Touchdown Brat Sliders (View Print Version)

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

# What You'll Need:

→ Brat Patties

01 - 1 lb 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 for brushing buns
17 - 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, optional

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions with a pinch of salt, stirring occasionally, until deeply caramelized and golden brown, approximately 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
03 - Combine bratwurst meat with black pepper and smoked paprika in a bowl, mixing gently. Divide into 12 equal portions and shape each into a small patty approximately 2 inches in diameter.
04 - Arrange patties on prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until cooked through and lightly browned.
05 - Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly add lager beer while whisking constantly until smooth. Reduce heat to low, then add cheddar and cream cheese, stirring until completely melted. Incorporate Dijon mustard and season with salt to taste. Keep warm on low heat.
06 - Split slider buns and place bottom halves in a baking dish. Top each with one brat patty, a spoonful of caramelized onions, several pickle slices, and generous beer cheese sauce. Cover with bun tops.
07 - Brush bun tops with melted butter and sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired. Bake for 7 to 8 minutes until buns are toasted and cheese is bubbling.
08 - Remove sliders from oven and serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're gone in three bites but taste like you actually know what you're doing in the kitchen.
  • The beer cheese sauce is so good you'll find yourself scraping it off the pan with a finger when nobody's looking.
  • You can prep everything hours ahead and just throw them in the oven when people arrive.
02 -
  • Don't let your beer cheese sauce simmer too long on high heat or the cheese will separate into a greasy mess—keep it gentle and you're golden.
  • Those caramelized onions are non-negotiable; they're what separates these from sad little cheese sandwiches.
03 -
  • If you want to make these ahead and reheat them later, assemble everything but keep the sauce on the side and warm it fresh when you're ready to eat.
  • Turkey bratwurst works just fine if you want to lighten things up, and a few jalapeño slices will add a kick that surprised my sister in the best way.
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