Baked Bacon Cheese Sliders Recipe
Craving the flavors of a classic bacon cheeseburger without the grill? These Baked Bacon Cheese Sliders are your new MVP. Gooey sharp cheddar, savory seasoned beef, and smoky crispy bacon are layered between buttery-sweet rolls, brushed with a tangy-butter glaze, and baked until golden and melty. They’re fast, festive, and perfect for game day, family gatherings, potlucks, or an easy weeknight dinner.
Why You’ll Love These Baked Sliders
- Feeds a crowd: One pan makes 12 shareable sliders—ideal for parties and tailgates.
- Big, bold flavor: Smoky bacon, melty cheddar, savory beef, and a buttery Dijon-brown sugar glaze.
- Make-ahead friendly: Prep components in advance for stress-free entertaining.
- Customizable: Easy to tweak with different cheeses, sauces, or toppings.
Ingredients & Their Roles
- Bacon (8–10 slices): Adds smokiness, crunch, and a salty bite that balances the sweetness of the rolls.
- Sweet rolls (12): Hawaiian or brioche rolls are soft and slightly sweet, creating that classic slider contrast.
- Lean ground beef (1 lb): The hearty, meaty base of every bite—choose 85–90% for flavor without excess grease.
- Onion (1/2 cup, chopped): Brings gentle sweetness and savory depth.
- Worcestershire + Dijon (to taste): A duo that adds umami and tang to the beef mixture.
- Diced tomatoes (optional): When well-drained, they lend juiciness and a subtle acidity.
- Sharp cheddar (2 cups): Melts into gooey richness with bold flavor—perfect for cheeseburger vibes.
- Butter (1/2 cup), brown sugar, Dijon, Worcestershire: Whisked into a savory-sweet glaze that soaks into the tops for shine and flavor.
- Sesame seeds (optional): Add nutty crunch and that bakery-finish look.
Rolls matter: Keep the rolls connected while assembling; it makes building—and slicing after baking—clean and easy.
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Large skillet and spatula
- Small bowl and whisk (for glaze)
- Pastry brush
- Serrated knife (for neat slicing)
- Foil (for covered bake)
Cheese tip: Freshly shredded cheddar melts smoother than pre-shredded blends.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1) Preheat & Prep
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- With a serrated knife, slice the connected rolls horizontally. Place the bottom slab in the dish; reserve the tops.
2) Par-Melt the Base Cheese
- Sprinkle 1 cup cheddar over the roll bottoms and bake for 3–4 minutes, just until it begins to melt. This creates a cheesy barrier that keeps the rolls from getting soggy.
3) Cook the Bacon & Beef
- Cook the bacon until crisp; drain and crumble. Set aside.
- In the same skillet, cook the ground beef and onion over medium-high heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Season with salt, pepper, 1 tsp Worcestershire, and 1 tsp Dijon (optional). If using diced tomatoes, stir in now and cook 1 minute to warm through.
4) Assemble the Sliders
- Spoon the beef mixture evenly over the cheesy roll bottoms.
- Scatter the crumbled bacon on top, followed by the remaining 1 cup cheddar.
- Cap with the slider roll tops.
5) Brush with Glaze
- In a bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, 2 tbsp Dijon, 1/2 tsp Worcestershire, and garlic powder if using.
- Brush the glaze generously over the roll tops. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.
6) Bake to Golden Perfection
- Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake 5–7 minutes more until the tops are golden and the cheese is fully melted.
- Rest 5 minutes for cleaner slices, then cut into 12 sliders with a serrated knife.
Pro Tips for Perfect Sliders
- Keep rolls connected: Assemble as one unit for speed and structural integrity.
- Par-melt the base cheese: This creates a barrier so juices don’t soak the rolls.
- Drain well: After browning, drain the beef to prevent greasiness.
- Glaze generously: The butter–Dijon–brown sugar combo delivers that bakery finish and flavor pop.
- Serrated slicing: After a brief rest, one clean slice per column keeps layers intact.
Flavor Boosters
- Pickles or jalapeños: Tuck between beef and cheese for crunch and heat.
- Burger sauce: Mix mayo + ketchup + relish + a splash of pickle juice; spread on the cut sides before assembling.
- Cheese swap: Pepper Jack, smoked gouda, or provolone for a different vibe.
- Everything seasoning: Sprinkle on top with the sesame seeds for extra crunch.
Serving Suggestions
- Crispy fries or onion rings for a classic pairing.
- KFC-style coleslaw or tangy cabbage slaw to balance richness.
- Pickle spears, sliced tomatoes, and lettuce on the side for DIY toppings.
- Sweet tea, lemonade, or ice-cold sodas for the full game-day spread.
Easy Variations & Swaps
- Turkey or chicken: Sub ground turkey/chicken for a lighter take (add a drizzle of olive oil for juiciness).
- BBQ bacon sliders: Stir in a few tablespoons of BBQ sauce with the beef.
- Mushroom-Swiss: Sauté mushrooms with the onion and swap cheddar for Swiss.
- Spicy chipotle: Add chopped chipotle in adobo and Pepper Jack cheese.
Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating
- Make ahead: Cook the beef and bacon and mix the glaze up to 1 day in advance. Assemble and bake when ready.
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers airtight for 2–3 days.
- Reheat: Cover with foil and warm at 325°F (165°C) for 10–12 minutes, or air-fry 3–4 minutes at 350°F for crisp tops.
- Freezer-friendly: Wrap tightly and freeze up to 1 month. Thaw overnight, then reheat as above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I assemble these sliders earlier in the day?
Yes. Assemble up to the glaze step, cover, and refrigerate for up to 6 hours. Brush with glaze just before baking and add a couple extra minutes if cold.
How do I keep sliders from getting soggy?
Drain the beef well and par-melt cheese on the bottoms to create a barrier. Bake uncovered for the final minutes to crisp the tops.
What rolls work best?
Hawaiian sweet rolls are classic, but any soft brioche or buttery dinner rolls work beautifully.
Can I make them without bacon?
Absolutely—add a pinch more salt or a little smoked paprika to replace the smoky depth.
Printable Recipe Card
Yield: 12 sliders | Prep: 20 mins | Bake: 20–22 mins | Total: ~45 mins
Ingredients
- 8–10 slices bacon, cooked & crumbled
- 12 sweet slider rolls, split horizontally (keep connected)
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt, 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp Worcestershire + 1 tsp Dijon (optional) for beef
- 1 (10–14 oz) can diced tomatoes, well drained (optional)
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar, divided
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds (optional) + 1/2 tsp garlic powder (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch dish. Place the roll bottoms in the dish; reserve tops.
- Top bottoms with 1 cup cheddar; bake 3–4 minutes to lightly melt.
- Cook bacon crisp; crumble. Brown beef with onion; drain. Season with salt, pepper, Worcestershire, and Dijon. Stir in well-drained tomatoes if using.
- Spoon beef over cheesy bottoms; add bacon and remaining 1 cup cheddar. Cap with roll tops.
- Whisk butter, brown sugar, Dijon, Worcestershire, and garlic powder. Brush over tops; sprinkle sesame seeds.
- Bake covered 15 minutes, then uncover and bake 5–7 minutes until golden and melty. Rest 5 minutes; slice into 12 sliders and serve.
Conclusion
These Baked Bacon Cheese Sliders prove that simple ingredients can deliver big, craveable flavor. With buttery, golden tops, gooey cheddar, savory beef, and smoky bacon, they’re a guaranteed hit for any crowd. They assemble quickly, bake in minutes, and hold beautifully for parties. Make them once, and they’ll become your go-to game-day and family-favorite recipe.
