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A spatula lifting a cheesy pull apart pizza slider from the pan, creating a long cheese pull, demonstrating the final Pull Apart Pizza Sliders Recipe.

The Ultimate Pull Apart Pizza Sliders (No Soggy Bottoms & Extra Cheesy!)

Skip the soggy buns! Our viral "Toast-First" hack creates the crispiest, cheesiest Pull-Apart Pizza Sliders in just 20 minutes. The ultimate crowd-pleasing party appetizer!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 12 sliders
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Snack
Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired
Calories: 190
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

The Base:
  • 1 pack Hawaiian Sweet Rolls (12 count) Do not separate them!
  • 1/2 cup Pizza Sauce (120ml) Use a thick sauce, not watery marinara.
The Cheese & Fillings:
  • 6 slices Provolone Cheese The "bottom barrier" against sogginess.
  • 1 1/2 cups Mozzarella Cheese (170g) Shredded (low-moisture is best).
  • 1 cup Pepperoni Slices Or your favorite pizza toppings.
The Garlic Butter Glaze:
  • 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter (57g) Melted.
  • 2 cloves Garlic Minced.
  • 1 tbsp Fresh Parsley Chopped.
  • 1 tbsp Parmesan Cheese Grated.
  • 1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning

Equipment

  • 1 9x13 inch Baking Dish Or a large baking sheet.
  • 1 Serrated Bread Knife Crucial for cutting rolls without squishing.
  • 1 Aluminum Foil To cover during baking.
  • 1 Pastry brush For the garlic butter glaze.

Method
 

The "Toast-First" Hack
  1. Preheat: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
    A hand greasing a white 9x13 inch ceramic baking dish with butter, preparing the pan for the pull apart pizza sliders recipe.
  2. Slice: Keeping the rolls attached, use a serrated knife to slice the entire slab in half horizontally. Set the top slab aside.
    A chef using a serrated knife to slice a connected slab of Hawaiian roll pizza sliders bread horizontally on a wooden cutting board.
  3. Toast (The Secret): Place the bottom slab of rolls into the baking dish. Bake for 5 minutes, just until slightly toasted and dry to the touch. (This creates a barrier so the sauce doesn't make them soggy!).
    A white baking dish containing the bottom slab of Hawaiian roll pizza sliders, lightly baked and toasted to create a crust barrier against the sauce.
Layer & Assemble
  1. Cheese Barrier: Remove from oven. Immediately layer the Sliced Provolone over the hot bottom buns, overlapping slightly to cover the bread completely.
    A white baking dish containing the bottom slab of toasted rolls completely covered with a layer of overlapping sliced white cheese, creating a barrier for the pizza sauce
  2. Meat & Sauce: Arrange a layer of Pepperoni over the cheese. Then, spread the Pizza Sauce evenly over the meat. (Never put sauce directly on the bread!).
    A hand using a spoon to spread red pizza sauce evenly over a layer of pepperoni and cheese in a baking dish, preparing the pull apart pizza sliders.
  3. Top Cheese: Sprinkle the Shredded Mozzarella generously over the sauce. Add another layer of pepperoni if desired.
    A white baking dish containing the pizza sauce and pepperoni, completely covered by a generous layer of shredded mozzarella cheese, ready for baking.
  4. Close: Place the top slab of rolls over the filling.
    A hand placing the top slab of Hawaiian roll pizza sliders bread over the layer of shredded cheese and sauce in a white baking dish.
Glaze & Bake
  1. Make Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, parsley, parmesan, and Italian seasoning.
    A glass bowl of melted butter mixed with minced garlic and fresh herbs, next to an orange brush, ready to glaze the pull apart pizza sliders.
  2. Brush: Generously brush the garlic butter mixture all over the tops and sides of the rolls.
    A hand using an orange silicone brush to generously coat the tops of the golden brown rolls with a herb garlic butter mixture, completing the pull apart pizza sliders.
  3. Bake: Cover the dish tightly with foil. Bake for 10 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes, until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is melted. Serve hot!
    A white baking dish full of fully baked, golden brown cheesy pull apart sliders, garnished with herbs and ready to be pulled apart and served.

Notes

  • No-Soggy Hack: The combination of toasting the bottom buns (Step 3) and using sliced cheese as a base (Step 4) guarantees your sliders will never be mushy.
  • Make-Ahead: Assemble the sliders completely (up to Step 7). Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add the glaze (Step 9) just before baking. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
  • Variations:
    • Meat Lover's: Add cooked sausage or bacon.
    • Veggie: Sauté mushrooms and peppers (remove liquid!) before adding.