Howdy Partners!
Are you ready for some football? Ok, football food? You know that is my favorite part of football season. Forget the game and give me some finger food! Come on, you know what I am talking about. I love making appetizers and mini foods that you can eat with your hand. Yummers! For #SundaySupper this week, our mission is to make tailgating foods and I have a fun one for you today!
How cute is this little burger? I got the idea for these burgers from Wendy’s restaurant. My Husband kept seeing their bacon burger on pretzel rolls and he has been bugging me to go. I originally was going to make pretzel rolls, but timing wasn’t on my side. So I did the next best thing and made Sally’s Baking Addiction 30 minute pretzels. I turned her pretzels into homemade rolls. They are moist, light, fluffy and I added salt on top to give them a pretzel taste. Sally’s pretzels are one of my Husbands favorite recipes. When I first discovered her recipe we were eating pretzels weekly. It’s a fantastic recipe and goes great with my little bacon burgers!!
I do plan on making traditional pretzel rolls in the near future but for now I stuck to what I know and what we like. The pretzels/rolls are super easy to make, no rising time involved. Just mix up the batter knead a few times and grab 2 oz. of dough and rolls into a ball and place on baking sheet. Here they are before they went in the oven.
For the burgers, I used lean ground beef and lightly rolled them into 2 oz sizes. That is the perfect size for my 2 oz rolls. The key thing in making the burgers perfectly moist and not dried out is to not pack them tight when making them into a patty and placing a thumb print in the center before grilling. The thumb print prevents the burger from rising into a round ball, and it stays more flat like a burger would be. I was a little nervous about making a small burger, but they turned out moist and delicious. My Husband really loves them. Before I learned how to make a perfect burger my Husband didn’t care for them, but now he LOVES them and he almost loves these sliders. Yes I said almost, see why below the picture.
Ok, now don’t get me wrong, he thought the burgers were really good, he loved them, well kind of. He said he doesn’t like sliders. He said he doesn’t understand a small burger. He doesn’t get why people like them. He said he prefers a normal size burger. He just doesn’t get it! Having a slider, lets you sample other goodies with out the guilt. Well unless you go overboard , which can be pretty easy when you have finger food!
I almost forgot the most important ingredient, the bacon! I had to zip it up and add a slice of bacon to each burger. This gives them a nice salty taste, and besides it’s bacon! No excuse is really needed to make it. I use Oscar Meyers Center Cut Bacon which is 60 calories for two slices and I only used about a slice maybe less on each burger. And oh man were these burgers good! I would sooooooo eat these again and soon!! I served my burgers with a pickle and some baked salt and vinegar potato chips. So good, so easy!! We had 3 leftover from dinner, so my Husband took them to work the next day and he said he microwaved them for a few seconds and they were perfectly good! Yah, now you can have burgers for leftovers!!
- ***Burgers***
- 1 lbs lean ground beef (96/4)
- ½ tsp basil, dried
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
- ⅛ tsp. salt
- 8 mini rolls (see recipe below)
- 8 slices bacon, cooked (I used Oscar Meyer Center Cut)
- ***For Rolls***
- 1½ cups warm water (lukewarm, no need to take temperature)
- 1 packet active yeast (2 and ¼ teaspoons)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2½ - 3½ cups bread flour (I used 2½ cups)
- ¼ cup egg substitute or 1 large egg
- Kosher Salt for sprinkling (I used Kosher Salt)
- To make the burger ; in a bowl, add ground beef, dried basil, black pepper,and salt. Mix together until combined.
- Divide the ground beef mixture into 8 equal pieces (2 oz each)and form into a patty. But don't make it a tight patty. Place a thumb print on the top of the meat and refrigerate for 30 minutes, while you make the rolls.
- Place the burgers on grill and cook until done. About 5 minutes per side.
- Let the burgers rest for 5 minutes.
- To serve, cut buns in half and place burgers on bottom slice of bun and top each burger with a slice of bacon, broken in half. Add top bun over top of burger.
- ***For rolls***
- Preheat oven to 425F Degrees
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or Silpat; set a aside.
- In a large bowl add yeast and water; stir with wooden spoon. After 1 minutes, add salt and sugar; mix until combined. Add bread flour one cup at a time, mixing in between each cup. Add enough flour to where the dough pulls a way from the sides of the bowl (I used 2½ cups). Knead dough about 5 -10 times until soft and there is no more flour remaining in the bowl.
- Take off pieces about 2 oz in size and in the palm of your hand roll into a ball. Place dough onto baking sheet.
- Place the egg in a bowl and scramble with a fork, brush each piece of dough with the egg and sprinkle with salt.
- Bake in oven for 5 minutes; then turn the broiler on and bake for 5 more minutes until lightly golden.
- While rolls are cooling, grill your burgers.
