There is nothing improper about this Hanky Panky recipe for old-fashioned, delicious, cocktail rye bread appetizers. Also known as a “polish mistake,” Hanky Pankies are topped with a combination of sausage, hamburger meat and, what else, lots of gooey cheesy goodness! If you have never had a Hanky Panky, you are in for a treat!
Can you freeze Hanky Pankies?
Hanky Pankies are a make-ahead wonder, and they freeze beautifully, which means you can always have them stockpiled in your freezer for impromptu guests or just when you want a little snack.
They only take a few minutes to prepare and even less time to heat up and serve. Men, in particular, seem to love these hearty party rye bread appetizers and they are perfect for a holiday, game day, New Year’s Eve, or Super Bowl party. Hanky Pankies also make a great light lunch or even dinner.
This Hanky Panky recipe was initially given to me by my friend, Harriet Irwin, over 20 years ago, and I have been making them ever since. It is one of my “go-to” recipes, and I promise once you make them, you will be making them over and over again too!
Are you looking for more quick and easy game day or holiday party recipes?
Check out these popular recipes on my blog: Easy Crunchy Taco Cups, Cheesy Creole Shrimp Toast, Southern Caviar Dip AKA Redneck Dip, Easy Cheesy Hot Corn Dip with Rotel and Jalapeno, and Easy Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms. Need more menu ideas or recipes? Check out this roundup post: 41 Quick and Easy Game Day Snacks and Appetizers or browse all of my appetizer recipes or snack recipes here!
How to make Quick and Easy Hanky Pankies:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Add ground beef and sausage to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir and cook until browned. Use a potato masher or large fork to break up any large clumps of meat.
When the meat has browned, drain off any excess fat.
Add oregano, garlic powder, crushed red pepper, and fennel seeds. Reduce the heat to low and continue cooking for 20 minutes.
Cut the cheese into cubes and add to the meat mixture.
Stir until the cheese has melted and everything is thoroughly blended, remove from the heat.
Use a medium ice-cream scoop or spoon to add a dollop of the meat and cheese mixture to each piece of bread.
Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes. Or, bake until the bread is toasted and the topping is bubbling.
Sharon’s Expert Tips:
- To make ahead, put the prepared Hanky Pankies on a cookie sheet in a single layer. Place in the freezer for an hour or so until they are frozen. Remove from the baking sheet and store in a gallon-size plastic freezer bag in the freezer. To bake, place the frozen Hanky Pankies on a baking sheet and bake as directed above.
- At Publix, loaves of party or cocktail rye bread are near the deli with flatbreads and pita bread.
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Quick and Easy Hanky Panky Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 lbs ground beef
- 1 lb hot pork sausage I used Jimmy Dean's
- 1 lb processed cheese I used Velveeta
- 1 tsp ground oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
- 1 pinch fennel seeds
- 1 loaf party rye bread sometimes called cocktail rye bread
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Add ground beef and sausage to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir and cook until browned. Use a potato masher or large fork to break up any large clumps of meat.
- When the meat has browned, drain off any excess fat.
- Add oregano, garlic powder, crushed red pepper and fennel seeds. Reduce the heat to low and continue cooking for 20 minutes.
- Cut the cheese into cubes and add to the meat mixture. Stir until the cheese has melted and everything is thoroughly blended, remove from the heat.
- Use a medium ice-cream scoop or spoon and add a dollop of the meat and cheese mixture to each piece of bread. Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the bread is toasted and the topping is bubbling.
Notes
- To make ahead, put the prepared Hanky Pankies on a cookie sheet in a single layer and place in the freezer for an hour or so until they are frozen. Remove from the baking sheet and store in a gallon-size plastic freezer bag in the freezer. To bake, simply place the frozen Hanky Pankies on a baking sheet and bake as directed above.
- At Publix, you can find loaves of party or cocktail rye bread near the deli with flatbread and pita bread.
Nutrition
*Updated on September 18, 2019, to add links to a roundup post and additional appetizer recipes. No changes to the recipe.
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