Candied Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders with Caramelized Onion Discs – Ultimate Party Food

If you’re searching for a viral-worthy slider recipe, look no further. These Candied Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders bring together the best of sweet, savory, smoky, and cheesy flavors in one irresistible bite. The candied bacon adds a sticky crunch, while the caramelized onion discs bring a jammy richness that takes these burgers over the top. And let’s not forget the signature burger sauce with hot honey—a tangy, smoky-sweet punch that ties it all together into the ultimate party food experience.

Caramelization Techniques for Maximum Flavor

The secret to exceptional caramelized onion discs lies in understanding the science of the Maillard reaction and how to control it for optimal sweetness and texture. Unlike traditional caramelized onions that are chopped and stirred frequently, keeping onion slices intact as discs requires a different approach that balances gentle heat with patience. The key is maintaining the structural integrity of each ring while allowing the natural sugars to break down and caramelize evenly across the entire surface.

Starting with sweet onions like Vidalia or Walla Walla provides the highest natural sugar content, which accelerates the caramelization process and creates deeper, more complex flavors. The combination of butter and olive oil creates the ideal cooking medium—butter provides rich flavor and helps with browning, while olive oil raises the smoking point and prevents burning during the longer cooking process. Adding a small amount of granulated sugar at the beginning helps jumpstart the caramelization, while the final balsamic vinegar deglaze adds acidity that balances the sweetness and intensifies the jammy consistency that makes these onion discs so special.

Candied Bacon Science and Perfect Texture Balance

Creating perfect candied bacon requires understanding the delicate balance between rendering fat, developing crispness, and achieving proper sugar caramelization without burning. The oven method provides superior control compared to stovetop cooking, allowing the bacon fat to render slowly while the sugar mixture caramelizes evenly across each strip. Pure maple syrup serves a dual purpose—it adds complex sweetness while acting as a binding agent that helps the brown sugar adhere to the bacon throughout the cooking process.

The optional cayenne pepper isn’t just about heat—it enhances the perception of sweetness through contrast while adding a subtle complexity that prevents the candied bacon from becoming one-dimensional. Timing is crucial: the bacon should reach the perfect point where it’s crispy but still has slight chew, while the sugar coating should be deeply caramelized but not burnt. This typically occurs between 18-22 minutes at 375°F, but oven variations require close monitoring during the final minutes. The result should be bacon that snaps when broken but doesn’t shatter, with a glossy, amber-colored coating that adds textural interest to each slider bite.

Strategic Assembly and Make-Ahead Party Planning

The success of these sliders for entertaining lies in strategic component preparation and proper assembly techniques that maintain optimal textures and temperatures. Each element can and should be prepared at different stages to maximize both flavor development and party-day efficiency. The candied bacon actually improves when made up to two days ahead, as the flavors meld and the texture firms up slightly, making it easier to handle during assembly.

The signature burger sauce benefits from at least 30 minutes of resting time to allow the flavors to marry, particularly the hot honey and pickle juice, which need time to integrate with the mayonnaise base. When forming the beef patties, make them slightly larger than the buns to account for shrinkage, and create a small indent in the center to prevent the classic burger dome that makes sliders difficult to eat. For parties, consider the pull-apart presentation method: arrange assembled sliders in a baking dish, brush the tops with melted butter, and warm in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes. This technique melds all the flavors while ensuring every slider is perfectly warm and the cheese is completely melted.

Ingredients

For the Sliders:

• 2 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend for juicy patties)
• 12 King’s Hawaiian slider buns
• 12 slices sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

For the Candied Bacon:

• 12 slices thick-cut bacon
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)

Caramelized Onion Discs:

• 3 large sweet onions (cut into ½-inch discs, rings kept intact)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Pinch of salt

Signature Burger Sauce:

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon pickle juice
• 1 tablespoon hot honey
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make the Candied Bacon

Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the thick-cut bacon slices in a single layer without overlapping. In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper (if using) until smooth and well combined. Using a pastry brush or spoon, evenly coat each bacon slice with the sugar mixture, making sure to cover both sides. Bake for 18-22 minutes, checking frequently during the last 5 minutes to prevent burning. The bacon should be deeply caramelized, crispy, and golden brown when done. Remove and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before handling.

