Hawaiian Roll Meatball Sliders Recipe

Introduction

These Hawaiian Roll Meatball Sliders are a perfect combination of sweet, savory, and cheesy flavors. Soft, slightly sweet rolls hold juicy, flavorful meatballs topped with gooey mozzarella and a hint of garlic butter. They make a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a fun party snack.

Ingredients

• 12 count Hawaiian rolls
• 1 cup fresh mozzarella (mozzarella pearls preferred)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 4 tablespoons butter (melted)
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons chopped parsley
• 1/2 cup pizza sauce (such as Rao’s roasted garlic pizza sauce)
• Hot honey (optional, for drizzling)
• 1 lb. ground beef (80/20 recommended)
• 1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan
• 1 egg (beaten)
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic (for meatballs)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, beaten egg, parmesan, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix until evenly combined but do not overwork the meat.
2. Step 2: Form the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs using a spoon or cookie scoop. Place them on a baking sheet. You should have about 12-14 meatballs.
3. Step 3: Bake meatballs in a preheated oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through to prevent burning. Bake until no longer pink inside.
4. Step 4: Toss the cooked meatballs gently in pizza sauce to coat them lightly.
5. Step 5: Slice the tops off the Hawaiian rolls. Using a knife, cut out a 1-inch circle from the center of each roll’s top and remove the bread. Use the bottom of a shot glass to widen the hole slightly for the meatballs.
6. Step 6: Mix melted butter with 1 tablespoon minced garlic and parsley. Brush this garlic butter over the inside and tops of each roll.
7. Step 7: Arrange the rolls on a baking sheet and bake in the oven at 400°F for 5 minutes until tops are golden and slightly crispy.
8. Step 8: Fill each hollowed-out roll with a generous pinch of shredded mozzarella. Add a spoonful of pizza sauce over the cheese.
9. Step 9: Place one meatball into each roll, pushing it gently into the hole.
10. Step 10: Top each meatball with another pinch of shredded mozzarella.
11. Step 11: Return the sliders to the oven and bake until mozzarella melts and becomes bubbly, about 5 minutes.
12. Step 12: Brush a final coat of garlic butter over the slider tops before serving. Optionally, drizzle with hot honey for a sweet-spicy kick.

Tips & Variations

• Use mozzarella pearls for fresh bursts of flavor, or substitute with sliced provolone for a different melty texture.
• For extra heat, add crushed red pepper or drizzle hot honey on the finished sliders.
• To make prep easier, meatballs can be made a day ahead and refrigerated before baking.
• Try using turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter option.

Storage

Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to keep the rolls soft and the cheese melted. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these sliders ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the meatballs a day in advance and keep them refrigerated until ready to bake and assemble. This makes serving easier for parties or gatherings.

What can I use if I don’t have Hawaiian rolls?

Slider buns, dinner rolls, or small soft sandwich rolls work well as substitutes. Choose rolls that are slightly sweet or soft to complement the meatball flavors.

Hawaiian Roll Meatball Sliders Recipe

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4.8 from 51 reviews

These Hawaiian Roll Meatball Sliders are a delicious, crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack perfect for parties or family dinners. Soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls are hollowed out and filled with juicy baked meatballs coated in marinara, layered with fresh and shredded mozzarella, and brushed with flavorful garlic butter for a cheesy, savory bite with a touch of sweetness from hot honey.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 sliders 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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Meatballs

• 1 lb. ground beef (80/20 recommended)
• 1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan
• 1 egg (beaten)
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Sauce and Topping

• 1/2 cup pizza sauce (like Rao’s roasted garlic pizza sauce)
• 1 cup fresh mozzarella (mozzarella pearls preferred)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 4 tablespoons butter (melted)
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons chopped parsley
• Hot honey, for drizzling
• 12 count Hawaiian rolls

Instructions

1. Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, beaten egg, parmesan, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Mix everything together until smooth and well incorporated.
2. Form Meatballs: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, divide the meat mixture into 1.5-inch portions and roll into balls. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet. You should have about 12-14 meatballs.
3. Bake the Meatballs: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Bake the meatballs for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking and to prevent burning. Check that the meatballs are no longer pink in the center.
4. Coat Meatballs with Sauce: Remove baked meatballs from the oven and toss them gently in enough pizza marinara sauce to coat them without drowning.
5. Prepare the Rolls: Slice the Hawaiian rolls horizontally and use a knife to cut a 1-inch circle out of the center of each top roll. Discard the bread circles. Use the bottom of a shot glass to widen each hole to fit a meatball comfortably.
6. Make Garlic Butter: Mix 4 tablespoons melted butter with 1 tablespoon minced garlic and 2 teaspoons chopped parsley. Use a basting brush to coat the tops and inside of each hollowed roll with the garlic butter.
7. Toast the Rolls: Place the buttered rolls on a baking sheet and bake in the 400°F oven for about 5 minutes, or until the tops start to turn golden brown.
8. Assemble Sliders: Add a pinch of fresh mozzarella into each hollowed section and push it down gently. Spoon some marinara sauce over the cheese. Place one meatball into each roll hole, pushing it down to nestle in.
9. Add More Cheese: Top each meatball with another pinch of shredded mozzarella. Return the assembled sliders to the oven until the cheese melts, about 3-5 minutes.
10. Finish with Garlic Butter and Hot Honey: Remove the sliders from the oven and brush a final coating of garlic butter over the tops. Drizzle with hot honey if desired for a sweet and spicy finish. Serve warm.

Notes

• For best results, use 80/20 ground beef for juicy and flavorful meatballs.
• You can substitute mozzarella pearls with small chunks if unavailable.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level or omit for mild sliders.
• These sliders are perfect to prepare in advance; just reheat before serving and add fresh garlic butter and hot honey.
• If you prefer a vegetarian option, replace meatballs with plant-based meat substitutes.
• Make sure to not overfill the meatballs to fit well into the rolls.

Keywords: Hawaiian Roll Meatball Sliders, Meatball Sliders, Party Appetizer, Hawaiian Rolls, Baked Meatballs, Cheesy Sliders