The holidays are just around the corner, and you know what that means. The house fills with the warm, happy buzz of family and friends. It is a time for connection, laughter, and of course, amazing food.
But let’s be honest, hosting can be a lot. Finding delicious but simple Thanksgiving Recipes Appetizers that everyone will love can feel like a big task. Well, I have a wonderful recipe for you today that is going to make your holiday prep so much easier.
These turkey and cranberry sliders are the answer. They are savory, sweet, cheesy, and served warm on soft Hawaiian rolls. They are incredibly easy to put together, and they disappear from the platter in minutes. Seriously, you might want to make a double batch.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, these sliders are just so tasty. The combination of savory turkey, tangy cranberry sauce, and two kinds of melted cheese is a classic for a reason. It is like a mini Thanksgiving dinner in one bite. The sweet Hawaiian rolls add a little something special that brings all the flavors together.
They are also a fantastic way to use up leftover Thanksgiving turkey. We all know the challenge of figuring out what to do with all that extra food. This recipe turns leftovers into a whole new exciting meal or snack. It feels like a smart and delicious win.
Plus, this is one of the easiest thanksgiving appetizers you will ever make. You assemble everything in one baking dish, pop it in the oven, and you are done. There is no complicated cooking involved, which frees you up to enjoy your guests.
They are a total crowd pleaser. Whether you are hosting a big family dinner or looking for Friendsgiving Food Ideas, these sliders are always a hit. Kids love them, adults love them, and they are easy to eat while mingling. They are a guaranteed favorite on any holiday menu.
Ingredients
The ingredient list for these sliders is simple and straightforward. You can find everything at your local grocery store. It is all about combining a few quality items to create something truly delicious.
The Hawaiian sweet rolls are key here. Their softness and slight sweetness are the foundation of this amazing appetizer. For the turkey, you can use deli style oven roasted turkey or your own holiday leftovers. Both work beautifully.
We are using two types of cheese, gouda and mild cheddar, for a great melt and flavor profile. The whole berry cranberry sauce adds that classic holiday tang. Finally, a savory butter mixture with chives and poppy seeds gets brushed on top for a golden, flavorful finish.
- Cooking spray
- 1 bag Hawaiian sweet rolls (12 count)
- 1 lb. deli style, oven roasted turkey or Thanksgiving turkey leftovers, thinly sliced
- 1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
- 4 oz. gouda, thinly sliced
- 4 oz. mild cheddar, thinly sliced
- 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
- 2 Tbsp. sliced chives, plus more for serving
- 1/2 tsp. poppy seeds, plus more for sprinkling
- 1/4 tsp. onion powder
- 1/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
Step-By-Step Instructions
Ready to make some of the best Thanksgiving Recipes Appetizers ever? Let’s walk through the steps together. It is so simple, you will have these ready in no time.
Step 1: Prep The Oven And Rolls
First, get your oven preheating to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While it warms up, grab a 13 by 9 inch baking dish and give it a quick spray with cooking spray. This prevents the sliders from sticking, making cleanup much easier.
Now for the rolls. Keep the slab of 12 rolls connected. Place them on a cutting board and use a long serrated bread knife to slice them in half horizontally. You want a single top piece and a single bottom piece. Set the tops aside for now.
Step 2: Layer The Goodness
It is time to build your sliders. Place the bottom slab of rolls into your prepared baking dish. Evenly arrange the sliced turkey over the rolls. Next, spread the whole berry cranberry sauce over the turkey layer.
After the cranberry sauce, sprinkle both the gouda and cheddar cheese slices over the top. Try to get even coverage so every slider is cheesy. Once you are done layering, place the top slab of buns back on to close the sliders.
Step 3: Make The Savory Topping
This topping is what makes the sliders extra special. In a medium heatproof bowl, melt your butter in the microwave. It should only take about 30 seconds. To the melted butter, add the sliced chives, poppy seeds, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Give it a good stir to combine everything.
Step 4: Brush And Prepare For Baking
Using a pastry brush, generously brush the butter mixture all over the tops of the rolls. Make sure to get into all the little crevices. Sprinkle a few more poppy seeds over the top for extra texture and visual appeal. Finally, loosely cover the baking dish with a piece of aluminum foil.
Step 5: Bake To Golden Perfection
Place the covered dish into your preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. Covering them first helps the cheese melt and the inside get warm without the tops burning. After 15 minutes, carefully remove the foil.
Continue to bake uncovered for another 10 to 15 minutes. You are looking for the buns to be a beautiful golden brown color and the cheese to be completely melted and bubbly. Keep a close eye on them during this last stretch.
