Last football season, my neighbor invited the whole block to a game day party and asked everyone to bring something easy that people could grab and eat while watching. I decided to make these Hot Italian Sub Sliders on a whim, and they disappeared faster than anything else on the table. The combination of three different Italian meats with melted provolone and those tangy pickled peppers creates incredible flavor in every bite. That garlic herb butter soaked into the rolls while baking turns the tops golden brown and unbelievably delicious. What I love most is that you assemble everything in one pan and pop it in the oven, making it perfect when you’re feeding a crowd. The Hawaiian rolls add a subtle sweetness that balances perfectly against the spicy peppers and savory meats. Now, whenever there’s a gathering, people specifically ask me to bring these sliders, and I’m always happy to oblige because they’re honestly just as easy as picking up takeout.
Why These Sliders Work
Traditional Italian subs are delicious but messy to eat and time-consuming to assemble individually. These sliders solve both problems by letting you build everything together in one pan, then slice them into perfect portions after baking. The Hawaiian rolls stay soft and slightly sweet while the tops get crispy from the butter mixture, creating an amazing textural contrast. Using three different Italian meats gives you layers of complementary flavors rather than just one note. The pepperoncini and hot cherry peppers add brightness and heat that cuts through the richness of the cheese and meats perfectly. Baking everything together melts the cheese throughout and warms the meats so they’re tender rather than cold and firm like in a regular sub.
Ingredients You Need
Gather these simple components:
- 12-pack Hawaiian rolls, preferably Kings Hawaiian
- 6 ounces deli ham, thinly sliced
- 5 ounces salami, thinly sliced
- 5 ounces pepperoni, thinly sliced
- 9 slices of provolone cheese
- 1/3 cup pepperoncini, sliced
- 1/3 cup hot cherry peppers, sliced
- 1/4 cup salted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cloves fresh garlic, crushed
- 1 cup marinara sauce for dipping (optional)
Making Hot Italian Sub Sliders
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit so it’s ready when you finish assembling the sliders. Without separating the individual rolls, carefully slice the entire pack of Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally using a sharp serrated knife, creating one large top piece and one large bottom piece. Place the bottom half of the connected rolls onto a baking sheet or rectangular baking pan, keeping them together as one unit.
Begin layering your meats and cheese, starting with the ham slices, arranging them evenly across the entire bottom layer of rolls. Top the ham with a layer of salami slices, then add the pepperoni slices on top of that, making sure every slider will get some of each meat. Place the provolone cheese slices over the pepperoni layer, covering as much surface area as possible so the cheese melts throughout. Scatter the sliced pepperoncini and hot cherry peppers evenly across the cheese layer, distributing them so each slider gets some spicy kick. Carefully place the top half of the rolls over all the fillings, pressing down gently to compact everything together.
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter with the Italian seasoning and crushed garlic, stirring everything together until well mixed. Using a pastry brush or spoon, brush this seasoned butter mixture generously over the entire top of the rolls, making sure to get into all the nooks and crannies where the individual rolls connect. This butter coating is what makes the tops turn golden brown and incredibly flavorful, so don’t skip it or skimp on coverage. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil, which helps steam the sliders slightly while keeping the tops from browning too quickly.
Bake the covered sliders at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes, or until the cheese has melted completely and the tops are golden brown. If you want extra crispy tops, remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of baking. Remove the pan from the oven and let the sliders rest for just a couple minutes before slicing through them along the original roll divisions. Serve immediately while hot with marinara sauce on the side for dipping if desired. The combination of warm, cheesy meat with those tangy peppers and that buttery garlic bread is absolutely irresistible.
