Hanky Pankys are a delicious, old-fashioned appetizer served at potlucks, get-togethers, and holidays. The Hanky Panky sliders spin is super easy and will be a crowd-pleaser for sure!
In my opinion, the best things in life are easy to make and delicious. This recipe for Hanky Panky Sliders checks both boxes. If you've never had Hanky Pankys, you're in for a real treat! The combination of sausage, beef, cheese, and spices is a magical thing! Variations of the recipe have also been known to be called Party Pizzas, Polish Mistakes, Polish Disasters, and S*%& on a Shingle.
I've been in love with this appetizer for 30 years. I don't have a clue of its origin, but for me, it began with my aunts throwing Home Interior parties (home decor in the 1980s). These little numbers would always be included in the spread of goodies.
Traditionally, the cheesy meat filling is spread on cocktail rye bread slices and baked in the oven (see recipe below). To be honest, I went to 3 stores and cocktail rye bread slices were nowhere to be found. They're more plentiful in the bakery department around Thanksgiving and Christmas. My usual plan B is to use regular rye bread slices cut in half, but they're just not as cute. Plan C, which might be my new favorite, is King's Hawaiian Pretzel Slider Buns!
The combination of the savory filling, salty pretzel exterior, and sweet bread is a beautiful thing! Obviously, they're great in their classic rye bread form, but these just might become your new favorite way of making them too! I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my family does!
Table of Contents
What You'll Need
- Breakfast Sausage
- Hamburger
- Cayenne Pepper
- Oregano
- Garlic Powder
- American Cheese
- King's Hawaiian Pretzel Slider Buns
Tools You'll Need
How to Make Hanky Panky Sliders
- Cook and crumble the meat in a skillet on medium-high heat until no longer pink and cooked through. Drain any excess grease in a colander or with a paper towel.
- Turn the heat to medium, and add the spices. Stir until combined well.
- Lay the cheese slices on top of the meat, and allow it to warm for 3 minutes. Stir the mixture until the cheese has fully melted and it's a cohesive mix.
- Separate the tops from the bottoms of the buns. To each of the bottom buns, add 2 tablespoons of the cooked filling. Add the top buns to the top and serve. (Optional: butter and toast the inside of the buns in a skillet prior to adding the filling.) Hanky Panky sliders are best served warm.
Tips and Substitutions
- Velveeta can be substituted for American cheese. You can also use a combination of the two. Substituting with cheddar will not yield the creaminess that makes this recipe so delicious, but you can use it as well.
- You can use ground turkey, mild, hot, or homemade breakfast sausage.
- The leftover filling is also excellent used as a filling for a grilled sandwich, quesadilla, or over tortilla chips.
- Hanky Panky sliders can be an easy gluten-free appetizer by using corn tortilla chips or gluten-free bread as the base.
- For a low-carb version, halve and remove the membrane from mini sweet peppers, fill with the filling, and bake in the oven or air fry.
- If you want to make this a dip, add a can of Rotel, ¼ pound more American and/or Velveeta cheese, and a splash of milk to your desired consistency. This is great to serve in a slow cooker with tortilla chips and raw veggies.
- You can make the filling ahead of time and reheat it before your get-together.
Storage
- Store any leftover filling mixture in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
- The filling can be frozen in an air-tight container for up to 3 months.
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Hanky Panky Sliders
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb breakfast sausage
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 lb American cheese
- 24 King's Hawaiian Pretzel Slider Buns
Instructions
- To a medium skillet on medium-high heat, crumble and brown the beef and sausage until no longer pink. Drain any excess grease and return to the pan on medium heat.
- Fold in the cheese and spices and cook until the cheese is melted.
- Scoop 2 tablespoons of the cheesy meat mixture on each pretzel slider bun base. Place the top buns on top and serve. Optional, butter and toast the inside of the buns on the stovetop before adding the filling.
VANESSA
I use the rye bread and just cut the bread in half. they are just bigger squares. my family likes this better!
Laura Ashley
Yes, they really are SUPER delicious with rye bread! 🙂
Jen Gilbert
These are delicious!! We ate them for supper one night, and the next day I put the leftover filling in some phyllo shells and they were the best little snack!
Laura Ashley
Thank you! I love how you repurposed that filling too!
Debbie DeFiore
Hi Laura Ashley, I’m so excited to be on your email list. I also follow you on Instagram and I just love your recipes. So practical, comforting and most of all delicious. I think you are one of the most kindest, and sweetest people, and though I don’t know you I can tell you are a Christian. The Light of Christ surely and truly shines through you! I love how He can and able to work through others on something as simple as an Instagram Feed! Thanks be to God! and THANK YOU for who you are and what you do. You are a true blessing to so many.
In Christ Love,
Debbie DeFiore ♥️
Laura Ashley
Debbie, this comment has left my heart feeling so full! Thank you SO much for your kindness and support! I do try to be a witness to others as best I can on my platforms, and I'm happy to hear that it's what is coming across as well. I'm so happy you're here and that you like my content. I hope you have a blessed day!
Elaine Cope
These went over very well. So easy to make. Delicious with the pretzel buns.
Laura Ashley
That is fantastic to hear!! I'm so happy you made them and they were a hit!