- Roll recipe is from Sally's Baking Addiction
I broke the calories down separately in case you want to make one or the other.
Calories per burger with bacon: 100, Fat: 4.3, Cholesterol: 35, Sodium: 167, Potassium: 0, Carbs: 0, Fiber: 0, Sugar: 0, Protein: 19
Calories per roll: 98, Fat: 0, Cholesterol: 0, Sodium: 203, Potassium: 7.8, Carbs: 19, Fiber: 1, Sugar: 2, Protein: 4
Total Calories for sliders: 198, Fat: 4.3, Cholesterol: 35 Sodium: 370, Potassium: 7.8, Fiber: 1, Sugar: 2, Protein: 23

I hope my recipe directions sounds ok. Sometimes I tend to over think things and make it more confusing. You know what I mean when you keep changing something and it ends up more and more confusing? That’s how I am right now as I am writing this!
Anyway! I hope you like my mini sliders. We loved them and total time in and out is about 40 minutes, including chill time for the beef. This is a really fast appetizer that you can whip together at the last minute. I love recipes like that. I made these when I came home from work, and even with typing out the recipe, researching and testing the recipe, I was eating my burgers in less than an hour. I really think these will be a hit at your next tailgating party or just having as a week night dinner! You can make a burger table. Have the burgers on a plate, buns in a basket, bacon on the side with all of your condiments. Totally fun!!!
I love this weeks mission and I am really excited to check out everyone’s recipes! LOVE Football food season!
Have a great Sunday!!!
Toodles,
Jennifer
Warm Ups (Appetizers):
- Bacon and Onion Dip by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Chicken Fajita Dip and Quesadillas by Chocolate Moosey
- Crab Rangoons by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Double Cheese Dill Scones by Vintage Kitchen Notes
- Fried Yucca With Pink Sauce by Basic N Delicious
- Grilled Corn Dip by Kudos Kitchen By Renee
- Grilled Gameday Nachos by Supper for a Steal
- Homemade Potato Chips w/ Blue Cheese Sauce by girlichef
- Liptauer Cheese Spread by Magnolia Days
- Mahogany Baked Chicken Wings by The Dinner-Mom
- Mexican Corn Dip by Growing Up Gabel
- Pizza Dip by Small Wallet, Big Appetite
- Posh Pigs In a Blanket by The Weekend Gourmet
- Pretzel Nuggets by I Run For Wine
- Roasted Garlic & Tomatillo Salsa Verde by Killer Bunnies, Inc
- Savory Baked Pinwheel’s by The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Sesame Glazed Cauliflower “Wings” by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Stuffed Banana Pepper Bites by Daily Dish Recipes
- Sweet Potato Hummus by Alida’s Kitchen
- Sweet Potato Skins by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- VJ Catch-erole by My Other City By The Bay
Game Time (Main Dishes and Sides):
- 1,2,3,4,5 Chinese Spareribs by The Urban Mrs
- Bacon Burger Sliders by Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Beef on Weck by Healthy. Delicious.
- Carrot Slaw by The Foodie Army Wife
- Cheerwine BBQ Pulled Pork by Nik Snacks
- Chicken, Bacon, Ranch Quesadillas by Cookin’ Mimi
- Chicken, Brie and Apple Turnovers by Shockingly Delicious
- Easy Grilled Chicken Caesar Sandwiches by Momma’s Meals
- French Onion Chicken Sandwiches by Foxes Love Lemons
- Frito Olé by Home Cooking Memories
- Gomoku Treasure Rice by NinjaBaking.com
- Grilled Fajita Kebabs by CuriousCuisiniere
- Hatch Chile Pimento Cheese Burgers by Juanita’s Cocina
- Italian Tuna and Shells Salad by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Pressed Brick Sandwich by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Pulled Lamb Barbecue Sandwiches by The Texan New Yorker
- Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Soup by Neighborfood
- Smoky Turkey Burgers by Webicurean
- Snorker and Spicy Slaw Sandwiches by Food Lust People Love
- Tandoori BBQ Chicken by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
- Tortilla Hot Dogs by La Cocina de Leslie
Overtime (Drinks and Desserts):
- Coconut Funfetti Ice Cream Cake by What Smells So Good?
- Funfetti Sugar Cookies by Pies and Plots
- Individual Elvis Pies by Treats & Trinkets
- Portuguese Sangria by Family Foodie
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I love sliders. Haha my husband would probably say the same thing about them, whatever I think they are fun 🙂 The buns sound great!
Love the home made rolls! It takes a slider from yum…to va va voom!
I like to make different types of burgers to offer and sliders work for sampling! Love your rolls too, Jen!
Gotta love finger food…especially sliders. And especially with bacon ;). Yum!
Yummy! I love sliders too…guys just don’t understand the concept of portion control :lol:!
