14 Party Sliders and Sandwiches That Vanish Before the Game Even Starts

Have you ever noticed that the tiny food always disappears first at a party? Little sandwiches are easy to grab, easy to eat while talking, and somehow everyone takes three. These party sliders and sandwiches are made for game day, holiday open houses, birthdays and potlucks. Most of them bake in one pan or roll up in minutes, so you can actually enjoy your own party. Ready to find your new crowd favorite? Let us start with the king of them all..

Classic Cheeseburger Party Sliders

These are the party sliders everyone runs to first. Juicy beef, melted cheddar, a little bacon and a soft, buttery bun. You can bake a whole tray at once using a slab of slider rolls, which saves so much time. Brush the tops with garlic butter and sesame seeds and they look like they came from a restaurant. Be honest: pickles on your burger, yes or no?

You will need: 12 slider rolls, 1 1/2 lb ground beef, 1 small onion (minced), 6 slices cheddar, 6 strips cooked bacon, pickles, ketchup, mustard, 3 tbsp melted butter, 1 tsp garlic powder, sesame seeds.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 350F. Cook the beef and onion in a skillet, season with salt and pepper, and drain. Slice the slab of rolls in half without separating them. Spread the beef over the bottom half, add cheese, bacon and pickles. Put the top on, brush with garlic butter, add sesame seeds and bake 15 minutes. Cut and serve.

Pulled Pork Party Sliders

Slow cooked pulled pork is the best make ahead party food there is. You cook it the day before, warm it up, and pile it on soft buns with crunchy coleslaw. The sweet, smoky sauce and the cool slaw are a perfect match. Your slow cooker does all the hard work while you clean the house. Do you like your barbecue sauce sweet or tangy?

You will need: 3 lb pork shoulder, 1 cup barbecue sauce, 1/2 cup apple juice, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 12 slider buns, 2 cups coleslaw.

How to make it: Rub the pork with sugar, paprika, garlic, salt and pepper. Put it in a slow cooker with the apple juice. Cook on low 8 hours. Shred with two forks and stir in the barbecue sauce. Pile onto buns, top with coleslaw and hold together with toothpicks.

Crispy Chicken Party Sliders

Crispy chicken on a soft bun with a creamy sauce is pure comfort. Use chicken tenders so each piece fits a slider bun perfectly. Bake them or air fry them for less mess. A quick honey mustard or spicy mayo makes them taste special. Quick poll: A) honey mustard, B) spicy mayo, C) ranch or D) plain with pickles?

You will need: 12 chicken tenders, 1 cup flour, 2 eggs, 1 1/2 cups panko, 1 tsp paprika, 12 slider buns, lettuce, pickles, 1/2 cup mayo, 1 tbsp hot sauce or honey mustard.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 425F. Dip tenders in seasoned flour, then egg, then panko. Place on an oiled rack and bake 18 to 20 minutes, turning once, until golden and 165F inside. Mix mayo with hot sauce. Toast the buns, add lettuce, chicken, sauce and pickles.

Bacon Ranch Party Sliders

Bacon and ranch together are hard to beat. These burgers get a scoop of ranch seasoning right in the meat, so every bite is full of flavor. Add crispy bacon and melted cheese and you have a slider people will talk about after the party. Make the patties small and thin so they cook fast. Are you team bacon or team extra cheese?

You will need: 1 1/2 lb ground beef, 1 tbsp dry ranch seasoning, 12 slider buns, 6 slices pepper jack cheese, 8 strips bacon, lettuce, tomato, ranch dressing.

How to make it: Mix the beef with ranch seasoning and shape 12 thin patties. Cook the bacon until crisp. Cook the patties in a hot skillet 2 to 3 minutes per side. Add half a slice of cheese to each and cover to melt. Build with lettuce, tomato, bacon and a drizzle of ranch.

Meatball Subs Cut Into Party Bites

A meatball sub is messy in the best way. For a party, use small rolls or cut long subs into short pieces so everyone gets a taste. Cozy tomato sauce and melty mozzarella make this a winter favorite. You can use frozen meatballs to save time and nobody will ever know. Have you ever made meatballs from scratch?

You will need: 24 small meatballs (homemade or frozen), 3 cups marinara sauce, 6 small sub rolls, 8 oz shredded mozzarella, 1/4 cup parmesan, fresh basil.

How to make it: Simmer the meatballs in marinara for 20 minutes. Heat the oven to 375F. Split the rolls and set them in a baking dish. Fill each with 4 meatballs and some sauce. Top with mozzarella and parmesan. Bake 10 minutes until bubbly. Add basil and cut into halves to serve.

Spinach and Cream Cheese Pinwheels

Pinwheels look fancy but they are one of the easiest party foods you can make. Spread soft cream cheese on a tortilla, add spinach and fillings, roll it up tight and slice. The swirl inside always gets a wow. Make them the night before and they slice even cleaner. Which filling would you try: turkey, ham or veggie?

You will need: 4 large flour tortillas, 8 oz cream cheese (soft), 1 cup chopped spinach, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar, 1/4 cup chopped red pepper, 1 tsp ranch seasoning, sliced turkey (optional).

How to make it: Mix the cream cheese with ranch seasoning. Spread it thin over each tortilla. Sprinkle with spinach, cheddar and pepper, then add turkey if you like. Roll up tightly and wrap in plastic. Chill at least 2 hours. Trim the ends and slice into 1 inch rounds.

Cucumber Tea Sandwiches

These little sandwiches feel like a garden party in England. Thin bread, cool cucumber and herby cream cheese make them light and fresh. They are perfect next to heavier party food. Cut off the crusts and slice them into triangles or fingers for a classic look. Would you serve these at a baby shower or a holiday tea?

