Baked Chili Cheese Dogs

Name: Baked Chili Cheese Dogs
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 8 hot dog buns; 8 hot dogs ((I use all beef)); 1.5 cups chili; 2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)

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If you’re in need of a quick dinner that will be a hit with your family and friends, these Baked Chili Cheese Dogs are the answer! They’re so easy to make thanks to the oven and require little to no prep – you can forget the hassle of having everyone build their own. Customize with your favorite hot dog toppings for a dish that will have many asking for seconds.

A plate of baked chili cheese dogs with a bowl of slaw and relish in the background.

It’s officially summer, and what says summer better than Baked Chili Cheese Dogs? These are truly one of my husband’s favorite things to eat. And I can easily say that I love how quickly I can make them in about 30 minutes, even on the busiest weeknight. They’re also the perfect way to use up any leftover chili from the night before.

I can’t even begin to explain how much these are always a crowdpleaser with any group! They are devoured in minutes whenever they’re brought to the table. Serve these baked hot dogs with Instant Pot corn on the cob, a spaghetti pasta salad, or a cool and creamy coleslaw! They’ll definitely be a hit!

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

Simple & Easy Meal: This recipe is so simple – just assemble the 4 main ingredients and bake.
Customize to Your Liking: You can use your favorite hot dogs or even any cooked sausage. Change up the cheese and use your favorite chili recipes you love.
Family Favorite Even with Picky Eaters: Everyone loves chili dogs, adults and kids alike, so it’s perfect for the whole family!

Ingredients

Hot Dogs: You really can use any brand you want to use in this recipe. I love Nathan’s All Beef Hot Dogs. They are skinless, nitrate-free, and come in a variety of lengths and thicknesses.
Hot Dog Buns: Again, choose the ones your family loves the most. I like to buy a little bit more of a sturdier bun for this recipe so it can hold up to the chili.
Chili: You can make an easy homemade hot dog chili sauce, or buy your favorite canned sauce to make it easy chili. This is also a great way to use up that leftover chili. Both a bean chili and a no-bean chili work well.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese: For optimal melt, shred a block of cheese. If you want to keep it easy and buy pre-shredded cheese, just realize there may be a difference, as they usually contain caking agents; however, I have had great results with Sargento brand off-the-block cheese (this is not sponsored – I just love their cheese).
Toppings – Don’t forget your favorite toppings!

How to Make Baked Chili Cheese Dogs

✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!

Four image collage showing the process to making baked chili cheese dogs.

Step 1 | Preheat Oven and Place Hot Dogs in Pan

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Arrange the hot dog buns in a 9 X 13 baking dish or pan.

TIP: Line the pan with parchment paper or foil for easier cleanup.

Step 2 | Spoon Chili and Cheese on the Top

Evenly top each hot dog with a spoonful or two of chili and top with shredded cheddar cheese.

Step 3 | Bake and Enjoy

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the hot dogs are fully cooked and heated through.

Top with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Expert Tips

If you like a crispy hot dogs, pan fry, grill, bake, or air fry hot dogs before putting them in the bun to bake.
Extra toasty buns: Spread the bun with a little butter or spray with olive oil and place in the oven a few minutes before adding the hot dogs, chili, and cheese. This will help keep the chili dogs from becoming soggy.
Broil to finish for a golden brown top: These baked chili dogs will come out nice and melty delicious, but if you’d like the cheese just a little to brown up even more turn on the broiler for just a minute or two.
If you don’t have leftover chili or time to make homemade chili, you can easily use store-bought.
Shred the cheese yourself if possible. This makes for the gooiest melt since the pre-shredded cheese has an anti-caking powder on it that prevents it from melting as nicely.

Variations:

While these baked chili cheese dogs are great as is, I’ve tried many other versions over the years and here are some others my family loved:

Other Delicious Toppings: Chili dogs are tasty on their own, but even more scrumptious with the traditional toppings like ketchup, mustard, and dill or sweet relish. Onions are another favorite topping that my husband loves – diced yellow, white, red onion, or even sliced green onions.
Make them Spicy: Sliced pickled jalapenos, diced fresh jalapenos, green chilis, or even banana peppers will bring up the heat factor with chili cheese dogs.
Drizzle with a Sauce: A little of your favorite hot sauce will complement these chili cheese dogs nicely. Try some ranch or blue cheese dressing with a little buffalo sauce for a new combination. A dollop of sour cream and some tortilla strips are delish too!
Add a Little Crunch: Sprinkle with dried fried onions or jalapenos you can find in the salad dressing aisle at the grocery store.
Swap the Cheese: Try Monterey Jack or pepper jack for a fun twist on flavors.

Hot dogs baked in a baking pan with chili and cheese on top.

Storage Instructions and Tips

Leftovers don’t keep as well for this dish. However, you can adjust by only making the amount you plan to eat. If you do have leftovers, you can pull the hot dog buns off and use a fresh bun for best results (this will prevent a soggy bun).
Cover leftover baked chili dogs with foil or plastic wrap or place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3 days.
To reheat individual servings, place the desired amount on a microwave-safe dish and reheat. Start with 1 minute, then add 30-second intervals until heated to your liking. You can also place it in a new bun and reheat it in the oven at 375°F for 15 to 20 minutes or until cooked through.
Another tip that I tried recently for reheating is that these also heat well in the air fryer at 350°F for about 4 to 5 minutes.
I also don’t recommend assembling these hot dogs too far in advance since the chili can make the buns soggy. You can prep the chili in advance to cut down on prep time and then assemble and bake right before dinnertime.

What to Serve with Baked Chili Dogs

Baked hot dogs are a nice, simple supper for busy weeknights. They are perfect for a backyard BBQ, game night, or picnic. Keep it easy and serve them with chips and dip, and you are all set.

If you want to get a little fancy french fries or onion rings always pair perfectly. Baked beans and coleslaw are also traditional side dish choices.

A hot dog topped with chili and cheese set on a white plate with a bite taken from the hot dog.

FAQs

What is the best kind of hot dog to use for chili cheese dogs?

Really, any kind of hot dog will work for these chili cheese dogs. I like to use an all-beef hot dog like Nathan’s as they are nitrate-free and have great taste. They also come in a variety of sizes that will fit nicely into a hot dog bun.

Are hot dogs gluten-free?

This will depend on the brand you choose. Just be sure to check the label. These are brands that I know of that currently carry a gluten-free hot dog.

– Applegate Farms’ beef, chicken, turkey, and pork varieties
– Boar’s Head
– Dietz & Watson (certified gluten-free by the National Celiac Association)
– Nathan’s Famous hot dogs (produced in a gluten-free facility)
– Sabrett hot dogs

If making these gluten-free, you will need to choose a bun, chili, and cheese (shredding your own cheese will help, as pre-shredded cheese often contains gluten) that are all gluten-free.

Why are my baked chili dogs soggy?

You may have added too much chili on top or spooned the chili on too early before baking. Assemble right before heating for the best results.

More Easy Dinner Ideas to Try

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