Description

These Hot Italian Sub Sliders are a delicious, crowd-pleasing appetizer featuring layers of ham, salami, pepperoni, provolone cheese, and spicy peppers on soft Hawaiian rolls, all brushed with a flavorful garlic butter topping and baked to melty, golden perfection. Perfect for parties or casual gatherings, they’re easy to assemble and can be customized with milder peppers or different cheeses.

Ingredients

Scale

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) and allow it to fully preheat to ensure even baking.
Assemble the sliders: Place the bottom halves of the soft dinner rolls on a baking sheet or pan. Layer evenly with the ham, salami, pepperoni, provolone cheese, sliced pepperoncini, and pickled hot cherry peppers. Then place the top halves of the rolls over the layered ingredients to form the sliders.
Prepare the garlic butter topping: In a small bowl, mix together the melted salted butter, Italian seasoning, and crushed fresh garlic cloves. Brush this mixture generously over the tops of the assembled sliders, making sure to coat every corner and crevice for maximum flavor.
Bake the sliders: Cover the entire baking sheet with aluminum foil to prevent the tops from burning and to help the cheese melt thoroughly. Bake the sliders in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the tops turn golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve: Remove the sliders from the oven and slice them apart. Serve warm, optionally with a side of marinara sauce for dipping to add a rich, tangy contrast.

Notes

For a milder flavor, substitute the hot cherry peppers with roasted red peppers or omit them entirely.
You can swap provolone cheese for mozzarella or a mozzarella-provolone blend for a different texture and taste.
These sliders can be assembled up to 8 hours in advance; simply refrigerate and bake when ready to serve.
Using King’s Hawaiian rolls provides a soft, slightly sweet base that complements the spicy and savory fillings well.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: Hot Italian Sub Sliders, Italian sliders, party food, appetizer, sandwich sliders, baked sliders, garlic butter sliders, King’s Hawaiian rolls