Ingredients:

For the Olive Salad (the star!)

• 1 cup green olives, chopped
• 1 cup black olives, chopped
• ½ cup roasted red peppers, chopped
• ½ cup giardiniera (Italian pickled vegetables), chopped
• 3 tbsp capers
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ⅓ cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp black pepper

For the Sliders:

• 1 package (12 count) Hawaiian rolls or slider buns
• ¼ lb sliced Genoa salami
• ¼ lb sliced ham
• ¼ lb sliced mortadella (optional, but authentic)
• ¼ lb sliced capicola or pepperoni
• ½ lb sliced provolone cheese
• ½ lb sliced mozzarella cheese
• 3 tbsp melted butter
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Instructions:

1. Make the Olive Salad:

• In a medium bowl, mix chopped olives, roasted peppers, giardiniera, capers, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, oregano, and black pepper.
• Cover and let it sit for at least 1 hour (overnight is even better).

1. Prepare the Sliders:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Slice the Hawaiian rolls horizontally (keep them attached). Place the bottom half in a baking dish.

1. Layer the Good Stuff:

• Spread half of the olive salad over the bread.
• Layer the meats: salami, ham, mortadella, and capicola.
• Add provolone and mozzarella cheese.
• Spread the rest of the olive salad on top.
• Place the top half of the rolls over everything.

1. Butter Topping:

• Mix melted butter with garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
• Brush it over the tops of the rolls.

1. Bake:

• Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
• Remove foil and bake another 5–7 minutes until the cheese is melty and tops are golden.

1. Serve:

• Let cool slightly, then cut into individual sliders.

Benefits:

• Party Perfect: Feeds a crowd (12 sliders from one batch).
• Flavor Explosion: The olive salad brings tangy, briny, savory balance to the rich meats and cheeses.
• Make Ahead Friendly: You can prepare the olive salad and assemble the sandwiches in advance.

History of the Muffuletta

The Muffuletta sandwich has its roots in New Orleans, specifically in the French Quarter, and dates back to the early 1900s.

• Sicilian Immigrants: In the late 19th and early 20th century, many Sicilian immigrants settled in New Orleans, bringing their food traditions with them. Among them was a baker named Salvatore Lupo, who opened Central Grocery in 1906 on Decatur Street.
• The Original Creation: Workers from the nearby French Market, many of whom were Italian, used to buy bread, cold cuts, cheeses, and olives from Lupo’s store and eat them separately during lunch. To make things easier, Lupo had the idea of combining everything into one big sandwich — and thus the Muffuletta was born.
• The Bread: The name muffuletta actually comes from the round, Sicilian sesame bread traditionally used. It’s soft, but sturdy enough to hold all the layers of meats, cheeses, and the olive salad.
• The Olive Salad: A defining feature of the muffuletta is the tangy olive salad — a mix of green and black olives, pickled vegetables, herbs, and oil. This reflects the Mediterranean flavors Sicilian immigrants loved and preserved in their cooking.

Evolution into Sliders

• The classic muffuletta is a giant sandwich, usually about 10 inches across, easily feeding 2–4 people.
• In modern times, especially for parties and gatherings, the recipe has been adapted into sliders made with Hawaiian rolls or small buns. These keep the bold flavors of the original but make it easier to serve to a crowd.

Cultural Significance

• The muffuletta is considered one of the iconic New Orleans sandwiches, alongside po’ boys.
• It represents the fusion of Italian heritage with Louisiana culture, showing how immigrant traditions shaped the city’s unique food scene.
• Today, Central Grocery still sells the original muffuletta, and it’s a must-try for tourists in New Orleans.

Methods for Making Muffuletta Sliders

1. Prepare the Olive Salad

• Chop all the ingredients finely (green & black olives, roasted red peppers, giardiniera, capers, garlic).
• Mix with olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, and black pepper.
• Let the mixture marinate for at least 1 hour (overnight gives the best flavor).

This step is important because the olive salad is what gives the sandwich its bold, tangy kick.

2. Assemble the Sliders

• Slice the package of Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally (like one giant bun).
• Place the bottom layer in a baking dish.
• Spread half of the olive salad evenly across the bread.
• Layer the meats (salami, ham, mortadella, capicola).
• Add the cheeses (provolone and mozzarella).
• Top with the remaining olive salad.
• Place the top half of the rolls on.

3. Add the Butter Topping

• Melt butter and mix with garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
• Brush this over the tops of the rolls.
  This creates that golden, flavorful crust when baked.

4. Bake the Sliders

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Cover the dish loosely with foil (prevents over-browning).
• Bake for 15 minutes until cheese is melty.
• Remove foil and bake another 5–7 minutes until tops are golden brown.

5. Cut and Serve

• Let the sliders rest for 5 minutes before slicing — this keeps the layers intact.
• Use a sharp knife to cut into individual sandwiches.
• Serve warm, with extra olive salad on the side if desired. Optional Cold Method (Picnic Style):
• Instead of baking, assemble everything cold on Italian rolls or ciabatta.
• Wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap.
• Refrigerate for a few hours to let flavors meld before serving.

Conclusion

Muffuletta sliders are more than just a party snack — they’re a bite-sized piece of history. Born from the creativity of Sicilian immigrants in early 1900s New Orleans, this sandwich has stood the test of time thanks to its bold flavors, hearty layers of meats and cheeses, and the unmistakable zing of olive salad. The slider version keeps all that tradition but makes it fun, shareable, and perfect for feeding a crowd.

Whether served warm and melty out of the oven or cold for a picnic, these sliders are guaranteed to disappear fast at any gathering. They combine the richness of Italian deli classics with the soul of Louisiana food culture, making every bite both comforting and exciting.

So next time you’re looking for something that’s easy to prepare, rich in flavor, and steeped in tradition, Muffuletta sliders should be at the top of your list. One taste, and you’ll understand why this New Orleans classic has remained a legend for over a century.