers, stick them in an airtight container in the fridge and they’ll keep for about three days. Reheat them at 350 until piping hot and melty again—roughly 10 minutes. Or you can actually freeze the prepped but unbaked sliders for as long as three months. Wrap them up well and bake from frozen for a fast snack any time you want.
Smart Ingredient Swaps
Go lighter by swapping in ground chicken or turkey, or skip the meat and use a plant-based crumble. No Hawaiian rolls at home? Potato buns or mini brioche are good stand-ins. Any cheese works—American is super melty, pepper jack brings some heat, or gruyere for extra fancy. And the beef mixture is super flexible—try BBQ sauce, ketchup, or even Thousand Island dressing if you want a different vibe.
Fun Serving Ideas
Bring these straight to the table hot and fresh. Lay out side dips like ketchup, mustard, ranch, or chipotle aioli so everyone can make them their own. Want to go full diner-style? Add some crunchy pickles, coleslaw, or a heaping of sweet potato fries on the side and dig in.
Tasty Backstory
Sliders got their start in American diners way back in the early 1900s—people wanted a quick, easy burger they could eat on the move. Hawaiian rolls owe their signature fluffy sweetness to Portuguese immigrants in Hawaii who added pineapple juice to the mix. Putting the two together is a surefire way to get something irresistibly crowd-friendly and tasty.
Common Recipe Questions
- → Could I swap out the ground beef for something else?
Definitely! Use ground chicken, turkey, or go with a plant-based swap for a lighter or meatless option.
- → What kind of cheese melts best in these?
Cheddar’s always good, but American, provolone, gruyere, pepper jack, or even fontina do the trick. Shredded or sliced both melt great.
- → Is it possible to make these ahead?
For sure. Cook the beef and pop it in the fridge. You can pile everything together the day you serve, or even hours ahead, just chill until baking.
- → Got a backup for Hawaiian rolls?
Mini brioche, potato rolls, slider buns, or any small dinner rolls work fine if you don’t have Hawaiian rolls handy.
- → How should I warm up leftovers?
Put baked sliders in a 350°F oven for about 10-12 minutes to heat them through. If you’ve got frozen unbaked ones, bake them around 15-18 minutes instead.
- → Can I change up the glaze topping?
Absolutely! Try plain butter and garlic powder or toss in some Worcestershire for a fun twist. Sprinkle sesame seeds or everything bagel seasoning up top for crunch.