You will need: 12 slices soft white bread, 1 English cucumber, 8 oz cream cheese, 2 tbsp fresh dill, 1 tbsp chives, 1 tsp lemon juice, salt.

How to make it: Slice the cucumber very thin and pat dry with paper towels. Mix the cream cheese with dill, chives, lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Spread on all bread slices. Layer cucumber on half of them and close. Trim the crusts and cut each sandwich into 4 triangles.

Wrapped Finger Sandwiches for a Crowd

When you are feeding a big group, wrapped sandwich wedges are a lifesaver. Fill them with chicken, egg or tuna salad, cut into halves and wrap each one in paper. They stay fresh, they are easy to grab, and nobody makes a mess. This is how many cafes do it, and it works at home too. How many sandwiches do you think one guest eats?

You will need: 16 slices sandwich bread, 3 cups chicken salad or tuna salad, lettuce, sliced tomato, parchment paper, tape or stickers.

How to make it: Spread the filling on 8 slices of bread. Add lettuce and tomato, then top with the remaining bread. Cut each sandwich in half on the diagonal. Wrap each half in parchment and seal. Chill until party time. Plan about 2 halves per guest.

Giant Party Sub

A giant sub is a showstopper on any game day table. Use one long loaf, stack it with meats, cheese and crunchy veggies, then cut it into slices. It feeds a crowd for less money than takeout. Make it a few hours ahead and wrap it tight so the flavors blend. Do you like your sub with oil and vinegar or mayo?

You will need: 1 long Italian loaf, 6 oz ham, 6 oz salami, 6 oz turkey, 6 slices provolone, lettuce, tomato, red onion, banana peppers, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, oregano.

How to make it: Slice the loaf lengthwise. Drizzle with oil, vinegar and oregano. Layer the meats and cheese on the bottom. Add lettuce, tomato, onion and peppers. Close and wrap tightly in plastic. Chill 1 hour, then cut into 2 inch slices with a serrated knife.

Ham and Cheese Croissant Sandwiches

Flaky croissants make any sandwich feel like a treat. Fill them with ham and Swiss, then warm them so the cheese just starts to melt. A little honey mustard ties it all together. They are great for a holiday brunch or a cozy afternoon party. Do you prefer them warm or cold?

You will need: 8 croissants, 8 oz sliced ham, 8 slices Swiss cheese, 3 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp honey, lettuce.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 350F. Slice the croissants open. Mix the mustard and honey and spread inside. Add ham and cheese. Close and bake on a sheet for 8 minutes until the cheese melts. Add lettuce and serve warm.

Mini Club Sandwiches

The club sandwich is a diner classic, and it works great as party food when cut into small wedges. Three layers of toast with turkey, bacon, lettuce and tomato make every bite tall and satisfying. Use toothpicks to hold each piece together. Quick poll: A) turkey club, B) chicken club, C) veggie club?

You will need: 12 slices toast, 8 oz sliced turkey, 8 strips cooked bacon, lettuce, 2 tomatoes, 1/3 cup mayo, toothpicks.

How to make it: Spread mayo on the toast. Layer turkey and lettuce on one slice, top with toast, then add bacon and tomato and a third slice. Press gently. Push in 4 toothpicks and cut into 4 triangles. Repeat. Serve with a salad or chips.

BLT Party Sandwiches

The BLT is simple, but when it is made well it is perfect. Thick crispy bacon, ripe tomato and cool lettuce on toasted bread. For a party, cut them into halves and stack them high. You can also bake the bacon on a tray to make a big batch with no splatter. What makes the best BLT: more bacon or better tomatoes?

You will need: 12 slices bread, 1 lb thick bacon, 3 ripe tomatoes, 1 head romaine or butter lettuce, 1/2 cup mayo, black pepper.

How to make it: Bake the bacon at 400F on a lined tray for 18 to 20 minutes until crisp. Toast the bread. Spread with mayo. Layer lettuce, tomato slices with pepper, and 3 strips bacon. Close and cut in half. Serve right away.

Caprese Pesto Sandwiches

Fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes and green pesto make a sandwich that tastes like summer, even in December. It is also a great meat free option for guests. Use ciabatta or focaccia so the bread holds up. Press it in a hot pan if you want it warm and melty. Would you add balsamic glaze on top?

You will need: 1 large ciabatta, 8 oz fresh mozzarella, 3 tomatoes, 1/3 cup basil pesto, fresh basil, olive oil, balsamic glaze (optional), salt.

How to make it: Slice the ciabatta in half. Spread pesto on both sides. Layer sliced mozzarella and tomato, season with salt and add basil. Drizzle with oil and balsamic. Close, press lightly and cut into 6 pieces. Toast in a pan for 2 minutes per side if you like it warm.

Mini Egg Salad Party Sliders

Egg salad might be the most underrated party food. It is cheap, creamy and loved by kids and grandparents alike. Spoon it onto soft rolls or thick bread for a quick little sandwich. A pinch of paprika and some fresh chives make it look pretty. Which of these party sliders will you make first? See more crowd food in these game day dips.

You will need: 8 hard boiled eggs, 1/3 cup mayo, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp chopped chives, 1 celery stalk (minced), salt, pepper, paprika, 8 small rolls or 8 slices bread.

How to make it: Peel and chop the eggs. Mix with mayo, mustard, celery, chives, salt and pepper. Chill 30 minutes. Spoon onto rolls or bread. Sprinkle with paprika and serve cold.