Love love love the rolls!! 😉
You know we love them! Thank you so much Sally for the recipe! You have no idea how many times I have made these and all different versions. My Husband is nuts for your pretzel recipe!!
Mmm.. these look so good and I love that you made your own rolls for them! Brilliance!
Those are so cute! Funny, I made pretzel buns with my leftover pretzel dough from this weeks Sunday Supper. I didn’t size them correctly, after they expanded, they were bigger than my head!!
Howdy! I am totally drooling over here… not only do I want the burgers, I want those rolls!
I think I’m with your husband on the issue of sliders… That may be because I eat meals or snacks, but not appetizers or finger foods. That said, one of these sliders would be a perfect snack for me. The rolls sound really fabulous. I could see making them a little larger to work for regular burgers. (If I keep going with making my own everything, I’ll never get out of the kitchen!!) Too many good ideas out there!
These sliders look great and I am in love with the homemade rolls.. could I stop myself from just eating them? I don’t know!
Great idea to turn the pretzels into rolls. I’m not always a burger fan, but a homemade roll would certainly make them irresistible!
LOVE these! What a great idea with the pretzel buns! I’ve been wanting to try homemade pretzels but I’m liking these buns instead! Thanks for sharing!
I bet the homemade buns totally make them. Plus, you can get them the perfect size! Yum.
I love these burgers and love that you served them on homemade buns! Gorgeous!!
I love sliders. I made some recently. They’re just so cute and tasty! You can have a flight of them with all different flavors and types. YUM!
The mini bacon burgers are beautiful! Bravo, Jennifer!
P.s. When the husband endorses the food, you know you’ve got a winner, right?
Thank you Ninja Baker! 🙂
Wow these sounds GREAT Jennifer! I love how ambitious you were to even make your own rolls! Great work! Next time you should try a pretzel bun!
I have a pretzel bum recipe I want to try but with the heat I don’t want to turn the oven on, but I plan on making it the next couple of weeks!!
Absolutely perfect for football season!!!
Me too!!! It seems like so much excitement, especially on Sundays!
Bacon burgers are one of my son’s most favorite foods…he doesn’t see a point to a burger unless it has bacon on it…lol. This would be perfect for him! Love that you put it on homemade rolls too.
My Husband is like your son! It has to have bacon on it or it’s boring!
All these gorgeous burgers this week, yours included. What a potluck this would be in real life!
I know, I wish we could all get to together for real and have a big foodie party!
I am so impressed that you made your own rolls! These look fantastic!
Thank you!!!
We just ordered take-out burgers, I wish I had one of yours! 🙂
yum! Even my picky sister would go for these
I am SO ready for football and these adorable sliders. Since they’re small I can eat three right?!
Well, eat two! 🙂
Oh, I love sliders one reason is because you can eat more than one and they are also perfect for the kiddos 🙂 Yummy – thank you for sharing!
Your welcome! I’m a big slider fan myself! I ate two of these bad boys!
Most homemade rolls turn a good burger into a great one Jennifer. The best part of watching sports is the food…jaja, and these burgers look amazing! Extra points for the homemade bread of course!
Thank you Paula! Score!!! 🙂
“You know what I mean when you keep changing something and it ends up more and more confusing?” —–Yes, I know exactly. I like to try to make recipe directions sound professional (because that’s how I was taught at a publishing company I used to work for), but then I worry that it sounds too sterile and not in a “fun, food blog” tone. I guess it’s a little different than the problem you’re having, but I struggle too!
I am going to need to try those pretzel rolls. I’m not much of a baker, but you make it sound so easy. And you can bet that I will for sure be using them for sliders!
It’s way better to sound professional then a mess like me! lol You know what is the hardest for me to give a description of? A sandwich! Everyone knows it’s something between two slices of bread, but to give a detailed description is hard. You know what I mean? Add ham to bottom piece of bread, top the ham with lettuce, top lettuce with tomato, add the top slice of bread with mayo side facing down onto the tomato. It’s crazy!!
Sliders are so great for tailgating or a party. You can always eat a two or three. Great idea to make the pretzel rolls. Nice change from the usual little potato rolls.
Thanks Renee! 🙂
I love sliders. They are such great game day food and so much easier to eat then huge monster burgers. Yours look delicious.
Ahhh, thank you Hezzi! 🙂
Sliders are the bomb!!! And I love that you bake your own rolls for them – double win!
Thank you Constance! The rolls do make it a double win!
I *love* sliders! Sliders are perfect because then you can have 3 without feeling guilty, if your husband must know! BTW are you using Easy Recipe? Within the ingredients and the directions, you can use the ! at the beginning of the line to create a bolded sub-heading to separate the components–ie, instead of **for rolls** you would type !For Rolls