Air Fryer Italian Sliders: Italian meats, cheeses, and pickled peppers are sandwiched between sweet rolls, topped with garlic butter, then cooked in the air fryer. Additional oven instructions are below! Marinara for dipping (optional but recommended). 😋
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Air Fryer Italian Sliders
If we’re going to a party or gathering, or hosting a last-minute get-together at our house, chances are I’m making these Air Fryer Italian Sliders!
This air fryer appetizer recipe has limited ingredients, is super quick, easy to pull together, and so flavorful and delicious. Everyone always loves them. 🙂
The Ingredients
These air fryer Italian sliders are loaded with flavors! There are ways to customize them, too. Have a look at the ingredients list below, then keep reading for optional additions and substitutions (meat, cheese, pickled veggies)!
- King’s Hawaiian Original Sweet Rolls: Providing a sweet and soft base for the sliders!
- Mozzarella and Provolone Cheese: The cheeses bind the ingredients together as they melts. Mozzarella has the creamiest texture, and provolone adds a slightly sharper flavor, enhancing the cheese blend!
- Salami, Pepperoni, and Ham: Providing layers of savory, super delicious cured meats!
- Banana Peppers: Offering a tangy and slightly spicy kick, balancing out the richness of the meats and cheeses.
- Salted Butter, Fresh Parsley, Garlic, Salt, Pepper, Italian Seasoning, Red Pepper Flakes: Combined to create a flavorful garlic butter spread! Parsley adds a pop of freshness and color, complementing the savory fresh garlic and spices.
- Optional: Marinara Sauce for Dipping: Being from New York, this is mandatory for my husband and I! It adds a tangy and zesty element for those who enjoy an extra burst of flavor with each bite. 🙂
Optional Additions/Substitutions
You can certainly substitute the meat and cheese choices to fit your taste buds. Add your favorites, and maybe even make your own delicious hot Italian sub.
Here are some ideas:
Meat – Prosciutto, Mortadella, Capicola, Pancetta, Soppressata, etc.
Cheese – Smoked Ricotta, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Gorgonzola, etc.
Veggies – Giardiniera (Italian Pickled Vegetables), Black Olives, Roasted Red Peppers, etc.
How to Make Air Fryer Italian Sliders
First, slice the rolls in half with a serrated knife.
Place the bottom half in your air fryer basket. Then, place a layer of cheese, and a layer of each of the meats.
Top with the final layer of cheese. Scatter the banana peppers then place the other layer of buns on top.
How to Make Garlic Butter
Garlic butter is my weakness. There, I admitted it. It’s just the flavor that makes me do the happiest dance around the kitchen. Fresh garlic, parsley, butter? Yes, please.
The smell immediately takes me back to my teenage years, working my first-ever job at a pizza restaurant in my hometown in New York. I loved that job so much! I remember hating waking up for the morning shift, but it wasn’t terrible since I got to eat (sneak) the freshly made breadsticks and garlic knots from the brick oven. 😋
If you’re a huge garlic butter fan like me, you’d love my Roasted Tomato Basil and Red Pepper Soup with Cheesy Garlic Bread recipe.
Start by melting the butter over low heat. When it’s close to being fully melted, add in the minced parsley, grated garlic, and seasonings. Stir and cook on low for a couple of minutes, just until the flavors are infused together. Brush the garlic butter evenly over the Italian sliders!
How to Cook the Air Fryer Italian Sliders
Set your air fryer to a low temperature (around 325° F or 163° C). Bake in the air fryer for eight to ten minutes. Everyone’s air fryer is different, so just keep an eye on them to ensure the cheese is melting, and the top buns are not getting too dark. They should be a nice golden-brown color!
See the notes section below for oven instructions.
I love dipping these Air Fryer Italian Sliders in Mezzetta marinara sauce (unless I feel like making my homemade sauce). Their version is so tasty and is definitely worth a try if you haven’t yet! Such great flavor. 🙂
CONNECT WITH ME!
I’d love to hear from you! About your experience with this dish, any alterations you may have made and loved (or didn’t love), or just life and cooking in general. Please leave a question, comment, and/or review below, or get in touch via email.
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I hope you and your guests enjoy every last bite of these air fryer Italian sliders!! – Jenna G.
MORE APPETIZER INSPIRATION:
Air Fryer Italian Sliders.
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
Air Fryer Italian Sliders: Italian meats, cheeses, and pickled peppers are sandwiched between sweet rolls, topped with garlic butter, then cooked in the air fryer. Marinara for dipping (optional but recommended)!
