Garlicky Pizza Dip Sliders Recipe

Cheesy Garlic Pizza Dip Sliders Recipe: Party Snack Magic

Dive into a mouthwatering world where classic garlic pizza dip meets irresistible sliders, creating a flavor explosion that’ll make taste buds dance.

These little sandwiches pack a serious punch of cheesy, garlicky goodness.

Melted cheese, zesty marinara, and tender meat combine in a handheld delight that screams comfort food.

Perfectly toasted buns cradle a savory filling that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Weekend gatherings or game nights just found their ultimate star player.

Each bite delivers a delicious blend of pizza-inspired magic that’s impossible to resist.

Grab your ingredients and get ready to become the ultimate party hero.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 65 minutes

Total Time: 80 minutes

Calories: 290 kcal

Servings: 13

Garlic Pizza Dip Sliders—Ingredient Scoop

For Bread Base:
  • Dinner Rolls: Soft, pillowy base that soaks up delicious flavors and creates perfect sliders.
  • Baking Sheet Liner: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
For Cheese and Sauce:
  • Marinara Sauce: Tangy, rich base that adds classic Italian zest.
  • Mozzarella: Creamy, stretchy cheese that melts into gooey perfection.
  • Provolone: Sharp, smooth cheese that adds depth and complexity.
  • Parmesan: Nutty, aged cheese that brings a salty, intense flavor punch.
For Flavor Enhancers:
  • Garlic: Roasted to caramelized sweetness, adds intense aromatic depth.
  • Olive Oil: Helps roast garlic and adds silky richness.
  • Butter: Creates a luxurious, golden coating for ultimate indulgence.
  • Sage: Earthy, woodsy herb that complements garlic beautifully.
  • Basil: Fresh, peppery herb that brings bright Mediterranean flair.
  • Oregano: Classic Italian herb with robust, slightly bitter notes.
  • Parsley: Fresh, clean herb that adds a pop of green brightness.
  • Chili Flakes: Adds a subtle, warming heat to balance other flavors.
  • Pepperoni: Spicy, meaty topping that brings classic pizza excitement.

Slider Tools for Melty Layers & Toasted Buns

  • Baking Sheet: Large, flat pan for baking sliders and roasting garlic.
  • Aluminum Foil: Used to wrap garlic and cover sliders during baking.
  • Chef's Knife: Sharp knife for slicing garlic head and prepping ingredients.
  • Mixing Bowl: For combining roasted garlic with butter and herbs.
  • Pastry Brush: To spread garlic butter over the rolls.
  • Measuring Spoons: For accurately measuring herbs and seasonings.

How to Build, Bake, and Serve These Sliders

Garlic Pizza Dip Sliders

  • Roasted Garlic Preparation

Gently expose the heart of each garlic bulb by slicing off its crown, letting those precious cloves peek out. Nestle the bulb onto a soft foil blanket and drizzle with golden olive oil, creating a delicious protective wrap.

  • Oven Magic

Slide the garlic package into a toasty 400-degree oven, allowing it to transform into a mellow, caramelized treasure over 40-55 minutes. Look for a beautiful golden hue and irresistible softness.

  • Slider Foundation

Arrange dinner roll bottoms on a lined baking sheet like a cozy blanket. Lavish them with vibrant marinara sauce, a blanket of melty mozzarella and provolone, and scattered pepperoni. Sprinkle a generous dusting of parmesan across this flavor landscape.

  • Herbal Garlic Butter Bliss

Once cooled, gently coax the roasted garlic cloves from their papery homes. Blend them into soft butter with a symphony of herbs – sage, basil, oregano, parsley – and a whisper of chili flakes for excitement.

  • Final Transformation

Crown the sliders with their matching tops, then generously paint the herbal garlic butter across the surface. First, cover with foil and bake for 10 minutes, then unveil and bake another 10 until cheese reaches molten perfection.

  • Serving Celebration

Brush any remaining garlic butter over the golden sliders and serve immediately, inviting everyone to dive into this flavor adventure.

Twists on Cheese, Garlic, and Pizza Sauce

  • Wrap the whole garlic head completely in foil to lock in moisture and prevent burning during roasting, ensuring a rich, caramelized flavor that melts in your mouth.
  • Swap out mozzarella and provolone for your favorite cheeses like fontina, gruyère, or a spicy pepper jack to create a unique flavor profile that matches your taste preferences.
  • Prepare the sliders up to a day in advance by assembling everything except the final baking. Store covered in the refrigerator and pop them in the oven when ready to serve for a stress-free meal.
  • Replace pepperoni with roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms for a meat-free version that's equally delicious and packed with flavor.
  • Experiment with different herbs and spices in the garlic butter mixture – try adding smoked paprika, fresh thyme, or red pepper flakes to give your sliders an extra kick of excitement.

