Cheeseburger Pull Apart Sliders Recipe

These pull-apart sliders are the perfect easy party dish—soft, buttery rolls filled with savory, melty ingredients that bake together into one irresistible pan. They’re quick to assemble, crowd-pleasing, and ideal for game day, weeknight dinners, or entertaining.

I’ve been making these Hawaiian roll pull-apart cheeseburger sliders for 15+ years, and they are one of my most requested recipes to date, and one of the most viral recipes across my website and social media.

My party guests always love them because they taste very similar to a White Castle burger (a popular slider fast food chain in the Midwest). They’re also fabulous for tailgating or a game day too (check out these other popular game day recipes for your smoker for more ideas).

These cheeseburger sliders are truly easy to make, packed with flavor, and have a wonderful, delicious texture (cheesy, moist, and perfect for sharing). Each ingredient is listed below with purpose, and I do not recommend substitutions to get the best texture and flavor (and no, you cannot taste the mayo).

These pull-apart sliders can also be cooked in one pan, added to the individual rolls, and topped to your liking with all your favorite sauces and toppings. Bake or smoke your sliders up and then serve them for your new favorite appetizer, simple meal, or game-day snack!

Supplies Needed

• Aluminum Foil
• Large Skillet
• Spatula
• Silicone Pastry Brush
• Serrated Knife
• Baking Dish or Sheet Pan

Cheeseburger Slider Ingredients:

Here is what you will need to make these delicious burgers-

• King’s Hawaiian Rolls (or similar dinner rolls/potato rolls): Hawaiian sliders are my preferred roll for this recipe. You will not want to pull them apart until you’re going to serve them. Leave all the rolls as one connected loaf.
• Ground Beef: I use slightly leaner ground beef (90% lean or higher) because there are a lot of higher-fat ingredients added to this recipe already. Use what you have access to, though.
• French Onion Seasoning Packet or Homemade Seasoning option: I’ve tested two options for seasoning the ground beef. Both work great, but give my readers that want alternatives and options. The packet is easy to do and quick; the homemade version adds a few extra steps, but a really great flavor.
• Shredded Cheddar: Shredded cheddar gets added to the beef mixture to create a rich and creamy texture and flavor, and binds everything together.
• Mayo: I know this sounds really strange, but mayo acts not only as a binding agent but also keeps the beef really moist and tender.
• American Cheese Slices: For extra cheesy pull-apart sliders. I add this to the top of the ground beef mixture before baking.
• Melted Butter: (Optional) You can brush on some melted butter over the buns at the end of the cooking process if desired.
• Sesame Seeds or Poppy Seeds: This is a nice little garnish to give it that classic cheeseburger feel!
• Optional Toppings: Caramelized onion, bacon, pickles, and this delicious burger sauce recipe!

Making Your Cheeseburger Slider Filling

1. Brown and Season the Ground Beef

Add the ground beef to a large skillet over medium heat. Season with one packet of store-bought French onion soup mix or your homemade French onion seasoning substitute (see details in the recipe card). Cook, breaking the meat up as it browns, until fully cooked through. Carefully drain off any excess grease to keep the sliders from becoming greasy.

2. Cool the Beef Slightly Before Mixing

Remove the skillet from the heat and let the beef cool for a few minutes. This prevents the cheese from melting too fast and helps the filling stay creamy instead of oily when mixed.

3. Slice the Slider Buns as One Piece

While the beef cools, prepare the rolls. Using a sharp serrated knife, slice each pack of Hawaiian rolls horizontally, keeping the rolls connected. You should end up with one large top slab and one large bottom slab for each pack. Set aside.

4. Prepare the Foil for Easy Assembly

Lay out two overlapping sheets of foil and spray lightly with non-stick spray. This step prevents the buns from sticking to the foil and makes wrapping and cleanup much easier.

5. Mix the Cheeseburger Filling

Once the beef has cooled slightly, add the shredded cheddar cheese and mayonnaise. Use a spatula to mix until fully combined. The mayonnaise adds moisture and acts as a binder, so substitutions are not recommended for best results.

6. Assemble the Bottom Layer of Sliders

Place the bottom buns onto the prepared foil, positioning them side by side and touching. Spread the cheeseburger filling evenly across the buns, reaching all the way to the edges.

7. Add Toppings and Cheese

Layer on any optional toppings like pickles, bacon, caramelized onions, relish, ketchup, or mustard. Finish by laying the slices of American or cheddar cheese evenly over the top.

8. Add the Top Buns and Wrap

Place the top buns over the sliders and gently press down. Wrap the entire tray tightly in foil to help the sliders heat evenly and stay moist.

9. Bake or Smoke Until Melty

Bake or smoke the sliders at 350°F using indirect heat for 25 to 30 minutes, or until heated through, and the cheese is fully melted.

10. Rest and Slice

Pull the sliders from the oven and let them rest to set for 5-10 minutes. Transfer to a platter and serve pull-apart style, or slice into individual sliders if desired.

Serving, Storage, and Make-Ahead Tips for Cheeseburger Sliders

How to Serve Cheeseburger Sliders

Remove the sliders from the foil before serving. For extra flavor, brush the top buns with garlic butter made by melting butter and stirring in freshly minced garlic. Sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds over the tops for a classic hamburger bun look.

Arrange the sliders on a large platter so guests can easily pull apart individual portions. This makes them ideal for parties, game day, or casual gatherings.

How to Make Cheeseburger Sliders Ahead of Time

To make ahead, I recommended only preparing the ground beef mixture and keeping it refrigerated 1-2 days in advance. Then fully assemble onto the buns with the extra cheese and pickles before baking. If you fully assemble it with the buns, the bread can get soggy.

Bake as directed, adding 10 to 15 minutes of extra cook time if the sliders are still cold in the center.

How to Store Leftover Cheeseburger Sliders

Store leftover sliders in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in foil in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keeping them sealed helps prevent the buns from drying out.

How to Reheat Cheeseburger Sliders

For quick reheating, microwave individual sliders for 20 to 30 seconds until warmed through. For larger batches, reheat covered in a 350°F oven until heated evenly.

Can You Freeze Cheeseburger Sliders?

Yes, cheeseburger sliders freeze well. Wrap individual sliders or the entire tray tightly in foil, then place in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months.

To reheat from frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator if possible, then bake covered at 350°F until heated through. Add extra time as needed and uncover for the last few minutes to refresh the buns.

More Slider Recipes To Try

• Animal Style Sliders are a great alternative to this version if you want a more “loaded” burger in slider form.
• Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders are a fan favorite that’s made with shredded chicken, crispy bacon, cheese, and ranch.
• Grilled Cheese Sliders are perfect for serving as a quick meal, snack, or as a dipper for soup!