Fall gatherings, Halloween parties, and Thanksgiving feasts all deserve something a little extra special. While pumpkin pies and lattes often steal the spotlight, let’s not forget savory party foods that can wow your guests. Enter Pumpkin-Shaped Sliders—adorable little sandwiches that look like mini pumpkins but taste like cheesy, juicy sliders.

These creative sliders combine the fun of festive shaping with the comfort of a classic cheeseburger. Each slider bun is lightly scored to mimic a pumpkin’s ridges, filled with seasoned beef patties, gooey cheese, and favorite toppings, then finished with a pretzel stick “stem.” The result? An appetizer that’s as photogenic as it is delicious.

In this in-depth guide, we’ll cover the recipe, creative variations, serving tips, and everything you need to make your sliders the centerpiece of a fall spread.

Why Pumpkin Sliders Are a Must-Try

Festive & Fun: Perfect for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and fall gatherings.
Crowd-Pleasing: Cheeseburger-style sliders everyone loves.
Easy to Customize: Swap fillings for chicken, turkey, or even vegetarian.
Kid-Friendly: The playful pumpkin shape makes them irresistible.
Great for Parties: Small, handheld, and easy to serve.

Ingredients

For the Pumpkin Buns:

12 slider buns (or homemade dough)
1 egg wash (1 egg + 1 tbsp water)
Pretzel sticks (for stems)

For the Sliders:

1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend for juiciness)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
6 slices cheddar cheese (cut in half)

Optional Toppings:

Lettuce
Tomato slices
Pickles
Ketchup & mustard

Instructions

Preheat Oven – Set oven to 350°F (175°C).
Prepare Pumpkin Buns – If using homemade dough, shape into balls and score gently with kitchen twine to create pumpkin ridges. Brush with egg wash. Bake until golden. If using premade slider buns, gently score tops and warm them in the oven.
Cook the Patties – Season ground beef with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Shape into 12 mini patties.
Grill or Pan-Fry – Cook patties over medium heat for 3–4 minutes per side until fully cooked.
Melt Cheese – Place cheese slices on patties while still hot to melt.
Assemble Sliders – Place each patty inside a bun, add toppings, and finish with a pretzel stick in the center of the bun to mimic a pumpkin stem.
Serve – Arrange on a platter and enjoy warm.

Creative Variations

Turkey Sliders: Use ground turkey with Swiss cheese.
Vegetarian Version: Black bean or mushroom patties.
Spicy Kick: Add jalapeños and pepper jack cheese.
Thanksgiving Twist: Use turkey patties with cranberry sauce.
Mini Breakfast Pumpkins: Fill with scrambled eggs, sausage, and cheese.

Serving Ideas

Arrange sliders on a wooden board with festive decorations like fake leaves and small pumpkins.
Pair with pumpkin soup or butternut squash fries.
Serve alongside Halloween cocktails, cider, or pumpkin-spiced drinks.