Meatball Sliders

These Meatball Sliders are the perfect bite-sized comfort food! Juicy meatballs coated in tangy BBQ sauce are nestled between soft buns, brushed with butter, and topped with sesame seeds for a deliciously toasty finish.

Quick and easy meatball sliders are a great appetizer, ideal for game day, parties, or a simple easy weeknight meal. Serve them as an appetizer or pair them with a side salad for a complete meal!

Jump to:

• Why You Will Love This Meatball Sliders Recipe
• Ingredients
• Substitutions and Variations
• How to Make Meatball Sliders
• More Recipes You Will Love
• How to Store Meatball Sliders
• What to Serve with our Meatball Sliders Recipe
• Top Tips
• Frequently Asked Questions About Meatball Sliders Recipe
• More Recipes You Will Love
• Meatball Sliders

You probably already know I love easy recipes. This recipe was inspired by our Sweet and Sour Meatballs Crockpot edition. If you love using a slow cooker for cooking in your house, here are some other recipes you might like to try: Mac and Cheese with Velveeta, Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip, and Spinach and Artichoke Dip to name a few.

Why You Will Love This Meatball Sliders Recipe

• Quick & Easy: Pre-made meatballs and minimal prep make these sliders an easy meal perfect for any occasion.
• Crowd-Pleaser: Great for parties, game day, or casual family dinners.
• Kid-Friendly: Small, fun, and packed with flavor — perfect for little hands too!
• Versatile: Customize with different sauces, cheeses, or buns to fit your taste.
• Great for Leftovers: Use pre-cooked meatballs to make assembly even easier.
• Easily Doubled: Double or triple the recipe next time and use a sheet pan and serve them for game day to all your friends!

Ingredients

With just 3 simple ingredients (plus 2 optional) it'll be a quick trip the grocery store to make these easy sliders in no time.

See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.

• Buns: We used a fresh Italian bun, but any available option will work great. Keep in mind, depending on the size of the bun you may need to use adjust the amount of meatballs.
• Pre-Cooked Meatballs: Any type is great. We love using our Sweet and Sour Meatball recipe for these BBQ sliders. You can make our homemade meatballs and use our baked Italian meatballs recipe.
• BBQ Sauce: Helps to add extra flavor. Any BBQ sauce will do.
• Butter, melted (Optional): To brush over the tops and crisp up the buns.
• Sesame Seeds (Optional): Changes the flavor profile while adding a little crunch to the bun.

For this recipe, you'll want to have on hand a baking sheet, parchment paper, small saucepan and a basting brush.

Substitutions and Variations

This recipe is so versatile you will make it repeatedly! Here are some of the ways we like to change it up.

• Bun Options: Use sweet Hawaiian rolls, pretzel buns, or mini brioche buns for a different flavor.
• Meatball Flavors: Try any of your favorite or make your own meatballs.
• Sauce Swap: Try marinara, buffalo sauce, or honey mustard instead of BBQ sauce.
• Cheese Addition: Add a slice of mozzarella, provolone, or cheddar for extra flavor.
• Gluten-Free Alternative: Use gluten-free slider buns to make this dish gluten-free. Make sure your meatballs are gluten-free too.
• Flavoured Herb Butter: Make an extra flavorful topping, but adding garlic powder, Italian seasoning or parmesan cheese to your melted butter, you can create a fun butter mixture on top of the buns.
• Frozen Meatballs: Buy yourself a frozen variety, thaw overnight and warm up in BBQ sauce before assembly!

How to Make Meatball Sliders

With pre-cooked meatballs, it is just 4 simple steps to make these bbq meatball sliders.

If placing in the oven to crisp up, preheat oven to 350F, and place sliced buns on a baking sheet on parchment paper or aluminum foil.

Add about 2 tablespoons of BBQ sauce on each bun bottom.

Place 4 mini meatballs on the bun, then add the top.

Optional: Brush melted butter and sprinkle on sesame seeds on top of the bun.

Place in the pre-heated oven for about 5 minutes or until golden brown.

Hint: Toasting the buns in the oven enhances their texture and adds a light crunch.

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How to Store Meatball Sliders

For the best results, I recommend assembling these sliders when you are ready to make them. But here are some helpful hints to make in advance.

• Refrigerator: Assemble and place in an airtight container for 1-2 days. The buns can start to soak up the sauce so just be mindful they will be best if assembled when ready to eat. When ready to serve, brush the tops with butter and pop them in the oven.
• Freezer: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and foil to prevent freezer burn and they can last up to 3 months. Again, they will be most fresh if assembled close to when they will be eaten.
• Reheating: Thaw fully and you can warm up in the oven or a toaster oven.
• Make Ahead: We recommend just prepping this dish in advance by cooking your meatballs and storing them in the fridge. Warm them up as needed and prepare your sliders. We use our Sweet and Sour Meatballs in a Crockpot and there you can find storage instruction suggestions for freshness.

What to Serve with our Meatball Sliders Recipe

On their own or great for the big game, here are some additional ways to round-out your meal.

• Crispy French Fries: A classic side that pairs perfectly with these sliders.
• Mac and Cheese: A perfect side for any type of slider. Try our Oven Baked White Cheddar Mac or Slow Cooker Velveeta Mac.
• Chilis: For a heartier side, serve these with a Beef Chili or our Pork and Beef Chili variation.
• Coleslaw: Adds a fresh, crunchy contrast to the warm and saucy meatballs.
• Dips: Serve alongside a simple Buffalo chicken dip, or Spinach Artichoke dip.
• Garlic Bread: With garlic butter and melty cheese, this is the perfect combo for all the slider recipes!
• Caesar Salad: A light, crisp salad balances the richness of the sliders.
• Garlic Parmesan Wedges: Flavorful potato wedges enhance the meal.
• Iced Tea or Lemonade: Refreshing and balances the savory flavors. Try our Honey Strawberry Lemonade Recipe.
• Red Wine or Beer: Complements the meatiness and tangy BBQ sauce.
• Mozzarella Sticks: A cheesy appetizer that goes well with sliders.

Top Tips

• Even Meatball Placement: Arranging the meatballs evenly ensures every bite has the perfect ratio of sauce and bread.
• Butter Brushing: Brushing the tops of the rolls with melted butter adds a golden finish and enhances flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions About Meatball Sliders Recipe

Do you have questions about making our meatball sliders recipe?

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