Hanky Panky Appetizer Recipe - Meaty and Cheesy - Talking Meals (2024)

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This Hanky Panky Appetizer recipe is cheesy, meaty, delicious, and can be made ahead. Freeze them and cook in minutes!

Looking for the perfect, easy, addictive, delicious appetizer for your next party? Look no further than this Hanky Panky Appetizer Recipe, the BEST Party Appetizers around! They’re cheesy, meaty, and absolutely delicious. Ground Beef is mixed with Homemade Chicken Sausage and then combined with lots of cheese until its a creamy addictive pot of goodness. Then it is scooped on top of bread, toasts, or crackers, which makes it a canape.

You can make them ahead and freeze them for up to 3 months. Then simply lay them out on a sheet pan frozen and cook them in the oven until the bread/cracker toasts up and the topping is melty. Then serve these meaty appetizers on a platter and watch your guests go crazy for them!

Easy Ingredients to Make Hanky Panky Appetizers

Fridge Ingredients

• 1 lb Lean Ground Beef (I used 90% lean) and 1 lb Ground Chicken (I used white meat) – You can use any combination of ground chicken, turkey, beef, and/or pork. You just need to get to 2 pounds in total.
• Cream Cheese – Cream cheese is what helps to make the meat mixture really creamy and stick together. If you don’t have cream cheese, you can use 2 ounces of sour cream and an additional 2 ounces of shredded cheese.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese – I love cheddar in this recipe, but you can also use Monterey Jack, Provolone, Manchego, Mozzarella, Gruyere or any other melty cheese.
• Fresh Parsley, chopped – The fresh parsley brings in a bit of color and freshness, but is not necessary for this recipe to taste great.
• Fresh Garlic, minced – Fresh is best when it comes to garlic, but you can buy pre-minced garlic to save time or mince it in bulk andfreeze itfor use when you need it!

Pantry or Counter Ingredients

• Fennel Seed – Fennel seed is the ingredient that brings that Italian sausage flavor. It’s not absolutely necessary, but definitely gives that traditional Hanky Panky flavor.
• Dried Oregano – Oregano is great for adding more herby flavor. You can substitute in dried Italian seasoning, dried basil, or dried marjoram.
• Salt and Black Pepper
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – You can substitute in vegetable oil, coconut oil, canola oil.
• Crackers – I used Absolutely Gluten Free Crackers, Original for these. However, the traditional vehicle to carry the meaty goodness is a co*cktail rye square. You can get creative and use sliced baguette, butter crackers, bread slices, or anything you want really!

Why Are Hanky Panky One of the Best Party Appetizer Recipes?

1. The name is Hanky Panky! FYI, I did not make this name up! It came about in the early 1970’s in the midwest and the name was likely derived from some fun ‘swinging’ parties.
2. They include Meat, Cheese, and Bread. I’ve revised the recipe but still keep the essence of these!
3. They are make-ahead apps. You can make them up to 3 months in advance and keep in the freezer, then pull them out and cook in minutes for a snack, for last minute guests, or for a planned party.
4. They are super EASY to make. Everything gets made in 1 skillet or pot and then you top bread or crackers and freeze.
5. This Hanky Panky recipe is updated with real ingredients. The original recipe included a very processed shelf-stable cheese. My recipe swaps that out for shredded real cheddar along with some cream cheese for creaminess.
6. You can make them Gluten Free. While the original recipe used co*cktail rye breads, I have used Gluten Free Crackers that I tested and work beautifully after freezing and cooking!
7. My Grandma and my Mom made them since I can remember. Generations of Moms cannot be wrong!

Time Saving Prep-Ahead Steps for Your Hanky Panky Appetizers

We are all extremely busy and making dinner during the week can be overwhelming. Prepping meals ahead can make ALL the difference! So, here are the steps you can do the day(s) in advance and store in the fridge…(See the recipe below for more details)

Mix the Chicken Sausage

The traditional recipe includes a combo of Pork Sausage and Ground Beef. My version replaces the Pork Sausage with a homemade Lean White Meat Ground Italian Chicken Sausage mixture that works great in this plus so many other recipes!