Step 6: Garnish And Serve
Once they are done baking, carefully transfer the entire slab of sliders to a platter or cutting board. Garnish with some extra fresh sliced chives. You can serve them as a single piece and let guests pull them apart, or you can slice them into individual sliders before serving. These are best served warm!
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, storing them is easy. Let the sliders cool completely to room temperature. This is important to prevent them from getting soggy in the container.
Once cooled, place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to three days. When you are ready to enjoy them again, I recommend reheating them in the oven or an air fryer at 350 degrees for a few minutes until warm. This will help crisp up the buns again. Microwaving works in a pinch but can make the bread soft.
Tips
Want to make these Friendsgiving appetizers even better? Here are a few simple tips. Feel free to play around with the cheese. Provolone, Swiss, or even a spicy pepper jack would be delicious additions. Use your favorites!
You can assemble these sliders ahead of time. Follow all the steps right up until baking. Instead of putting them in the oven, cover the dish tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you are ready, just bake as directed, maybe adding a few extra minutes to the initial covered baking time.
Do not be shy with the butter topping. It adds so much flavor and helps the tops of the rolls get that beautiful golden brown crust. Make sure every roll gets a good coating.
For a little extra texture, you could add some crunchy fried onions on top of the cheese layer before putting the top buns on. It adds a nice little surprise when you bite into them. These are truly versatile Thanksgiving Recipes Appetizers.
Conclusion
There you have it. A simple, delicious, and stress free recipe that is sure to be a star at your next holiday gathering. These turkey cranberry sliders check all the boxes for great thanksgiving appetizers. They are easy to make, use leftovers beautifully, and taste absolutely incredible.
I hope you give these a try for your next event. They are one of my favorite Friendsgiving Food Ideas because they bring everyone together. Nothing beats sharing warm, cheesy, and flavorful food with the people you care about. Happy cooking!
FAQ
Can I Use Different Rolls?
Yes, absolutely. While Hawaiian sweet rolls are great, you could also use brioche slider buns or soft potato rolls. Just look for a soft roll that comes in a connected sheet if possible, as it makes assembly much easier.
Can I Make These Ahead Of Time?
Definitely. You can assemble the sliders completely, cover them tightly, and keep them in the refrigerator for up to a day before you plan to bake them. This makes them one of the most convenient Thanksgiving Recipes Appetizers when you are busy with other dishes.
What If I Don’t Have Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce?
If you only have jellied cranberry sauce, that will work too. Just mash it up a bit with a fork to make it more spreadable before adding it to the sliders. The flavor will be very similar.
How Many Sliders Does This Recipe Make?
This recipe makes 12 sliders, which is the standard size for a bag of Hawaiian rolls. This is usually enough for about 6 people as an appetizer, assuming 2 sliders per person. For a larger crowd, I recommend doubling the recipe.
Are These Good For Other Holidays?
They certainly are! These sliders are amazing for Christmas, New Year’s Eve, or even for a game day party. They are a great choice anytime you need easy and delicious Friendsgiving Appetizers or party food.
Easy Turkey Cranberry Sliders
These savory, sweet, and cheesy turkey cranberry sliders are served warm on soft Hawaiian rolls. They’re incredibly easy to make and disappear quickly, perfect for holiday appetizers.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 13×9 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Slice the connected slab of 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls horizontally in half, separating the top and bottom. Place the bottom half in the prepared baking dish.
- Layer the sliced turkey evenly over the bottom rolls. Spread the whole berry cranberry sauce over the turkey.
- Sprinkle both the gouda and mild cheddar cheese slices evenly over the cranberry sauce layer. Place the top half of the buns back on.
- In a medium heatproof bowl, melt the unsalted butter (about 30 seconds in microwave). Stir in sliced chives, poppy seeds, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Using a pastry brush, generously brush the butter mixture over the tops of the rolls. Sprinkle with a few more poppy seeds. Loosely cover the dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake covered for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until buns are golden brown and cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Transfer the slab to a platter or cutting board. Garnish with extra fresh sliced chives. Serve warm, either as a whole slab or sliced into individual sliders.
Notes
You can assemble these sliders ahead of time. Follow all steps up to baking, then cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake as directed, potentially adding a few extra minutes to the initial covered baking time.
Feel free to experiment with the cheese; provolone, Swiss, or pepper jack are also delicious additions.
Don’t be shy with the butter topping. It adds flavor and helps create a golden-brown crust.
For added crunch, consider adding crispy fried onions on top of the cheese layer before placing the top buns.
Nutrition
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