In my humble opinion, there’s no better appetizer than a slider, and these Hawaiian roll turkey sliders are my absolute favorite sliders of all time! I stuff soft Hawaiian rolls with deli turkey and melty Swiss cheese then smother them in a buttery topping made with mustard and everything bagel seasoning. These turkey and cheese sliders are so easy to put together– perfect for parties, game day, movie night… whenever!
On game day, I want something easy since I have a lot of mouths to feed. Using just 7 readymade ingredients from the grocery store, these Hawaiian roll turkey and cheese sliders are ready to eat in less than an hour. My savory everything bagel butter topping is what really sets these sliders apart from the rest!
Turkey sliders are a fun and easy meal or appetizer that can be made right in your oven These miniature sandwiches are packed with flavor and can be customized in so many ways Whether you want to use leftovers from Thanksgiving or just mix up your weeknight dinner routine, baking turkey sliders is a great option.
In this article, I’ll walk through the entire process of making turkey sliders in the oven step-by-step. I’ll also share tips for choosing ingredients, topping ideas, and how to store leftovers. Read on to learn everything you need to know to make these tasty turkey sandwiches at home.
Benefits of Baking Turkey Sliders in the Oven
There are a few reasons why making turkey sliders in the oven is a smart choice
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It’s fast and easy. Simply assemble the sandwiches, pop them in the oven, and bake. You don’t have to dirty multiple pans or spend time cooking on the stovetop.
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You can make a big batch. Baking allows you to assemble and cook about 12 sliders at once. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd.
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Uniform cooking. The oven heat circulates evenly to cook the sliders consistently through. No raw centers or burnt edges.
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Adds flavor. The oven heat and short bake time keeps the bread nicely toasted while melting the cheese.
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Keeps moist. Compared to grilling, the oven won’t dry out the turkey meat.
Ingredients Needed
Turkey sliders are simple to prepare with ingredients you likely have on hand:
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Slider buns: Look for small, soft dinner rolls or mini buns. Potato rolls, Hawaiian rolls, and yeast rolls all work well.
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Turkey: Sliced turkey from the deli is convenient. Or use leftover roasted or smoked turkey breast.
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Cheese: Good melty options are cheddar, Swiss, provolone or Havarti.
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Condiments: Mayo, mustard, ketchup, or even cranberry sauce.
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Toppings: Lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, etc.
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Glaze: For extra flavor, make a quick glaze with ingredients like honey, butter, and mustard.
How to Make Turkey Sliders Step-by-Step
Follow these simple steps for baking delicious turkey sliders easily at home.
1. Prepare the Ingredients
- Slice the deli turkey or shred leftover turkey into thin pieces.
- Slice the cheese. Separate the tops and bottoms of the slider buns.
- Make any glaze or spread. Chop any veggie toppings.
2. Assemble the Sliders
- Spread a bit of condiment (mayo, mustard, etc) on the bun bottoms.
- Layer turkey slices, followed by the cheese.
- Add any additional toppings you want like lettuce, tomato, or onion.
- Complete the sandwiches with the top buns.
3. Arrange on a Baking Sheet
- Place the assembled sliders on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil.
4. Brush with Glaze (Optional)
- For extra flavor, generously brush the tops of the buns with your homemade glaze mixture.
5. Bake at 350°F for 15-18 Minutes
- Bake until the cheese is fully melted and the rolls are lightly toasted.
6. Cool, then Serve
- Allow to cool 5 minutes before serving warm.
That’s it! With just a few minutes of prep time, you can have these easy turkey sliders ready to enjoy in less than 30 minutes start to finish.
Tips for Making the Best Turkey Sliders
Here are some helpful tips to make the tastiest oven-baked turkey sandwiches:
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Flavor the mayo: Mix the mayo with spices, pesto, or herbs before spreading for extra flavor.
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Choose soft bread: Sturdy rolls won’t get as toasted and flaky in the oven.
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Load on the toppings: Crunchy veggies, cheese, and condiments make every bite delicious.
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Keep them mini: Regular size buns get too big and messy. Mini slider buns are ideal.
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Brush with flavored butter: Melted garlic herb or chili lime butter adds lots of flavor.
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Add crispy bacon: Cooked bacon gives a nice crunch and salty contrast.
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Toast the buns: For an extra crisp exterior, brush the tops with melted butter before baking.
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Use two baking sheets: Spread them out instead of crowding for even cooking.
Topping Combination Ideas
One of the best parts of slider sandwiches is customizing them just how you like. Here are some fun topping ideas:
Classic: Lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, mustard, mayo
BBQ: Cheddar, crispy onion rings, barbecue sauce
Buffalo: Pepper jack, hot sauce, blue cheese crumbles
Greek: Feta, olives, red onion, tzatziki sauce
Caprese: Fresh mozzarella, tomato, basil, balsamic reduction
Southwest: Pepper jack, avocado, pico de gallo
Beach Club: Swiss, ham, avocado, lemon aioli
French Onion: Swiss, caramelized onions, beef broth au jus
Using Leftover Turkey
Sliders are a perfect way to use up leftover roasted or smoked turkey after the holidays. To maximize flavor:
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Chop or shred the turkey into small pieces for even heating.
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Mix with a little olive oil and seasoning to prevent dryness.
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Spread cranberry sauce or gravy on the buns for some extra moisture.
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Opt for extra melty cheese like Havarti or smoked gouda.
