Italian Sliders are mini sandwiches piled high with mozzarella cheese, ham, salami, pepperoni, giardiniera, and provolone cheese, brushed with seasoned melted butter and baked to a golden brown. Try my Chicken Parmesan Sliders for another Italian-inspired appetizer.

One Italian Slider on a Plate with melted cheese

Italian Sliders

Sliders are small sandwiches that became popular at White Castle restaurants. At this point, I have made my share of sliders, from Cheeseburger Sliders to Chicken Cordon Bleu Sliders to Ham and Cheese Sliders, just to name a few. They are a perfect appetizer, but also can be served as the main course with a side dish. And, most of my sliders are brushed with seasoned butter, including these. This slider is like a mini version of an Italian sub sandwich.

Sliders Ingredients

Rolls: King’s Hawaiian Rolls makes all the sliders that much better. I even have my own recipe for Hawaiian rolls if you want to give them a shot! 

Seasoned Butter: I usually brush some sort of seasoned butter on top of my slider recipes. This mixture is melted butter with garlic salt and Italian seasoning.

Meats: Being an Italian slider, I included rounds of salami and pepperoni. I also added deli ham. You could add as much or as little meat as you like.

Cheeses: I used both mozzarella cheese and provolone cheese to these sliders; you could use all of one kind if you prefer.

Giardiniera: Giardiniera is an Italian relish, full of pickled vegetables, that are stored in vinegar or oil. I used the American-Italian giardiniera, which is known as ‘Chicago Style’.  The main difference between the two is that the Chicago-style mixture has added hot peppers. You can use a mild or hot mixture. (I used mild giardiniera in this recipe.) Look for it next to other condiments at your local grocery store or supermarket.

Adding the layers to bread for building an Italian Slider

How to Make Italian Sliders

To make the Italian Sliders, first, make the seasoned butter and set it aside. Next, layer the bottoms of the rolls in a baking dish that has been sprayed with nonstick spray. Then, layer the bottoms of the rolls with the slices of mozzarella cheese, ham, salami, pepperoni, giardiniera, and provolone cheese. Finally, top with the other halves of rolls and brush the melted butter over the top.

Cover the dish with aluminum foil. Bake the sliders, covered, for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is hot and bubbly. After 15 minutes, remove the foil from the sliders and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes. The tops of the sliders should be golden brown. Cut them apart and serve!

Overhead of Italian Sliders with One cut

Can I Freeze Sliders?

When I know I am making extra sliders to freeze, I will prepare them directly on top of a large piece of plastic wrap. Set the bottom layer of the rolls down, add all the layers (besides the giardiniera), place the bread on top, and then wrap them up as tightly as you can without crushing the bread. Do not add the butter sauce or giardiniera to rolls that you are freezing. Place the plastic-wrapped sliders in an airtight container or sealable freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months.

When ready to enjoy, remove the sliders from the freezer and remove all the wrapping. Place rolls into a greased casserole dish and brush on the butter sauce. You will notice that the butter will start to harden and clump, and that is okay; just try to cover every little bit of the rolls.

Cover with aluminum foil and immediately place the frozen sliders into the oven for 20 minutes at 350°F. Remove foil and bake until rolls are golden brown. (You may need a few extra minutes to ensure they are done baking.) Have the giardiniera available on the side.

Stacked Italian Sliders on a Cutting Board

More Slider Recipes

5 from 4 votes

Italian Sliders

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Italian Sliders are mini sandwiches piled high with mozzarella cheese, ham, salami, pepperoni, giardiniera, and provolone cheese, brushed with seasoned melted butter and baked to a golden brown.

Ingredients

  • 12 dinner rolls, like a 12-count package King's Hawaiian Rolls
  • ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ teaspoon garlic salt
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 6 slices mozzarella cheese
  • 12 slices deli ham
  • 24 slices salami, large rounds
  • 24 slices pepperoni, large rounds
  • ½ cup Chicago style giardiniera, drained
  • 6 slices provolone cheese

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, garlic salt, and Italian seasoning. Set aside.
  • Split your rolls in half, and place the bottom halves in the prepared baking dish.
  • Top the buns with mozzarella cheese slices. Follow with a layer of ham slices, salami slices, pepperoni slices, an even layer of giardiniera. Then, add the provolone cheese slices.
  • Place the top halves of the buns on top and brush the tops of the rolls with the melted butter mixture.
  • Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is hot and bubbly.
  • Remove foil, and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes (or until the tops of the sliders turn a golden brown).
  • Remove from oven, slice and serve!

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Reader Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Just made these for the Super Bowl with a few modifications. Roasted red peppers and pepperoncini a little less meat. Used Kerrygold butter for added richness. Kids said this recipe was fire!

  2. 5 stars
    I made it. We loved them! I didn’t have the giardineria, and I didn’t use as much of each of the meats, but they were totally yummy! Thanks!

  3. This looks so good and so filling! I’ll have to try it, it would be the perfect addition to any event or lunch. Thanks for sharing!

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