Hot Honey Pepperoni Sliders (Print Version)
Pepperoni-stuffed slider rolls with melted mozzarella and a spicy-sweet hot honey drizzle, baked golden in 35 minutes.
# What You Need:
→ Slider Base
01 - 12 slider buns or Hawaiian sweet rolls
02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
→ Pizza Filling
03 - 1 cup marinara or pizza sauce
04 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
05 - 24–36 slices pepperoni
06 - 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herb blend (oregano, basil, thyme)
→ Hot Honey Drizzle
07 - 1/3 cup honey
08 - 1–2 teaspoons hot sauce (Frank's RedHot or Sriracha), adjusted to taste
→ Butter Topping
09 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
10 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
11 - 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
12 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
02 - Using a serrated knife, slice the slider buns in half horizontally, keeping them connected as a sheet. Place the bottom halves into the prepared baking dish.
03 - Spread the marinara sauce evenly over the bottom buns. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella over the sauce. Layer the pepperoni slices across the cheese, then top with the remaining mozzarella and a dusting of dried Italian herbs.
04 - Place the top halves of the buns over the assembled layers. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter with garlic powder and brush the mixture generously over the bun tops. Finish with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan and chopped parsley if desired.
05 - Tent the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for 5 more minutes until the cheese is fully melted and the tops turn golden brown.
06 - While the sliders bake, gently warm the honey in a small saucepan over low heat or in a microwave-safe bowl in 15-second bursts. Stir in the hot sauce until fully incorporated. Set aside and keep warm.
07 - Remove the sliders from the oven and let them rest for 2 minutes. Use a sharp knife to cut along the bun seams into individual sliders. Drizzle generously with the warm hot honey just before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The hot honey drizzle sounds unusual but trust me, it is the detail everyone will be talking about after the first bite.
- They bake in one pan which means almost zero cleanup, which is rare for something this crowd pleasing.
02 -
- Do not skip the foil cover during the first bake because it traps steam and melts the cheese evenly without drying out the tops.
- Drizzle the hot honey at the very last second because it soaks in and disappears if you add it too early.
03 -
- Use a serrated knife with a gentle sawing motion to cut the buns in half without squishing them flat.
- Taste your hot honey on a spoon before drizzling and adjust the heat level because every hot sauce brand hits differently.