Name: TAO Downtown Restaurants Mozzarella Caprese Sliders Recipe
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 12 pieces slider or dinner rolls; 12 slices fresh mozzarella; 2 cups ripe tomatoes; 24 pieces fresh basil leaves; 3 tbs extra-virgin olive oil; 3 tbs balsamic vinegar; 1 tsp honey or maple syrup; 1 tsp garlic (minced); 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 2 tbs fresh basil (finely chopped); 2 tbs unsalted butter (melted); 1 tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning; 0.5 tsp salt; 0.5 tsp freshly cracked black pepper; 2 tbs balsamic glaze (store-bought) - optional drizzle

Method

Sliders

Prepare rolls

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice the slider rolls horizontally, keeping the top connected as a sheet if they come in a tray. Place bottom half of rolls in a baking dish or on a rimmed sheet pan.

Slice tomatoes

Slice the ripe tomatoes into 12 thin even slices (about 1/4 inch each). If using cherry tomatoes, halve them and plan for two halves per slider.

Assemble sliders

On each bottom roll, place one slice of fresh mozzarella, one tomato slice (or two cherry tomato halves), and two basil leaves. Arrange assembled bottoms so they fit snugly in the baking dish.

Dressing (Basil-Balsamic Glaze)

In a small bowl, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until emulsified. Stir in the finely chopped fresh basil. Taste and adjust seasoning. Reserve about 1 tablespoon of the mixture for brushing the top buns; the rest will be spooned over the cheese and tomato before baking.

Brush and spoon: Lightly brush the inside of the top roll sheet with the reserved tablespoon of dressing. Spoon or drizzle the remaining dressing evenly over the mozzarella and tomato on the bottom rolls so the flavors soak in.

Finish & Baking

Top & season: Place the top roll sheet over the assembled bottoms. In a small bowl, combine melted butter with dried oregano (or Italian seasoning), 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper. Brush this butter mixture evenly over the top of the rolls to encourage browning and add flavor.

Bake: Cover loosely with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 5–7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden brown.

Finish: Remove from oven and let rest 2 minutes. Carefully lift the top roll sheet, and if desired, drizzle up to 2 tablespoons of store-bought balsamic glaze over the exposed cheese and tomatoes for added sweetness and shine.

Slice & serve: Using a sharp knife, cut between sliders into 12 pieces. Serve warm so the mozzarella is gooey, garnished with additional fresh basil leaves if desired.