2. Prepare the Signature Burger Sauce

In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, pickle juice, hot honey, smoked paprika, and black pepper until smooth and well combined. The sauce should have a beautiful orange-pink color and a balanced sweet-tangy flavor. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed—you might want more hot honey for sweetness or pickle juice for tang. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together, or prepare up to 3 days ahead.

3. Caramelize the Onion Discs

Cut the sweet onions into ½-inch thick discs, keeping the rings intact as much as possible—don’t separate them into individual rings. Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until the butter is melted and beginning to foam. Carefully place the onion discs in the skillet in a single layer, working in batches if necessary. Sprinkle with sugar and a pinch of salt. Cook slowly for 15-20 minutes, flipping carefully once or twice, until the onions are golden brown, jammy, and caramelized. In the final minute, add balsamic vinegar to deglaze the pan and add extra depth of flavor.

4. Form and Season the Patties

In a large bowl, gently combine the ground beef with kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, mixing just until the seasonings are evenly distributed—avoid overmixing, which can result in tough burgers. Divide the mixture into 12 equal portions and gently form into patties that are slightly larger than your slider buns, as they will shrink during cooking. Create a small indent in the center of each patty with your thumb to prevent doming and ensure even cooking.

5. Cook the Slider Patties

Heat a large griddle or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for 3 minutes on the first side without moving them, allowing a nice crust to develop. Flip carefully and cook for another 2-3 minutes for medium doneness. During the last minute of cooking, place a slice of sharp cheddar cheese on top of each patty and allow it to melt. The internal temperature should reach 160°F for food safety.

6. Toast the Buns

While the patties finish cooking, lightly toast the King’s Hawaiian slider buns on the griddle or in a toaster until they’re golden brown and slightly crispy. This step is important for preventing the buns from becoming soggy from the burger sauce and helps create textural contrast in the final slider.

7. Assemble the Sliders

Spread a generous amount of the signature burger sauce on both the top and bottom halves of each toasted bun. Place a cooked beef patty with melted cheese on the bottom bun, followed by a slice of candied bacon and a caramelized onion disc. The order is important—the cheese helps secure the patty, while the bacon and onion disc create the perfect flavor and texture layers. Top with the other half of the bun.

8. Final Presentation

For individual serving, secure each slider with a decorative toothpick and arrange on a serving platter. For a pull-apart presentation, arrange all assembled sliders in a baking dish, brush the tops with melted butter, and warm in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes until heated through and the flavors have melded together. Serve immediately while warm for the best texture and flavor experience.

These Candied Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders with Caramelized Onion Discs represent the perfect fusion of gourmet flavors and party-friendly presentation. The combination of sweet candied bacon, jammy caramelized onions, and tangy-sweet burger sauce creates a complex flavor profile that elevates humble sliders into an unforgettable culinary experience. Whether you’re hosting a tailgate party, backyard barbecue, or holiday gathering, these sliders deliver the kind of wow factor that becomes the centerpiece of your spread. The make-ahead components and pull-apart presentation option make them perfect for entertaining, while the balanced sweet and savory flavors ensure they appeal to guests of all ages.

If you’re looking for more recipes, click the link!  Check out all of our grilling recipes here for more steak, seafood, and BBQ favorites that are perfect for your next cookout.

COMMON ITEMS USED IN THESE RECIPES

Hasty Bake Charcoal Grill and Smoker
Knitted Gloves
Food Processor
Cast Iron Skillet 
Meater +

Upgrade Your Meat Game with Grill Nation x Linz Heritage Angus

If you really want to take your grilling and cooking to the next level, you need to check out our collaboration with Linz Heritage Angus. We’ve partnered with them to bring you some of the best beef you can get your hands on.
Linz Heritage Angus isn’t your typical grocery store meat. These guys are the real deal – they raise their cattle the right way, and you can taste the difference in every bite. We’re talking about beef that’s been dry-aged to perfection, with marbling that makes your mouth water just looking at it.

Check out these premium cuts that’ll change how you think about beef:

Premium Ribeye Steaks – Perfect for special occasions
Dry-Aged Beef Selection – Take your grilling to the next level
Ground Beef & Burger Blends – The foundation of great BBQ

Use code GN15 at checkout for 15% off your first order. Trust me, once you try Linz Heritage Angus, you’ll never want to go back to regular store-bought beef.