Introduction

Cheeseburger sliders made with sweet Hawaiian rolls are a crowd-pleasing appetizer or meal. These mini sandwiches combine savory beef, melted cheddar, and a flavorful glaze for a perfect balance of taste and texture.

A close-up of a small sandwich held by a woman's hand, featuring a shiny, golden-brown sesame seed bun on top with a soft, fluffy inside texture. The sandwich is filled with two layers of moist, cooked ground beef mixed with small bits of onions, and melted orange cheddar cheese oozing slightly between the meat layers and dribbling out the sides. The background shows a blurred white marbled surface with a small green herb at the bottom. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a baking dish or sheet pan with parchment paper or foil sprayed with oil. For a buttery, slightly crispy bottom, spread a thin layer of soft butter directly on the pan surface.
Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown.
Step 3: Add ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a spatula and cook until the pink is mostly gone, about 3 minutes. Turn off the heat.
Step 4: Slide the beef mixture to one side of the skillet, tip it, and spoon off excess grease to keep sliders from getting soggy. Stir in mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
Step 5: Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally, keeping them intact as a whole block. On the bottom half, arrange cheese slices evenly, then spread the beef mixture over the cheese, followed by another layer of cheese slices. Place the top half of the rolls back on.
Step 6: In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine butter, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar. Microwave for 25 seconds, then stir until smooth.
Step 7: Brush the glaze generously over the tops of the rolls and immediately sprinkle sesame seeds so they stick.
Step 8: Place the assembled sliders on the prepared pan and bake uncovered for 12-15 minutes until warmed through and cheese is melted.
Step 9: Remove from the oven and cut into individual sliders along the roll lines with a serrated knife. Serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

For added flavor, try mixing in chopped pickles or sautéed mushrooms into the beef mixture.
Use pepper jack cheese for a spicy twist instead of cheddar.
Glaze the tops with honey instead of brown sugar for a different sweetness profile.
Brush softened butter on the bottom of the pan before placing sliders to ensure buttery crisp bottoms.

Storage

Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (177°C) for 8-10 minutes to restore the toasted texture, or use a microwave for 1-2 minutes for quicker reheating.

How to Serve

The image shows six small sandwich sliders placed closely on a light wooden board with a white marbled background. Each slider has a shiny golden brown top bun sprinkled with white sesame seeds. The buns are soft and slightly toasted. Inside, there is a thick layer of cooked ground beef with some melted cheese mixed in, spilling out slightly from the sides. A small bunch of green parsley leaves is placed in the center behind the sliders, adding a fresh touch. Some bits of meat have fallen on the wooden board around the sliders, making the scene look natural and inviting. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare these sliders ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the sliders and keep them covered in the refrigerator for a few hours before baking. Just add the glaze and sesame seeds before baking.

What can I substitute for Hawaiian rolls?

If you can’t find Hawaiian rolls, use small dinner rolls or slider buns with a soft texture. The slightly sweet flavor of Hawaiian rolls pairs best, but any soft bun will work.

Cheeseburger Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 89 reviews

These Cheeseburger Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or meal featuring a flavorful ground beef mixture layered with cheddar cheese inside sweet, soft Hawaiian rolls. Topped with a buttery, tangy glaze and sesame seeds, these baked sliders are perfect for gatherings or a tasty weekend treat.

Author: Bella
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 12 sliders 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

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 cheese
1 tablespoon soft butter (to spread on pan)

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Heat your 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 on the sliders, spread a thin layer of soft butter directly on the pan surface.
Prepare Beef Mixture: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add finely chopped onion and sauté for 5-6 minutes until golden brown. Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spatula, and cook until the pink color is mostly gone, about 3 minutes. Turn off heat. To reduce excess grease, tilt the skillet and spoon off the grease or blot with a paper towel. Stir in mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Assemble Sliders: Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally but keep the loaf intact. Place cheese slices on the bottom half of the rolls to cover. Spread the beef mixture evenly over the cheese, then add another layer of cheese slices on top. Cover with the top half of the rolls.
Glaze and Bake: In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine butter, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar. Microwave for 25 seconds and stir to combine. Brush this glaze generously over the tops of the sliders and immediately sprinkle with sesame seeds so they stick. Place the assembled sliders on the prepared pan and bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes.
Serve: Remove sliders from the oven and carefully cut into individual portions along the roll lines using a serrated knife. Serve warm immediately for the best taste and texture.

Notes

Use medium fat ground beef (20%) for juicier sliders, or lean (10%) if you prefer less fat.
Mayonnaise and BBQ sauce add moisture and flavor to the beef mixture but can be swapped or adjusted to taste.
Hawaiian rolls provide a sweet and soft texture but can be substituted with other dinner rolls if desired.
For crispier bottoms, spreading butter on the baking pan is highly recommended.
If preferred, shredded cheese can be used instead of sliced cheddar.
Everything Bagel Seasoning can be used instead of sesame seeds for extra flavor.

Keywords: Cheeseburger sliders, Hawaiian rolls, slider recipe, party appetizer, baked sliders, ground beef sliders, cheesy sliders