The Best Cheeses To Top Hot Dogs

Hot dogs are a quintessential American food, and adding cheese can take this classic dish to the next level. But with so many cheese varieties available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. The cheese you choose should complement the flavour of the hot dog and its toppings. For example, a classic hot dog with ketchup and mustard pairs well with a milder cheese like American or cheddar, while a hot dog with chilli or sauerkraut calls for a sharper cheese like pepper jack or Swiss. The texture of the cheese is also important—you'll want something that melts well and blends seamlessly with the hot dog and other toppings.

Classic cheese choices for hot dogs

Hot dogs are a quintessential American food, and adding cheese can take this classic dish to the next level. When choosing a cheese for your hot dog, consider the flavour profile, texture, and how you plan to serve them. Here are some classic cheese choices that are sure to complement your hot dogs perfectly:

American Cheese

American cheese is perhaps the most classic choice for hot dogs. It is mild in flavour and melts easily, making it perfect for those who prefer a traditional hot dog. Its creamy texture and subtle taste won't overpower the other toppings, making it a versatile option.

Cheddar Cheese

Sharp cheddar cheese is a popular choice for hot dogs, especially if you like yours with a kick. Its strong flavour pairs well with spicy hot dogs or those with bold toppings. Cheddar is known for its excellent melting properties, ensuring a gooey, cheesy delight.

Swiss Cheese

Swiss cheese, with its nutty flavour, is an excellent option for adding depth to your hot dog. It goes exceptionally well with tangy toppings like sauerkraut. Swiss cheese has a distinctive taste that can stand up to other robust flavours, creating a harmonious bite.

Provolone Cheese

Provolone is a mild and slightly sweet cheese that works well with all kinds of hot dogs. Its versatility and meltability make it a great choice for those who want a subtle yet delicious cheese addition to their hot dogs.

Pepper Jack Cheese

If you're looking to spice things up, pepper jack cheese is a perfect choice. Its spicy flavour adds a nice kick to your hot dog, especially if you pair it with other bold toppings. Pepper jack cheese is sure to enhance the overall taste of your hot dog experience.

Mozzarella Cheese

Mozzarella is known for its exceptional meltability, making it a top choice for hot dogs. It pairs exceptionally well with marinara sauce or other Italian-inspired toppings. The stretchy, gooey texture of melted mozzarella is a delight for cheese lovers.

Cheese and hot dog toppings

When it comes to choosing the perfect cheese for your hot dog, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you'll want to think about the flavour profile – choose a cheese that complements the flavour of the hot dog without overpowering it. For example, a classic hot dog with ketchup and mustard might be best paired with a milder cheese like American or cheddar, while a hot dog with more robust toppings like chilli or sauerkraut could benefit from a sharper cheese like pepper jack or Swiss cheese.

Another important factor is texture. Go for a cheese that melts well so that it blends seamlessly with the hot dog and other toppings. Cheeses like mozzarella or provolone are known for their meltability, while feta or blue cheese might not be the best choices in this regard. If you're grilling your hot dogs, you might also want to consider a cheese that won't melt too quickly in the heat.

American Cheese

This mild, easily meltable cheese is perhaps the most classic choice for hot dogs. It's perfect for those who prefer a traditional hot dog without too much of a kick.

Cheddar Cheese

Sharp cheddar cheese pairs well with spicy hot dogs or those with bold toppings. Its strong flavour can stand up to stronger flavours, and it melts beautifully.

Swiss Cheese

With its nutty flavour, Swiss cheese is an excellent choice for hot dogs served with sauerkraut or other tangy toppings. It adds depth of flavour to your hot dog.

Provolone Cheese

Provolone has a mild, slightly sweet flavour that makes it a versatile option for all kinds of hot dogs. It melts well and won't overpower other toppings.

Pepper Jack Cheese

If you like your hot dogs with a spicy kick, pepper jack cheese is the perfect choice. It has a strong flavour that can enhance the overall taste of your hot dog.

Colby Jack Cheese

A blend of Colby and Monterey Jack cheeses, Colby Jack is a mild, creamy cheese that goes well with a variety of hot dog toppings. It melts easily and adds a rich, creamy texture.

Mozzarella Cheese

Mozzarella is known for its meltability, making it ideal for hot dogs served with marinara sauce or other Italian-inspired toppings. Its mild flavour won't overwhelm the other ingredients.

Gouda Cheese

Smoky and slightly sweet, gouda cheese pairs exceptionally well with grilled hot dogs and other smoky flavours. It adds a unique flavour profile to your hot dog.

Blue Cheese

Blue cheese has a strong, distinctive flavour that can add a tangy twist to your hot dog. It pairs particularly well with hot dogs served with bacon or other salty toppings.

Feta Cheese

While it may not be the most traditional choice, feta cheese can add a tangy flavour to your hot dog. It's especially delicious when paired with Greek-inspired toppings like olives and tzatziki sauce.

Alternative Cheeses

If you want to get creative, try using cheeses like brie, smoked gouda, havarti, queso blanco, muenster, fontina, or gruyere. Each of these cheeses offers a unique flavour and texture that can take your hot dog to the next level.

Cheese that melts well on hot dogs

When choosing a cheese to melt on top of a hot dog, it's important to consider the flavour profile and texture of the cheese, as well as how you plan to serve the hot dogs.

Cheese with a strong flavour, like blue cheese or feta, can add a unique twist to your hot dog, but it might be overpowering if you prefer a classic hot dog with ketchup and mustard. In this case, a milder cheese like American or cheddar may be a better choice. On the other hand, if you like your hot dog with toppings like chilli or sauerkraut, a sharper cheese like pepper jack or Swiss can complement the bolder flavours.

Some cheeses, like mozzarella or provolone, are known for their meltability, while others, like feta or blue cheese, may not melt as well. If you're grilling your hot dogs outside, you might want to choose a cheese that won't melt too quickly in the heat.

• American Cheese: This is a classic choice for hot dogs as it melts easily and has a mild flavour that won't overpower other toppings.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar pairs well with spicy hot dogs or those with bold toppings. Its strong flavour can stand up to stronger flavours.
• Swiss Cheese: Swiss cheese has a nutty flavour and goes well with hot dogs served with tangy toppings like sauerkraut.
• Provolone Cheese: Provolone has a mild and slightly sweet flavour, making it a versatile option for all kinds of hot dogs.
• Mozzarella Cheese: This mild cheese is known for its excellent melting properties, making it ideal for hot dogs with marinara sauce or other Italian-inspired toppings.
• Colby Jack Cheese: A blend of Colby and Monterey Jack cheeses, Colby Jack is a mild and creamy cheese that melts well on hot dogs.
• Fontina Cheese: Fontina has a nutty flavour and excellent melting properties, making it a great choice for hot dogs with Italian-inspired toppings.

Cheese and hot dog combinations

Hot dogs are a quintessential American food, and adding cheese can take this classic dish to the next level. With so many cheese varieties available, it can be challenging to choose the right one. Here are some factors to consider when selecting a cheese to pair with your hot dog, along with some classic and alternative combinations to try.

Factors to Consider

When choosing the perfect cheese for your hot dog, consider the following:

• Flavour Profile: Opt for a cheese that complements the flavour of the hot dog without overpowering it. For example, if you prefer a classic hot dog with ketchup and mustard, a milder cheese like American or cheddar may be best. If you like more robust toppings, such as chili or sauerkraut, a sharper cheese like pepper jack or Swiss can add a nice kick.
• Texture: Go for a cheese that melts well so that it blends seamlessly with the hot dog and other toppings. Cheeses like mozzarella or provolone are known for their meltability, while feta or blue cheese may not be ideal in this regard.
• Serving Suggestions: Consider the serving style of the hot dogs. If you're grilling them outdoors, choose a cheese that won't melt too quickly in the heat. For hot dogs as party snacks, a cheese that can be easily sliced and added to a charcuterie board might be preferable.

Classic Cheese and Hot Dog Combinations

• American Cheese: This mild and easily meltable cheese is perhaps the most classic choice for hot dogs, perfect for those who prefer a traditional taste.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar pairs well with spicy hot dogs or those with bold toppings. Its strong flavour can stand up to stronger flavours.
• Swiss Cheese: Swiss cheese has a nutty flavour and goes well with hot dogs served with tangy toppings like sauerkraut.
• Provolone Cheese: With a mild and slightly sweet flavour, provolone is a versatile option that can be used on all kinds of hot dogs.
• Pepper Jack Cheese: If you like your hot dogs with a spicy kick, pepper jack is an excellent choice. It has a flavour that enhances the overall taste of the hot dog.
• Colby Jack Cheese: A blend of Colby and Monterey Jack cheeses, Colby Jack is a mild and creamy cheese, perfect for those who want a more subtle cheese flavour.

Alternative Cheese and Hot Dog Combinations

• Mozzarella Cheese: While commonly associated with Italian cuisine, mozzarella's mild flavour and excellent meltability make it a great choice for hot dogs, especially when paired with marinara sauce or other Italian-inspired toppings.
• Gouda Cheese: Smoky and slightly sweet, gouda pairs well with grilled hot dogs and other smoky flavours. For an extra smoky punch, try smoked gouda.
• Blue Cheese: Blue cheese has a distinctive flavour that can add a unique twist to your hot dog. It goes well with salty toppings like bacon.
• Feta Cheese: Feta adds a tangy kick to your hot dog and is especially good when paired with Greek-inspired toppings like olives and tzatziki sauce.
• Brie Cheese: Creamy and buttery, brie is a delicious addition to any hot dog. It pairs beautifully with sweet toppings like caramelized onions or fig jam.
• Havarti Cheese: This mild and buttery cheese is an excellent choice for hot dogs served with grilled vegetables like peppers or onions.

Baked hot dogs with cheese

Ingredients

• Hot dogs
• Hot dog buns
• Cheese (cheddar, Swiss, provolone, pepper jack, Colby Jack, mozzarella, gouda, blue cheese, feta, brie, smoked gouda, havarti, queso blanco, muenster, fontina, or gruyere)
• Toppings of your choice (ketchup, relish, mustard, onions, etc.)

Method

Start by preheating your oven to around 350-400°F. If you want to add a snap to your hot dogs, sear them in a skillet before baking. You can also split the hot dogs lengthwise, being careful not to cut all the way through, and flatten the buns with a rolling pin.

Next, assemble your hot dogs by placing them in the buns and adding your desired toppings. For a classic hot dog, you might choose ketchup and mustard, while something like sauerkraut or chili would be more suited to a sharper cheese. If you're feeling adventurous, try something like blue cheese or feta to add a unique twist.

Once you've added your cheese, place the hot dogs in a baking dish and bake for around 6-45 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the buns are toasted.

Finally, remove your hot dogs from the oven and serve with a side of your choice. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions