Air-Fryer Chili Cheese Dogs: A Tasty, Quick Treat?

Air Fryer Chili Cheese Dogs are a delicious and easy-to-make comfort food, perfect for chilly days and game days. They can be made with just four ingredients: hot dogs, hot dog buns, cooked chili, and cheese. The hot dogs are cooked in the air fryer and then assembled with the remaining ingredients. This recipe is versatile, allowing for various types of hot dogs, buns, and toppings to cater to different tastes. The air fryer also ensures a crispy texture and melted cheese, making it a convenient and tasty way to enjoy chili cheese dogs.

How to make chilli cheese dogs in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Hot dogs
• Hot dog buns
• Chilli (canned or homemade)
• Cheese (cheddar or Mexican)
• Diced red onion (optional)

Method

• Place the hot dogs in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 6 minutes, turning halfway through.
• Remove the hot dogs from the air fryer and place them inside the buns.
• Top the hot dogs with chilli and cheese.
• Return the hot dogs to the air fryer and cook at 350-380°F for 1-3 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the chilli is warmed through.
• Carefully remove the chilli cheese dogs from the air fryer and serve immediately.

Tips

• If you are using frozen hot dogs, preheat the air fryer to 350°F and cook for 7-8 minutes, turning halfway through.
• You can also add chilli inside the buns before adding the hot dogs for a more loaded chilli cheese dog.
• To prevent the cheese from melting onto the air fryer basket, place the chilli cheese dogs on parchment paper or use an air fryer liner.
• For a softer bun, wrap the chilli cheese dogs in foil before placing them in the air fryer.
• This recipe can be made vegetarian by using veggie hot dogs and vegetarian chilli.
• For an extra crunch, add corn chips, potato chips, or a sweet onion on top.

What ingredients are needed for chilli cheese dogs

Chilli cheese dogs are a delicious comfort food and a classic American dish. They are also highly customisable, so you can adapt the ingredients to your taste. Here is a list of ingredients you will need to make chilli cheese dogs:

The Main Ingredients

• Hot dogs: Choose your favourite brand of hot dogs. You can go for an all-beef option, or even a vegan alternative.
• Buns: Pick your favourite type of bun. White, wheat, brioche, or potato buns all work well.
• Cheese: Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or American cheese are all popular choices, but feel free to use whatever you like.
• Chilli: You can make your own chilli, or use canned chilli. If making your own, you will need ingredients like ground beef, onions, tomatoes, and spices.

Optional Ingredients and Toppings

• Onions: Diced or sliced onions are a great topping for chilli cheese dogs, adding a nice bite of flavour and texture.
• Mustard: A crucial topping for some, mustard adds a bright, sharp flavour that cuts through the richness of the chilli.
• Relish: Another popular topping, relish adds a tangy sweetness to your chilli cheese dog.
• Jalapeños: For those who like it spicy, jalapeños are a great way to add some heat.
• Parsley: A little chopped parsley can be used as a garnish, adding a fresh herbal note to your chilli cheese dog.

For the Chilli (if making from scratch)

• Ground beef: Go for a higher fat content for more flavour.
• Tomatoes: Crushed or whole tomatoes can be used, just be sure to crush them while cooking if using whole tomatoes.
• Spices: Chilli powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, and cayenne pepper will add depth of flavour to your chilli.
• Salt and Pepper: Season your chilli to taste with salt and pepper.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves or garlic powder will add a savoury punch to your chilli.

With these ingredients, you have everything you need to make delicious chilli cheese dogs, whether in the oven, on the grill, or in an air fryer!

How to make the chilli for chilli cheese dogs

Chilli is a key ingredient in chilli cheese dogs, and you can make it from scratch or use canned chilli. Here is a simple recipe for making chilli for your chilli cheese dogs in an air fryer:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of lean ground beef
• 1/2 cup of beef broth
• 8 ounces of tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon of chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of cumin
• Salt to taste

Method:

• Add the beef and beef broth to a deep skillet over medium heat. Use a fork to break up the meat into small pieces and mash it to create a fine texture.
• Add the remaining ingredients to the skillet: tomato sauce, chilli powder, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, and salt. Stir well to combine.
• Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow the chilli to cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has thickened slightly.
• Taste the chilli and adjust the seasoning as needed.
• If you have any leftover chilli, you can store it in the refrigerator for a few days or freeze it for later use.

Now that you have your chilli ready, you can assemble your chilli cheese dogs by adding the cooked hot dogs to the buns, topping them with the chilli, and sprinkling shredded cheese on top. You can then place them back in the air fryer for a minute or two to melt the cheese and warm the chilli. Enjoy your delicious chilli cheese dogs!

What temperature to cook chilli cheese dogs at

Chilli cheese dogs are a great comfort food and can be made in an air fryer in less than 15 minutes. The air fryer gives the dish a perfect light crisp and melts the cheese.

Step 1:

Place the hot dog buns inside the air fryer basket in a single layer. If you are using frozen hot dogs, place them in the air fryer and cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 7-8 minutes. If you are using refrigerated hot dogs, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2:

Place the hot dogs inside the air fryer and cook for 4 minutes, turning halfway through. If you like your hot dogs extra crispy, air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 6-8 minutes.

Step 3:

Remove the hot dogs from the air fryer and place them inside the buns. Add half of the cheese to the hot dogs on the buns.

Step 4:

Top the hot dogs with chilli. You can use canned chilli or make your own. If you are using refrigerated chilli, heat it up to at least room temperature before adding it to the hot dog bun.

Step 5:

Add the remaining cheese over the chilli.

Step 6:

Turn the air fryer to 350-390 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 1-2 minutes until the cheese has melted and the chilli is warm.

Step 7:

Carefully remove the chilli cheese dogs from the air fryer and enjoy!

You can reheat chilli cheese dogs in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-3 minutes.

What to serve with chilli cheese dogs

Chilli cheese dogs are a hearty meal, so you might want to serve them with something light and refreshing on the side. Here are some ideas for side dishes and drinks to accompany your chilli cheese dogs:

Side dishes

• French fries
• Potato salad
• Macaroni salad
• Potato chips
• Baked beans
• Tater tots
• Grilled onions and peppers
• Onion rings
• Salad, such as fruit salad with honey lime dressing, fall harvest salad or Caesar pasta salad

Drinks

• Ice-cold beer
• Margarita

Frequently asked questions