Baked Chili Cheese Dog Recipe

These baked chili cheese dogs are the ultimate comfort food, made with air fryer hot dogs, gooey cheddar cheese, and a simple homemade chili. Ready in under 30 minutes, they’re perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or game-day snack!

 

Easy Baked Chili Cheese Dogs Recipe

• Perfect for leftover chili! If you’ve got some leftover chili or hot dogs, these chili cheese dogs are a great way to repurpose them into a whole new meal!
• Quick and easy! This recipe is super simple, requiring just a few basic ingredients and minimal prep time.
• Delicious! The combination of hearty chili, melted cheese, air fryer hot dogs, and slightly crispy buns makes every bite absolutely delicious!

Ingredients for Baked Chili Cheese Dogs

• Hot Dogs: Cooking hot dogs in the air fryer gives them a nice snap and slightly crispy texture. Feel free to cook your hot dogs any way you like!
• Brioche Buns: Soft, slightly sweet buns that toast beautifully in the oven. You can also use regular hot dog buns.
• Mild Cheddar Cheese: Adds a creamy, melty layer to each bite. You can use American or Colby Jack as a substitute.
• Easy Homemade Chili: A thick, flavorful chili that pairs perfectly with hot dogs. Store-bought chili works too!
• Onion: I love a combo of sliced green onion and diced white onion. The fresh garnish adds a bit of crunch and flavor.

How to Make Baked Chili Cheese Dogs

Place hot dog buns, cut side up, into a 9×13 baking dish. Cut cheese slices in half and place two halves inside each bun. Add air fryer hot dogs.

Top with chili.

Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.

Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese melts and the chili and hot dogs are warmed through.

Garnish with diced white onion and green onion, then enjoy!

Tips for Making Baked Chili Cheese Dogs

• All Beef. I find that all beef hot dogs have the best flavor and texture.
• Toasty Buns. Toast the buns lightly before assembling chili dogs for a crispier texture.
• Thick Chili. My easy homemade chili recipe is the best chili for this recipe. It’s loaded with tons of flavor and has just the right thick texture for chili cheese dogs.
• Keep it Warm. If all the ingredients are warm when the chili cheese dogs are assembled, then 15 minutes should be plenty of baking time. If the ingredients are cold, I recommend warming them in the air fryer or on the stove before assembling. This will ensure that the chili cheese dogs come out piping hot and that everything is warmed through evenly.
• Variations. Add a drizzle of mustard, a dollop of sour cream, or a few pickled jalapenos for extra flavor.
• Serve Immediately. Chili cheese dogs will get a bit soggy as they sit, so serve them right away, fresh from the oven!

Make-Ahead Instructions

• Prepare individual ingredients for the chili cheese dogs up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate.
• When you’re ready, heat ingredients, assemble, and bake!

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover chili cheese dog ingredients separately in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheating Baked Chili Cheese Dogs

• These chili cheese dogs taste best fresh from the oven.
• But if you need to reheat them, bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
• You can also microwave them in 30-second intervals until warm.

Serving Suggestions

• oven baked fries
• crispy Greek fries
• air fryer tater tots
• simple house salad
• slow cooker mac and cheese

Try these game day recipes next!

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