This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
The classic combination of a chili cheese dog gets a bite-sized update in these Mini Chili Cheese Dogs. Hawaiian rolls are hollowed out, and stuffed with cut up hot dogs, and then smothered in an easy chili and gooey cheese. Perfect party food!
For more Game Day grub, check out these Fancy Pigs in a Blanket, these buffalo chicken roll ups, and these Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Totchos.
Mini Chili Cheese Dogs
Prior to marrying/dating my husband, I never in a million years thought I’d utter the words Chili Cheese Dog as a legit meal choice. Hot dogs smothered in ketchup and mustard on hot summer days and at ball games, yes. Hearty chili in the dead of winter smothered with cheese, saltine crackers, and fresh onion, yes yes yes. But not the two together.
However, when you actually try a chili cheese dog instead of scoffing at the overindulgent lunacy of it, you discover the simple facts – they’re freaking delicious.
These little babies, are one of my best creations yet. Hollowed out Hawaiian rolls are stuffed with cut up hot dogs, topped with an easy chili, and then smothered with melted cheddar cheese. They’re sweet, savory, cheesy, and completely addictive.
How to make Mini Chili Cheese Dogs
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
- Heat a medium non-stick skillet and add ground sirloin and onion. Break up meat with a wooden spoon and cook until beef is browned and cooked all the way through, and the onions are translucent. Add garlic, cook 1 more minute. Add tomato paste, cook another minute.Add kidney beans, tomatoes, salt, garlic powder, chili powder and water. Bring to a simmer, cook until the flavors have melded to together, and the mixture resemble a thick chili, about 3-4 minutes.
- While the chili simmers, cut a hole in each of the Hawaiian rolls and scoop out the inside. Be sure to leave enough of the rolls to hold the chili and hot dog. Place the rolls on prepared baking sheet. Place a heaping teaspoon of the chili in each hole of the rolls. Lay a hot dog on top horizontally. Spoon remaining chili on top of hot dogs. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake until cheese has melted and hot dogs are hot all the way though, about 8-10 minutes. Serve with chopped onion, jalapeño and any other desired toppings.
Is it necessary to make homemade chili?
You could absolutely buy store-bought chili to make these even easier to put together, but homemade chili is insanely easy to make, and probably a heck of a lot better than anything you can find pre-packaged, so I really recommend making your own. I basically took my favorite simple chili recipe, and cut back on the liquids so it was more in line with a sturdy filling versus a soup-like consistency.
Ground beef, kidney beans and plenty of onion make up the base, while tomato paste, diced (canned) tomatoes, chili powder and salt help in the flavor department. I also added just a touch of water to make sure the filling didn’t get too dry while baking, essential in the perfect chili cheese dog.
As I was brainstorming possible vessels for the mini chili cheese dogs, my mind automatically gravitated towards homemade mini hot dog buns, which I then seriously contemplated for about five seconds before I came to my senses, and went with my second gut instinct – Hawaiian rolls.
These guys are having their moment in the last few years, and I’m totally on board. I’ve stuffed them with a chopped cheeseburger filling, served them tex-mex breakfast style with eggs and chorizo, and I’ve done preparations similar to today, except instead of hot dogs, I stuffed them to the brim with meatballs, covered the meatballs in marinara and then slathered them both with cheese.
Using them isn’t necessary, you could also use plain dinner rolls, or even a crusty ciabatta or sourdough roll, but I happen to think the sweet, soft Hawaiian roll goes perfectly with the makings of a chili cheese dog.
Toppings for Mini Chili Cheese Dogs
- diced onion,
- pickled jalapeños
- chopped tomatoes
- crumbled up saltine crackers.
- hot sauce!
Substitutions and Tips and Tricks for Recipe Success
- Use the insides of the Hawaiian buns to make breadcrumbs.
- If you’re not serving them right away, toast the insides of the buns to keep them from getting soggy.
- Make the chili ahead of time, and cut out the insides of the rolls. Assembly just before serving.
- Feel free to swap out the hot dogs for turkey dogs, beef chili for turkey chili, and cheddar cheese for low-fat cheddar cheese.
Mini Chili Cheese Dogs
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb lean ground sirloin
- 1/3 cup diced onion, plus more topping
- 1 large garlic clove, minced
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup (heaping) kidney beans
- 1/2 cup canned diced tomatoes with juice
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp ketchup
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 package wheat Hawaiian rolls any variety works
- 4 beef hot dogs, quartered
- 1 cup shredded cheese cheese
Equipment
- Non-stick skillet
- Rimmed Baking sheet
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
- Heat a medium non-stick skillet to a medium heat. Add sirloin and onion. Break up meat with a wooden spoon and cook until beef is browned and cooked all the way through, and the onions are translucent. Add garlic, cook 1 more minute. Add tomato paste, cook another minute.
- Add kidney beans, tomatoes, salt, garlic powder, chili powder and water. Bring to a simmer, cook until the flavors have melded to together, and the mixture resemble a thick chili, about 3-4 minutes.
- While the chili simmers, cut a hole in each of the Hawaiian rolls and scoop out the inside. Be sure to leave enough of the rolls to hold the chili and hot dog. Place the rolls on prepared baking sheet.
- Place a heaping teaspoon of the chili in each hole of the rolls. Lay a hot dog on top horizontally. Spoon remaining chili on top of hot dogs. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake until cheese has melted and hot dogs are hot all the way though, about 8-10 minutes.
- Serve with chopped onion, jalapeño and any other desired toppings.
Nutrition Information
michele says
Fabulous idea!! Can’t wait to make!!!
Karyl says
You are so creative; I’m making these.
Ginger says
I would used regular rolls instead of the Hawaiian rolls. I didn’t care for the sweetness