Ingredients
- 12-count King’s Hawaiian Original Sweet Rolls
- 1 cup shredded or 4-6 deli slices mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded or 4-6 deli slices provolone cheese
- 9 slices (just under .25 pounds) salami
- 9 slices (just under .25 pounds) pepperoni
- 3 slices (just under .25 pounds) ham
- handful of banana peppers
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
- 3–4 garlic cloves, grated or minced
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
OPTIONAL:
- marinara sauce, for dipping
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
- SLICE AND LAYER THE SLIDERS. First, slice the rolls in half with a serrated knife. Place the bottom half in your air fryer basket. Then, place a layer of cheese, and a layer of each of the meats. Top with the final layer of cheese. Scatter the banana peppers then place the other layer of buns on top.
- MAKE THE GARLIC BUTTER TOPPING. In a small pan, begin melting the butter over low heat. When it’s almost fully melted, add in the minced parsley, grated garlic, and seasonings. Stir and cook on low for a couple of minutes, just until the flavors are infused. Brush the garlic butter evenly over the Italian sliders. You can reserve a tiny bit of the butter to brush over the air fryer Italian sliders right before you serve them, to get that glossy buttery look.
- MAKE THE GARLIC BUTTER TOPPING. In a small pan, begin melting the butter over low heat. When it’s almost fully melted, add in the minced parsley, grated garlic, and seasonings. Stir and cook on low for a couple of minutes, just until the flavors are infused. Brush the garlic butter evenly over the Italian sliders. You can reserve a tiny bit of the butter to brush over the air fryer Italian sliders right before you serve them, to get that glossy buttery look.
- COOK THE AIR FRYER ITALIAN SLIDERS. Set your air fryer to a low temperature (around 325° F or 163° C). Bake in the air fryer for eight to ten minutes. Everyone’s air fryer is different, so just keep an eye on them to ensure the cheese is melting, and the top buns are not getting too dark. They should be a nice golden-brown color! Serve with marinara if desired and enjoy!
Notes
- You may want to place a piece of foil over the sliders if you notice the tops are getting too browned.
- If you buy a quarter pound of each of the meats from the deli, you may have a little bit leftover of each (if you do one layer of each as I did). You can always add the extra meat to the sliders or use the leftovers for a sandwich!
- See the section in the post above “Optional Additions/Substitutions” for a list of different Italian meats, cheeses, and veggies.
- Oven Instructions: Prepare the Air Fryer Italian Sliders in an oven-safe baking dish. Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated 350° oven for about thirty minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers, 30 Minutes or Less
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
These have so much flavor! I love that there isn’t too much meat, to me it is overwhelming when there’s too many layers. Jenna found the perfect balance of meats, cheeses, and peppers ✨ the buttery sauce tops it all off, these sliders are my new favorite!!!
I’m happy to hear you found the sliders balanced, Megan! And I’m so glad you loved them!!! 😊
I love this one <3
I’m so glad to hear that, Kishorelin! Thanks for stopping by.
There is nothing like a Sweet Hawaiian roll sandwich. Your Italian sliders are nothing short of delicious goodness; I don’t even need the dipping sauce. Can’t wait to try your air fryer version.
I totally agree, sweet roll sandwiches are the best! I hope you love the recipe, Kevin.
These look amazing!! Definitely going to make these!
Thank you so much, Deanna! I hope you love the recipe. 😊
OMG these look amazing. I might make them tomorrow for the Superbowl!
That would be amazing, Christina! I hope you love them. 😋
These look sooo good! Added to my weekend snacking list!
I’m glad they look so good to you, Colette! I hope you enjoy the sliders. 😊
My husband and I tried this and it was a big hit! I made them for dinner for the both of us and we got 2 meals out of the recipe. My husband said it was a keeper!
Hi Cori! I’m so glad to hear you and your husband loved the recipe! 😊
These Air Fryer Italian Sliders look outstanding. The instructions are perfect. I can’t wait to try them!
I’m so glad you think so, Debbie! I hope you enjoy the recipe. 😊
Such a delectable recipe! Can’t wait to try it.
Hi Alpana! I’m so glad you think so. I hope you enjoy the recipe and please let me know if you have any questions for me! 😊
I’m OBSESSED with this recipe. My air fryer is hands down my best kitchen item, so I can’t wait to make these, my kids will love them!
Hi Belle! I’m so glad you hear you’re excited to make my air fryer Italian sliders recipe! I hope you and your kids love it. – Jenna 🖤
These are the ultimate tasty snack for movie night or watching some football with the family. I especially love how you’ve made the recipe so easy with your step by step photos. And the air fryer is the perfect way to infuse extra deliciousness into these heavenly sliders. So YUM!
I totally agree, Heidi! I’m glad you found my step-by-step photos helpful. Thank you so much for leaving your feedback! 🙂