Hanky Panky (Easy Recipe)

Make your next party even more memorable with some sinful Hanky Panky! It might have a naughty name, but this is one tasty appetizer.

Ground beef, sausage, and cheese combine to make the ultimate topping in this dish. Then, smother it all over toasted rye or pumpernickel bread for something you won’t soon forget.

Here’s a bonus: it’s an easy, 20-minute recipe that’ll feed and satisfy any hungry crowd!

What more could you ask for?

So put on some Marvin Gaye and get ready for the most mind-blowing Hanky Panky you’ll have ever had.

As the king of soul sang: let’s get it on!

Hanky Panky 

A rich, cheesy, and meaty filling rest atop crunchy toasted bread. How can you go wrong with that? 

Hanky Panky is also referred to as “Polish Mistake,” although I have no idea why.

It’s just like eating an open-faced burger, but with a toastier bun and a cheesier patty! 

If that’s a mistake, then I hope to make a lot more like it.

What is Hanky Panky? 

I’m sure you know of naughty hanky panky, but have you ever heard of Hanky Panky – the food?

Hanky panky is a mixture of ground beef, ground pork sausage, and melty cheese served on toasted rye or pumpernickel bread. It’s also known as “Polish Mistakes” and “Polish Disasters.” Typically served as an appetizer or party food, it’s best served right away to keep the toast from turning soggy.

It’s also called “Sh*t on a Shingle,” and I swear I am not making this up!

But funny names aside, it makes for scrumptious finger food.

Sure, it doesn’t look that appetizing.

I mean, that yellow and brown color combination is probably why it’s got such unaffectionate names.

Luckily, it tastes a lot better than it looks. 

How Do You Make Hanky Pankys? 

It’s embarrassingly easy! Here’s how.

If you serve Hanky Panky on bread, start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Otherwise, proceed to the next step: browning the ground beef and sausage.

1. In a large pan, combine the ground beef, ground pork sausage, and onions.
2. Cook them over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the meat is no longer pink – around five minutes).
3. Drain off the excess grease so the mixture doesn’t make the bread soggy.
4. Reduce the heat to low and add the seasonings.
5. Next, add the cheese in small small cubes, so they melt quicker.
6. Give the mixture a good stir until the cheese has completely melted into the meat. 
7. Just like that, your Hanky Panky mix is ready to go!

You can serve it at this point as a dip or sandwich filling, but the traditional way to serve it is on top of rye or pumpernickel bread.

For this, place rye or pumpernickel cocktail bread slices onto a baking dish. Top them with a dollop of meat mixture, and into the oven, they go.

Bake the bread slices for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they’re nicely toasted and the cheese starts to bubble.

I don’t like to add too many seasonings because I want the ground beef and sausage flavors to shine through. So I’m happy with just the cayenne and red pepper flakes to add more kick.

Don’t feel like you need to limit yourself to those spices, though! I hear Hanky Panky tastes excellent when seasoned with garlic powder, oregano, and Worcestershire sauce, too. 

Now’s the perfect time to bring out your inner chef and experiment with spices and seasonings. 

How to Serve Hanky Panky 

The traditional way to serve Hanky Panky is on toasted rye or pumpernickel bread.

Both types of bread are made from rye grains and tend to be darker and denser, which are perfect for holding in all that hefty filling.

Served on pumpernickel or rye bread, it makes for a fantastic entree.

Use cocktail bread – which is basically a smaller version of the standard loaf – to make a delicious party appetizer.

Any other type of bread works, too, though.

Use it to fill sandwiches, flour tortillas, or sliders for a more filling dish. Or, top it on nachos for another fun appetizer or a starchy baked potato for a hearty meal.

You can also simply serve Hanky Panky on a bowl with various dipping vessels, such as tortilla chips, scoop chips, and rye crackers, on the side.

Tips for Making The Best Dish 

• If you can’t take the heat, you can make a milder version by using mild ground sausage. In fact, feel free to use your favorite sausage! Beef, chicken, turkey – you name it. Just remember to remove the casings, if any.
• Make Hanky Panky even more sinful with an extra slice of Velveeta cheese on top. Don’t you just love how a simple addition of melted cheese can make any dish even more mouthwatering?
• Give your Hanky Panky even more oomph with Worcestershire sauce, oregano, and other seasonings. Let your imagination run wild.
• If you’re not that hungry yet, let the meat mixture simmer at low heat for 20 minutes before adding the cheese. This will allow the flavors to marry, giving you an even yummier Hanky Panky.
• Use a cookie scoop to scoop and drop the filling onto the bread. This is especially handy if you’re feeding a crowd.
• Make Hanky Panky in advance and pop them in the freezer. That way, you can simply take out a slice or two in case you’re in the mood for a naughty treat. 

How To Freeze Hank Panky

Follow all the steps on the recipe card, except don’t bake it yet.

Instead, freeze the assembled Hanky Pankies until solid, about 1 to 2 hours.

Transfer them into Ziploc bags, squeezing out as much air as you can to prevent freezer burn.

Bake the Hanky Pankies at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 minutes when ready.

More Appetizer Recipes You’ll Love

Pigs in a Blanket
Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Wings
Spinach Artichoke Dip
Seven-Layer Taco Dip
Velveeta Sausage Dip