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Mini Chili Cheese Dogs

These mini chili cheese dogs are a fun, (almost) bite-sized twist on the classic dish, combining sweet Hawaiian rolls, melty cheese, hearty chili, and hot dogs. Perfect for game day parties or a fun weeknight dinner – and the best part is they take less than 30 minutes!

Baking dish filled with mini chili cheese dogs topped with diced onion and green onion.


 

Easy Mini Chili Cheese Dogs Recipe

  • They’re quick and easy! These chili cheese dogs come together in no time and you need virtually no cooking skills to prepare them! My air fryer hot dog recipe gives you the most perfect grilled hot dogs and my easy chili recipe is a breeze to make!
  • Great way to repurpose leftover chili! If your family doesn’t love leftovers, try serving them in a new way! This chili dog recipe takes leftover chili and turns it into a whole new dish with sweet Hawaiian rolls, melty cheese, and hot dogs!
  • They’re so fun for a game day party! We all love the classics like Rotel dip, jalapeno poppers, and grape jelly and chili sauce meatballs – but it’s fun to switch it up once in a while and bring something new and unexpected. These mini chili cheese dogs are just the ticket!
Bowls of ingredients to make mini chili cheese dogs.

Ingredients for Mini Chili Cheese Dogs

  • Sweet Hawaiian Rolls: The soft and slightly sweet base for these mini chili dogs. Substitute with dinner rolls or slider buns if needed.
  • All-Beef Hot Dogs: Provide the classic hot dog flavor. Use my air fryer hot dog recipe for perfectly cooked hot dogs every single time!
  • Mild Cheddar Cheese (Sliced and Shredded): Adds creamy, melty deliciousness. Use sharp cheddar or your favorite melty cheese blend.
  • Easy Chili Recipe: You can use store-bought chili if you like but my super easy chili recipe comes together quickly and tastes SO good.
  • Diced Onions and Green Onions: Add fresh crunch and a pop of flavor. Optional but highly recommended!

How to Make Mini Chili Cheese Dogs

Prepare the Rolls: Slice the Hawaiian rolls apart and place them in a 9×13 baking dish. Cut a slit along the top of each roll.

Add Cheese and Hot Dogs: Fold sliced cheese and tuck it into the slit of each roll. Place a third of a hot dog into each roll.

Baking dish with Hawaiian rolls, sliced cheese, and hot dogs in it.

Top with Chili: Spoon chili over each roll.

Cheesy hot dogs topped with chili in a baking dish.

Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar on top.

Mini chili cheese dogs ready to be baked in the oven.

Bake: Heat the oven to 350°F. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the mini dogs are warmed through.

Freshly baked mini chili cheese dogs in a large baking dish.

Garnish and Serve: Top with diced onion and sliced green onion. Serve warm.

Baking dish filled with mini chili cheese dogs topped with diced onion and green onion.

Tips for Making Mini Chili Cheese Dogs

  • Use Fresh Rolls: Fresh Hawaiian rolls ensure the best texture and flavor. You can use another brand if you like or any rolls called “slider rolls”.
  • Customize the Toppings: Add jalapeños, pickled red onion, sour cream, or your favorite chili toppings for extra flavor.

Make-Ahead Instructions

  • I don’t recommend assembling the mini chili cheese dogs ahead of time.
  • But you can prep the individual components up to 3 days in advance!
  • That way, when you’re ready to eat all you have to do is assemble and bake!
Close up shot of mini chili cheese dogs in a baking dish.

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover mini chili dogs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating Mini Chili Cheese Dogs

  • I recommend reheating these mini chili cheese dogs in the oven as this will toast them up a bit and combat any sogginess that might have happened.
  • Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is melty.
  • For quicker reheating, microwave individual portions in 30-60 second intervals until warmed through.

Serving Suggestions

Try these easy game day appetizers next!

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Mini Chili Cheese Dogs

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These mini chili cheese dogs are a fun, (almost) bite-sized twist on the classic dish, combining sweet Hawaiian rolls, melty cheese, hearty chili, and hot dogs. Perfect for game day parties or a fun weeknight dinner – and the best part is they take less than 30 minutes!

  • Author: Kylie
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 12 mini chili cheese dogs 1x
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 12 ounce package sweet Hawaiian rolls
  • 4 all beef hot dogs
  • 8 slices of mild cheddar
  • 3 ounces shredded mild cheddar
  • 1 cup chili (homemade or storebought)
  • diced white onion and sliced green onion for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Cook hot dogs by preferred method – I recommend air frying them!
  3. Slice Hawaiian rolls apart and place them in a 9×13 baking dish.
  4. Slice the rolls down the middle on the long side of the rolls. 
  5. Place 2 slices of cheese into each row of rolls, folding it in half slightly so it fits in the slit.
  6. Slice hot dogs into thirds and place a third in each roll.
  7. Top with chili and sprinkle with shredded cheese.
  8. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through and the cheese on top is melted.
  9. Garnish with diced onion and sliced green onion and enjoy!
  10. If you loved this recipe, please leave a 5-star rating and review below!

Notes

    • Use Fresh Rolls: Fresh Hawaiian rolls ensure the best texture and flavor. You can use another brand if you like or any rolls called “slider rolls”.

    • Customize the Toppings: Add jalapeños, pickled red onion, sour cream, or your favorite chili toppings for extra flavor.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 mini chili cheese dog
  • Calories: 286
  • Sugar: 6.1 g
  • Sodium: 743.2 mg
  • Fat: 16.8 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24.2 g
  • Fiber: 4.9 g
  • Protein: 12.3 g
  • Cholesterol: 55.3 mg

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