Description
These Baked Cranberry Turkey Sliders with Havarti & Poppy Seed Topping are a festive and easy-to-make appetizer featuring juicy ground turkey patties, creamy Havarti cheese, and a crunchy poppy seed topping enhanced by sweet-tart cranberry sauce. Perfect for holiday gatherings, game days, or any special occasion, these sliders balance savory, sweet, creamy, and crunchy textures in every handheld bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Slider Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey (lean and flavorful)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Slider buns (soft but sturdy, quantity depends on slider count, typically 12)
- Havarti cheese slices (one per slider)
- Cranberry sauce (generous layer for each slider)
Poppy Seed Topping
- 1/4 cup softened butter
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Turkey Patties: In a mixing bowl, combine ground turkey with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Form into small slider-sized patties, ensuring they are uniform for even cooking.
- Cook the Patties: Heat a skillet over medium heat and lightly grease it. Cook the turkey patties for about 3 minutes per side until they are just cooked through but still juicy. Remove and set aside.
- Assemble the Sliders: Place slider buns on a baking tray. Spread a generous layer of cranberry sauce on the bottom halves, then add a turkey patty. Top each with a slice of Havarti cheese.
- Prepare the Poppy Seed Topping: In a small bowl, mix softened butter with mayonnaise, mustard, poppy seeds, and a pinch of salt. Spread this mixture over the top halves of the buns.
- Bake until Golden: Place the bun tops over the sliders and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 12-15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the poppy seed topping is golden and crisp.
- Serve Warm: Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving so flavors meld and sliders hold together perfectly.
Notes
- Use fresh ground turkey for juicier patties.
- Do not overcook the turkey patties to avoid dryness; about 3 minutes per side is ideal.
- Use softened butter to ensure the poppy seed topping spreads evenly and bakes to a golden crisp.
- Let the sliders rest a few minutes after baking to allow the cheese to set and prevent sogginess.
- Choose high-quality or homemade cranberry sauce for best flavor, avoiding overly sweet or canned varieties.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 310 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
Keywords: baked sliders, cranberry turkey sliders, holiday appetizers, poppy seed topping, Havarti cheese, easy turkey recipe, festive snacks