Name: Delish Mini Chili Cheese Dog Sliders
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1.5 lb mini hot dogs (Regular-sized will work fine too); 1 cup S shredded cheddar cheese (You can use mild or sharp cheese); 1 cup chili (Use your favorite canned or homemade chili); 1 pkg slider buns (12-pack works best); 0.5 tsp onion powder (For added flavor)

Okay, friend, you know those nights when you just want to put out a platter of pure, unadulterated comfort food, but also, like, not spend three hours doing it? Enter the glorious, messy, absolutely essential Delish Mini Chili Cheese Dog Sliders. We’re talking miniature hot dogs, nestled in soft buns, smothered in chili, and blanketed in melted cheese – all baked up into a single, pull-apart masterpiece. They’re basically a party in your mouth, a warm hug for your soul, and the easiest way to trick people into thinking you’re a culinary genius when really, you just have a can opener and a dream. Seriously, if you need a crowd-pleaser that screams “I tried, but also, I want to chill,” these are your new best friend.

My husband, bless his heart, acts like a starved grizzly bear every single time these come out of the oven. Last time, I swear I turned around for 30 seconds to grab some napkins (because, let’s be real, you NEED napkins), and he’d already inhaled three. My kids? They’ve perfected the “chili cheese smear” technique, where 80% of the chili and cheese ends up on their cheeks, the table, or the dog. We had a mini riot once because my youngest thought he saw his brother take the last one, and honestly, I probably instigated it by loudly declaring, “Last one gets eaten by ME!” It’s a full-contact sport in our house, but watching their faces light up makes cleaning up the aftermath almost worth it. Almost.

🧡

MORE OF OUR FAVORITE…

Why You’ll Love This Delish Mini Chili Cheese Dog Sliders

Pure Nostalgia: It’s like your favorite carnival food got a fancy (but still messy) glow-up and moved into your kitchen.
Effortlessly Impressive: They look super cute and fancy-ish, but the actual effort involved is shockingly low. Your secret is safe with me.
Party Perfect: These disappear faster than free samples at Costco. Seriously, make extra.
Minimal Utensils Required: These are finger food central! Embrace the glorious mess.

Time-Saving Hacks

Shortcut that keeps you sane: Don’t even *think* about making chili from scratch for these. Grab a good quality canned chili (or a pouch of pre-made) and call it a day. Zero judgment here!
Hack that saves dishes but still looks like effort: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper. Clean up becomes a literal peel-and-toss situation. Genius, right?
The sneaky “cheat” you always pull when you’re in a rush: Pre-shredded cheese. I know, I know, fresh is best. But when time is ticking and hunger pangs are raging, those bags of pre-shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack are absolute lifesavers. Shhh, no one has to know.

Kitchen Confessions

The disaster story: I once forgot to put foil *under* the sliders before baking, thinking “oh, it’ll be fine!” The melted cheese fused so perfectly to the pan, I thought I’d have to sacrifice the pan to the kitchen gods. Lesson learned. Always foil.
A silly mistake you or your family made with this recipe: My son, in his eagerness, once tried to pull a slider apart before I’d even sliced the buns all the way through. It turned into one giant, gloopy chili-cheese log. He still ate it, of course.
Honest admission: the messy part you secretly skip: Wiping down the counter immediately after assembly. There’s always some rogue chili or shredded cheese. I usually just cover it with a dishtowel and promise myself I’ll get to it after dinner. Sometimes I do.

What to Serve It With

✔Tips & Mistakes

Storage Tips

Keep it in the fridge… assuming there’s anything left. Midnight cold bites? Honestly better than fresh.

Variations and Substitutions

Swap whatever—honey ↔ sugar, tamari ↔ soy sauce—or skip a step and call it rustic. Still edible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I prepare the Delish Mini Chili Cheese Dog Sliders ahead of time?

You can assemble them up to a few hours in advance! Just hold off on baking them until about 20-30 minutes before you’re ready to serve. This prevents the buns from getting too soggy and ensures everything is hot and gooey when it’s time to eat.

What’s the best way to prevent the slider buns from getting too soft or mushy?

The key is to apply the chili and cheese just before baking, not too far in advance. Also, ensure your chili isn’t excessively watery; a thicker chili works best. Baking them covered for part of the time and then uncovered helps them steam through without becoming overly soft.

Can I use different types of cheese for these sliders?

Absolutely! While cheddar and Monterey Jack are classic, feel free to experiment. Pepper Jack adds a nice kick, or you could try a blend of Colby and mild cheddar for a super creamy melt. Just make sure it’s a good melting cheese!

How do I reheat leftover Delish Mini Chili Cheese Dog Sliders without them drying out?

The best way is to wrap them loosely in foil and reheat in an oven or toaster oven at 300°F (150°C) until warmed through, about 10-15 minutes. This helps the buns stay soft and the cheese re-melt nicely without getting crispy or dry.

What kind of hot dogs are recommended for this recipe?

Any brand of your favorite cocktail or mini hot dogs will work perfectly. If you can only find standard-sized hot dogs, you can easily slice them into smaller, slider-appropriate pieces before assembling. Just make sure they’re fully cooked before adding them to the buns.

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