Frederic Melton
Chili cheese dogs are a delicious, easy-to-make meal that can be prepared in the oven. With just a few simple steps, you can create a hearty dish that's perfect for a weeknight dinner or a backyard party. The key to this recipe is the combination of juicy hot dogs, hearty chili, and melted cheese, all wrapped in soft buns that are toasted to perfection. The best part? You can customize your chili cheese dogs with various toppings and condiments to suit your taste. So, whether you're feeding a crowd or enjoying a cozy night in, baking chili cheese dogs in the oven is a guaranteed way to satisfy your comfort food cravings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Oven temperature | 350-375°F |
| Baking time | 20-40 minutes |
| Main ingredients | Hot dogs, buns, chili, cheese |
| Toppings | Onions, parsley, potato wedges, French fries, nacho cheese sauce |
| Condiments | Mustard, ketchup, relish, mayonnaise |
| Customization | Use of leftover chili, choice of cheese type and brand, addition of beef |
| Nutrition | 399-405 kcal, 36-37 g carbohydrates, 18-26 g protein, 17-21 g fat |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the chili
To make your own chili, start by heating some cooking oil in a medium-sized pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once the oil is heated, add diced onions and cook them for a short while. Then, add ground beef and break it into smaller pieces as it cooks. Continue cooking until the beef is no longer pink.
The next step is to add your desired chili ingredients to build flavor. This can include crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, chili powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, and garlic. Stir everything together and let it cook until the sauce thickens. Don't forget to season with salt and pepper to taste.
Keep in mind that the consistency of the chili is important. For chili cheese dogs, a thicker chili is preferable to prevent the bread from becoming soggy. Adjust the liquid content or cooking time as needed to achieve the desired thickness.
Once your chili is ready, you can assemble your chili cheese dogs and pop them in the oven!
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Assembling the dogs
Assembling the perfect chili cheese dog is an art. It starts with the right tools: a baking dish, hot dog buns, hot dogs, chili, cheese, and any desired toppings. Preheat your oven to 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit.
First, prepare your baking dish. If you're serving a crowd, a 9 x 13-inch dish will fit about six chili cheese dogs. Lightly grease the dish to prevent sticking and improve cleanup.
Next, it's time to build the dogs. Place the hot dogs in the buns and arrange them in the baking dish. If you like your buns extra crispy, you can split them open, brush them with butter, and toast them in the oven while it's preheating. For the hot dogs themselves, you can use pre-cooked or grilled dogs, or pop them in straight from the package. It's up to you whether you want to go for an all-beef, pork, or vegetarian option.
Now for the fun part: toppings. Start with a generous ladle of chili on each hot dog. You can use canned chili or make your own. If you're making your own, remember that chili for chili cheese dogs is usually thicker than regular chili, so it doesn't soak through the bun. A good, thick, chunky chili is ideal.
Finally, add the cheese. Shredded cheddar is a popular choice, but you can use any variety that melts well. Cover the chili with as much or as little cheese as you like. If you want extra gooey cheese, cover the dish with foil before baking.
With the chili cheese dogs assembled, they're ready for the oven. Bake for 20 to 40 minutes, until the cheese is melted and everything is heated through. For an extra crispy bun, bake them uncovered.
Now, all that's left is to enjoy your creation!
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Baking the dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F. If you're using a convection oven, bear in mind that these tend to run hotter. You can also lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
Arrange the hot dog buns in the dish. You can brush the buns with butter and toast them in the oven if you have a few extra minutes. Place the hot dogs inside the buns. If you like your hot dogs with crispy skin, you can grill, bake, or air fry them before placing them in the buns.
Top each hot dog with a spoonful of chili. You can make your own chili or use canned chili, but remember that the chili for chili cheese dogs is usually thicker than regular chili. You can also add other ingredients to your chili, such as beans.
Add shredded cheddar cheese on top of the chili. You can also add other toppings, such as mustard, ketchup, relish, and jalapenos. If you like your cheese extra gooey, you can cover the dish with foil before placing it in the oven.
Bake for 15-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the hot dogs are fully heated through. The buns should be warmed and the edges slightly crispy.
Let the dish stand for 5 minutes before serving. You can serve chili cheese dogs with a variety of sides, such as French fries, potato wedges, or potato salad.
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Customising toppings
Onions are a popular choice for adding a crunchy texture and a bite of flavour. You can use white, red, or green onions, diced or chopped, to suit your preference. Pickled jalapeños are another way to add a crunchy texture and a spicy kick to your chili cheese dog. If you're serving to a crowd, you can set out a variety of toppings and let your guests customise their own dogs. Other popular toppings include relish, mayonnaise, hot sauce, and slaw.
For the cheese, you can use shredded cheddar, Monterey jack, or any variety that melts well and suits your taste. If you're looking for a more indulgent option, try using a nacho cheese sauce. Load up on the cheese, as you want it to be gooey and melty.
If you want to add some freshness to your chili cheese dog, you can garnish it with chopped parsley. This will not only add flavour but also make your dish look more appealing. You can also serve your chili cheese dogs with a side of potato or macaroni salad, potato chips, or fries.
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Storing leftovers
Leftover chili cheese dogs won't keep well for long, so it's best to only make what you know you'll use. If you do have leftovers, it's recommended to store the hot dogs and chili separately from the buns in an airtight container. You can then reheat the foil-wrapped hot dogs in the oven and assemble them with fresh buns.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for about a day, but they will start to get soggy from the toppings. If you have extras of all the components, store them separately and assemble fresh instead. Reheat the chili cheese dogs in the oven the same way you cooked them initially.
Some people have reported freezing their leftover chili cheese dogs, but it's unclear how well this method works. One person suggested freezing the leftover chili and using it to make fresh chili cheese dogs, rather than freezing the entire dish.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need hot dogs, hot dog buns, chili, and cheese. You can use canned or homemade chili, and any type of hot dog and cheese you prefer.
You can add various toppings such as diced onions, mustard, ketchup, relish, jalapeños, or macaroni and cheese. You can also brush the buns with butter and toast them in the oven for a crispy texture.
Place the hot dogs in the buns, top them with chili and cheese, and put them in a baking dish. You can cover the dish with foil or bake uncovered. Cook at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes or 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and everything is heated through.
Bake the chili cheese dogs for 15 to 20 minutes or 20 to 25 minutes. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven and the number of chili cheese dogs you are preparing.
Chili cheese dogs go well with a variety of side dishes such as French fries, potato wedges, potato salad, grilled potatoes, or chips. They can also be served with cornbread or a broccoli cauliflower salad.
