Oven-Baked French Dip Sliders – Easy, Cozy, and Crowd-Pleasing
Small, warm, and packed with flavor, these Oven-Baked French Dip Sliders make any night feel a little special. They’re simple to prep, great for feeding a group, and taste like a melty deli sandwich made at home. The buttery tops crisp up in the oven while the cheese and roast beef turn irresistibly gooey.
And the best part? You get a rich, savory au jus for dipping that pulls the whole thing together. It’s comfort food without the fuss.
Oven-Baked French Dip Sliders - Easy, Cozy, and Crowd-Pleasing
Ingredients
Method
- Prep the pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment or lightly grease it.
- Build the base: Slice the slider rolls horizontally as one slab. Place the bottom slab in the baking dish.
- Layer the cheese: Lay half the provolone slices on the rolls, covering edge to edge.This creates a barrier that keeps the bread from getting soggy.
- Add the beef: Pile on the roast beef evenly. Don’t worry about it looking perfect—just spread it so every slider has a generous amount.
- Top with more cheese: Add the remaining provolone slices.
- Cap with rolls: Place the top slab of rolls over the cheese.
- Make the butter glaze: In a small bowl, mix melted butter, Dijon, Worcestershire, onion powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Brush evenly over the tops of the rolls.Sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds if using.
- Cover and bake: Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- Uncover and finish: Remove the foil and bake another 8–10 minutes, until the tops are golden and the cheese is melted.
- Make the au jus while they bake: In a small saucepan, combine beef broth, Worcestershire, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, Dijon, and balsamic or wine if using. Simmer 5–7 minutes to reduce slightly. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
- Slice and serve: Let the sliders rest for 3–5 minutes, then cut along the roll lines.Serve warm with small bowls of au jus for dipping.
What Makes This Recipe So Good
- Big flavor, little effort: You’ll use deli roast beef, melty cheese, and a quick pan-made au jus.Minimal prep, maximum payoff.
- Perfect for sharing: Sliders feed a crowd and bake all at once, so you’re not stuck assembling individual sandwiches.
- Great texture: Soft rolls, gooey cheese, and a slightly crisp, buttery top make every bite satisfying.
- Customizable: Swap cheeses, add onions or horseradish, or use different rolls without changing the method.
- Make-ahead friendly: You can assemble early and bake when ready, then reheat leftovers easily.
What You’ll Need
- 12 slider rolls (Hawaiian-style or soft dinner rolls)
- 1 pound thinly sliced roast beef (deli-style or leftover roast)
- 8–10 slices provolone (or Swiss, mozzarella, or a combo)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (for the butter glaze)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (for the butter glaze)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch of kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds or poppy seeds (optional topping)
- For the au jus:
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce (optional but boosts savoriness)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar or a splash of red wine (optional, for depth)
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to Make It
- Prep the pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment or lightly grease it.
- Build the base: Slice the slider rolls horizontally as one slab. Place the bottom slab in the baking dish.
- Layer the cheese: Lay half the provolone slices on the rolls, covering edge to edge.This creates a barrier that keeps the bread from getting soggy.
- Add the beef: Pile on the roast beef evenly. Don’t worry about it looking perfect—just spread it so every slider has a generous amount.
- Top with more cheese: Add the remaining provolone slices.
- Cap with rolls: Place the top slab of rolls over the cheese.
- Make the butter glaze: In a small bowl, mix melted butter, Dijon, Worcestershire, onion powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Brush evenly over the tops of the rolls.Sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds if using.
- Cover and bake: Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- Uncover and finish: Remove the foil and bake another 8–10 minutes, until the tops are golden and the cheese is melted.
- Make the au jus while they bake: In a small saucepan, combine beef broth, Worcestershire, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, Dijon, and balsamic or wine if using. Simmer 5–7 minutes to reduce slightly. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
- Slice and serve: Let the sliders rest for 3–5 minutes, then cut along the roll lines.Serve warm with small bowls of au jus for dipping.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerate: Store leftover sliders in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep au jus in a separate sealed container.
- Reheat: Wrap sliders in foil and warm at 325°F (165°C) for 12–15 minutes, or until heated through. Reheat au jus on the stovetop or in the microwave until steaming.
- Freeze: Assemble but don’t bake.Wrap tightly in plastic and foil, then freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake as directed (add a few extra minutes).
Benefits of This Recipe
- Weeknight-friendly: Uses deli meat and bakes in under 30 minutes.
- Budget-smart: Feeds a group with pantry staples and affordable ingredients.
- Kid-approved: Familiar flavors and easy dipping make it a hit.
- Flexible serving: Works for game day, potlucks, or cozy dinners.
- Balanced textures: Soft rolls, tender beef, gooey cheese, and a crisp buttery top.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the cheese barrier: Cheese under the beef helps prevent soggy bottoms.
- Overloading with liquid: Don’t pour au jus over the sliders before baking. Save it for dipping.
- Using too much salt: Deli beef and broth can be salty.Choose low-sodium broth and season at the end.
- Drying them out: Cover with foil for the first bake to keep the rolls soft, then uncover to crisp.
- Cutting too soon: Resting a few minutes makes cleaner slices and less cheese loss.
Variations You Can Try
- Caramelized onion sliders: Add a layer of sweet caramelized onions between the beef and cheese.
- Horseradish kick: Spread a thin layer of creamy horseradish or horseradish mayo on the bottom rolls.
- Garlic herb butter: Mix minced fresh garlic and chopped parsley into the butter glaze.
- Mushroom Swiss: Sauté mushrooms in butter with thyme and use Swiss cheese for a steakhouse vibe.
- Spicy au jus: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the dipping sauce.
- Gluten-free swap: Use gluten-free rolls and a gluten-free broth and Worcestershire.
FAQ
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble the sliders (without the butter glaze), cover, and refrigerate up to 8 hours. Brush with the butter mixture just before baking.
The au jus can be made ahead and reheated.
What’s the best cheese for French dip sliders?
Provolone is classic because it melts well and has mild flavor. Swiss, mozzarella, and Monterey Jack also work. For extra richness, combine provolone with a little mozzarella.
Can I use leftover roast beef?
Absolutely.
Thinly slice it and use as you would deli beef. If it’s dry, lightly warm it in a splash of broth before assembling.
How do I keep the bottoms from getting soggy?
Add a layer of cheese under the beef, avoid adding sauce inside the sliders, and bake covered first, then uncovered. Let them rest a couple of minutes before slicing.
What side dishes go well with these sliders?
Crispy fries or tater tots, a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, or a tangy coleslaw pair nicely.
Pickles on the side add a nice bite.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes. Use two baking dishes, rotate them halfway through for even browning, and increase the au jus accordingly.
Do I have to use Hawaiian rolls?
No. Any soft dinner rolls work.
Just make sure they’re connected as a slab for easy assembly and slicing.
In Conclusion
Oven-Baked French Dip Sliders deliver the comfort of a classic sandwich with the ease of a one-pan bake. They’re cheesy, savory, and perfect for dunking in a rich, homemade au jus. Keep this recipe on hand for busy weeknights, game days, or when you just want something satisfying without a lot of fuss.
Simple, reliable, and always a hit.