Expert Tips
- Use fresh crushed garlic instead of jarred for the best flavor in the butter mixture
- Don’t separate the rolls before slicing; keeping them connected makes assembly much easier
- Cover with foil while baking to prevent tops from browning too quickly
- Layer meats and cheese evenly so every slider has balanced flavor
- Let sliders rest 2-3 minutes before cutting for cleaner slices
- Brush butter mixture into all the crevices between rolls for maximum flavor
Variations to Try
Customize these sliders to your taste:
- Use mozzarella, havarti, or mild white cheddar instead of provolone
- Substitute mild banana peppers for pepperoncini if you want less heat
- Add roasted red peppers in place of hot cherry peppers for milder flavor
- Include sliced mortadella or capicola for different Italian meat options
- Add fresh basil leaves between the meat layers for extra Italian flavor
- Use slider buns or dinner rolls if you can’t find Hawaiian rolls
- Mix a tablespoon of Italian dressing into the butter for extra tang
- Top with sliced jalapenos or habaneros if you want serious heat
Make Ahead Instructions
These Hot Italian Sub Sliders are perfect for preparing in advance, which makes them ideal for parties and game days. You can assemble the sliders completely up to the point of adding the butter mixture, then cover them tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, brush on the seasoned butter mixture, cover with foil, and bake as directed, adding an extra 5 to 10 minutes to the cooking time if the sliders are very cold from the refrigerator. You can also freeze baked sliders by letting them cool completely, wrapping tightly in foil, and freezing for up to 2 months. Reheat frozen sliders in a 350-degree oven until warmed through, keeping them wrapped in foil.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover Hot Italian Sub Sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The oven or air fryer work best for reheating to keep the bread crisp and cheese melty. Reheat in a 350-degree Fahrenheit oven for about 10 minutes, covering with foil if you don’t want them to brown more. You can also use an air fryer at 325 to 350 degrees for 3 to 5 minutes until warmed through. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it makes the bread soggy and doesn’t crisp the tops properly. For best results, bring sliders to room temperature for 10 minutes before reheating so they warm evenly throughout.
Serving Suggestions
These Hot Italian Sub Sliders shine as the star of any casual gathering from game day parties to potlucks to easy weeknight dinners. Serve them with a side of warm marinara sauce for dipping, which adds extra Italian flavor and moisture. They pair wonderfully with classic sides like potato chips, coleslaw, pasta salad, or a simple green salad to balance the richness. For a complete Italian spread, add some antipasto with olives, roasted red peppers, and marinated artichokes. Cold beer, iced tea, or lemonade make perfect beverage pairings. These sliders also work great as part of a buffet spread where guests can help themselves.
Common Questions
Are these sliders spicy?
These sliders have a nice kick from the hot cherry peppers and pepperoncini but aren’t overly spicy. If you prefer milder heat, substitute the pepperoncini with mild banana peppers and use roasted red peppers instead of hot cherry peppers.
Can I double or triple this recipe?
Absolutely! This recipe doubles and triples easily, making it perfect for feeding crowds. Kings Hawaiian makes 18-packs and even 24-packs of rolls specifically for this purpose. Just use multiple baking pans or bake in batches.
Can I make these without Hawaiian rolls?
Yes, any slider rolls or sturdy dinner rolls will work. Hawaiian rolls are preferred because their slight sweetness balances the savory meats and spicy peppers perfectly, but regular rolls taste great too.
Do I have to use all three meats?
No, you can use any combination of Italian deli meats you prefer. Some people use just salami and pepperoni, while others add mortadella or capicola. Use what you love and adjust quantities accordingly.
Why cover them with foil while baking?
Covering with foil helps the cheese melt completely and keeps the rolls soft while preventing the tops from browning too quickly. Remove the foil during the last few minutes if you want crispier tops.
Can I add vegetables to these sliders?
Yes, thinly sliced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, or sliced onions work well. Add lettuce and tomatoes after baking rather than before, so they stay fresh and crisp instead of getting soggy.
Hot Italian Sub Sliders
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Without separating individual rolls, slice entire pack of Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally using serrated knife. Place bottom half on baking sheet.
- Layer ham slices evenly across bottom of rolls. Top with salami, then pepperoni, then provolone cheese.
- Scatter sliced pepperoncini and hot cherry peppers evenly over cheese layer.
- Place top half of rolls over fillings, pressing down gently to compact.
- In small bowl, combine melted butter, Italian seasoning, and crushed garlic. Mix well.
- Brush seasoned butter mixture generously over entire top of rolls, getting into all nooks and crannies.
- Cover pan tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake covered for 30 minutes until cheese is melted and tops are golden brown. Remove foil during last 5 minutes for crispier tops if desired.
- Remove from oven and let rest 2-3 minutes. Slice along original roll divisions and serve immediately with marinara sauce for dipping if desired.
Notes
- Can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated, add butter just before baking
- Add 5-10 minutes to baking time if sliders are cold from refrigerator
- For milder heat, use banana peppers instead of pepperoncini and roasted red peppers instead of cherry peppers
- Recipe doubles and triples easily for crowds
- Store leftovers in refrigerator for up to 3 days
- Reheat in 350°F oven for 10 minutes or air fryer at 325-350°F for 3-5 minutes
- Can freeze baked sliders wrapped in foil for up to 2 months
- Use fresh garlic instead of jarred for best flavor
- Keep rolls connected while assembling for easier handling
- Covering with foil prevents tops from browning too quickly while cheese melts
