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Chili Cheese Dog Bake
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A chili cheese dog bake is a great way to easily serve a group of hungry people whether they be teenagers or sports fans or simply aficionados of the classic American treat: the chili cheese coney.
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Why We Love this Chili Cheese Dog Bake
These chili cheese dogs are wrapped in crescent dough rather than a hot dog bun, making for a flaky, buttery pastry. Family-friendly, this easy-to-make dinner recipe is a hit with kids and adults.
Serve these beauties with extra chili that’s been warmed up, and sprinkle the bake with grated cheese for an extra cheesy, bubbly top. Other fantastic topping options could be sliced green onions, finely diced red onion, or pickled jalapenos.
Just 45 minutes from start to finish, this simple dinner recipe is perfect for a filling weeknight meal.
Chili Cheese Dog Bake Ingredients
- Hot dogs
- Crescent rolls
- Cheese - sliced American cheese
- Chili - canned chili
- Butter - salted butter
- Garlic salt - or garlic powder
- Fresh parsley - for garnish
Substitutions And Additions
HOT DOGS: You can use any brand of hot dogs for this recipe. I'd recommend using quality hot dogs as they can significantly affect the taste of your dish. Opt for high-quality, all-beef hot dogs for the best flavor. You can even try using different types of sausages for a unique flavor twist.
Vegetarian or vegan sausages can be used as a substitute for those with dietary restrictions.
CRESCENT ROLLS: If you can't find crescent rolls, puff pastry can be a good alternative. It will still give you a flaky crust. Just make sure to cut it into triangles similar to the shape of the crescent rolls.
CHEESE: While the recipe calls for sliced American cheese, feel free to experiment with other types of cheese. Cheddar, mozzarella, or pepper jack could add a different flavor profile to the dish.
If you're lactose intolerant, there are many lactose-free cheeses available that would work in this recipe.
CHILI: The recipe uses canned chili, but you can substitute it with homemade chili if you prefer. You can also play around with the type of chili you use - for example, a vegetarian chili would work well for those avoiding meat.
If you like a bit of heat, a spicy chili could be a great option.
BUTTER: If you're looking to reduce the amount of dairy in the recipe, you can substitute the butter with a plant-based butter alternative.
GARLIC SALT: If you don't have garlic salt on hand, you can use a combination of garlic powder and regular salt. Alternatively, fresh minced garlic could be used for a more robust flavor.
FRESH PARSLEY: If you don't have fresh parsley, dried parsley can be used as a substitute. Other herbs like fresh or dried chives or basil could also be used to garnish the dish.
SPICES: While the recipe doesn't call for it, you can add some extra spices to your chili or even to the butter mixture for an added kick. Consider spices like cumin, paprika, or a touch of cayenne pepper.
How To Make This Chili Cheese Dog Bake
FIRST STEP: Preheat the oven to 375°F.
SECOND STEP: Remove crescent rolls from the packaging and roll them out/separate them into individual triangles.
THIRD STEP: Place one slice of American cheese followed by 1 hot dog onto the widest end of the crescent roll.
FOURTH STEP: Roll the cheese and hot dog into the crescent roll and set aside.
Cheese Inside and Out: For an extra cheesy dish, consider adding some grated cheese inside the crescent roll along with the hot dog and American cheese slice. This will give you a gooey, cheesy center.
FIFTH STEP: Arrange wrapped crescent dogs in a 9x13 glass baking dish.
We recommend a clear glass baking dish to ensure your crescent rolls turn out perfectly with that delicious golden brown bottom. It lets you keep an eye on them and see when they're nicely browned.
But no worries if you don't have one on hand, just remember to check the bottom of the rolls for doneness, regardless of the type of baking dish you're using.
You may only be able to fit 7 dogs if you wish to keep them in one line as we did. Leave a ½-inch or so between each dog to allow room for the dough to puff.
SIXTH STEP: Spread chili in the available space around the crescent dogs. You may not use both full cans of chili and can heat any leftovers and serve them alongside baked chili cheese dogs.
SEVENTH STEP: Melt butter in a small dish and stir in garlic salt/powder. Use a pastry brush to brush the butter mixture over the tops of the exposed crescent rolls.
EIGHTH STEP: Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until crescents appear browned on both the top and the bottom.
NINTH STEP: Sprinkle baked chili cheese dogs with a bit of chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
If the crescent rolls are browning too quickly, you can cover the top of them with a sheet of aluminum foil to prevent further browning.
