Candied Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders

Sweet, smoky candied bacon meets juicy cheeseburger meat and buttery slider buns in these irresistible little sandwiches. They’re perfect for parties, game days, family dinners, or an easy appetizer.

Ingredients

For the candied bacon:

8 strips thick-cut bacon
¼ cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon honey
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Pinch of cayenne pepper, optional

For the burger filling:

1½ lbs (680 g) ground beef, preferably 80/20
1 small yellow onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
8 slices cheddar or American cheese

For the sliders:

12 Hawaiian rolls or soft dinner rolls
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon sesame seeds, optional
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, optional

For the sauce:

½ cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 tablespoon pickle relish
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon smoked paprika

Optional toppings:

Dill pickle slices
Thinly sliced red onion
Shredded lettuce
Sliced tomatoes
Pickled jalapeños

Directions

Make the candied bacon:
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack over it. Lightly grease the rack.
Arrange the bacon strips in a single layer on the rack.
In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, smoked paprika, black pepper, and cayenne if using.
Brush the mixture generously over both sides of the bacon.
Bake for 18–25 minutes, turning once halfway through. Watch carefully during the final few minutes because the sugar can burn quickly.
Remove the bacon and let it cool for 5–10 minutes. It will become crispier as it cools. Cut each strip in half.
Prepare the burger mixture:
Place ground beef in a large bowl. Add diced onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Mix gently with your hands just until combined. Avoid overmixing, which can make the beef tough.
Cook the beef:
Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Press the beef mixture into a large rectangle roughly the size of your slider buns.
Cook for about 4–5 minutes on the first side. Carefully flip and cook another 3–4 minutes, or until the beef reaches a safe internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
Place the cheese slices over the hot beef. Cover the skillet for 1–2 minutes until the cheese melts.
Assemble the sliders:
Without separating the rolls, carefully slice the entire package horizontally to create a top and bottom layer.
Place the bottom half of the rolls in a baking dish or on a lined baking sheet.
Place the cheesy beef patty over the rolls. Cut the beef into 12 portions if necessary.
Add pieces of candied bacon over each slider.
Add pickles, onions, or any other desired toppings.
Make the sauce:
Whisk mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle relish, garlic powder, and smoked paprika together until smooth.
Spread the sauce over the inside of the top buns.
Place the top buns over the sliders.
Finish the buns:
Brush the tops with melted butter. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and parsley if desired.
Bake the assembled sliders at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes, just until the buns are warm and lightly toasted.
Remove from the oven and let them rest for 2–3 minutes. Slice between the rolls and serve warm.

Tips

Thick-cut bacon works especially well because it stays meaty and crispy after caramelizing.
Keep a close eye on the bacon during the last few minutes because brown sugar and maple syrup can caramelize quickly.
Don’t overwork the ground beef.
For extra cheesy sliders, use two layers of cheese.
American cheese gives the smoothest classic cheeseburger texture, while cheddar provides a stronger flavor.
Add the candied bacon immediately before assembling so it retains its crisp texture.
For a spicy-sweet version, add extra cayenne to the bacon glaze and sliced jalapeños to the sliders.

Nut information

The basic recipe contains no peanuts or tree nuts.
Check the labels of bacon, slider rolls, Worcestershire sauce, mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, chocolate-free toppings, and seasonings for possible allergen or cross-contact warnings.
Some specialty buns may contain nuts or be produced in facilities handling nuts.
For a nut-free preparation, choose packaged ingredients specifically labeled according to your allergy requirements.
Sesame seeds are optional and should be omitted if sesame is also an allergen concern.

Nutrition estimate

Per slider, based on 12 sliders and excluding optional toppings:

Calories: approximately 410
Protein: 20 g
Carbohydrates: 27 g
Fat: 26 g
Saturated fat: 10 g
Sugar: 11 g
Fiber: 1 g
Sodium: approximately 700 mg

Q/S

Prep time: 25 minutes
Candied bacon: 20–25 minutes
Burger cooking: 10 minutes
Assembly and baking: 15 minutes
Total time: About 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 12 sliders
Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Storage

Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 8–10 minutes for the best texture. The candied bacon is best when freshly made.

Author
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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.