These Pumpkin-Shaped Sliders are a fun and festive way to enjoy mini sandwiches that look as cute as they taste! Soft slider buns are shaped like little pumpkins, perfect for fall gatherings or Halloween parties. Inside, you can fill them with your favorite ingredients—like juicy burgers, pulled chicken, or even a veggie filling—to match the season’s cozy vibes.
I love making these sliders when friends come over because they spark so much conversation and smiles. The pumpkin shape makes them stand out on the table, and it’s surprisingly easy to shape the dough into pumpkins with just some simple scoring and a little piece of green pepper or celery as the stem. It’s a nice way to add a playful touch without spending too much time on decorating.
One of my favorite ways to serve these is with classic little party sides like a crunchy salad or some sweet potato fries. They’re great finger foods that everyone can grab and enjoy while chatting or watching a game. I always find that pumpkin-shaped sliders bring a bit of charm and warmth to any meal, making them a hit every time I make them.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Flour & Yeast: All-purpose flour works great for soft buns. If you want a lighter texture, try bread flour. Active dry yeast is easy to find—instant yeast works too, just skip the proofing step.
Pumpkin Puree: This adds gentle flavor and helps give the buns a warm color. You can swap it with sweet potato puree or carrot puree if needed.
Ground Meat: Chicken or turkey keep these sliders light. For a vegetarian option, use seasoned mashed beans, lentils, or plant-based ground meat substitutes.
Cheese: Cheddar melts nicely and adds a nice sharp contrast. Feel free to use mozzarella or pepper jack for a twist.
Vegetables: Green leafy lettuce or kale add freshness and crunch. Try spinach or arugula if you prefer something milder or peppery.
How Do You Shape and Bake Perfect Pumpkin Buns?
Shaping the buns to look like pumpkins is easier than it sounds. Here’s how:
- Divide dough into even balls and make them smooth by stretching the surface tight.
- Wrap kitchen twine around each ball to create the pumpkin ridges. Don’t tie too tight—just enough to hold shape during baking.
- Brush egg yolk on top for that shiny, golden finish that highlights the pumpkin look.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) until golden brown, about 15-18 minutes.
- Once cooled slightly, carefully cut and remove the twine to reveal the ridges.
- Add simple cut-out eyes and nose using small pieces of olives or nori, and place a small green pepper or celery piece on top for the stem.
This method gives you cute buns that hold their pumpkin shape without extra effort, making your sliders festive and fun!
Equipment You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls – perfect for combining your dough and filling ingredients easily.
- Kitchen scale or measuring cups – ensures accurate flour and liquid amounts for great buns.
- Whisk or wooden spoon – to mix wet and dry ingredients smoothly.
- Kneading surface – a clean countertop or board works great for dough kneading.
- Baking tray lined with parchment paper – keeps buns from sticking and makes cleanup simple.
- Kitchen twine or unflavored thread – helps shape buns with pumpkin ridges during baking.
- Sharp knife or small cookie cutter – for cutting bun faces and details.
- Skillet or grill pan – to cook the slider patties evenly.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Swap ground chicken with beef or pork for richer, classic slider flavors.
- Use smoked gouda or pepper jack cheese to add a smoky or spicy kick.
- Add finely chopped sautéed mushrooms or caramelized onions to the filling for extra depth.
- Go vegetarian by using black bean patties or grilled portobello mushrooms instead of meat.
Pumpkin-Shaped Sliders
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Pumpkin Buns:
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F/43°C)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp pumpkin puree (for slight flavor and color)
- 1 egg yolk, beaten (for egg wash)
- Small pieces of black olives or nori for eyes and nose decorations
- Small piece of green bell pepper or celery stalk for pumpkin stem
For the Filling:
- 1 lb ground chicken or turkey (or vegetarian substitute if desired)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onions
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Leafy lettuce or kale, washed and dried
Time You’ll Need:
Overall, you’ll spend about 30 minutes prepping and mixing the dough and filling, plus about 1 to 1 1/2 hours for the dough to rise, then 15-18 minutes baking the buns, and about 10-15 minutes cooking the patties. So, plan around 2 to 2 1/2 hours from start to finish, most of which is waiting for the dough to rise.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Make the Dough
Start by dissolving the yeast in warm milk with a pinch of sugar and let it foam up for about 5 minutes. In a big bowl, mix flour, sugar, salt, and pumpkin puree. Add your yeast mix, softened butter, and egg. Stir until you have a dough, then knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until nice and smooth. Put the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm spot for an hour or so until it doubles in size.
2. Shape the Pumpkin Buns
Once risen, punch down the dough and cut into 8 equal balls. Roll each ball smooth, then wrap gently with kitchen twine vertically and horizontally to make pumpkin ridges. Place buns on a parchment-lined baking sheet, brush with beaten egg yolk for a shiny finish, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-18 minutes until golden. Let them cool slightly, then carefully cut and remove the twine to reveal pumpkin-like ridges.
3. Add Jack-o’-Lantern Faces
On the top of each bun, carefully cut small triangle-shaped eyes and noses. Pop in little pieces of black olives or nori for the eyes and nose, and add a small green pepper or celery piece on top to look like pumpkin stems.
4. Cook the Slider Patties
Mix your ground chicken or turkey with chopped onions, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Shape into slider-sized patties and cook on a medium skillet or grill for 4-5 minutes per side until cooked through. Just before finishing, sprinkle cheese on top to melt.
5. Assemble Your Sliders
Slice your pumpkin buns in half horizontally. Place the cheesy cooked patties on the bottom halves, add fresh lettuce or kale, then cap with your decorated bun tops.
6. Serve and Enjoy
Serve warm, and if you like, garnish the serving board with chopped chives or your favorite herbs. These cozy, cute pumpkin sliders will brighten any fall or Halloween gathering!
Can I Use Frozen Dough for the Buns?
Yes! You can prepare the dough ahead of time and freeze it before the first rise. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then let it come to room temperature and rise until doubled before shaping and baking.
How Can I Make These Sliders Vegetarian?
Swap the ground chicken or turkey for a vegetarian patty option like black bean burgers, lentil patties, or grilled portobello mushrooms. The pumpkin-shaped buns stay the same and pair great with veggie fillings.
What’s the Best Way to Store Leftover Sliders?
Keep leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave to keep buns soft and cheese melty.
Can I Use Different Cheese or Toppings?
Absolutely! Feel free to substitute cheddar with mozzarella, pepper jack, or gouda. You can also add caramelized onions, pickles, or your favorite condiments to customize each slider.