Pretzel Cowboy Sliders

Quick Facts

• Prep Time: 15 minutes15
• Cook Time: 25 minutes1
• Total Time: 40 minutes1
• Serving Size: 9-12 sliders145

Why You’ll Love These Sliders

I love how these sliders elevate the classic slider experience3. The pretzel rolls bring a unique texture and taste that’s simply irresistible3. And the cowboy butter? It’s my secret weapon for adding an incredible depth of flavor that will have everyone begging for the recipe3. Whether it’s game day, a family treat, or a fun get-together, these sliders are always a hit3.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Hamburger Mixture

• 1 pound ground beef14
• ½ yellow onion, diced (about ½ cup)15
• ½ teaspoon garlic, minced15
• 1 tablespoon hamburger seasoning15
• ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce145
• ½ teaspoon seasoned salt15
• 1 package (9-count) King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Slider Buns (or similar pretzel rolls)12
• 1 medium jalapeño pepper, seeded, sliced15
• 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked, crumbled (about 1 cup)15
• 1 cup (113 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded15
• 1 cup (80 g) French’s crispy fried onions15

Topping

• 1 recipe cowboy butter, made without lemon juice, melted, divided1

Let’s Get Cooking: Step-by-Step

1. Prep the Beef: In a skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned4. Drain any excess grease. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, hamburger seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and seasoned salt345. Cook until the onions are soft and translucent3.
2. Cowboy Butter Time: If you haven’t already, prepare the cowboy butter according to your favorite recipe (leaving out the lemon juice)1.
3. Prepping the Rolls: Slice the pretzel rolls in half horizontally and place the bottom halves in a baking dish15.
4. Butter the Buns: Evenly distribute about 2 tablespoons of cowboy butter over the bottom halves of the pretzel buns15.
5. Load ‘Em Up: Top the buns with the ground beef mixture, followed by the jalapeños, crumbled bacon, and shredded cheese13.
6. Onion Crunch: Evenly sprinkle the crispy fried onions over the cheese15.
7. Top It Off: Place the top halves of the pretzel slider buns on top of the fried onions. Brush the tops of the rolls with another 2 tablespoons of cowboy butter15.
8. Bake to Perfection: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is hot and bubbly145.
9. Get Golden: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the tops of the sliders turn a golden brown15.
10. Serve and Enjoy: Remove from the oven, slice, and serve the sliders. For an extra burst of flavor, brush the hot sliders with the remaining cowboy butter or serve it on the side for dipping15.

Tips for Customization

• Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the ground beef mixture or use a hotter variety of jalapeño for an extra kick34.
• Cheese Swap: Experiment with different cheeses like pepper jack, provolone, or a cheddar blend3.
• Sweet and Smoky: Add a touch of sweet BBQ sauce to the beef mixture or brush it over the sliders before baking4.
• Veggie Boost: Include other veggies like diced bell peppers or sautéed mushrooms in the beef mixture1.

Serving Suggestions

• Dipping Sauces: Offer a variety of dipping sauces like spicy aioli, honey mustard, or extra cowboy butter3.
• Sides: Serve with classic sides like coleslaw, potato salad, or a simple green salad.
• Pickles: Don’t forget the pickles! They add a tangy crunch that complements the richness of the sliders4.

Make-Ahead Tips

• Beef Prep: Prepare the ground beef mixture in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days1. Reheat before assembling the sliders1.
• Cowboy Butter: The cowboy butter can also be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week1.
• Bacon & Cheese: Cook and crumble the bacon, and shred the cheese ahead of time1. Store separately in the refrigerator1.
• Veggies: Chop any vegetables you want to include, like jalapeños and onions, in advance1.

FAQs

• Can I use regular Hawaiian rolls instead of pretzel rolls?
  • Absolutely! While I love the unique flavor of pretzel rolls, Hawaiian rolls work great too2.
• What’s the best way to store leftover sliders?
  • Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave1.
• Can I freeze these sliders?
  • I recommend freezing the ground beef mixture separately from the rolls. Assemble the sliders after thawing for the best texture1.

Nutritional Information (estimated per slider)

• Calories: 350-450
• Protein: 20-25g
• Fat: 25-35g
• Carbohydrates: 20-25g

(Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes)I hope you enjoy making and devouring these Pretzel Cowboy Sliders as much as I do! They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a fun way to spice up your slider game. Happy cooking!