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Savory BBQ Meatball Sliders Recipe Easy Homemade Soft Hawaiian Rolls

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These savory BBQ meatball sliders combine juicy meatballs tossed in homemade tangy BBQ sauce, nestled in soft, slightly sweet Hawaiian rolls. Perfect for quick, crowd-pleasing meals or entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended for juiciness)
  • ½ lb ground pork
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian seasoned)
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 12 soft Hawaiian rolls
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • Optional: sliced cheddar or pepper jack cheese
  • Pickles or coleslaw for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
  2. In a large bowl, soak breadcrumbs in milk for 5 minutes until softened. Add ground beef, ground pork, egg, minced garlic, chopped onion, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, oregano, and parsley. Mix gently by hand until just combined.
  3. Shape mixture into 24 small meatballs, about 1 ½ inches in diameter. Place evenly spaced on prepared baking sheet.
  4. Bake meatballs for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through, until browned and cooked through (internal temp 160°F/71°C).
  5. While meatballs bake, whisk together ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a medium saucepan. Simmer over low heat for 10-15 minutes until slightly thickened.
  6. Transfer baked meatballs to the saucepan and gently toss to coat evenly in warm BBQ sauce.
  7. Slice Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally, keeping top and bottom intact. Place bottom halves on a baking pan.
  8. Arrange 2 meatballs on each roll, drizzle with extra BBQ sauce, and add cheese slices if using.
  9. Place top halves of rolls on sliders. Brush tops generously with melted butter.
  10. Bake assembled sliders at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes until rolls are warm and cheese is melted.
  11. Remove from oven, add pickles or coleslaw if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

Do not overmix meatball mixture to keep texture tender. Soak breadcrumbs in milk to lock in moisture. Simmer BBQ sauce low and slow to thicken and avoid soggy sliders. Use soft Hawaiian rolls for best texture. Bake sliders briefly after assembly to warm and melt cheese without drying out meatballs. Variations include adding cayenne for spice, using plant-based meatballs for vegetarian option, or gluten-free substitutions.

Nutrition

Keywords: BBQ meatball sliders, Hawaiian rolls, homemade BBQ sauce, party food, easy sliders, game day recipe, crowd-pleaser

Find it online: https://islatable.com/savory-bbq-meatball-sliders-recipe-easy-homemade-soft-hawaiian-rolls/