Sliders with Bacon, Cheddar, BBQ & Homemade Onion Rings

Dude food at its finest!  Kick back a few of these babies during the game.  Cheesy, smoky, crispy, sweet, tangy, chewy - so many wonderful things going on in this little slider!  

Ingredients:
Yields 12 sliders

• 2 lb ground beef
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
• 12 slider buns, lightly toasted  
• Sharp cheddar cheese, sliced 1/4-inch thick
• Lettuce 
• 10 pieces bacon, cooked 
• Roasted red bell peppers (or tomato)
• BBQ sauce - See Celeste's BBQ Sauce

Onion Rings:

• 1 large sweet onion, cut into 1/2-inch rings
• 1 c all-purpose flour 
• 1 tsp baking powder 
• 1 tsp salt 
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder 
• 1/8 tsp paprika 
• 1/8 tsp black pepper 
• 1 large egg
• 1 c milk
• Vegetable oil, for deep fryer or enough to completely submerge the onions in a large pot
• Kosher salt 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Preheat the vegetable oil  in a deep fryer to 365 degrees or in a large, deep pot over medium-high heat.  

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, Dijon, salt, garlic powder, pepper and paprika.  Form the meat mixture into 12 patties, leaving a slight indent in the center.  

Bake the beef patties on a lightly greased baking sheet for 20 minutes.  Turn the patties over and bake for another 15 minutes.  Top each patty with the cheddar cheese and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the beef is cooked through. 

While the patties are baking, make the onion rings.  In a shallow bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, garlic powder, paprika and pepper.  In a separate shallow bowl, beat together the egg and milk.  Dredge the onion rings in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess.  Add the onions in the egg mixture to coat, gently shaking to allow the excess to drip off.  Dredge once more in the flour mixture.  Add the onion rings to the hot oil.  Fry until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes.  If you are using a stove top, the time may be more or less, depending on how hot your oil is, so just keep a close eye on them.  Remove from the oil with tongs and drain on paper towels.  Lightly dust the onion rings with some kosher salt, to taste.

Arrange the sliders.  Top the bottom buns with lettuce, beef patties, bacon, roasted red peppers, onion rings,  BBQ sauce and finish it off with the top bun.

Enjoy!