Hanky Pankys Are a Midwestern Classic Straight from the 80s

They’re meaty, cheesy, and perfect for serving at any gathering.

By
Susan Bronson
Susan Bronson
Susan Bronson
Susan Bronson is a science editor and food and wine writer based in northern Wisconsin. Her work is featured on Taste of Home and Simply Recipes. She is also the creator of the blog A Less Processed Life.
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Published January 23, 2026
Susan Bronson
Openfaced rye toast topped with seasoned ground beef and cheese mixture garnished with herbs part of a recipe for Hanky Panky snacks

Simply Recipes / Alexandra Shytsman
  • These cheesy, meaty appetizers are a Midwestern classic perfect for parties and game days.
  • Rye or pumpernickel party bread creates a sturdy, flavorful base for every bite.
  • You can assemble and freeze hanky pankys ahead, then bake them off straight from the freezer.

The party appetizers that instantly transport me back to my childhood are hanky pankys. These savory bites feature thin squares of rye bread topped with a mixture of ground meat and melted cheese. What’s not to love about that?

Back in the 1980s and 90s, my parents and their friends would rotate hosting a monthly card party to play bridge. When my parents hosted, my mom would make a batch of hanky pankys, and I remember the delicious aroma that would arise from the kitchen as they baked. (Meanwhile, I was surreptitiously sneaking from one card table to another, swiping a few M&Ms and roasted peanuts from each of the snack bowls before all the guests arrived.)

The hanky pankys would be served alongside all the other tasty food my parents’ friends contributed to the potluck, giving the house what I affectionately called “bridge smell.”

Small bread squares topped with a meat mixture arranged on a wooden platter and a decorative plate

Simply Recipes / Alexandra Shytsman

What are Hanky Pankys?

Hanky pankys are a classic Midwestern appetizer, particularly common in the Cincinnati, Ohio area, that are standard fare at holiday parties, tailgates, and game day get-togethers. Although the exact recipes may differ, these savory bites typically combine ground beef and ground pork with Velveeta cheese and herbs and spices.

Although I was born and raised in southwestern Ohio, my parents were both transplants (my mom is from New York and my dad is from California), so we don’t have a long family lore of making hanky pankys. My mom’s recipe comes from a cookbook the women’s group at our church put together on an annual basis during the 1980s.  

Toasted bread slices topped with a meat mixture displayed on a tray

Simply Recipes / Alexandra Shytsman

Where to Find Cocktail Rye Bread

Cocktail rye bread, also known as party rye or mini rye bread, refers to a long loaf of rye bread sliced into small, thin squares. Two typical varieties include caraway rye and pumpernickel rye; both work for this recipe.

Pepperidge Farm used to be my go-to brand for making hanky pankys, but they discontinued their party rye bread in 2022. S. Rosen’s Party Entertainers work well as a substitute. You should be able to find it in the deli section of most grocery stores; check near where the gourmet cheeses are sold.

If you can’t find cocktail rye bread, you can substitute a regular loaf of thinly sliced rye bread; simply cut each slice of bread into quarters. 

Tips for Making Hanky Pankys

  • You can easily modify the flavor of these appetizers by switching up the ground pork for a mild, hot or seasoned pork sausage. 
  • Enhance the savory flavor by adding a dash or two of Worcestershire sauce. 
  • These appetizers are perfect for making ahead and freeze well. Simply prep the hanky pankys as described in the recipe, then freeze before baking. They can be stored in a freezer-safe container for up to two months in the freezer and can be baked straight from frozen.
Toasts topped with a savory meat mixture served on a decorative plate with a red border

Simply Recipes / Alexandra Shytsman

More Retro Appetizers

Hanky Pankys

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 30 mins
Servings 24 servings
Yield 48 pieces
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Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground pork

  • 1 pound ground beef

  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

  • 1 teaspoon dried minced onion

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

  • 16 ounces Velveeta cheese, cubed

  • 48 slices (about 1 1/2 loaves) party rye bread

  • Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish, optional

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  2. Brown the meat:

    In a large skillet set over medium-high heat, brown the ground pork and ground beef until cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the meat from the pan and drain off and discard the excess fat from the skillet.

  3. Season the meat and melt the cheese:

    Return the meat to the now-empty skillet and add the red pepper flakes, dried minced onion, oregano, and garlic salt. Stir to combine, then add the cubed Velveeta cheese. Stir and cook over low heat until the cheese has melted.

  4. Assemble:

    Spread about 1 tablespoon of the meat and cheese mixture evenly onto each slice of rye bread. Arrange the topped slices on a baking sheet.

    Simple Tip!

    If you’re not planning to serve your hanky pankys immediately, place baking sheet in the freezer and freeze until firm. Transfer to a zip-top storage bag and freeze for up to 2 months.

  5. Bake and serve: 

    Bake the hanky pankys until bubbly, 5 to 8 minutes (or 8 to 10 minutes if baking from frozen).

    Garnish each hanky panky with fresh chopped parsley, if desired and serve warm.

    Leftover cooked hanky pankys can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, place the appetizers on a baking sheet and bake in a 350°F until heated through, 10 to 15 minutes.

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
275 Calories
13g Fat
23g Carbs
17g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 24
Amount per serving
Calories 275
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 13g 16%
Saturated Fat 6g 28%
Cholesterol 50mg 17%
Sodium 601mg 26%
Total Carbohydrate 23g 8%
Dietary Fiber 3g 9%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 17g
Vitamin C 0mg 2%
Calcium 129mg 10%
Iron 2mg 11%
Potassium 277mg 6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.