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Smoky Bacon Jalapeño Football Sliders

Smoky Bacon Jalapeño Football Sliders - featured image

A nostalgic and flavorful game day appetizer featuring sweet Hawaiian rolls topped with sharp cheddar, crispy bacon, and fresh jalapeños, finished with a smoky, garlicky brown sugar butter glaze.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 package (12-count) Hawaiian dinner rolls
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
  • 12 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 2 medium jalapeños, sliced into thin rings (seeds removed for milder heat)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with aluminum foil.
  2. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy but still chewy. Drain on paper towels and let cool slightly.
  3. Place the slab of Hawaiian rolls into the prepared baking dish, keeping them connected.
  4. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the rolls.
  5. Distribute the chopped bacon and jalapeño slices evenly over the cheese layer.
  6. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the bacon and jalapeños.
  7. In a small saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Whisk in brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika until smooth.
  8. Brush the butter mixture evenly over the top of the sliders.
  9. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes.
  10. Remove foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and tops are golden brown.
  11. Let cool for 5 minutes before cutting into individual sliders and serving warm.

Notes

For best results, grate your own cheese to ensure smooth melting. Let the sliders cool for at least 5 minutes after baking to allow the cheese to set and prevent them from falling apart. You can assemble these up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate before baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: game day food, sliders, bacon, jalapeño, cheese, Hawaiian rolls, football snacks, party food, comfort food, smoky