Sloppy Joes. Just saying the name brings back a flood of childhood memories—messy hands, paper napkins sticking everywhere, and that sweet, tangy sauce dripping down chins.
It’s a nostalgic chaos of flavors and fun. But let’s be real, who has time for the whole traditional setup these days?
Enter the Sloppy Joe Slider, the bite-sized hero of busy weeknights and impromptu gatherings. These are like the little black dress of the food world—versatile, charming, and universally loved.
Picture this: a platter of mini buns, each one a soft pillow cradling a savory, saucy filling that’s just begging to be devoured in one or two (or five) bites.
Perfect for game day, a casual dinner, or when you just want a taste of comfort without the full commitment. And because everything’s better in miniature, right?
It’s like snacking on a bit of nostalgia, with a modern twist. Just like those unexpected plots in a binge-worthy Netflix series—familiar yet refreshingly new.
So let’s roll up our sleeves and embrace the mess, because these sliders, my friend, are about to steal the show.
Steps
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Horizontally slice the entire loaf of Hawaiian rolls without separating them and place the bottoms in a 9×13-inch baking pan. Sprinkle half of the cheddar cheese over the rolls and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, warm olive oil and cook the ground beef with diced onion until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Drain any excess fat and add minced garlic, cooking for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- In a small bowl, mix together ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Pour this mixture into the skillet with the beef, add water, and simmer until the mixture thickens, about 4-5 minutes.
- Spoon the thickened beef mixture evenly over the bottom halves of the rolls. Top with the remaining cheddar cheese to cover the meat.
- To prepare the glaze, melt butter in a small saucepan. Stir in brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and sesame seeds until well combined.
- Drizzle the glaze evenly over the sliders, ensuring each one is well coated. Bake the sliders uncovered in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top.
Ingredients
- 1 package of Hawaiian rolls (12-count)
- 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 pound of lean ground beef
- 1 small white onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- ¾ cup of ketchup
- 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon of chili powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup of water
- ¼ cup of butter
- 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds
FAQ
- Can Hawaiian Roll Sliders be prepared in advance?
- It’s best to prepare only the sloppy joe meat mixture ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Assembling the sliders in advance may cause the Hawaiian buns to become soggy and fall apart. Bake them just before serving to ensure they are fresh and not soggy.
- Is it possible to freeze Hawaiian Roll Sliders?
- Freezing the sliders is not recommended as the buns might become too soggy upon thawing. However, you can freeze the meat mixture separately. Simply thaw, reheat (adding a bit of water if necessary), and assemble the sliders just before serving.
- What can I substitute for ground beef in the recipe?
- If you prefer not to use beef, ground turkey or chicken are great alternatives for the sloppy joe meat mixture, providing a similar texture and taste.
- What should I do if I don’t like sesame seeds on my sliders?
- If sesame seeds aren’t to your liking, you can simply omit them from the glaze without affecting the overall flavor of the sliders.
- How should I serve Sloppy Joe Sliders for the best taste?
- To enjoy the sliders at their best, serve them immediately after baking. This ensures they are warm, fresh, and have the perfect texture.
Tips
- Prepare the Meat Mixture in Advance: To save time, you can make the sloppy joe meat mixture ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. This way, you only need to assemble and bake the sliders when you’re ready to serve them.
- Avoid Soggy Buns: Assemble the sliders just before baking to prevent the Hawaiian rolls from becoming soggy. If you prepare them too far in advance, the buns may absorb too much moisture and fall apart.
- Customize the Protein: If you prefer a different protein, feel free to substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken. This can cater to dietary preferences or restrictions while still maintaining flavor.
- Freeze the Meat Mixture, Not the Sliders: Freezing the entire assembled sliders is not recommended as the buns can become soggy upon thawing. Instead, freeze the cooked meat mixture separately and thaw it when needed for quick assembly.
Equipment
- Pastry Brush
- 9×13-inch Pan
