Hanky Panky Bites: Cheesy Spiced Meat on Toasted Rye Recipe
Hanky Panky is a savory appetizer featuring a hearty blend of ground beef, spicy sausage, and creamy processed cheese served on thinly sliced rye bread. This warm, cheesy bite combines bold flavors with a satisfying texture, perfect for parties or gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: About 30-40 appetizers depending on bread slice size 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 1 ¼ pounds ground beef
- 1 pound hot pork sausage (e.g., Jimmy Dean’s)
- 1 teaspoon ground oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 pinch fennel seeds
Cheese
- 1 pound processed cheese (such as Velveeta), cut into cubes
Bread
- 1 loaf thinly sliced party rye bread (cocktail rye bread)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400° F to prepare for baking the assembled appetizers.
- Cook the Meat: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add ground beef and hot pork sausage. Stir and cook until the meat is browned, breaking up large chunks with a potato masher or fork for even cooking.
- Drain Fat and Season: Once browned, drain excess fat from the skillet. Then add ground oregano, garlic powder, crushed red pepper, and fennel seeds. Reduce heat to low and let it cook gently for 20 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Add Cheese: Stir in the cubed processed cheese until it melts completely and incorporates into a creamy mixture. Remove the skillet from heat once the cheese is thoroughly blended.
- Assemble on Bread: Using a small ice cream scoop (about 1¼ inch diameter) or tablespoon, place a dollop of the meat and cheese mixture onto each slice of party rye bread.
- Bake: Arrange the topped rye bread slices on a cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the bread is toasted and the topping is bubbling and hot.
- Serve: Serve the Hanky Panky appetizers warm or at room temperature for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- You can turn this recipe into a Hanky Panky Dip by adding a can of Rotel and cooking everything in a crockpot or slow cooker until the cheese melts; serve with sturdy chips like Frito scoops.
- Processed cheese like Velveeta is recommended for its meltability; alternatively, cheeses such as Fontina or Monterey Jack can be used.
- Drain excess fat after cooking the meat mixture to avoid greasiness in the final dish.
- The mixture should be creamy and spreadable but not runny to prevent soggy bread.
- Reheat leftovers in the oven to restore warmth and melt the cheese if it solidifies.
Keywords: Hanky Panky recipe, party appetizer, ground beef appetizer, spicy sausage cheese bites, rye bread appetizer
