Jump to:
- Why You'll Love These Hot Italian Sub Sliders
- What You'll Need
- How to Make Hot Italian Sub Sliders
- Aliana's Top Tip
- Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
- Storage & Reheating Instructions
- What to Serve With Hot Italian Sub Sliders
- FAQs About Hot Italian Sub Sliders
- More Recipes You'll Love
- Related
- Pairing
- Baked Hot Italian Sub Sliders
- More DINNER
The first time I made Hot Italian Sub Sliders for game day, they disappeared in minutes. There's something about those buttery toasted buns loaded with salami, ham, pepperoni, melted provolone, and tangy banana peppers that makes everyone go back for seconds.
My husband said they're better than the deli, and my daughter loved pulling apart the connected sliders. These baked Italian sandwiches are now our go-to for parties, family dinners, or any time we need something easy and delicious.
Why You'll Love These Hot Italian Sub Sliders
These hot Italian sub sliders are the ultimate crowd-pleaser that comes together in one pan. You get layers of Italian meats, melted cheese, crisp veggies, and a buttery herb topping all baked until golden and gooey. They're perfect for easy weeknight dinners, game day parties, or feeding a crowd without stress. My sister made these for her son's birthday and every kid asked for the recipe. Plus, you can prep them ahead and bake when ready.
What You'll Need
Simple ingredients create these loaded Italian sandwich sliders. Everything is easy to find at any deli counter or grocery store.
Main Ingredients
- 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls or slider buns, connected
- ½ pound deli salami, thinly sliced
- ½ pound deli ham, thinly sliced
- ¼ pound pepperoni slices
- 8 slices provolone cheese
- ½ cup banana peppers, sliced
- ½ cup roasted red peppers, drained
- ½ cup shredded lettuce
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- Italian dressing for drizzling
For the Butter Topping
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Optional Extras
You can add sliced tomatoes, olives, hot cherry peppers, or swap provolone for mozzarella. Some folks like adding a layer of pesto or mayo.
Want the full recipe? Check the recipe card below.
How to Make Hot Italian Sub Sliders
Prep the Buns
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Slice the connected Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally, keeping the top and bottom halves intact. Place the bottom half in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. This creates the perfect base for your baked Italian sandwich sliders.
Layer the Meats and Cheese
Layer the salami, ham, and pepperoni evenly over the bottom buns. Top with half of the provolone cheese slices. Add the banana peppers, roasted red peppers, and red onion. Drizzle with a bit of Italian dressing. Add the remaining cheese on top. This hot Italian subs sandwich layering is key to perfect flavor in every bite.
Add the Top and Butter
Place the top half of the rolls over the layered ingredients. In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and Parmesan. Brush this mixture generously over the top of the rolls, making sure to get into all the crevices. The buttery herb topping makes these Italian sub sliders incredibly flavorful.
Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the sliders completely, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes, then bake as directed. They're perfect for meal prep or party planning.
Bake Until Golden
Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 5 to 7 minutes until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. The rolls should be toasted and crispy on top. These hot Italian sub sliders are best served warm and gooey.
Add Fresh Toppings and Serve
Remove from the oven and let cool for 2 to 3 minutes. Carefully lift the top half of the sliders and add the shredded lettuce. Replace the top and slice into individual sliders using a sharp knife. Serve immediately while hot and melty. These Italian sandwich sliders are pure comfort food.
Aliana's Top Tip
The secret to the best hot Italian sub sliders is using quality deli meats and not skimping on the butter topping.
Make sure to brush it generously into every crack between the rolls.
Also, don't skip the foil-covered baking step - it helps steam the sliders so they stay soft inside while getting crispy on top.
My mom taught me to add the lettuce after baking so it stays fresh and crisp instead of wilted.
Follow Aliana on Pinterest →Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
You can easily use any slider buns or dinner rolls if you don't have Hawaiian rolls. Swap the meats for turkey, roast beef, or capicola based on preference. For spicy Italian sandwich versions, add hot giardiniera or jalapeños. Use mozzarella or fontina instead of provolone. Make them vegetarian by loading up on roasted vegetables and skipping the meat.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Store leftover hot Italian sub sliders wrapped tightly in foil in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 300°F oven for 10 to 12 minutes until warmed through. You can also microwave individual sliders for 30 to 45 seconds, though the oven keeps them crispier. These sliders don't freeze well because the fresh veggies get soggy.
What to Serve With Hot Italian Sub Sliders
These baked sub sandwiches pair perfectly with chips, pasta salad, coleslaw, or a simple green salad. They're also great with french fries, potato salad, or pickles on the side. My family loves them with tomato soup for a cozy dinner or with veggie trays for parties.
FAQs About Hot Italian Sub Sliders
Can I use regular sandwich bread?
You can, but slider buns or Hawaiian rolls work best because they bake together and create that pull-apart effect. Individual sandwich bread won't have the same texture.
Can I make these without baking?
Yes! You can make cold Italian sliders by assembling everything without the butter topping and serving them cold. They're still delicious but won't have that melted cheese and crispy top.
How do I keep the bottom from getting soggy?
Don't use too much Italian dressing, and make sure your peppers are well-drained. You can also lightly toast the bottom buns before assembling if you're worried about sogginess.
What meats are traditionally on Italian subs?
Classic Italian sub ingredients include salami, ham, pepperoni, and sometimes capicola or mortadella. Use whatever Italian meats you prefer.
More Recipes You'll Love
If you're craving more easy slider recipes, my cheeseburger sliders are juicy, cheesy, and always a hit. For another party-perfect option, try my BBQ chicken sliders or explore more hot sandwiches for dinner in my collection. You'll find this recipe and many others in my Dinner category, where family favorites shine.
Tried this recipe? Tag me on Pinterest @AlianaRecipes - I'd love to see your twist on it!
Related
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Hot Italian Sub Sliders Recipe:
Baked Hot Italian Sub Sliders
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Slice the connected Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally, keeping the top and bottom halves intact. Place the bottom half in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Layer the salami, ham, and pepperoni evenly over the bottom buns. Top with half of the provolone cheese slices. Add the banana peppers, roasted red peppers, and red onion. Drizzle with Italian dressing. Add the remaining cheese on top.
- Place the top half of the rolls over the layered ingredients. In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and Parmesan. Brush this mixture generously over the top of the rolls.
- Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 5 to 7 minutes until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 2 to 3 minutes. Carefully lift the top half and add the shredded lettuce. Replace the top and slice into individual sliders. Serve immediately.
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