Air Fryer Turkey Sliders are everything I love about a classic slider but so much lighter, and honestly the perfect way to use up leftover turkey after the holidays. The rolls come out golden and buttery, the Havarti melts into something creamy over the warm turkey, and that savory butter sauce makes them impossible to stop eating.
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It’s my go-to the day after Thanksgiving and any game day or get-together where I need something easy that feeds a crowd without any fuss. They come together fast, everyone loves them, and they disappear quickly. Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in the air fryer to get them golden again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Air Fryer Turkey Sliders with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
These Air Fryer Turkey Sliders work just as well as a quick lunch, easy dinner, or a crowd-pleasing appetizer for any gathering. They’re so flavorful and tasty that they’ll satisfy every set of taste buds at the table.
Prep the Rolls
Use a serrated knife on a cutting board to slice the tops off all 12 party rolls, then carefully set the top portions aside. Lay the bottom halves in a single layer in a baking pan and spread Dijon mustard. My 9×13-inch ceramic baking dish fits this batch perfectly and makes it easy to brush the glaze evenly later.
Layer the Cheese and Turkey
Lay the Havarti slices over all the roll bottoms, letting them overlap a little since they’ll melt together anyway. Arrange the turkey slices on top, keeping them as flat as possible so each slider gets an even layer.
You can swap the leftover turkey for deli meat if you don’t have leftovers on hand, and feel free to add any of your favorite toppings like mayo or pesto between the layers before closing the sliders up. Set the roll tops back on.
Mix the Butter Glaze
In a bowl, stir together the melted butter, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced dried onion, and poppy seeds until fully combined. Boost the glaze with a pinch of garlic powder or freshly minced garlic and a crack of pepper for extra depth.
You can also swap the poppy seed mix for bagel seasoning to give the tops a different but equally delicious flavor.
Brush and Air Fry
Brush the butter glaze generously over the tops of all the sliders. This silicone pastry brush makes spreading the glaze evenly over all the rolls so much easier than a spoon. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil.
DO MORE WITH YOUR
AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
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Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Crack Chicken Casserole
∙ Coffee Cake
...and much more!
Bake in the air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 7 minutes, or until warm and soft. I always use a basket-style air fryer, which gives me enough room to fit the whole pan at once without any issue.
Remove the foil and bake for 3 more minutes, or until the tops are golden brown. You can also bake these in the oven at the same temperature if your air fryer basket is too small, and the cook time stays the same.
Top with Sea Salt and Serve
Take the sliders out of the air fryer and finish each one with a sprinkle of sea salt flakes on top. Serve straight from the pan while they’re still warm and enjoy!
If you’re bringing these to a party or potluck, they travel really well. Keep them in the baking pan, covered tightly with foil, to retain warmth on the way. If you need to keep them warm longer, wrap the pan in a clean kitchen towel or tuck it inside an insulated food carrier. They hold up well for about an hour at room temperature without losing their soft texture.
Air Fryer Turkey Sliders
Add Preferred SourceEquipment
Ingredients
- 12 party rolls
- 12 slices cooked turkey breast leftover turkey slices
- 6 slices Havarti cheese
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried onion minced
- 1 ½ teaspoons poppy seeds
- Sea salt flakes
Instructions
- Slice the tops off the rolls and carefully set them aside until ready to use. Lay the bottom halves of the rolls in a baking pan. Spread Dijon mustard on the bottom half of the rolls.12 party rolls
- Layer the cheese covering all the buns, it doesn’t matter if they overlap. Then arrange the turkey slices on top of each bun (try not to overlap these). Top with the rest of the buns.6 slices Havarti cheese, 12 slices cooked turkey breast
- In a bowl, mix the butter, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, onion and poppy seeds.½ cup unsalted butter, ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard, ½ tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce, 1 teaspoon dried onion, 1 ½ teaspoons poppy seeds
- Brush the mixture over the sliders, cover with foil and bake in the air fryer at 160ºC (325°F) for 7 minutes, or until warm and soft. Remove the foil and bake for 3 more minutes, or until golden brown.
- Top with sea salt flakes and serve.Sea salt flakes
Notes
- Slice the tops cleanly: Use a serrated knife to slice through the rolls in one even cut, especially if they’re connected as a sheet. Keeping the tops intact as a single piece makes them much easier to place back on.
- Layer the cheese first: Placing the Havarti directly on the rolls before the turkey lets it melt right into the bread and acts as a barrier so the rolls don’t get soggy from the turkey.
- Mix the glaze thoroughly: Make sure the butter, mustard, Worcestershire, onion, and poppy seeds are fully combined before brushing so each slider gets an even coating of every flavor.
- Cover tightly with foil: The foil traps steam during the first 7 minutes, softening the rolls and fully melting the cheese. Don’t skip it.
- Watch for that golden color: Every air fryer runs a little differently, so keep an eye on the sliders during the final 3 minutes uncovered. Pull them when the tops are a deep, glossy golden brown.
- Freeze them smart: Flash freeze individual sliders on a baking sheet for 1 hour before transferring to a freezer bag so they don’t stick together, and you can grab just one or two at a time.
Nutrition
DO MORE WITH YOUR
AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Crack Chicken Casserole
∙ Coffee Cake
...and much more!
How to Store Leftovers
Let any leftover sliders cool completely before storing. Transfer them to an airtight glass container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them back in the air fryer at 160°C (325°F) for about 3 to 4 minutes until warmed through and the tops crisp back up.
You can also freeze them for up to 2 months. Wrap each slider individually in plastic wrap before placing them into a freezer bag to prevent them from sticking together. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the air fryer for the best results.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Turkey Sliders
A simple side is all you need to round out the meal nicely. A crisp green salad, creamy coleslaw, or a warm bowl of tomato soup all pair beautifully with the buttery, savory flavors. Sweet potato fries or regular fries are always a crowd-pleaser.
For a game day or party spread, set out chips and dip, a veggie tray, or some pickles next to the sliders. They’re easy to serve and fit naturally into any buffet-style spread.
More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home
If you enjoyed these sliders, these easy air fryer appetizer recipes are worth a try too.
