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This cheesy chili dog dip is just the thing for a get together when folks crave spicy cheese and tasty hot dogs. Juicy sausages wrapped in soft dough served with a creamy, warm dip always brings people together, plus you can toss it together fast.
My first time making this dip for New Year's Eve, everyone suddenly gathered around. Nobody wanted to leave the table until it was gone.
Tasty Ingredients
- Hot dogs: go for plump, quality franks, fresh is best for bold flavor
- Crescent dough: puff pastry also works, just pick something fluffy so it browns up nice
- No-bean chili: gives the dip its thick, savory base, use your go-to chili
- Cream cheese: brings crazy creaminess, mix it at room temp so it stirs smooth
- Cheddar: packs lots of punch and gives a crispy golden top, blend sharp and mild if you've got both
- Green onions: make it pop with some crisp spice, aim for snappy, fresh ones
- Jalapenos: totally optional for heat lovers, thinly sliced for a spicy kick
Step-by-step directions
- Get the oven set:
- Turn your oven to 190°C (top-bottom), grab a baking pan or oven-proof skillet, and add a light slick of oil so nothing sticks
- Cut up hot dogs:
- Slice each sausage into three pieces so you get perfect dough-to-dog flavor in every bite
- Wrap them up:
- Unroll your crescent (or puff) dough, chop each triangle into three strips, then roll every dog piece with a dough strip, putting seam side down
- Arrange for baking:
- Line the wrapped hot dogs in a ring shape in your pan, leave some space between them for perfect browning, bake 18 minutes or so till golden
- Mix the cheesy chili:
- While those bake, stir together chili, softened cream cheese, and half the cheddar in a big bowl till smooth—make sure the cheese is soft to keep lumps out
- Fill and finish:
- Pull out the pan, scoop your chili mixture into the middle, top with the rest of the cheddar, bake another 8-10 minutes, and pull when the top bubbles and turns golden
- Dress and dig in:
- Finish with sliced green onions and jalapenos (if you want an extra kick), serve hot and let everyone grab it with little forks or just dig in
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This dish always ends up the star whenever there's a game night. My family has tons of funny, loud memories with it—the dip always disappears first. Cheddar's the magic ingredient here. I never skip it in this cheesy chili dog dip.
How to keep leftovers
Leftovers last up to two days in the fridge if you cover them. Reheat gently in the oven to keep things crispy and the dip nice and smooth. You can freeze it, but honestly, it's best when fresh out of the oven
Switch it up
Swap in mini bratwursts for the hot dogs if you want. Meatless chili and veggie sausages work for vegetarians. Gouda or mozzarella shifts the flavor, and you can use sour cream instead of cream cheese for a lighter feel
Ways to serve
Perfect dish for movie night, parties, or kids' birthdays. Set out bowls of extra jalapenos and dips. Crunchy veggies like cucumbers or peppers taste awesome on the side and go great with the cheesy punch
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Where the idea came from
This twist comes from classic American ballpark food but turning it into a home fiesta is just more fun. The blend of familiar German-style finger foods and bold American street snacks? Always gets people talking when friends come around
Common Recipe Questions
- → What kind of cheese works best here?
Cheddar melts really smoothly and has muscle for flavor. If you’re after something even richer, toss in some Gouda too.
- → Can I skip the jalapeños?
Definitely! If you’re not into spicy stuff, just leave them out. It’ll still taste awesome, especially if you like things mild.
- → How do I keep leftovers fresh?
Pop it in the fridge with a lid, and warm it up in the oven when you want the cheese to go gooey again.
- → Do I need to make my own chili?
Nope, homemade or store-bought both get the job done—just make sure it’s thick and packed with flavor.
- → Could I use a different sausage instead?
Yep! Tiny bratwursts or Vienna sausages totally work. Just use what you like or whatever’s around.