Last updated on October 14th, 2025

The other day I randomly wanted a chili cheese dog! You know, the kind that takes you back to childhood?! Oozing chili, cheese, onion, and nostalgia!? These chili cheese dogs were super easy for a busy weeknight and the whole family loved them! Plus, it makes a bunch in case you want seconds (you probably will)! My 3-year-old loved how messy he got eating them! This is a dish that never gets old, no matter how old we get!

Where did the idea for Chili Cheese Dogs come from?

The idea of putting chili on a hotdog is sort of a mystery! Several people claim to have invented the chili dog, but the truth is unknown. It all started in the early 20th century when the Kero brothers served chili and dogs at a dinner party in Michigan. Another Michigan man named George claimed he had started the trend using his “famous Coney Island sauce” in 1914. In 1929, Art Elkind claimed it was his idea when he poured chili over hotdogs at his California restaurant.

Interestingly enough, the original dog didn’t even feature cheese! Cheese didn’t come until around 1981 in Texas! Regardless of where the idea originated from, we are still loving the concept of a chili cheese dog today and it remains a nostalgic favorite for many!

What ingredients do I need?

Cheddar Dogs
Hotdog Buns
Chili – check out my chili recipe
Shredded Cheese

Optional garnishes:

Red Onion
Green Onion
Parsley

How do I make them?

Preheat oven to 350 F. In a skillet, brown cheddar dogs on medium, just to get a little color on them. In a large baking dish, lay out hot dog buns and put browned dogs inside. Generously scoop some chili onto each, spreading with a spoon to ensure nice even coverage.

Top with cheddar cheese, put some aluminum foil over the top, and bake. Remove foil and bake again. Garnish with green and red onion, and fresh parsley if desired!

Enjoy!

Chili cheese dogs on a white plate on a wooden table

Check out some of my other recipes where chili is the star!