VEGGIE PIZZA SLIDERS

Veggie Pizza Slider is an extremely easy and quick appetizer or small meal that you could make for a big gathering of kids or adults. This buttery, garlicky and cheesy slider is a fun twist to the regular pizza.

WHAT IS A VEGGIE PIZZA SLIDER?

It is for sure a crowd pleaser. Soft pillowy slider buns or dinner rolls or pavs are sandwiched with all the goodness of butter, garlic, pizza or marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese and veggies which are then baked until the cheese melts.

When you have a large gathering be it of kids or adults, these sliders will be polished off in no time. From start to finish, it takes maximum 30 minutes to prepare these sliders. Also, these sliders are very versatile; you can prepare them using either pizza sauce or marinara sauce (either home-made or store bought) and use the veggies of your choice. My personal favorite veggies are onions, bell peppers and olives.

HOW TO MAKE VEGGIE PIZZA SLIDER?

Slice the slab of dinner rolls or slider or pav buns horizontally into two – top half and bottom half such that each roll or bun is still connected to the other. Then slather generous amount of garlic butter on the buns or rolls, spread marinara or pizza sauce, followed by cheese, then a layer of veggies and again a layer of cheese. Top it with the other slab of buns or rolls and then bake until the cheese melts. Voila! Super delicious and yummy sliders are ready!

CAN THIS SLIDER BE MADE IN ADVANCE?

No. Slider is a perfect appetizer or small meal for a big gathering as it takes no more 20-30 minutes to prepares. However, you cannot make this ahead of time as they may turn soggy.

If you want a make-ahead recipe, you could try this Eggless Garlic Pull-apart Rolls.

Notes:

1. I have used Indian Pav buns. Since they are usually available in a pack of 6 buns, I have used 2 packs to fit the 9X13 inch pan.
2. You could use store-bought or home-made buns or dinner rolls.
3. To make it healthier, use whole wheat buns or rolls, if available.
4. You can use any veggies of your choice – any veggies that you could think of in a pizza.
5. Using garlic is optional. You could skip using garlic and use just the other ingredients listed for garlic butter. However, using garlic enhances the flavor and takes it totally to another level.
6. If fresh Parsley Leaves are unavailable, use 2 teaspoons of dried parsley leaves.
7. If Parmesan Cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano) is unavailable, you may skip that too.

Veggie Pizza Sliders

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Serves: 6 Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cooking Time: 15 Minutes 15 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 1 voted )

Ingredients

Dinner Rolls or Slider or Pav Buns – 1 pack of 12 buns/rolls

Marinara or Pizza Sauce – 1 cup

Mozzarella Cheese, shredded – 2 cups

Red Onion, diced - 1/3 cup

Bell Peppers, diced – 1/2 cup

Jalapeno Peppers, diced – 3 tablespoons (optional)

Black Olives – 6, sliced

Salt – to taste

Black Pepper, powdered – to taste

Oregano Flakes, dried – 1 teaspoon

 

FOR GARLIC BUTTER:

Unsalted Butter, melted – 1/2 cup (1 stick)

Garlic, minced – 3 tablespoons

Black Pepper, powdered – 1 teaspoon

Fresh Parsley Leaves, minced – 3 tablespoons

Italian Seasoning, dried – 1 teaspoon

Salt – 1/2 teaspoon

Parmesan Cheese, finely grated – 3 tablespoons

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375F. Grease a 9x13 inch pan with parchment paper; set aside.
2. Using a serrated knife, slice the slider or pav buns slab horizontally in half such that you have a top half and the bottom half. The buns must be connected to each other, do not pull them apart.
3. Place the bottom half of the buns slab in the prepared pan.
4. In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients listed for Garlic Butter. Slather it generously on the white top part of the bottom half of the buns slab.
5. Spread the marinara sauce or pizza sauce evenly on top buns slab.
6. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce.
7. Layer all the veggies on top of the cheese – diced onions, bell peppers, jalapenos (if using) and sliced black olives.
8. Sprinkle salt and black pepper powder to taste.
9. Spread all the remaining mozzarella cheese on top of the veggies.
10. Place the top half of the buns slab on top of cheese. Reserve a tablespoon of garlic butter and smear all the remaining garlic butter on the top of the buns.
11. Cover the pan with an aluminum foil and set it aside for 5 minutes.
12. Bake covered for 12 to 15 minutes or until the cheese melts.
13. Brush the reserved garlic butter on top of the buns and serve hot. They can be served on their own or with marinara sauce.