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Air Fryer Chili Dogs Recipe

5 from 118 reviews

Air Fryer Chili Dogs combine juicy, seasoned beef chili with perfectly cooked hot dogs, all assembled in toasted buns and topped with shredded cheddar, minced onion, and sliced jalapenos. This quick and easy recipe uses the air fryer to cook hot dogs to a tender, slightly crisp perfection and a stovetop skillet for a flavorful chili sauce that’s simmered to the ideal thickness. A delicious twist on a classic favorite, perfect for weeknight dinners or game day treats.

Ingredients

Scale

Chili Sauce

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • ½ cup beef broth
  • 8 ounces tomato sauce
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon cumin

Hot Dogs and Toppings

  • 8 hot dogs
  • 8 hot dog buns
  • Shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)
  • Minced onion (for topping)
  • Sliced jalapeno (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chili Sauce: Heat a deep skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef along with the beef broth. Use a fork to break up the meat into small pieces, smashing it to create a finer texture than usual ground beef crumbles.
  2. Add Seasonings and Simmer: Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and cumin. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until the chili thickens slightly.
  3. Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and preheat for 2 minutes to ensure even cooking of the hot dogs.
  4. Cook the Hot Dogs: Place the hot dogs in the air fryer basket and cook for 3 minutes. If you prefer a browner outer layer, continue cooking in 1-minute increments until desired crispness is reached.
  5. Toast the Buns: Place the cooked hot dogs inside the buns and return them to the air fryer. Toast for 1 minute with the air fryer turned off to gently warm and lightly crisp the buns.
  6. Assemble the Chili Dogs: Spoon the hot chili sauce generously over each hot dog. Top with shredded cheddar cheese, minced onion, and sliced jalapenos as desired for extra flavor and texture.
  7. Serve: Serve the chili dogs hot for a satisfying and flavorful meal.

Notes

  • For a spicier chili, increase the chili powder or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
  • Use lean ground beef to reduce grease and keep the chili sauce healthier.
  • If you don’t have an air fryer, hot dogs can be grilled or cooked on a stovetop skillet.
  • To make this recipe gluten free, ensure the hot dog buns are gluten free or serve without buns.
  • Leftover chili sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keywords: air fryer chili dogs, easy chili dogs recipe, hot dogs with chili, air fryer hot dogs, quick chili sauce