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Hot Italian sliders are an Italian grinder sandwich recipe that’s perfect for gatherings such as tailgating or for backyard picnic ideas. They will feed a crowd, and you can serve them with a side of marinara for a dipping sauce. These mini sandwiches are made with slider rolls, Italian deli meats, and cheeses, making them the perfect appetizer if you’re craving a hot Italian sub. 

Homemade Italian sliders on a cutting board.

Looking for a game day appetizer, simple funeral sandwiches or backyard picnic party ideas? If so, these easy baked Italian sliders might be ideal. The mini Italian sandwiches boast meats and cheeses, a zesty mayo and sweet Hawaiian rolls.

These maple bacon turkey sliders are also a delicious treat, or perhaps you’d like to try cheeseburger hot pockets or gorgonzola buffalo burgers!

Removing a hot Italian sandwich from the pan.

Why You’ll Love It

Flavor-packed:  There’s no shortage of flavor in these hot Italian sub sliders. Served warm or hot, they are a perfect appetizer for any kind of occasion, and the combination of Italian meats and cheeses with zesty mayo is irresistible.
Tweakable:  The great thing about an Italian sliders recipe is you can vary what goes in there, choosing any deli meats and cheeses. Whether provolone cheese or Swiss melty cheese is more your vibe, or whichever kinds of deli meats are your favorite, you can pick and choose which to include in your hot Italian sliders.
Perfect for a crowd:  You can double or triple the recipe if you have a lot of folks to feed. Whether you’re preparing a funeral sandwich, you want to try a new tailgate recipe, or you are catering a buffet, you will find this hot Italian sandwich recipe easy to prepare in bulk.

Overhead view of homemade Italian sliders on a cutting board.

Italian Grinder Sandwich Recipe Ingredients

So what ingredients do you need for these easy sliders? Along with the slider rolls (or brioche rolls, if you prefer), you will need three kinds of Italian meat and two kinds of cheese. Banana peppers and giardiniera also go into the slider sandwiches. 

Ingredients to make hot Italian sliders or grinder sandwiches.

The zesty mayo is made with mayo, banana pepper juice, garlic, and Italian seasoning. The butter topping is a delectable blend of butter, oregano, garlic, red pepper flakes, parmesan, black pepper, and parsley.

Close view of the grinder sandwich that is out of the oven.

How to Make Hot Italian Sliders

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Toast the buns:  Cook the slider buns in the oven until crispy (if you skip this step, your sliders will be soggy!)
Make the zesty mayo:  While the buns toast, you can combine the zesty mayo ingredients.
Fill the buns:  Add sliced deli meats and cheeses to the toasted buns, alternating with giardiniera and banana peppers, finishing with cheese.
Assemble the tasty Italian sliders:  Spread zesty mayo on the bun tops before topping the individual sandwiches.
Make the garlic butter:  Mix the ingredients, then pour over the sliders.
Bake the hot Italian sandwich recipe:  Give them about 20 minutes in the oven, then serve hot with marinara sauce for dipping.

Assembling grinder sandwiches on a cutting board.
Overhead view of cooked Italian slider sandwiches.

Substitutions and Variations

Use any meat and cheese you like. Feel free to leave out the red pepper flakes and banana peppers if you don’t want any heat (or try mild banana peppers), or use brioche buns rather than Hawaiian rolls. You can also include roasted red peppers or double up on the melty cheese. Make these however you prefer!

Close view of an Italian sandwich.

What to Serve With Them

These Italian slider rolls are great paired with fries, salami pasta salad, or you might prefer gouda cream cheese corn or a protein like steaks or roasted chicken if you’re feeding a crowd.

A grinder sandwich on a plate.

Storage Instructions

Store: Serve these hot Italian sliders with Hawaiian rolls as soon as they’re ready while still warm from the oven. Leftovers will keep for two or even three days but will get soggy. If you have some left over, keep them wrapped in foil and refrigerated.
Reheat: You can warm them back up in the oven.

Close view of cooked hot picnic sandwiches.
An Italian slider on a cutting board.

