Hot Italian Sub Sliders Recipe
Introduction
If you love the bold, savory flavors of a classic Italian sub but want something easier to serve for parties or family gatherings, Hot Italian Sub Sliders are the perfect answer. Packed with layers of ham, salami, pepperoni, melted provolone, and tangy peppers, they come together quickly and satisfy any crowd.
Ingredients
- 12-pack soft dinner rolls (King’s Hawaiian recommended), halved lengthwise
- 6 oz thinly sliced ham
- 5 oz thinly sliced salami
- 5 oz thinly sliced pepperoni
- 9 slices provolone cheese
- ⅓ cup sliced pepperoncini
- ⅓ cup sliced pickled hot cherry peppers
- ¼ cup salted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- Optional: 1 cup marinara sauce, for dipping
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Step 2: Place the bottom halves of the rolls on a baking sheet or pan. Layer with ham, salami, pepperoni, provolone slices, pepperoncini, and hot cherry peppers. Then top with the upper halves of the rolls.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, combine melted butter, Italian seasoning, and crushed garlic. Brush this garlic butter generously over the tops of the assembled sliders, making sure to coat all the nooks.
- Step 4: Cover the sliders with foil and bake for 30 minutes, until the tops are golden and the cheese is melted.
- Step 5: Remove from oven, slice the sliders apart, and serve warm. Offer marinara sauce on the side if desired for dipping.
Tips & Variations
- For a milder version, substitute the hot cherry peppers with roasted red peppers or omit peppers altogether.
- Try swapping provolone with mozzarella or a provolone-mozzarella blend for a different cheese flavor.
- You can assemble the sliders up to 8 hours ahead and refrigerate; just bake right before serving.
Storage
Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat covered with foil in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through to keep the bread soft and cheese melty.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use different types of bread?
Yes, soft dinner rolls like King’s Hawaiian work best for their size and sweetness, but any soft sandwich rolls will do. Avoid breads that are too dense or crusty, as they won’t absorb the flavors as well.
How spicy are these sliders?
The heat comes mainly from the pickled hot cherry peppers and pepperoncini. You can adjust the heat by reducing or omitting these peppers or substituting with milder varieties if you prefer less spice.
PrintHot Italian Sub Sliders Recipe
These Hot Italian Sub Sliders are a perfect crowd-pleasing appetizer or meal option, combining classic Italian deli meats, melted provolone cheese, tangy peppers, and a garlic butter topping on soft dinner rolls. Ideal for parties, game days, or family gatherings, they come together quickly and can be assembled ahead of time for easy baking and serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
For the Sliders:
- 12-pack soft dinner rolls (King’s Hawaiian rolls recommended), halved lengthwise
- 6 oz thinly sliced ham
- 5 oz thinly sliced salami
- 5 oz thinly sliced pepperoni
- 9 slices provolone cheese
- ⅓ cup sliced pepperoncini
- ⅓ cup sliced pickled hot cherry peppers
For the Topping:
- ¼ cup salted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed (fresh recommended)
Optional for Serving:
- 1 cup marinara sauce, for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the sliders.
- Assemble the sliders: Lay the bottom halves of the dinner rolls on a baking sheet or pan. Layer with ham, salami, pepperoni, provolone cheese, pepperoncini, and hot cherry peppers evenly. Then, place the top halves of the rolls over the layered ingredients.
- Prepare garlic butter topping: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with Italian seasoning and crushed fresh garlic. Brush this mixture generously over the top of the slider rolls, ensuring full coverage for enhanced flavor.
- Bake the sliders: Cover the baking sheet with foil to keep the moisture in and bake the sliders in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the tops turn golden brown.
- Serve warm: Remove from the oven, slice the slider sandwich, and serve warm. Optionally, provide marinara sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- To make a milder slider, substitute the hot cherry peppers with roasted red peppers or omit them entirely.
- You can swap provolone cheese with mozzarella or a mozzarella-provolone blend for a different cheese texture and flavor.
- The sliders can be assembled up to 8 hours ahead of time and refrigerated before baking to save preparation time on the day of serving.
- These sliders are perfect for potlucks, tailgates, and casual dinners and can be doubled or tripled to feed larger groups.
Keywords: Hot Italian Sub Sliders, Italian sliders, party sandwiches, game day food, provolone cheese sliders, pepperoncini sliders
