Baked Chili Cheese Dogs
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Chili cheese dogs are a summertime favorite, and it’s so easy to make a big batch at once. Take them from oven to table in under an hour!
This is such a great recipe for parties, picnics, game day, or a busy weeknight!
Baked Chili Cheese Dogs
I love that these baked chili cheese dogs are ready to go straight out of the oven, and they’re a great way to use up any leftover chili.
Want more quick and easy game day meal ideas? You can’t go wrong with air fryer hot dogs, pigs in a blanket or sloppy joes, and my stuffed bomb recipes make enough to feed a crowd.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Buns – I recommend using high-quality, thick buns to prevent these from falling apart. I prefer these ones from Pepperidge Farms since they won’t tip over and are sturdy enough to support all of the toppings.
- Hot Dogs – The Ballpark beef variety are the perfect size, in my opinion, and have a fantastic flavor. Feel free to use whichever you prefer, just be sure they match the size of your buns so everything is balanced.
- Cheese – Bagged shreds are fine in a pinch, but they tend to have a waxy texture from the anti-caking agents. I highly recommend shredding a fresh block of cheddar, and you can freeze extra for future recipes.
What to Serve with a Chili Cheese Dog
Pair these baked chili cheese dogs with any of your favorite cookout sides like potato or pasta salads, french fries, or coleslaw.
Want more toppings? You can’t go wrong with the classics like ketchup, mustard, pickle relish, and more red onion. Or, pile them extra high with green onion, sour cream, and crumbled bacon.
Even some of my homemade cheese sauce or honey mustard would taste great, and a drizzle of this copycat Big Mac sauce will add a little extra zip!
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- 9×13 Baking Dish – This set is one of my favorites! It comes with a lid for easy storage and is great for casseroles too.
- Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil – This is thicker and sturdier than regular foil, meaning it won’t tear as easily.
- Box Grater – As much as I love buying bagged shreds because it’s easier, freshly grated cheese melts down so much smoother and tastes better too.
- A Spatula makes it easier to get the dogs out of the dish without burning your fingers.
Baked Chili Cheese Dogs FAQ
Can I use canned chili instead?
Absolutely! I recommend using a thick or chunky variety, since excess liquid will just create a soggy mess.
Grab whatever sounds good, whether it has meat, is strictly beans, or includes peppers to make it extra spicy.
What if I can’t fit all of the baked chili dogs in one pan?
If you find that it’s hard to get them all in the same pan, either split them between two smaller pans or cook fewer at a time.
When working in batches, transfer the finished ones to a plate and tent with foil to keep them warm while you finish the rest.
Can I make baked chili cheese dogs ahead of time?
These are best eaten the same day. You can store leftovers in the refrigerator for about a day, but they will start to get soggy from the toppings.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
Don’t miss a thing! Follow us on
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
Baked Chili Cheese Dogs
Ingredients
- 8 hot dog buns, good quality
- 8 beef hot dogs, bun-size
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup hot dog chili, homemade or canned
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced (optional)
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic, about 2 garlic cloves
Optional Toppings
- red onion
- pickle relish
- ketchup
- yellow mustard
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Line a 9”x13” pan with aluminum foil and lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Place hot dog buns in the pan and evenly disperse 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese inside the buns.
- Next, place a hot dog inside of each bun. Evenly disperse 1 cup of chili across the top of each hot dog. Add red onion if desired.
- Melt butter and stir in minced garlic. Brush over the hot dog buns.
- Top each hot dog with the remaining cheddar cheese. Tent with foil and bake for 30-35 minutes or until cheese is melted on top.
- Remove hot dogs from the pan with a spatula and serve promptly with additional toppings, if desired.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published June 2021
Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.
This looks fun and easy! Can't wait to try them. I'll share a pic when I do. Thanks!
Very good! Made them tonight for dinner and was a quick, easy recipe! Dinner on the table in 30 minutes or less is my kind of thing!
Next time I’ll coat the inside of the bins with Mayo/relish mix, but that’s personal preference. The recipe is very good as is!
Chili dogs are one of my son’s favorite meals ever! These were so easy and didn’t take any time at all! Thank you for a recipe we will be using weekly!