Touchdown Brat Sliders (Printable)

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

# What You'll Need:

→ Bratwurst Patties

01 - 1 pound uncooked bratwurst sausages, casings removed
02 - 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
03 - 0.5 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 - 0.5 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 - 0.33 cup sliced dill pickles
16 - 2 tablespoons melted butter for brushing buns
17 - 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, optional

# Directions:

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

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • These sliders pack all the flavor of a full-size brat into two perfect bites, so you can eat with one hand and cheer with the other.
  • The beer cheese sauce is ridiculously creamy and tangy, coating every surface without dripping all over your jersey.
  • You can prep the patties and onions ahead, then assemble and bake right before kickoff.
  • They feed a crowd without requiring a grill or fancy equipment, just your oven and a skillet.
02 -
  • Do not overmix the bratwurst meat or the patties will turn tough and dense instead of juicy.
  • Keep the beer cheese sauce on very low heat once the cheese is added, or it will separate and turn grainy.
  • Let the onions cook slowly without rushing them, because the deep caramelization is what makes them sweet and jammy instead of sharp and raw.
03 -
  • Use a kitchen scale to divide the bratwurst meat evenly, so all 12 patties cook at the same rate and look uniform on the platter.
  • Toast the inside of the buns lightly before assembling if you want extra structure and a slight crunch against the sauce.
  • If the beer cheese sauce thickens too much while sitting, whisk in a tablespoon of warm beer or milk to bring it back to a pourable consistency.
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