These BBQ Meatball Sliders are a simple and delicious addition to your weekly dinner rotation. There are plenty of nights when I don’t feel like cooking, and this recipe saves me so much time in the kitchen. It utilizes minimal ingredients to create a filling meal. I have also made these sliders for parties and special occasions, and they’re always a hit!
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The best part about these BBQ sliders is that you can use any sauce you like! With so many BBQ sauces to choose from, you can find one that suits your taste. The buttery, sweet Hawaiian rolls add the perfect balance.
If you like easy meatball recipes, you will love these tasty Olive Garden Meatballs, Meatball Parmigiana, Meatball Sub from Subway and savory Smoked Meatballs.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It takes less than 10 minutes to prepare: With precooked meatballs, these sliders come together quickly—just assemble, bake, and enjoy.
- It requires just 3 ingredients: You only need Hawaiian rolls (or your favorite slider roll), BBQ sauce, and meatballs to make these simple, yet delicious BBQ meatball sub sliders.
- It’s easy to customize: Get creative and make this recipe your own! Use an array of toppings, cheese, or whatever you like to add more flavor to the sliders. You can even use a spicy or sweet BBQ sauce for depth, too.
Ingredients
Below are all of the ingredients needed to make this BBQ meatball sliders recipe. You only need the meatballs, BBQ sauce, and buns. Add the butter and sesame seeds to take the presentation up a notch!
- Buns: I love the sweet flavor and soft texture of Hawaiian rolls. They pair perfectly with meatballs and BBQ sauce.
- BBQ sauce: Use any brand and variety of BBQ sauce that you prefer. Even homemade would be tasty! I like a classic smoky BBQ sauce but sometimes I’m feeling honey or brown sugar—there are so many options!
- Meatballs: I keep it easy and convenient, and use frozen meatballs for this. When I've got more time, I love to make these homemade Costco chicken meatballs or turkey meatballs. Whatever you choose to use should be fully cooked and heated up before you assemble your sliders.
- Butter and sesame seeds: These are optional toppings to add texture and help the tops of the rolls brown. You can brush melted butter on top and sprinkle sesame seeds or poppy seeds if you prefer.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Spicy marinara: Try your favorite spicy marinara or add some red pepper flakes for a kick.
- Garlic parmesan: Use a parmesan garlic sauce or make your own with fresh garlic, butter, and parmesan cheese for a savory slider.
- Bacon ranch: Add some ranch and chopped bacon for a BBQ bacon ranch version.
How to Make BBQ Meatball Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls
Here are all the steps needed to prepare these meatball BBQ sliders. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper so the sandwiches are easier to serve. Make sure to heat up your meatballs before assembling.
Step 1: Add the sauce and meatballs. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of BBQ sauce on the bottom of each bun. Then, nestle about 2 regular or 4 mini meatballs into the sauce of each one.
Step 2: Top and bake. Place the top half of the buns over the meatballs. Then, brush them generously with melted butter and sprinkle on sesame seeds. This is optional but worth it! Bake the sliders for about 5 minutes to brown the buns, and then they’re ready to eat.
Recipe Tips
- Toast the buns: Lightly toast the bottom buns for texture before you assemble the sliders. It also helps keep them from becoming soggy.
- Use cooked and heated meatballs: Whether you make homemade meatballs, like my chicken ricotta meatballs or carnivore meatballs, or choose to use frozen meatballs, ensure they are cooked and heated before you make the sliders.
- Use mini meatballs: Prepare mini meatballs or buy them from the grocery store so they fit more easily on the slider buns. If using larger meatballs, you can also cut them in half.
If you love recipes like these BBQ meatballs, you may also enjoy this BBQ Meatloaf.
Storage Directions
- Storing: These are best enjoyed soon after assembling. Store the prepared sliders tightly wrapped for 2-3 days in the refrigerator. You can also store the ingredients separately if you prefer.
- Reheating: Place the sliders into an oven-safe baking dish and cover it with foil for the first 5-7 minutes, and then remove it for the remaining 3-5 minutes. I don’t recommend the microwave because it makes the bread tough and chewy.
Serving Suggestions
- I love slaw as a topping for BBQ sandwiches or even a side dish. This jalapeno coleslaw is fresh and spicy and would pair well with the rich and smoky sauce.
- Add a spicy sauce like this scotch bonnet hot sauce for heat or this savory bacon aioli for richness. I like to add them right before serving my portion.
- Air fryer steak fries and sweet potato fries are fabulous side dishes to create a quick and complete dinner.
Recipe FAQs
Sure! Place them in the crockpot with the BBQ sauce on low for 2-3 hours. Then, follow the directions above to make the sliders.
Yes! It adds a lovely smokey flavor to your BBQ meatball sandwich. Place the sliders in a disposable foil baking dish and cook them until the tops of the roll are brown.
Of course, you can! If you want the meatballs to be extra saucy, add them to a large bowl with some BBQ sauce to coat them.
More Delicious Slider Recipes
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section, I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Meatball BBQ Sliders
Ingredients
- 6 buns
- ¾ cup BBQ sauce
- 24 1-inch meatballs cooked and heated
- 2 tablespoons butter melted, optional
- sesame seeds optional
Instructions
- If placing in the oven to crisp up, preheat oven to 350°F, and place sliced buns on a baking sheet on parchment paper.
- Add about 2 tablespoons of BBQ sauce on each bun bottom.
- Place 4 mini meatballs on the bun, then add the top.
- Brush melted butter and sprinkle on sesame seeds.
- Place in the oven for about 5 minutes to brown the tops.
Notes
- Store any leftover meatball sliders tightly covered in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat them in the oven for best results.
- Lightly toast the bottom slider buns for color and to create a barrier to prevent them from becoming soggy.
- Toss the cooked meatballs in your BBQ sauce of choice before adding them to the sliders to make them extra saucy.
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