Here I come with another delicious holiday appetizer - but these would be good no matter the time of year or occasion. Buttery lobster is always in season, darling. These Pull Apart Lobster Sliders are the cutest! And definitely one of the most delicious things I've made in a while - a bold statement, I know, but they are THAT good. The holidays are a time for celebrating and to me that means using special ingredients like lobster in fun and unique ways. Serve these mini lobster rolls to your family and watch as they disappear!
In my opinion, there are few things more celebratory or more delicious than lobster. There is just nothing like it. We don't eat lobster often, (unless we're in New England and then I gleefully eat it multiple times a day). But these mini lobster sliders are a really fun way to serve it at home and a good way to stretch a pricier ingredient.
How to make Pull Apart Lobster Sliders
You'll start by hollowing out some dinner rolls - use my homemade Sourdough Dinner Rolls or Sourdough Discard Dinner Rolls if you want to be really extra!
Or of course, use a package of store bought rolls. I have used the butter variety of King's Hawaiian Rolls but you could use the traditional sweet variety or any brand you like. I take a small serrated knife and cut little circles in each roll, then with my fingers I pull out all the bread guts.
Then you'll brush the rolls inside and out with herbed garlic butter, bake for about 10 minutes until golden, and assemble the rest of your mini lobster rolls. Easy peasy.
For the lobster - you have options
If you don't want to wrestle with a live lobster, you can buy already steamed lobster and just gently warm it up in some butter on the stove top. I like to cook my own lobster for these pull apart lobster sliders. I always have some frozen, raw lobster claw and knuckle meat from Butcher Box in my freezer. And I grab a few frozen lobster tails from Wegmans because I like having a mix. I just thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. With kitchen scissors, I snip down the underside of the tail and carefully pull the meat out. I find it much easier to remove it before cooking rather than after. Be careful if you do this though - lobster shells are sharp! Then I cook it all gently in butter until just cooked through, chop it all up and this is what I use for these sliders.
If you prefer a mayonnaise based lobster salad, feel free to go that route with cooked and cooled lobster meat. This recipe is all about butteriness to me, so I prefer the butter poached meat for these mini lobster rolls. All options are in the notes of the recipe card below. Normally, I like being more specific in recipes, but I realize lobster options will vary depending on where you are in the world and what your preferences are.
I hope you'll give these delicious pull apart lobster sliders a try. They are a huge hit at my house and I know they will be amongst your family and friends too. Tag me on Instagram @wild.thistle.kitchen so I can see! Wishing you all a very happy season and Merry Christmas to those who celebrate. xo - Anita
More delicious holiday appetizers
- Baked Brie with Fig Jam
- Brandied Pear Cheesecake with Brown Butter Hazelnut Crust
- Eggnog Snickerdoodle Thumbprint Cookies
- How to Make a Christmas Cookie Box & Peppermint Bark Recipe!
Pull Apart Lobster Sliders
Mini Lobster Rolls loaded with tender lobster meat. These Pull Apart Lobster Sliders are fun to make and SO fun to eat. Perfect for the holidays.
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders
Ingredients
- 1 package of pull-apart dinner rolls such as King's Hawaiian or homemade Sourdough Dinner Rolls or Sourdough Discard Dinner Rolls if you want to be really extra!
- 4 ounces salted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1 garlic clove, finely grated
- 1 pound of cooked lobster meat *see notes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place rolls on a parchment lined baking sheet - don't separate rolls!
- Using a serrated knife, cut circles in tops of all rolls. Using your fingers, pull out most of the bread inside but don't go through the bottom.
- Combine melted butter, chives, Old Bay, and garlic in a bowl and stir well to combine.
- Brush rolls all over and inside cavities with garlic and herb butter - save remaining butter for lobster.
- Bake for 10 minutes until golden.
- Toss warm, cooked lobster with remaining garlic and herb butter. *See notes for lobster options
- Fill rolls generously with lobster meat.
- Garnish with chopped chives and enjoy!
Notes
For the lobster, you have options. If you don't want to wrestle with a live lobster, you can buy already steamed lobster and just gently warm it up in some butter on the stove top. I like to cook my own lobster for these pull apart lobster sliders. I always have some frozen, raw lobster claw and knuckle meat from Butcher Box in my freezer. And I grab a few frozen lobster tails from the store. I just thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. With kitchen scissors, I snip down the underside of the tail and carefully pull the meat out. Be careful if you do this - lobster shells are sharp! Then I cook it all gently in butter, about 7-10 minutes, until just cooked through, chop it all up and this is what I use for these sliders. This butter can be strained, frozen, and used the next time you cook lobster.
If you prefer a mayonnaise based lobster salad, feel free to go that route with cooked and cooled lobster meat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: appetizer, holidays
Sharon says
These look amazing and I would like to take them to a party this weekend. They would be room temperature by the time I got there, would they still taste good?
anita | wild thistle kitchen says
Hi! Thank you! Yes, they are great at room temp. I hope it's a great party!
COLLEEN HOLMES says
I am dieing to try this....In a family where every one has stopped eating pork and red meat....They r really testing my skills to come up with something different.....Everyone loves seafood.....Crab cakes, seafood salad and lobster......
Pam says
These mini lobster rolls are so delicious and so fun! THey have become one of our favorite party/game day/holiday recipes. Perfect for sharing. Thank you for a great recipe.
Alexa says
Could you use crab meat instead?
anita | wild thistle kitchen says
Hi Alexa! Yes, crab meat is a great swap in these. 🙂
Pamela says
I grew up on Cape Cod.. I spend my summers on Martha’s Vineyard.. I’ve had my share of lobster rolls. For my sons birthday celebration I thought I’d try these lobster sliders… no one was on board! Everyone was too afraid to deviate from the traditional lobster salad roll on a hot dog bun. Lobster meat is expensive!!! Well.. the verdict is in and these are our new go to lobster rolls. No Mayo.. so much flavor, easy to put together and perfect for entertaining. Appreciate the Old Bay seasoning too!! Thanks Anita!
anita | wild thistle kitchen says
Pamela - thank you for this kind and generous comment! These are the stories that truly warm my heart and keep me going. Thank you for sharing this! xoxoxo - Anita