Introduction

Pretzel Cowboy Sliders are a hearty, flavorful twist on classic sliders, featuring seasoned ground beef, smoky bacon, sharp cheddar, and crispy fried onions layered on soft pretzel buns. Perfect for game day or casual gatherings, these sliders combine bold flavors with a satisfying texture in every bite.

A small sandwich sits on a white tray lined with brown paper, showing three clear layers: the top layer is a shiny, golden-brown bun sprinkled with tiny herbs and seasoning, the middle layer consists of sliced green jalapeños adding a fresh, smooth texture, and the bottom layer is a mix of cooked ground beef and small bits of cooked onions with a slightly oily look, all held together by a soft, golden-brown bun at the base. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
½ yellow onion, diced (about ½ cup)
½ teaspoon garlic, minced
1 tablespoon hamburger seasoning
½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon seasoned salt
1 package (9-count) King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Slider Buns
1 medium jalapeño pepper, seeded and sliced
6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled (about 1 cup)
1 cup (113 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup (80 g) French’s crispy fried onions
1 recipe cowboy butter, made without lemon juice, melted and divided

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray an 8×8-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set it aside.
Step 2: In a medium skillet over medium heat, combine the ground beef, diced onion, minced garlic, hamburger seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and seasoned salt.
Step 3: Cook the mixture for 8-10 minutes, breaking up the beef with a wooden spoon, until fully cooked and no longer pink. Remove from heat and discard any excess grease.
Step 4: Split the pretzel slider buns in half horizontally. Place the bottom halves in the prepared baking dish and drizzle about 2 tablespoons of melted cowboy butter over them.
Step 5: Spread the cooked ground beef mixture evenly over the bottom halves of the buns.
Step 6: Top the beef with sliced jalapeños, crumbled bacon, and shredded cheddar cheese.
Step 7: Sprinkle the crispy fried onions evenly over the cheese layer.
Step 8: Place the top halves of the slider buns onto the assembled ingredients. Brush the tops with 2 tablespoons of melted cowboy butter.
Step 9: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is hot and bubbly.
Step 10: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the tops of the buns turn golden brown.
Step 11: Remove from oven, slice, and serve the sliders warm with any remaining cowboy butter for brushing or dipping.

Tips & Variations

For extra smoky flavor, use smoked cheddar or add a dash of smoked paprika to the beef mixture.
Try swapping jalapeños for pickled banana peppers for a milder heat with tang.
Make the sliders vegetarian by using plant-based ground meat and omitting bacon.
Prepare cowboy butter ahead and keep it warm to brush over sliders just before serving for added richness.

Storage

Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven covered with foil for about 10 minutes until warm and cheese is melty. Avoid microwaving to keep buns from becoming soggy.

How to Serve

Nine browned slider buns with a glossy top layer sprinkled with green herbs and small bits of garlic are neatly arranged in a silver baking tray. Underneath each bun, there is a layer of cooked ground beef mixed with bits of green jalapeno peppers and crispy fried onions which peek out from the sides. Around the tray on a white marbled surface, scattered slices of fresh green jalapenos and crispy fried onions add texture. The buns have a soft, shiny golden-brown crust with slight grill marks and a glaze that makes them look juicy. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these sliders ahead of time?

You can assemble the sliders up to one day ahead, cover them tightly with foil, and refrigerate. Add the final bake time when ready to serve to ensure they are hot and bubbly.

What is cowboy butter?

Cowboy butter is a savory, melted butter mixture often flavored with garlic, herbs, and spices. It adds richness and a zesty kick to dishes like these sliders.

Pretzel Cowboy Sliders Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 81 reviews

These Pretzel Cowboy Sliders are a savory and indulgent treat featuring seasoned ground beef, jalapeños, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and French’s crispy fried onions all layered between soft King’s Hawaiian pretzel slider buns. Topped and brushed with flavorful cowboy butter, these baked sliders deliver a perfect blend of smoky, spicy, and buttery flavors, ideal for game days, parties, or casual get-togethers.

Author: Daniel
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 9 sliders 1x
Category: Slider
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Beef Mixture

1 pound ground beef
½ yellow onion, diced (about ½ cup)
½ teaspoon garlic, minced
1 tablespoon hamburger seasoning
½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon seasoned salt

Slider Assembly

1 package (9-count) King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Slider Buns
1 medium jalapeño pepper, seeded and sliced
6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled (about 1 cup)
1 cup (113 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup (80 g) French’s crispy fried onions
1 recipe cowboy butter (made without lemon juice), melted and divided

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray an 8×8-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Prepare Hamburger Mixture: In a medium skillet over medium heat, add ground beef, diced yellow onion, minced garlic, hamburger seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and seasoned salt. Cook for 8-10 minutes, breaking up the beef with a wooden spoon, until the meat is no longer pink. Drain and discard any excess grease.
Assemble Slider Base: Slice the King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Slider Buns in half horizontally and place the bottom halves evenly in the sprayed baking dish.
Add Cowboy Butter to Bottom Buns: Evenly pour about 2 tablespoons of melted cowboy butter over the bottom halves of the pretzel buns to add rich flavor and moisture.
Layer Meat and Toppings: Spoon the cooked ground beef mixture evenly over the buttered bun bottoms. Top the meat with sliced jalapeños, crumbled bacon, and shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
Add Crispy Fried Onions: Distribute the French’s crispy fried onions evenly over the cheese for extra texture and flavor.
Top Buns and Apply Butter: Place the top halves of the pretzel slider buns over the layered ingredients. Brush the tops with about 2 tablespoons of the melted cowboy butter.
Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes, until the cheese is hot and bubbly.
Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for another 3-5 minutes, or until the tops of the sliders are golden brown and lightly crisp.
Serve: Remove from the oven, slice the sliders, and serve immediately. Optionally brush the remaining cowboy butter over the sliders or serve it on the side for dipping.

Notes

Be sure to discard excess grease after cooking the ground beef to avoid soggy sliders.
For a milder version, remove all seeds from the jalapeño before slicing.
Make cowboy butter ahead of time and keep it warm for easy brushing.
If you cannot find King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Slider Buns, soft pretzel buns or Hawaiian rolls can be used as alternatives.
Ensure the baking dish is properly sprayed or buttered to prevent buns from sticking during baking.

Keywords: pretzel sliders, cowboy sliders, Hawaiian pretzel buns, ground beef sliders, bacon cheese sliders, baked sliders, appetizer, party food