Sliders That Serve as Snacks or Mains

  • Pizza Party Platter: Create a stunning appetizer spread by arranging these sliders alongside fresh vegetable sticks, marinara dipping sauce, and crisp green salad for a complete meal experience.
  • Game Day Delight: Perfect for sports gatherings, these sliders offer a crowd-pleasing combination of cheesy goodness and bold garlic flavors that will keep everyone munching and cheering.
  • Movie Night Munchies: Transform your home cinema experience by serving these warm, gooey sliders as the ultimate comfort food companion during movie marathons or weekend relaxation.
  • Potluck Powerhouse: Bring these irresistible sliders to community gatherings or family events – they're easy to transport, simple to reheat, and guaranteed to earn you culinary compliments.

Reheat and Store Without Soggy Buns

  • Smart Storage Solutions: Keep leftover sliders in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 3 days, maintaining their delicious flavor and texture.
  • Rapid Reheating Technique: Warm sliders in the oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes to restore crispiness and melt cheese perfectly without drying out the bread.
  • Advance Preparation Strategy: Assemble sliders a day before baking, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and store in the refrigerator to save time during meal preparation.
  • Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap unbaked sliders securely in aluminum foil and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking, adding 5-7 minutes to total cooking time.
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Garlicky Pizza Dip Sliders Recipe

Garlicky Pizza Dip Sliders


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4.6 from 28 reviews

  • Total Time: 80 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Savory garlic pizza dip sliders offer a mouthwatering fusion of classic Italian and American comfort cuisine. Melted cheese, zesty marinara, and herb-infused garlic spread create an irresistible experience you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (12-count) package dinner rolls, halved lengthwise
  • 11 ½ cups marinara sauce
  • ½ cup pepperoni, thinly sliced
  • ¾ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 85 grams)
  • ¾ cup provolone cheese, shredded (about 85 grams)
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated (about 25 grams)
  • 3 tbsps salted butter, at room temperature or melted
  • 1 head garlic
  • 1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 pinch chili flakes
  • Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling

Instructions

  1. Roast Garlic: Trim the top of a whole garlic head, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in aluminum foil, and bake at 400°F for 40-55 minutes until cloves are golden and caramelized.
  2. Prepare Base: Arrange dinner roll bottoms on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spread marinara sauce evenly, then layer mozzarella, provolone, and pepperoni slices. Sprinkle half the parmesan cheese over the pepperoni.
  3. Assemble Sliders: Place dinner roll tops over the prepared base. Extract cooled roasted garlic cloves and blend with melted butter, remaining parmesan, sage, basil, oregano, parsley, and chili flakes.
  4. Bake and Finish: Spread the garlic herb butter mixture across the roll tops. Cover with foil and bake for 10 minutes, then remove foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes until cheese melts and edges turn golden brown. Brush with remaining garlic butter and serve immediately while hot and bubbling.

Notes

  • Roast Garlic Carefully: Trim the top of the garlic head just enough to expose cloves, preventing burning and ensuring even caramelization.
  • Cheese Coverage Tip: Layer cheeses generously to create a complete, gooey melted surface that connects all slider components.
  • Herb Butter Blend: Mix roasted garlic with herbs and butter when it’s slightly cooled to maximize flavor infusion and prevent burning delicate herbs.
  • Foil Technique: Use aluminum foil for the first baking stage to trap steam and create perfectly melted cheese without excessive browning.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 65 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 290
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 680 mg
  • Fat: 17 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 12 g
  • Cholesterol: 45 mg
Mia Reynolds

Mia Reynolds

Food Writer & Home Cooking Specialist

Expertise

Easy Home Baking, Recipe Writing and Storytelling, Local and Seasonal Ingredients, Baking for Beginners

Education

New England Culinary Institute (NECI), Montpelier, Vermont

  • Certificate: Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Hands-on baking skills, pastry basics, and creating delicious, approachable baked goods.

Community College of Vermont, Winooski, Vermont

  • Degree: Certificate in Food and Beverage Management
  • Focus: Essential knowledge of recipe development, ingredient sourcing, and food business basics.

Mia Reynolds fell in love with baking as a teenager experimenting in her family kitchen. Her passion took her to New England Culinary Institute, where she learned practical pastry techniques, and later to Community College of Vermont to deepen her understanding of food management.

Mia combines clear, simple baking instructions with heartwarming stories, making home baking approachable for everyone.

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