Italian Hawaiian Roll Sliders FAQs

What’s the difference between a sub and a grinder?

Subs are known as grinders in the New England region. Grinders are typically made with long rolls that are like Italian bread but crustier on the outside and chewier on the inside. You can choose Hawaiian rolls, brioche buns, and grinder rolls with this recipe.

What are banana peppers?

They are mild, tangy peppers that are slightly sweet. They’re yellow (hence the name), but you can also find mature ones in orange, green, or red. For this recipe, it’s best to use the sliced kind that comes in a jar since you won’t have to chop them, and you’ll need some of the juice to make the zesty mayo. If you prefer, sliced jalapenos are another option.

Removing a hot Italian sandwich from the pan.

Hot Italian Sliders Recipe

5 from 48 votes

Hot Italian Sliders

Looking for a tasty sandwich? Try hot Italian sliders, made with deli meats, cheeses, and slider rolls. Perfect for tailgating or picnics!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients 

  • 1 Package Hawaiian rolls, or 12 slider rolls
  • Pound Genoa salami
  • Pound capicola
  • Pound pepperoni
  • 8 Slices provolone cheese
  • 8 Slices mozzarella cheese
  • Cup banana peppers, sliced, from jar
  • Cup giardiniera, chopped, mild

Zesty Mayo

Butter topping

  • ½ Teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 6 Tablespoon butter, melted
  • 1 Teaspoon oregano, dried
  • 1 Clove garlic, minced
  • 3 Tablespoon parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 Teaspoon black pepper, fresh, cracked
  • 2 Tablespoon parsley, fresh, chopped

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray a 8×8 casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Use a bread knife to slice rolls in half.
  • Place into the oven for 5 minutes to lightly toast.
  • While bread is toasting, prepare zesty mayo.
  • Combine Mayo, banana pepper juice, garlic purée, and Italian seasoning in a small bowl and whisk well.
  • Remove rolls from the oven. Lay rolls cut side up on a solid surface or cutting board.
  • Alternate layering meat and mozzarella to cover the entire surface of the bottom half of the rolls.
  • Next, top with peppers and giardiniera. Cover with sliced provolone cheese.
  • Evenly spread zesty Mayo over the cut side of the top buns. Place into the casserole or baking dish.
  • Next, prepare garlic butter topping. In a small bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, oregano, pepper, parsley, and parmesan. Stir, then pour over the top of the buns. Cover with foil.
  • Place into the oven on the center rack and bake for 15 minutes.
  • Remove foil and bake for 5 more minutes.
  • Serve with marinara sauce.

Notes

Use pre-sliced banana peppers that come in a jar. The juice has a zesty vinegar taste that compliments the Mayo and gives the sliders a kick of heat
You can omit the red pepper flakes from the butter topping for less heat if desired.
Lightly roasting the rolls before adding the sandwich fixings helps prevent it from becoming soggy and is a vital step.
There is no right or wrong order to layer the meat and cheese- however adding a final layer of cheese over the giardiniera and peppers will prevent them from falling off the buns and once the cheese melts it acts as a glue to hold the sliders perfectly in place.
Use Hawaiian rolls, or brioche rolls. If your grocery store has brioche slider rolls I prefer those but this is up to your personal preference.

Nutrition

Calories: 439kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 1585mg | Potassium: 240mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 367IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 227mg | Iron: 1mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

Looking for the best sliders? This Italian grinder sliders recipe is so good. You’ll love how the meats and cheeses combine with the zesty mayo and pickled vegetables. The banana pepper adds a touch of heat while the Hawaiian rolls offer sweetness. This is one of the best slider recipes to make for a special occasion or event.

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Bella Bucchiotti

Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.

 

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Recipe Rating




5 from 48 votes (44 ratings without comment)

6 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    We loved these! Made them for the first football game of the season. What a hit! Not one left to bring home. Thanks for the recipe!

    1. It is 350 F. I am not sure what happened to the instructions. Several lines were missing. It’s all good now!