During the county fair at the town square, I was drawn to the unmistakable aroma of sizzling patties and smoky bacon. I wandered past booths with homemade pies and kettle corn until I saw a small tent adorned with little golden sliders—mini burgers crowned with crispy bacon and gooey cheese.
A retired chef at the stall offered me a bite, and I couldn’t stop smiling. It tasted just like childhood: juicy beef, that comforting hint of bacon, and a soft bun that melted in my mouth. Back home in my kitchen, I wanted to recreate that exact flavor—but healthier, more honest.
I reached for lean ground beef, stirred in garlic and onion flakes, then folded in creamy cubed cheese for richness. I toasted Hawaiian rolls under cheese, meaty filling, and crumbled bacon, brushing everything with butter and sprinkling sesame seeds. The result? These sliders bring the fair to your kitchen without the deep fryer or the sugar rush.
These sliders are lively, familiar, and filled with warmth and flavor. Every midnight nibble and backyard gathering has felt just a little more special since they arrived.
Short Description
Bacon Cheeseburger Mini Sliders packed with seasoned beef, cream cheese, barbecue-infused flavor, shredded cheddar, and crispy bacon—baked on soft Hawaiian rolls and perfect for parties, game nights, or family dinners.
Key Ingredients
Meat Mixture:
- 1 lb ground beef, crumbled
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp dried onion flakes
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 3 oz cream cheese, cubed
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
Sliders:
- 1½ packages Hawaiian rolls
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
- 1 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled
- ½ cup salted butter, melted
- 1–2 Tbsp sesame seeds
Tools Needed
- Large sauté pan
- 9×13-inch casserole or baking dish
- Pastry brush
- Cheese grater
- Mixing spoon
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Meat Mixture
Preheat oven to 375°F. In a sauté pan over medium heat, crumble beef and stir in garlic, salt, onion flakes, and pepper. Cook 6–7 minutes until no pink remains.
Step 2: Add Cream Cheese and Sauces
Off heat, stir in cream cheese cubes until melted, then mix in barbecue sauce and Dijon. Set aside.
Step 3: Prep the Rolls
Slice the entire pack of Hawaiian rolls in half lengthwise. Place the bottom half in your baking dish.
Step 4: Layer the Ingredients
Sprinkle 1 cup cheddar over the bottom rolls. Evenly spread the beef mixture on top, then scatter crumbled bacon and the remaining 1 cup cheddar.
Step 5: Top and Cover
Place the top half of rolls back in place.
Step 6: Brush with Butter and Sesame
Mix melted butter and sesame seeds. Brush evenly over the roll tops.
Step 7: Bake Covered
Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes, until cheese is melted and rolls are warmed through.
Step 8: Uncover and Brown
Remove foil and bake another 5–10 minutes until tops are golden and crisp.
Step 9: Serve Warm
Let cool 5 minutes in the dish. Slice through the pre-cut ridges and serve directly from the casserole.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Flavor Explosion: Creamy, savory beef mixture with bacon and melted cheddar over soft, sweet buns.
Quick and Easy: Simple layers assembled in under 15 minutes, then baked.
Versatile: Great for parties, game nights, or casual family dinners.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Assemble ahead, bake before serving.
Comforting with a Twist: Classic flavors in mini, shareable bites.
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Dry meat mixture:
Solution: Use lean ground beef but stir in cream cheese and BBQ to add moisture.
Uneven layers:
Solution: Spread cheese, meat, and bacon evenly so every slider tastes consistent.
Burned roll tops:
Solution: Keep foil on during the first bake; only brown at the end for 5–10 minutes.
Soggy bottom buns:
Solution: Toast bottom half lightly before layering, or drain excess sauce.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve family-style in the baking dish for casual get-togethers.
Pair with coleslaw, sweet potato wedges, or a crisp green salad.
Offer ketchup, extra BBQ sauce, or spicy aioli for dipping.
Great finger food for mini buffets, kid parties, or potluck trays.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store: Cool completely, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Reheat Oven: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes until heated through.
Reheat Microwave: Heat individual sliders for ~30 seconds, then crisp in a hot oven or skillet.
Make-Ahead: Assemble the night before, wrap, refrigerate, and bake before serving.
FAQs
1. Can I use turkey or plant-based meat?
Yes—turkey adds lean protein, and plant-based crumbles work equally well with the seasonings.
2. Is cream cheese necessary?
It adds creaminess and moisture. A Greek yogurt substitute can work, but the texture changes slightly.
3. Can I freeze these sliders?
Freeze the assembled, unbaked sliders in foil-lined dish for up to 1 month. Bake directly from frozen at 375°F for 25–30 minutes.
4. Can I omit bacon?
Yes—skip the bacon and add crispy onion flakes or a sprinkle of fried shallots for texture.
5. How to make it extra spicy?
Stir in 1–2 tsp hot sauce or chopped jalapeños into the meat mixture before layering.
Tips & Tricks
Use sharp cheddar for bold flavor, or mix in pepper jack for a kick.
Warm rolls for 15 seconds in the microwave before shredding cheese for best melt.
Line the baking dish with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Brush tops with extra butter halfway through browning if they’re darkening too quickly.
Double the recipe easily by using two casserole dishes.
Recipe Variations
BBQ Chicken Sliders: Substitute cooked chicken for the beef, toss in BBQ sauce, and skip the cream cheese.
Veggie Delight: Use sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, and onions instead of meat.
Breakfast Sliders: Layer scrambled eggs, sausage crumbles, and cheese—brush with maple-butter before baking.
Final Thoughts
Watching these Bacon Cheeseburger Mini Sliders disappear from the dish feels a bit like magic, grandkids stealing bites before dinner and friends reaching for one more. I love how a handful of simple ingredients can create such comfort and connection.
These sliders are more than about food, they’re about sharing, laughter, and the joy of making something warm together. That’s the heart I fold into every batch, and I hope each bite opens a little smile at your table, too.
Bacon Cheeseburger Mini Sliders
Print ThisIngredients
- Meat Mixture:
- 1 lb ground beef, crumbled
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp dried onion flakes
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 3 oz cream cheese, cubed
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- Sliders:
- 1½ packages Hawaiian rolls
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
- 1 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled
- ½ cup salted butter, melted
- 1–2 Tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Meat
Preheat oven to 375°F. In a skillet, cook ground beef with garlic, salt, onion flakes, and pepper until browned.
Step 2: Add Cream Cheese & Sauces
Remove from heat. Stir in cream cheese until melted, then mix in BBQ sauce and Dijon. Set aside.
Step 3: Prepare Rolls
Slice Hawaiian rolls in half. Place bottoms in a 9×13 baking dish.
Step 4: Assemble Layers
Top rolls with 1 cup cheddar, beef mixture, crumbled bacon, then remaining cheddar.
Step 5: Add Roll Tops
Place the roll tops back on.
Step 6: Butter & Sesame
Mix melted butter with sesame seeds and brush over tops.
Step 7: Bake Covered
Cover with foil. Bake for 20 minutes until cheese melts.
Step 8: Brown Tops
Uncover and bake 5–10 more minutes until golden.
Step 9: Cool & Serve
Let cool for 5 minutes, slice, and serve warm.
