Cheeseburger Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls Recipe

Introduction

These cheeseburger sliders with Hawaiian rolls are a quick and delicious meal perfect for gatherings or a simple weeknight dinner. Juicy beef, melted cheddar, and a sweet, tangy glaze come together in just 30 minutes. They’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 pound lean ground beef (10% fat) or medium ground beef (20% fat)
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (regular or light)
• 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce (or ketchup)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar (or maple syrup)
• 2 teaspoons sesame seeds (or Everything Bagel Seasoning)
• 12 Hawaiian rolls (1 package)
• 8 slices cheddar cheese or 6–8 ounces shredded cheese
• 1 tablespoon soft butter (to spread on pan)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a baking dish or sheet pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil sprayed with oil. For buttery, slightly crispy bottoms, spread a thin layer of soft butter directly on the pan.
2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onions and sauté for 5–6 minutes until golden brown, stirring occasionally.
3. Step 3: Add ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a spatula and cook until most or all pink is gone, about 3 minutes. Turn off the heat.
4. Step 4: Move the beef mixture to one side of the skillet and carefully spoon off excess grease to prevent soggy sliders (or blot with a paper towel). Mix in mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
5. Step 5: Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally, keeping the halves connected. On the bottom half, layer cheddar cheese to cover the rolls, then spread the beef mixture over the cheese, followed by another layer of cheese slices. Place the top half of the rolls back on.
6. Step 6: In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine butter, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar. Microwave for 25 seconds, then stir well to blend.
7. Step 7: Brush the butter glaze evenly over the tops of the rolls, then immediately sprinkle sesame seeds to help them stick.
8. Step 8: Place the assembled sliders on the prepared pan and bake uncovered for 12–15 minutes until the cheese melts and tops are lightly caramelized.
9. Step 9: Remove from the oven and cut into individual sliders along the roll lines with a serrated knife. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• For added flavor, try mixing a little Worcestershire sauce into the beef mixture before cooking.
• Substitute cheddar with pepper jack or Swiss for a different cheese profile.
• Use everything bagel seasoning instead of sesame seeds for a savory twist.
• To ensure crisp bottoms, butter the pan directly instead of just lining with foil or parchment.

Storage

Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 325°F (163°C) for 10–12 minutes or until warmed through to keep the rolls from becoming soggy. Avoid microwaving as it may soften the buns.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen Hawaiian rolls for this recipe?

Yes, thaw the rolls fully before assembling to ensure even cooking and the best texture.

What can I substitute for BBQ sauce?

If you don’t have BBQ sauce, ketchup works well as a milder alternative to add moisture and a touch of sweetness.

Cheeseburger Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls Recipe

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4.5 from 124 reviews

These Cheeseburger Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls are a quick and delicious appetizer or snack, perfect for game days or casual gatherings. Juicy ground beef cooked with onions, combined with mayonnaise and BBQ sauce, layered with cheddar cheese in sweet, soft Hawaiian rolls, then topped with a buttery, slightly sweet glaze and toasted sesame seeds for a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors. Ready in just 30 minutes, these sliders are easy to assemble and bake for a crowd-pleasing treat.

• Author: Dylan
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 sliders 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Beef Mixture

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 pound lean ground beef (10% fat) or medium ground beef (20% fat)
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (regular or light)
• 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce (or ketchup)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Topping for Rolls

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar (or maple syrup)
• 2 teaspoons sesame seeds (or Everything Bagel Seasoning)

Rolls and Cheese

• 12 Hawaiian rolls (1 package)
• 8 slices cheddar cheese or 6–8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon soft butter (to spread on pan)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a baking dish or sheet pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil and spray with oil. For extra buttery, crispy slider bottoms, spread a thin layer of soft butter directly on the pan.
2. Make Ground Beef Mixture: Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add finely chopped onion and sauté for 5-6 minutes until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Add the ground beef, break it up with a spatula, and cook until mostly browned and no longer pink, about 3 minutes. Turn off heat. To remove excess grease, tilt the skillet and spoon off or blot with paper towels. Mix in mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as preferred.
3. Prepare and Assemble Sliders: Slice the Hawaiian rolls horizontally but keep the halves intact. On the bottom halves, layer slices of cheddar cheese to cover the rolls evenly. Spread the prepared beef mixture over the cheese, then add another layer of cheese on top. Place the top halves of the rolls back on to form sliders.
4. Glaze, Bake, and Serve: In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt butter with Dijon mustard and brown sugar by microwaving for 25 seconds. Stir well to combine. Brush the glaze generously over the tops of the assembled sliders and immediately sprinkle sesame seeds on top so they stick. Place sliders on the prepared pan and bake uncovered for 12-15 minutes. Remove from oven, cut along the roll lines into individual sliders, and serve warm.

Notes

• Use lean ground beef for less grease or medium ground beef for richer flavor.
• You can substitute ketchup for BBQ sauce if preferred.
• If you like, swap cheddar cheese for your favorite cheese such as American or Swiss.
• For crispier bottoms, don’t skip buttering the pan or using foil with butter spread.
• Everything Bagel Seasoning is a great alternative to sesame seeds for extra flavor.

Keywords: Cheeseburger sliders, Hawaiian rolls sliders, easy sliders recipe, party appetizers, baked sliders