This recipe is specifically designed for hot dogs, but you could use other sausage types. However, the cooking time and flavor profile may vary. You can also make this recipe vegetarian by using vegetarian hot dogs and vegetarian chili.
Yes, you can make this recipe in a toaster oven, but you may need to adjust the cooking time and temperature according to your toaster oven's settings.
A clear glass baking dish is recommended so that you can check if the crescent rolls have been browned on the bottom. If you don't have one, you can use a different baking dish, but be sure to check the bottom of the rolls for doneness.
How To Serve Chili Cheese Dog Bake
Having just prepared a delicious Chili Cheese Dog Bake, you're probably wondering how best to serve it.
Pair with a Salad: While I often suggest serving with fries or onion rings, for a lighter option, you can pair this chili cheese dog casserole with a fresh salad or some steamed vegetables. Serve with some homemade lemonade for the ultimate taste of Americana.
Game Night Platter: Serve your Chili Cheese Dog Bake as part of a game night platter. Pair it with finger foods like nachos, buffalo wings, and vegetable sticks with dip.
This combination creates a diverse range of flavors and textures, keeping the dining experience exciting and satisfying throughout the game night.
Lunchbox Surprise: Transform the Chili Cheese Dog Bake into a lunchbox surprise. Cut it into smaller portions and include it in your kid's lunchboxes along with fresh fruits and a dessert.
Pair Chili Cheese Dog Bake and Craft Beer: For an adult gathering, pair the Chili Cheese Dog Bake with a craft beer. The hoppy flavors of an IPA or the richness of a stout complement the hearty chili and cheese.
How To Store Chili Cheese Dog Bake
Storing your Chili Cheese Dog Bake properly is crucial to maintaining its delicious taste and texture. Whether you've made too much or are planning to enjoy it later, here's how you can store this delightful dish.
Make Ahead: This recipe is perfect for making ahead of time. Simply follow the recipe up until the baking step. Instead of baking, cover your prepared dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in the refrigerator.
When you're ready to enjoy, remove the covering and bake as directed. Remember, the dish may need a few extra minutes in the oven if it's coming straight from the fridge.
In the Fridge: If you have leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator. Place the leftover Chili Cheese Dog Bake in an airtight container or cover the baking dish with plastic wrap.
It will last for up to 2 days in the fridge. Any longer than that, and the crescent rolls will start to get soggy.
In the Freezer: Unfortunately, this dish doesn't freeze well. The crescent rolls tend to become mushy once defrosted.
Therefore, it's best to enjoy this dish fresh or within a couple of days from the fridge.
Reheating: When you're ready to reheat your Chili Cheese Dog Bake, you can do so in the oven or microwave. For the oven, preheat to 375°F and bake for about 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
If using the microwave, place a serving on a microwave-safe dish and heat for 1-2 minutes, checking and stirring every 30 seconds to ensure even reheating.
This Chili Cheese Dog Bake is a fun and tasty spin on a beloved classic. It's a hit with all ages, thanks to its delicious combination of flaky pastry and cheesy chili hot dogs.
This recipe is not just easy to whip up, but also versatile, allowing you to add your own touch. Perfect for a quick dinner or feeding a crowd, it's a surefire way to satisfy those comfort food cravings.
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Chili Cheese Dog Bake
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Ingredients
- 8 hot dogs
- 1 can crescent rolls ((8-count))
- 8 slices American cheese
- 2 cans chili ((15-ounce))
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt ((or garlic powder))
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Remove crescent rolls from packaging and roll them out/separate into individual triangles.
- Place one slice of American cheese followed by 1 hot dog onto the widest end of the crescent roll.
- Roll the cheese and hot dog into the crescent roll and set aside.
- Arrange wrapped crescent dogs in a 9x13 glass baking dish. (see notes below about the baking dish) You may only be able to fit 7 dogs if you wish to keep them in one line as we did. Leave a ½” or so between each dog to allow room for the dough to puff.
- Spread chili in the available space around the crescent dogs. You may not use both full cans of chili and can heat any leftovers and serve alongside baked chili cheese dogs.
- Melt butter in a small dish and stir in garlic salt/powder. Use a pastry brush to brush the butter mixture over the tops of the exposed crescent rolls.
- Bake approximately 30 minutes or until crescents appear browned on both the top and the bottom.
- Sprinkle baked chili cheese dogs with a bit of chopped parsley and serve immediately.
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