Touchdown Brat Sliders (Print Version)

Juicy bratwurst patties with beer cheese sauce, caramelized onions, and pickles on soft slider buns.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 for brushing buns
17 - 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

# Steps:

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 sliced 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 to combine. 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 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 to 8 minutes, until buns are toasted and cheese is bubbling. Serve hot.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • They pack all the bold flavor of a stadium brat into a two-bite snack that vanishes from the platter in minutes.
  • The beer cheese sauce is dangerously good and makes store-bought cheese dip taste like cardboard.
  • You can prep the patties and onions ahead, then just assemble and bake when guests arrive.
02 -
  • Add the beer to the roux slowly and whisk constantly or you'll end up with lumps that refuse to smooth out.
  • Don't skip caramelizing the onions properly, rushing them on high heat turns them bitter instead of sweet.
  • Let the patties rest on the baking sheet for a minute after cooking so they hold together when you move them to the buns.
03 -
  • Use a kitchen scale to divide the bratwurst meat evenly so all the patties cook at the same rate.
  • Grate your own cheddar instead of buying pre-shredded, it melts smoother because there's no anti-caking powder.
  • Brush the bun tops with butter right before the final bake, it creates a golden crust that adds texture and flavor.
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