Description
Savory hanky panky appetizers blend Italian sausage and melted cheese into irresistible party bites that spark instant conversation. Guests will devour these miniature flavor bombs, craving more with each perfectly seasoned, crispy-edged morsel.
Ingredients
Scale
Meats:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground pork sausage (mild or spicy)
Cheese:
- 1 (16 ounces/454 grams) package Velveeta cheese, cubed
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional, for extra flavor)
Seasonings and Bread:
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 loaf cocktail rye bread (or party pumpernickel bread)
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high temperature and thoroughly brown the ground beef and sausage, crumbling the meat into small, uniform pieces.
- Carefully drain away excess fat from the cooked meat mixture, ensuring a lean protein base.
- Reduce skillet heat to low and infuse the meat with robust flavor by incorporating Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Add cubed Velveeta and shredded cheddar cheese, stirring continuously until the mixture transforms into a glossy, homogeneous blend.
- Arrange cocktail rye bread slices across a spacious baking sheet in neat, organized rows.
- Generously spoon the molten meat and cheese mixture onto each bread slice, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- For baking: Preheat oven to 375F and transform the appetizers into crispy delights by cooking for approximately 10 minutes until edges become golden and bread achieves a satisfying crunch.
- Alternatively, for broiling: Position the baking sheet under high broiler heat, monitoring closely for 2-3 minutes until the tops become bubbling and caramelized.
- Transfer the sizzling hanky panky appetizers to a serving platter and present immediately while at peak temperature and texture.
Notes
- Pick lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a cleaner, more appetizing appetizer.
- Test cheese melting technique by stirring continuously to prevent burning and ensure smooth consistency.
- Customize spice levels by adjusting red pepper flakes for mild or bold flavor preferences.
- Explore gluten-free options by substituting cocktail rye with gluten-free crackers or vegetable bases like cucumber rounds.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg