This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.
Chili cheese dogs are a favorite easy supper to make with the family during warm, summer months. Simple to make, fun to eat, these are a winner!
Featured with this recipe
Who doesn’t love chili dogs? They are so easy, they practically don’t even require a recipe. But if you’re looking for a simple meal idea, this is the one you need! Take any hotdog and boost it with all your favorite chili cheese ingredients and create one of the best and easiest chili cheese dog recipes!
It is a simple recipe that comes together quickly but is great to have ideas for toppings, tips, and how to make them just the right way. We always love a simple dinner that makes kids to adults happy plus is easy for everyone to enjoy their night together. These chili cheese dogs are just what every family needs for dinner!
Chili Cheese Dogs Ingredients
Get ready for a simple dinner plus an easy clean up! Grab your hot dogs and buns and start adding layers of deliciousness over top! Your taste buds will be thanking you.
- Chili – Serve these hot dogs after making either Mom’s Cheater Chili Recipe or this hearty Texas Chili and used the leftovers. But you can just as easily use your favorite canned chili.
- Hotdogs – We like using Nathan’s or Hebrew National brands, but of course, any of your favorite hot dogs will work perfectly.
- Hot dog buns – The bigger the better! These are going to hold in the chili, hot dogs, and toppings. It has to be sturdy and strong.
Hot Dog Toppings
Best chili cheese dogs have all the toppings on them! Load the hot dog with your favorite cheese, onions, spice, and cream cheese. These are just the beginning, make your chili cheese dog with all your favorite toppings and variations!
- Cheese – Top with any kind of cheese you like! I like shredded cheddar cheese, but my husband prefers spicy Monterey Jack, or a nacho cheese sauce for more depth. The kids are partial to a milder Colby jack cheese. Go nuts with your cheeses!
- Red onions – Chop some red onions into small square pieces. A white onion will work too!
- Jalapenos – Grab a jar with sliced jalapenos. Drain and add them to the top of the hot dogs for extra heat.
- Sour cream – This can help cool down the spiciness or add it for a smooth and creamy texture.
How to Make Chili Cheese Dogs
Making chili cheese dogs can be as easy or more complex as you like! Boil, grill, or pan-fry in a large skillet until warmed through. Make homemade chili or find your favorite canned chili at the store. It is a simple recipe that is fun for parties, family nights, or great game day food.
- Grill hot dogs – Place grilled hot dogs on buns.
- Pour – Open the bun and pour half of the chili over each dog.
- Toppings – Add any or all of the optional toppings.
Suggestions for Chili Cheese Dogs
Make this chili cheese dog recipe a complete meal and feed a crowd. Create the best hot dog bar and cook your hot dogs on the grill, boil them, or pan-fry them. Make it a potluck or family style and enjoy these chili cheese dogs just the way you like them!
- Side dishes – Add a side of french fries, parmesan potatoes, or potato chips to make it easy!
- Feed a crowd – For two hot dogs, you’ll need about a cup of chili. So if you’re making these dogs for a crowd, make sure to heat up enough for everyone.
- Toppings – Other toppings include but are definitely not limited to diced red onions, pickles, sliced jalapeno, relish, sour cream, ranch dressing, diced tomatoes, or the good old option of ketchup and mustard.
- Cooking hot dogs – On hot nights we love to fire up the outdoor grill, cook up a bunch of hotdogs, then serve these buffet style so everyone can dress their chili cheese dogs any way they like. But if it’s chillier outdoors (pardon the pun) we will just use our stove-top grill. When I’m serving these to my kiddos for lunch, you better believe I just microwave those hot dogs. The kids don’t care and they cook up in less than a minute!
“There is just something about hot dogs and football that goes together. Especially if it is a speciality dog as this recipe. So this is what i would serve for Game Day”
-Betty
Frequently Asked Questions
A coney dog (or Coney Island dog) is topped with a thin, savory meat sauce and other toppings (such as onions and mustard), whereas chili cheese dogs are traditionally topped with chili con carne and either a cheese sauce or shredded cheese.
Hot dogs are typically made out of beef, chicken, or turkey. Sabrett Skinless Beef Frankfurters, Lightlife Smart Dogs, or Hebrew National All Natural Uncured Beef Franks are all great choices for a healthy hot dog.
What to Serve with Chili Cheese Dogs
Serve these Chili Cheese Dogs with a simple side of chips and watermelon, or try a few of these delightful recipes. We love to pair more sides with our dinner to give a variety and fill us all up!
How to Make Chili Cheese Dogs
Chili Cheese Dogs
Ingredients
- 1 cup chili prepared and hot
- 2 hot dogs grilled (we like to use Nathan’s or Hebrew National)
- 2 hot dog buns
Optional toppings:
- 2 slices cheese or shredded cheese
- chopped red onions
- sliced jalapeno
- sour cream
Instructions
- Place grilled hot dogs on buns.
- Pour half of the chili over each dog.
- Add any or all of the optional toppings.
Awesome Great- and a great chili cheese dog – watching a game -get together or on a Saturday- evening with the family and/or friends. It is so good biting down on all the good stuff in that chili cheese dog all over your face. And Nathan’s or Hebrew National has that great bite to it- the best ! and topping -well let’s face it- that is the crown of the dog for sure- jalapenos and sour cream- whatever you want -it is ALL OK. And how about a – satisfying and filling and always room for a dip/chips as well – well- how about a dip- with French Onion dip- yum.
There is just something about hot dogs and football that goes together.
Especially if it is a speciality dog as this recipe.
So this is what i would serve for Game Day
There is just something about hot dogs and football that goes together.
Especially if it is a speciality dog like this recipe. So this is what i would choose to serve on Game Day.
This was so good and so easy to make! Huge win!
I love a good hot dog especially ones with jalapenos on top. Excited to try your take on a classic chili dog.
Now THIS is the way to enjoy a hotdog! Love enjoying these in the summer, but I actually think I will have these for dinner tonight, instead!
Going to be using this recipe for a hotdogs topping bar for my kiddos bday this weekend! I don’t know if they’ll all like the jalapenos but us adults will 🙂
I tried your recipe last night and loved it! Can’t wait to make it again!
So glad you liked it!
Fine recipe
nice photo
http://chettinadrecipes.com/
Looks so delish.
Erica, I'm so glad I came across your website. You guys do such a great job!! I have LOVED trying your recipes. Thanks for the great service you are providing! You are a sweetheart 🙂 – Beckie