Description
Mini Bagel Sliders with juicy homemade meatballs, customizable with your favorite toppings for a fun and delicious appetizer or meal!
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 Mini Bagels (plain, sesame, everything your choice!)
- 1 lb Ground Beef (80/20 blend recommended for flavor)
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 medium Yellow Onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Dried Oregano
- 1/2 tsp Dried Basil
- 1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes (optional, for a little kick)
- 1/2 cup Breadcrumbs (plain or Italian seasoned)
- 1 large Egg, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup Milk
- Salt and Black Pepper to taste
- 6 slices Cheddar Cheese, halved (or your favorite cheese)
- Optional Toppings: Lettuce, Tomato slices, Pickles, Ketchup, Mustard, Mayonnaise, Bacon, Avocado
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, sautéed onion and garlic mixture (let it cool slightly first!), dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), breadcrumbs, egg, and milk. Season generously with salt and black pepper.
- Use your hands to gently mix all the ingredients together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough meatballs.
- Using your hands, form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1-inch in diameter. You should get approximately 24 meatballs, enough for two meatballs per slider. If you want them perfectly uniform, you can use a small cookie scoop.
- Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan.
- Cook the meatballs, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides. This should take about 5-7 minutes per batch.
- If you want to add extra flavor and moisture, you can simmer the meatballs in your favorite tomato sauce. After browning, pour about 1-2 cups of tomato sauce into the skillet. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through. If you skip this step, make sure the meatballs are cooked through in the previous step.
- To ensure the meatballs are cooked through, you can use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, cut one meatball in half to check that it’s no longer pink inside.
- While the meatballs are cooking, slice the mini bagels in half horizontally.
- If you like a little crunch, you can toast the bagel halves lightly in a toaster or under the broiler. Keep a close eye on them under the broiler, as they can burn quickly!
- If you’re using cheese, place a half-slice of cheddar cheese (or your cheese of choice) on the bottom half of each bagel.
- Place two meatballs on top of the cheese (or directly on the bagel if you’re skipping the cheese). If you simmered the meatballs in sauce, spoon a little extra sauce over them.
- Now’s the time to get creative! Add your favorite toppings, such as lettuce, tomato slices, pickles, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, bacon, or avocado.
- Place the top half of the bagel on top of the meatballs and toppings.
- Serve the bagel sliders immediately and enjoy! These are best enjoyed warm.
Notes
- Cheese Variations: Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese, such as mozzarella, provolone, pepper jack, or even a creamy goat cheese.
- Meat Variations: You can also use ground turkey or ground chicken instead of ground beef. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Spice it Up: For a spicier kick, add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the meatball mixture. You could also use a spicy marinara sauce.
- Vegetarian Option: For a vegetarian option, use plant-based ground meat or make lentil meatballs.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the meatballs ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Just cook them according to the instructions when you’re ready to assemble the sliders.
- Freezing: Cooked meatballs can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating and assembling the sliders.
- Garlic Bread Bagels: For an extra garlicky flavor, brush the cut sides of the bagels with garlic butter before toasting.
- Italian Bagel Sliders: Use Italian seasoned breadcrumbs and add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese to the meatball mixture. Serve with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
- BBQ Bagel Sliders: Use BBQ sauce instead of tomato sauce and top with coleslaw for a classic BBQ flavor.
- Hawaiian Bagel Sliders: Add a slice of grilled pineapple and some ham to the sliders for a tropical twist.
- Bacon Lovers: Crumble cooked bacon into the meatball mixture and top the sliders with crispy bacon strips.
- Avocado Addition: Add slices of fresh avocado for a creamy and healthy addition.
- Pickle Power: Experiment with different types of pickles, such as dill pickles, sweet pickles, or even spicy pickles.
- Onion Options: Instead of yellow onion, try using red onion or caramelized onions for a different flavor profile.
- Herb Heaven: Add fresh herbs, such as parsley, basil, or oregano, to the meatball mixture for a burst of freshness.
- Slider Sauce: Create a special slider sauce by combining mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, and a touch of Worcestershire sauce.
- Mini Skewers: For a fun presentation, thread the meatballs, cheese, and toppings onto mini skewers and serve them alongside the bagel halves.
- Bagel Size Matters: While this recipe calls for mini bagels, you can also use regular-sized bagels. Just adjust the number of meatballs per slider accordingly.
- Meatball Size Matters Too: Adjust the meatball size to fit your bagels. Smaller bagels, smaller meatballs.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes