Touchdown Brat Sliders (Print)

Juicy bratwurst sliders with beer cheese, caramelized onions, and pickles—ideal for game day snacking.

# What you'll need:

→ Brat Patties

01 - 1 pound uncooked bratwurst sausages, casings removed
02 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
03 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

→ Beer Cheese Sauce

04 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
05 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
06 - 1 cup lager beer
07 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
08 - 2 ounces cream cheese
09 - 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - Salt to taste

→ Caramelized Onions

11 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
12 - 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
13 - Pinch of salt

→ Assembly

14 - 12 slider buns
15 - 1/3 cup sliced dill pickles
16 - 2 tablespoons melted butter
17 - 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, optional

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Sauté onions with a pinch of salt, stirring occasionally, until caramelized and golden brown, approximately 12 to 15 minutes. Set aside.
03 - In a bowl, combine bratwurst meat, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Mix gently. Divide into 12 equal portions and shape each into a small patty.
04 - Arrange patties on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly browned.
05 - In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute. Slowly add beer, whisking constantly until smooth. Reduce heat to low, then add cheddar and cream cheese, stirring until melted. Stir in Dijon mustard and season with salt. Keep warm.
06 - Split slider buns and place bottom halves in a baking dish. Top each with a brat patty, a spoonful of caramelized onions, pickles, and generous beer cheese sauce. Cover with bun tops.
07 - Brush bun tops with melted butter and sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.
08 - Bake assembled sliders for 7 to 8 minutes, until buns are toasted and cheese is bubbling. Serve hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The beer cheese sauce clings to every bite with a tangy, creamy punch that beats any store-bought dip.
  • Brat patties cook faster than full sausages and fit perfectly on slider buns without any awkward overhang.
  • Caramelized onions add a sweet depth that balances the sharpness of the cheese and the snap of the pickles.
  • These sliders hold up under pressure, they stay together even when the crowd is grabbing them with one hand and a drink in the other.
02 -
  • Do not overmix the bratwurst meat or the patties will turn dense and lose their juicy texture.
  • Whisk the beer into the flour mixture slowly to avoid lumps in your cheese sauce.
  • Let the caramelized onions cook low and slow, rushing them will leave them bitter instead of sweet.
  • Assemble the sliders in a baking dish that holds them snugly so they steam slightly and stay moist during the final bake.
03 -
  • Toast the inside of the buns lightly before assembling for extra texture and to help them hold up against the sauce.
  • Add a pinch of cayenne to the beer cheese sauce if you want a subtle kick without overpowering the other flavors.
  • Use a cookie scoop to portion the brat meat evenly so all the patties cook at the same rate.
  • Serve the sliders on a large platter with extra pickles and a small bowl of beer cheese on the side for dipping.
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