Description
Hanky Panky Bites elevate classic party snacks with a perfect blend of spicy sausage and melted cheese on crisp party rye. Sharp cheddar and zesty flavors create an irresistible appetizer that will have guests craving more at your next gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound ground sausage (breakfast sausage or Italian sausage)
- 8 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
Cheese:
- 1.5 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 loaf rye cocktail bread (or regular rye bread, crackers)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 medium onion, diced (or shallots for a milder taste)
- 1 tablespoon butter or oil for sauteing onions
Instructions
- Sizzle ground sausage in a skillet over moderate heat, fragmenting the meat until thoroughly cooked and displaying a rich brown color. Eliminate excess fat through draining.
- Utilize the identical skillet, introducing butter to caramelize onions until translucent and golden, creating a fragrant base for the appetizer.
- Transfer the crumbled sausage and softened onions into a spacious mixing vessel, incorporating cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, mustard powder, and sharp cheddar cheese. Thoroughly amalgamate ingredients until the mixture achieves a cohesive, slightly melted consistency.
- Arrange rye cocktail bread pieces across a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring uniform positioning for consistent cooking.
- Generously distribute the sausage-cheese blend atop each bread slice, creating substantial mounds that cover the surface completely.
- Activate the oven to 375°F, positioning the tray in the center. Roast for approximately 12 minutes, monitoring until the cheese transforms into a bubbling, amber-toned topping and bread edges crisp delicately.
- Remove from oven and allow minimal cooling time to set the melted cheese before serving these savory bites as an irresistible appetizer.
Notes
- Customize the sausage by using mild or spicy varieties to match your heat preference and add depth to the flavor profile.
- Swap rye bread with gluten-free alternatives or whole wheat options for dietary accommodations without compromising taste.
- Prepare the filling mixture ahead of time and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld together and making party prep more efficient.
- Consider using turkey sausage or plant-based sausage crumbles for a lighter, leaner version of this classic appetizer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 20
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg