Cheesy Chili Dog Bake

This hearty chili cheese dog bake turns a classic stadium snack into a cozy family meal that'll win over even your toughest food critics. Juicy franks tucked inside flaky crescent pastry and topped with savory chili make a nostalgic dinner that'll transport you right back to those fun ballpark days.

I whipped this up for my kid's baseball squad dinner, and it was such a knockout that they now beg for it before every tournament. The youngsters can't get enough of those familiar tastes, and parents love how it serves up easily without the usual hot dog drips and spills.

Ingredients

• Refrigerated crescent rolls: The 8 oz tube creates that irresistible buttery, crisp shell when baked
• American cheese slices: They melt perfectly and give you that classic gooey goodness everyone craves
• Hot dogs: Go for your household favorite; the all-beef ones really boost the flavor
• Canned chili: So handy and time-saving - grab mild or spicy depending on what your family likes
• Butter: Makes everything tastier and helps turn those crescents golden brown
• Garlic powder: Adds a gentle flavor kick without taking over the whole dish
• Chives: They're not must-have but do add nice green flecks and a light oniony taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

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Get your dish ready:

Warm your oven to 375° F and give your baking dish a quick spray with cooking oil to stop things from sticking later. A 9x13 pan works best for spacing everything out right.

Wrap those dogs:

Pop open your crescent roll can and pull apart the dough along the lines to get your triangles. Lay half a cheese slice on the wide end, put a hot dog on that, then roll it all up starting from the wide part. Give the edges a little pinch to keep everything inside. The cheese will get all melty inside as it bakes.

Mix up some flavor:

In a little bowl, stir together melted butter with garlic powder and chives if you're using them. This simple mix really takes plain crescent dough to the next level. Brush it all over your wrapped dogs, making sure to get all the dough.

First cooking stage:

Cover your dish with foil so the dough doesn't get too brown too fast. Let it bake for 25 minutes, which gets the hot dogs nice and hot and starts cooking the dough.

Time for chili:

Take the dish out and pull off the foil. Spoon your chili around the wrapped dogs, but don't cover them up completely. This setup lets the crescents keep browning while the chili warms up.

Finish baking:

Put it back in without the foil this time and let it cook about 15 more minutes until the dough turns a nice golden color. You'll know it's ready when the chili starts bubbling at the edges.

The canned chili really works magic in this dish. Though homemade would work fine, there's something spot-on about using the canned stuff that really nails that authentic stadium flavor. My partner swears it tastes exactly like the chili dogs he wolfed down at baseball games when he was a kid.

Make It Your Own

This dish is super flexible for tweaking to your liking. You can swap in turkey dogs for something lighter, or try pepper jack instead of American cheese for a bit of kick. If you're cutting back on beef, vegetarian chili fits in perfectly and most folks won't spot the difference. What's great about this bake is you can change things around but still keep that soul-warming appeal that brings everyone to the table.

Serving Suggestions

Round out your meal with a basic green salad drizzled with ranch or a simple vinaigrette. Traditional sides like chips, baked beans, or fresh corn really complement the flavors. When you're hosting, set out small dishes of chopped onions, pickle relish, sliced jalapeños, and extra cheese so everyone can dress up their portion just how they want it.

Storage and Reheating

This dish keeps surprisingly well after dinner's done. Just put any leftovers in a container with a tight lid and stick it in the fridge for up to three days. When you want to enjoy it again, the microwave works great if you heat it in 30-second bursts until it's hot throughout. You can also use the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes, but cover it with foil so the dough doesn't get too dark.

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This bake delivers all the warm fuzzy feelings of comfort food and will definitely put smiles on faces around your dinner table.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I switch out the cheese?

Of course! Feel free to use cheddar, mozzarella, or any cheese that melts nicely to customize the flavor.

→ What chili works best?

You can go with canned chili, either with or without beans, or whip up your own homemade version.

→ How do I stop crescent rolls from overcooking?

To avoid them browning too quickly, cover the dish loosely with foil during the first part of baking.

→ Can I prepare this ahead?

Yep! Assemble everything except the chili, refrigerate it, and then add the chili when you’re ready to bake.

→ Is there a vegetarian option?

Swap out the hot dogs for plant-based ones and use veggie chili for a meatless twist on this dish.