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Add crispy fried onions for crunch.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
To save any uneaten turkey sliders:
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Allow to cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container.
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They will keep for 3-4 days stored this way.
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To reheat, place a foil-wrapped slider on a baking sheet and warm at 325°F for 10 minutes.
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You can also microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute until hot.
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Eat sliders cold, right out of the fridge if you prefer. The cheese and toppings still taste great.
Now that you’re armed with all the information on how to bake flavorful turkey sliders right at home, it’s time to get cooking! Pull out some mini buns and deli meat or leftover turkey breast and whip up a batch. Customize with your favorite toppings and condiments. Enjoy these delicious little sandwiches as a fun dinner, game day appetizer, or for a crowd. The oven does all the work while you get to focus on the best part – eating!
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover turkey sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating covered with foil in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.
As an appetizer, these turkey and cheese sliders are second to none, but they also make for an easy dinner! I like to serve them up with loaded mashed potato casserole, baked sweet potato fries, potato salad, or macaroni salad!
“These were absolutely delicious! Made them for NYE and making them again for Super Bowl. Definitely my new go to party appetizer!” – Kelly
- ▢ 12 Hawaiian rolls (click for homemade recipe!)
- ▢ ¾ pound thin-sliced deli turkey
- ▢ ¾ pound thin-sliced Swiss cheese
- ▢ ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- ▢ ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ▢ ½ tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ▢ ½ tablespoon everything bagel seasoning
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch casserole dish with foil and spray the bottom with nonstick spray.
- Without pulling the rolls apart, slice them in half horizontally. Place the bottom half of the rolls into the prepared casserole dish.12 Hawaiian rolls
- Layer the turkey onto the rolls, and then layer on the cheese.¾ pound thin-sliced deli turkey, ¾ pound thin-sliced Swiss cheese
- Place the top half of rolls onto the cheese.
- Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stovetop. Once melted, stir in the Dijon, Worcestershire, and everything bagel seasoning.½ cup unsalted butter, ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard, ½ tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, ½ tablespoon everything bagel seasoning
- Brush the butter mixture over the tops of the rolls. Let the rolls sit for 5 minutes to soak up some of the butter.
- Cover the rolls with foil and bake until they’re warm throughout and the cheese is melted, about 30 to 35 minutes, removing the foil during the last 5 minutes.
- Serve warm.
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
- I usually recommend 1-2 sliders per person as an appetizer or 3 sliders per person as a meal.
What’s in This Turkey Sliders Recipe?
- Hawaiian Rolls: The perfect slightly sweet complement to these salty turkey and cheese sliders.
- Deli Turkey: The main source of protein in these sliders, it provides a nice salty flavor. I prefer thin-sliced, but go for thicker if that’s what you like.
- Swiss Cheese: Adds a creamy, cheesy element to the sliders and helps hold them together. Again, I like to go for thin-sliced here.
- Butter: Unsalted butter forms the base of our tasty topping. It helps everything stick to the soldiers and adds extra moisture and flavor.
- Mustard: A little bit of tangy Dijon mustard helps to balance out all the savory flavors in these sliders.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a tangy, salty, and umami flavor to the topping.
- Everything Bagel Seasoning: Adds a bit of crunch and delicious savory flavor!
- You can toast the buns before adding any toppings to help seal out moisture, but I found that the deli turkey did a pretty good job of sealing the bottom bun off from becoming soggy.
- Be sure to cover the sliders before baking with foil, so that the tops don’t burn. You can remove the foil in the last 5 minutes to crisp them up.
- These turkey sliders can be assembled up to 4 hours before baking. Store them covered in the fridge until you’re ready to bake them. You can double or triple the recipe to feed a big crowd.
TURKEY & CHEESE SLIDERS on Hawaiian Rolls | Quick Easy Potluck, Holiday party, Superbowl recipe
FAQ
How do you keep sliders from getting soggy?
What kind of cheese goes with turkey breast?
How do you keep sliders warm in the oven?
How long do you reheat sliders in the oven?
How do you cook Turkey sliders in the oven?
Sauce: Microwave the topping ingredients to melt the butter. Stir to combine and pour the sauce over the sandwiches. Sprinkle bagel seasoning over the topping. Bake: Cover the sliders with foil and bake at 350°F for 14 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Then uncover and bake for 3 more minutes. Slice and serve the turkey sliders warm.
How do you make Turkey sliders?
Lay the bottom halves of the rolls in a 9″ x 13″ casserole dish or jelly roll pan (I always use a 9″ x 11.5″ jelly roll pan). Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on the bottom rolls. Layer on the turkey and cheese slices, then carefully place the bun lids on top of the cheese slices. Pour the glaze evenly over the top of all of the sliders.
How do you make Turkey sliders without cheese?
Place turkey slices evenly over the bottom of the rolls, then repeat with cheese (I always leave a few without cheese as our youngest doesn’t like melty cheese!) If you non-melty cheese lovers, stick a toothpick in the tops of the sliders without cheese so they are easily identifiable. Replace the tops on the rolls, set aside to make the sauce.
How do you make Turkey sliders in the microwave?
Prepare the garlic herb butter topping before you start the turkey sliders recipe. In a small bowl, add the butter and melt in the microwave using 10 – 15 second intervals until completely melted. Add the diced parsley, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to the melted butter. Stir to combine. Set aside until ready to use.