This Crispy, Cheesy, 4-Ingredient Appetizer Starts With A Loaf Of French Bread

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Need something warm and cheesy to pass around at your next dinner party? Don't want to make something with more than four ingredients? Hog pogs are the answer. If you're a fan of classic, retro appetizer recipes, you'll love these savory little toasts; they're easy to make and only require a loaf of sliced French bread, a pound of ground Italian sausage, a block of softened cream cheese, and finely grated parmesan (plus a pinch of salt and pepper). There's no chopping or pre-cooking required. Mix the raw sausage with the cream cheese and some of the parmesan, spread a thin layer over each slice of bread, and finish with a light dusting of parmesan. Then, bake until the sausage is cooked through and the edges of the bread turn golden before sliding the hog pogs under the broiler for a couple of minutes for a bubbly, browned top.

The appeal is in the contrast of flavors and textures; the bread becomes crisp around the edges while the sausage and cream cheese mixture stays rich and creamy underneath its browned, cheesy top. The appetizer is hearty enough to feel more satisfying than a bowl of chips or crackers, but still small enough to serve as finger food. It's best to serve the toasts warm, when the bread is at its crispiest and the topping is still soft and melty.

As hog pogs are not particularly pretty to look at, we recommend displaying them in a flat row so they cool down quickly and serving them on a wooden tray like the Ayiaren rectangular acacia wood serving tray, finished with a sprinkle of dried dill or freshly chopped chives or parsley. A simple garnish goes a long way here, adding a little color and making these rustic bites look more inviting. You could also arrange them alongside a small bowl of marinara or a savory garlic dipping sauce if you want to give guests an extra option.

Once you're done, you'll have a crisp, creamy, rich, and comforting appetizer, just the thing for a cozy gathering by the fireplace, a game night, or a holiday dinner event. You can make them full-size for a hearty snack or cut them into bite-size squares for a party platter, which also makes them easier to grab and share when you're serving a crowd. Either way, we doubt there will be any leftovers.