Hot Italian Sub Sliders (Easy Baked Sandwiches for Game Day, Parties, or Weeknight Wins)
Derek
These hot Italian sub sliders are loaded with layers of savory deli meats, melty provolone, and brushed with zesty garlic-herb dressing—all baked on soft slider buns until golden and bubbling. Perfect for game days, weeknight dinners, or feeding a crowd, this easy baked slider recipe delivers bold flavor fast. Make ahead, freeze, or customize them with your favorite meats and cheeses—they always hit the spot.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Dinner, Main Course, Party Food
Cuisine Italian-American Comfort Food
Servings 12 sliders
Calories 230 kcal
- 12 –16 slider buns Hawaiian rolls or mini sub buns
- 8 oz provolone cheese sliced
- 4 oz sliced ham
- 4 oz Genoa salami
- 4 oz capicola or pepperoni
- ½ cup Italian dressing
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes optional
- Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Step 1: Prep the BunsPreheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice slider rolls horizontally and place bottom halves in a greased baking dish. Step 2: Build the LayersLayer half the provolone, followed by ham, salami, and capicola. Add the remaining provolone on top. Step 3: Make the Butter MixWhisk melted butter, Italian dressing, garlic powder, oregano, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Step 4: Brush and BakePlace the bun tops on and brush generously with the butter mix. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 12 minutes. Uncover and bake another 6–8 minutes until golden. Step 5: Finish and ServeSprinkle with parsley, slice between the buns, and serve hot.
Chef Derek’s Secret Tips for Perfect Hot Italian Sub Sliders
1. Toast the Bottom Buns First (Optional but Pro-Level): If you want extra insurance against soggy bottoms, lightly toast the bottom halves of your slider buns in the oven for 3–4 minutes before layering the meat and cheese. This creates a barrier that holds up better to heat and moisture.
2. Add Dressing to the Butter—Not the Bread: Mix the Italian dressing directly into the melted butter along with garlic powder and herbs. This infuses flavor into the topping without over-saturating the bread, which can lead to sogginess.
3. Use a Mix of Meats for Balanced Flavor: Don’t just go heavy on one meat—combining ham, salami, and capicola gives the best salty, smoky, and slightly spicy balance. This layered flavor combo is what makes these hot sub sandwich sliders pop.
4. Use Shredded and Sliced Cheese Together: Want extra melt factor? Layer slices of provolone for structure, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella between layers. It melts into all the nooks and creates an ooey-gooey interior.
5. Rest Before Slicing: Let the baked sliders sit for 3–5 minutes after coming out of the oven. This helps the cheese set slightly and keeps the sliders from falling apart when sliced.
6. Wrap Individually for Freezer Meal Prep: Wrap uncooked sliders individually in foil, then freeze in a zip-top bag. Bake directly from frozen for the ultimate make-ahead baked Italian slider meal that still tastes freshly made.
7. Don’t Skip the Garnish: A sprinkle of fresh parsley or chopped green onions right before serving adds color, freshness, and makes these cheesy Italian sliders on Hawaiian rolls look as good as they taste.Keyword baked italian sliders, cheesy sub sandwich sliders, easy italian slider recipe, hot italian sub sliders, hot sandwich sliders with deli meat, italian sandwich sliders for game day, make ahead italian sliders, mini italian sub rolls, provolone slider sandwiches, quick italian party sandwiches
