Touchdown Brat Sliders (Printable)

Juicy brat patties, tangy beer cheese, caramelized onions, and pickles on soft slider buns—a game day favorite.

# What You Need:

→ For the Brat Patties

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

→ For the Beer Cheese Sauce

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

→ For the Onions

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

→ For Assembly

14 - 12 slider buns
15 - 1/3 cup sliced dill pickles
16 - 2 tbsp melted butter for brushing buns
17 - 1 tsp sesame seeds optional

# How To Make:

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. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until caramelized and golden brown, about 12-15 minutes. Set aside.
03 - Combine bratwurst meat, black pepper, and smoked paprika in a bowl. Mix gently. Divide into 12 equal portions and shape each into a small patty.
04 - Arrange patties on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or 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 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 7-8 minutes, until buns are toasted and cheese is bubbling. Serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The beer cheese sauce comes together in minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
  • Caramelized onions add sweetness that cuts through the rich bratwurst perfectly
  • These reheat surprisingly well for next-day leftovers
02 -
  • Don't rush the onion caramelization—those 15 minutes make all the difference in the final flavor
  • Whisk the beer into the roux slowly to prevent any lumps from forming in your sauce
  • Let the patties rest for a couple minutes after baking so they don't slide around when you assemble
03 -
  • Use room temperature cream cheese to help it melt into the sauce smoothly
  • Toast the cut sides of the buns for 2 minutes before assembling if you want extra crunch
Go Back