Mix all chicken sausage meat ingredients (ground chicken, minced garlic, chopped parsley, fennel seed, Salt, fresh ground pepper) in a bowl. Either store in fridge until ready to cook or keep going on to the cooking the meat.

Cooking Your Hanky Panky Appetizers!

This recipe is great because it’s so easy! Everything gets layered into one large skillet, soup pot, or dutch oven.

Start by browning the ground chicken sausage meat mixture. I mean, REALLY browning it. Separate it, then don’t touch it for 4-5 minutes until it gets really, really browned. Then stir and add in the ground beef. Stir again to combine and let the beef cook through.

Then add the cream cheese and shredded cheese, stirring until thick and creamy.

Top Your Hanky Pankies

On a baking sheet pan or cookie sheet that will fit flat into your freezer, lay out the crackers (or co*cktail rye squares or other bottom layer of your choosing). Place a small amount of the cooled cheesy meat mixture on top of each cracker. I used Absolutely Gluten Free Crackers, Original. Once all are topped, lightly cover and seal with foil or plastic wrap, and place in freezer. Once completely frozen (approx. 6 hours) transfer gently to a freezer container or freezer bag.

When you are ready to serve, preheat your oven to 375 F degrees. Remove the Hanky Panky Canapes from the freezer and place on a lightly oiled sheet pan. Cook in the oven for 12-14 minutes, until warmed through and the crackers are crispy.

That’s it! ENJOY! 😍Carrie

Hanky Panky Recipe FAQS

What can you use for the Cracker or Bread Base?

The traditional base for Hanky Panky is a co*cktail or Party Rye Bread square. However, they are sometimes not available in stores until the holiday season in the fall. I also think they are a little big for a heavy appetizer like this. So, if you are looking for a substitute, you can use a crisp cracker. I used Absolutely Gluten Free Crackers, Original. They are the perfect size, not too salty, and because they are plain, they let the Hanky Panky Meat Topping stand out. You can also use pumpernickel bread cut into small squares.

Is there Velveeta cheese in this recipe?

This Hanky Panky recipe is updated with real ingredients and does not use Velveeta cheese, which is a processed shelf-stable cheese. My recipe swaps that out for shredded real cheddar along with some cream cheese for creaminess.

How many Hanky Panky pieces should I estimate per person?

I have estimated 5 Hanky Panky Pieces per person in this recipe, for a total of 70 pieces providing about 14 servings of 5 pieces each. Truthfully, as a caterer in my previous life, I can tell you that the number of pieces per person depends on what you are also serving. I generally estimate a total 10-12 appetizer pieces per person for a co*cktail party with either passed or table appetizers or hors ‘d’oeuvres. That means that if you have 4 different appetizers, then each of those 4 will need to serve about 3 pieces per person. I assumed for this recipe that you will have other food available.

How long will these Hanky Panky Appetizers last in the freezer?

These Hanky Panky Appetizers will last for up to 6 months in a sealed container in the freezer. To freeze, place all of the topped Hanky Panky pieces on a baking sheet, lightly cover and seal with foil or plastic wrap, and place in freezer. Once completely frozen (approx. 6 hours) transfer gently to a freezer container or freezer bag.

What are some other appetizers to serve with Hanky Panky?

I like to serve a variety of individual pieces vs. platters, cold vs. hot appetizers, and vegetarian vs. meat appetizers. For a plater, my Best Bruschetta Topping with Tomato, Artichoke, and Goat Cheese is a favorite among friends. For a cold dip, this Edamame Dip with Gorgonzola and Harissa Oil is unique and delicious! Both of these are vegetarian as well. For more hearty and meaty options, try these make-ahead Easiest Ground Beef Empanadas – Baked or my Make-Ahead Mini Beef Wellington Bites!

Have you tried this recipe? If so, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating in the recipe below! I love to hear your feedback and your rating helps others to find this recipe. Thanks so much!

Check out the Web Story for these Hanky Panky Canapes!