These Baked Chili Dogs are the perfect party food or easy dinner my whole family always enjoys! They come together in mere minutes and are a great way to use up leftover chili. Serve them with a toppings bar and selection of sides for great game day party fare everyone will love!
Original post: October 2017 | Updated: November 2024
Why This Recipe Works
- One of those easy recipes that make a great party food or busy weeknight dinner option.
- Just a few minutes of prep!
- Ballpark feel from the comfort of your couch.
- Irresistible to all. Literally the perfect food.
- Go wild with toppings! (See the Toppings Section below for suggestions)
Can you believe I didn’t have my first Chili Dog until I was a fully-grown adult! What even was my childhood? Like, how did nobody clue me in?! But trust me, over the past 10 years I have definitely made up for that lost time.
These Baked Chili Cheese Dogs are an easy family dinner or party food that is absolutely irresistible to all! They’re a great way to use leftover chili and it only takes a few minutes of prep to have dinner in the oven!
Look, I know I came a little late to the chili cheese dog game, but I know good Chili and I know good ‘dogs and I know good dinners and I know good comfort food. And this dish fits all those categories. If you’ve never had a chili dog before, don’t wait any longer! It’s not exactly what I would call a “healthy recipe”, but you don’t know what you’re missing!
Chili Cheese Dog Recipe Ingredients
This is a simple recipe using simple ingredients to create a taste you won’t believe!
Prepared chili – See recipes below, if you don’t already have chili on hand.
Hot dogs – Use your fave variety.
Hot dog buns – Make sure they’re sturdy and can withstand having heaps of delicious ingredients piled on top.
Cheddar cheese – Or another melty cheese.
Tomato – Fresh pico de gallo or salsa works too.
Diced Onion – Yellow onion, white onions, or red onion all work.
How to Make Baked Chili Dogs
Follow these simple instructions for an easy and enjoyable lunch or dinner option.
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
Line a 9×13 baking dish or sheet pan with aluminum foil and coat with cooking spray and set aside.
Step 2
Heat the chili until warm in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Cook hot dogs over medium heat on a grill or stove top until warmed through (alternatively, cook for 1 to 2 minutes in the microwave).
Step 3
Place the hot dogs in the buns and place in a single layer in the prepared casserole dish or baking sheet.
Top with a generous amount of chili and cheese and bake in the preheated oven for 25-ish minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
Add chopped tomatoes and onions or your favorite toppings to the top of the chili dog and serve immediately!
Recipe Notes & Tips
- Be sure to serve as soon as possible after pulling them out of the oven to avoid soggy hot dog buns. No one likes a soggy bun. No one.
- Use sturdy buns that will hold up to all the ingredients so you’re eating your chili dog and not wearing it.
- Make the chili dogs and put out a selection of hot dog toppings for everyone to choose from.
- You can use nacho cheese sauce instead of the shredded cheese.
- You can use turkey chili if you avoid ground beef.
- Even a couple cans of chili will work.
Best Chili For The Best Hot Dogs
These are some of my top rated and favorite homemade chili recipes, Every type of chili all work great for these Baked Chili Dogs.
- This World’s Best Chili Recipe makes an enormous batch, so unless you freeze part of it (it does freeze very well!), set some aside for these chili dogs.
- Don’t use just any old chili recipe to pile on top of hot dogs. This recipe post details how to make Delicious Hot Dog Chili Sauce so the consistency is just right!
- 5-Ingredient Chili – chili con carne packed with flavor and requires only 30 minutes of your time.
- Chili without Beans – Even without the legumes, this no-bean chili isn’t missing anything when it comes to flavor.
- Instant Pot Chili – Fast, easy, delicious. Every time.
How To Make Chili Dogs Spicy
Add some extra cayenne or your favorite hot sauce to give your chili dogs an extra spicy kick.
You can also top your chili dogs with pickled hot peppers or spicy pepper jelly.
Toppings For Chili Cheese Dogs
There is no best way or perfect way to top your dog, but there is a favorite way. Here a just a few of my top favorite ways to meet your individual taste.
- Fresh or pickled Jalapeno slices
- Diced Onion
- Relish or diced pickle
- Mini gherkins
- Whole or sliced Pepperoncinis
- Coleslaw, sauerkraut, or even kimchi!
- Sliced green onions
What To Eat With Oven Baked Chili Dogs
- French Fries
- Coleslaw
- Potato Salad
- Pickled Onion and Cucumber Salad
- Baked Beans
- Potato Chips
What To Do With Chili Leftovers
If you have leftover chili in your fridge, check out these other delicious recipes to help use it up:
- Baked Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- Chili Mac and Cheese Recipe
- Chili-Topped Baked Potatoes
- Use my post for Recipe Ideas Using Leftover Chili as your guide so nothing goes to waste.
How to Store Leftovers
Store any leftover ingredients separately in an airtight container and refrigerate.
More Party Food Recipes
Instant Pot Sloppy Joes
Marinated Steak Bites
Antipasto Skewers
Meatball Sub Casserole
Baked Chili Dogs Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups prepared Best Chili on Earth or Easy 5-Ingredient Chili
- 8 hot dogs
- 8 hot dog buns
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 tomato chopped
- 1/2 yellow onion or white or red onion, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9×13 baking dish with foil and coat with cooking spray. Heat the chili till warm in microwave or on stovetop.
- Cook hot dogs over medium heat on a grill or on the stove top until warmed through (alternatively, cook for 1 to 2 minutes in microwave).
- Place the hot dogs in the buns and place in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Top with chili and cheese and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
- Top with chopped tomatoes and onions and serve immediately!
Notes
- Be sure to serve as soon as possible after pulling them out of the oven to avoid soggy hot dog buns. No one likes a soggy bun. No one.
- Use sturdy buns that will hold up to all the ingredients so you’re eating your chili dog and not wearing it.
- Make the chili dogs and put out a selection of hot dog toppings for everyone to choose from
- You can use nacho cheese sauce instead of the shredded cheese
- You can use turkey chili if you avoid ground beef.
- Even a couple cans of chili will work.
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