Buttery Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders

A buttery glaze with just the right touch of sweetness and garlic turns these Hawaiian Roll Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders into a crowd-pleasing meal that feels special but comes together easily. Perfect for family dinners or casual get togethers, these sliders pack sharp cheddar, smoky bacon, and perfectly seasoned beef into soft, fluffy rolls that pull apart like little bites of comfort food heaven.

I first made these sliders when my kids begged for a twist on classic cheeseburgers. Now they request them so often they’ve almost become a weekly tradition in our house. They strike just the right balance between indulgent and easy to eat.

Ingredients

• Hawaiian Slider Rolls: their soft, slightly sweet texture pairs beautifully with savory fillings I recommend King’s Hawaiian for best size and flavor
• Lean Ground Beef: provides hearty substance cooking it in bacon drippings adds extra flavor so don’t skip that step
• Bacon, cooked and crumbled: crisp and smoky for crunch and saltiness
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded and sliced: sharp cheese adds a bold bite and melts beautifully over the beef
• Salt, Pepper, and Dry Mustard: basic seasonings that bring out the beef’s natural flavor with a little punch from the mustard
• Butter: melted to form the base of the glaze and helps brown the roll tops
• Brown Sugar: adds sweetness to balance the savory ingredients
• Italian Seasoning: gives a gentle herbaceous note that deepens the glaze flavor
• Granulated Garlic: for that rich garlic aroma without overpowering the sliders

Instructions

Slice Hawaiian Rolls in Half but Leave Attached:

Slice the slider rolls in half horizontally, keeping the whole batch connected. This makes assembly and baking easier. You can optionally toast the bottom halves lightly in the oven while cooking meat to add a little crunch.

Cook Bacon and Drain:

Fry your bacon to a nice crisp in a skillet. Remove from the pan and drain on paper towels. Set aside and crumble once cool.

Brown Ground Beef in Bacon Drippings:

Using the bacon drippings left in the skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until no longer pink. This method infuses the beef with smoky bacon flavor. Drain excess fat if necessary.

Season Beef and Stir in Shredded Cheese:

Lower the heat and season the beef with salt, pepper, and dry mustard. Then sprinkle in the shredded cheddar and stir it for one minute just to soften it slightly it does not need to melt completely.

Assemble Sliders:

Spread the cheesy ground beef mixture evenly over the bottom half of the slider rolls. Sprinkle the crumbled bacon on top, then add slices of sharp cheddar cheese over the bacon layer. Place the top halves of the rolls back on.

Mix Glaze and Brush Over Rolls:

Melt butter and stir in brown sugar, Italian seasoning, and granulated garlic until smooth. Spoon or brush this glaze generously over the tops of the slider rolls, making sure to coat most of the surface.

Bake Until Golden and Melty:

Place the assembled sliders on a foil lined baking dish or sheet and bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes. You are aiming for lightly browned tops and melted cheese inside.

Serve Warm and Enjoy:

Use a serrated knife to cut the sliders apart for neat individual portions or simply pull them apart with your hands to dive right in.

One of my favorite parts of this recipe is the browned butter glaze. It’s a game changer that I first tried on a whim and now I never skip. This glaze turns simple sliders into something that always gets raves at family gatherings. The combination of garlic and brown sugar with butter on soft rolls brings everyone to the table with a smile.

Storage Tips

Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave to keep the rolls from getting soggy. You can also freeze sliders individually wrapped in foil and thaw them overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Ingredient Substitutions

Turkey or chicken ground meat can be used instead of beef for a lighter option. Use turkey bacon in place of regular bacon for less fat. If you don’t have Hawaiian rolls, soft dinner rolls or pretzel buns can work but adjust cooking time for size differences.

Serving Suggestions

These sliders shine alongside crispy oven fries or a fresh green salad. A side of pickles or a tangy coleslaw balances out the richness beautifully. For a party, serve sliders on a platter with toothpicks for easy grabbing.

The browned butter glaze elevates these sliders to an always requested favorite. They bring everyone to the table with a smile.

Common Recipe Questions

→ What type of bread works best for these sliders?

Soft Hawaiian rolls are preferred for their slightly sweet flavor and tender texture that complements the savory filling.

→ Can bacon drippings be used in cooking the beef?

Yes, cooking the beef in bacon drippings adds extra smoky flavor and richness to the meat mixture.

→ How is the glaze prepared?

The glaze combines melted butter, brown sugar, Italian seasoning, and granulated garlic, which is brushed over the rolls before baking for a lightly sweet and garlic-infused crust.

→ Is it necessary to toast the rolls before assembling?

Toasting the bottom halves is optional but can help add slight crispness and prevent sogginess from the meat mixture.

→ Can I customize the cheese used in these sliders?

Sharp cheddar cheese is traditional for its strong flavor, but other melty cheeses like pepper jack or Swiss can be substituted based on preference.

→ How long do these sliders bake?

Bake the assembled sliders at 350°F for about 10 to 15 minutes until cheese melts and rolls are lightly browned on top.