The mini burger/slider trend caught on with trendy restaurants a while ago, so it's nothing new (especially if you count the fact that Krystal and White Castle have been scratching that itch forever), but they're popular for good reason — easy to eat and a lot of flavor in a few bites. Get some recipes (including a vegan one!) below...

We like the idea of a plate of mini burgers this time of year. They hint at summer barbecues but are easily made inside in a frying pan, not on a grill. If you are a football fan, they make perfect tailgate food.

And we love the fact that each burger only needs a little dab of a topping. No need to pile on lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and loads of ketchup. Tiny burgers need tiny toppings — just one or two things — to keep them a one-handed, quick meal. So you can make an interesting sauce, drop a spoonful of caramelized onions on top, or layer in a pickled beet. The ones pictured above have an arugula pesto on top.

Here are a few recipes from our archives and the web:

• Mini Lamb Burgers on Roasted Potato Rounds from the Kitchn
• Bombay Sliders with Garlic Curry Sauce from Epicurious
• Meatball Sliders from Epicurious
• Kobe Bleu Cheese Mini Burgers with Cipollini Onions in Balsamic Reduction from the Food Network
• Black Bean Vegan Mini Burgers from Just Hungry

Related: Hot Trend: Mini Casseroles, Pots, and Pans

(Image: Flickr member Chotda, licensed for use under Creative Commons)