Looking for a classic comfort food the whole family will love? This hot dog casserole always hits the spot, with savory chili and cheese, plus crispy tater tots on top. Best of all, I make my version in the air fryer for a meal that’s easy enough for a weeknight!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Hot dog casserole is comforting, nostalgic, and incredibly easy to make. It combines simple pantry staples like pasta or potatoes, cheese, and hot dogs into a hearty, budget-friendly meal the whole family can enjoy.
Plus, it’s endlessly customizable to suit different tastes and ingredients on hand. I make mine with chili, cheese, seasonings, and tater tots for a nice crispy top, but I’ll give you lots of variation options too.
This recipe is traditionally made in an oven, and while I do enjoy the baked version I definitely prefer to make mine in the air fryer because it’s faster, heats up the house less, and I can make smaller portions (not a whole 13×9 pan full)!
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Ingredients Needed
- 4 bun length hot dogs, sliced into ½” thick medallions
- 15 ounce can chili (such as Hormel; with or without beans)
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp hot sauce (or to taste)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 ½ cups frozen tater tots or crowns (can vary slightly based on dish size)
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 Tbsp yellow mustard (or Dijon)
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ⅛ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- Any hot dogs you like are fine. I use all beef, but you can use a blend, turkey dogs, or anything similar
- Instead of the tater tots or crowns, you can use biscuit dough, frozen fries, or even cornbread. Cooking times can vary slightly for different toppers, so adjust as needed
- Feel free to add veggies into the base – onions and peppers are a great choice, but you could also do potatoes, corn, or similar (just nothing with too much moisture or it will get soupy). You could also add cooked crumbled bacon, dill pickle relish, or zesty jalapenos too!
- You can also make this casserole without the tater tot topping. Instead, use hot dog buns or tortillas. Add the full hot dog (don’t cut it) to the bun or wrap in the tortillas. Place them in your dish, cover with the chili mixture, and top with cheese – messy but delicious!
- All seasonings are adjustable to taste – you can modify and add/subtract as desired to make something you love!
- You can use homemade chili instead of canned if preferred, and the ketchup can also be swapped hot dog dog (Coney) sauce if you’d like!
Equipment Notes
You’ll need an oven-safe dish that fits in your air fryer basket (or rack) to make this recipe. I have a Dual Zone air fryer with two compartments, so I split the casserole into two smaller oval casserole dishes.
However, if you have a single basket unit, you can just use a single regular round or square casserole that fits. If it’s oven-safe, it’s air fryer safe!
Hot Dog Casserole Variations
- Amish Hot Dog Casserole. Omit the chili, add cooked egg noodles, cheese, and buttery cracker or breadcrumbs on top instead of the potato tots
- Old-Fashioned Hot Dog Casserole. Use canned baked beans instead of chili, cheddar cheese, and top with crushed crackers or breadcrumbs instead of tots
- Betty Crocker-Style Hot Dog Casserole. Add cooked macaroni, cheese sauce (instead of or in addition to the chili), and the sliced hot dogs
- Potato Hot Dog Casserole. Layer very thinly sliced potatoes with hot dogs and cream of mushroom soup, and cheese, baked until bubbling and golden (usually 20-25 minutes to get the potatoes cooked)
- Hot Dog Spaghetti Bake. Mix cooked spaghetti with marinara or cheese sauce and the hot dogs, bake with mozzarella and/or cheddar on top
- Breakfast Hot Dog Casserole. Mix hot dogs with scrambled eggs and cheese, then top with cubed or shredded hash browns or biscuits
- Hot Dog & Rice Casserole. Mix cooked white rice, hot dogs, veggies, and cream of celery or mushroom soup together and bake for a pantry-friendly meal
- Tex-Mex Hot Dog Casserole. Include salsa, beans, hot dogs, and cheddar cheese, adding taco seasoning or jalapeños if desired
- BBQ Hot Dog Casserole. Toss sliced hot dogs in BBQ sauce with onions and cheese, then baked with a topping of mashed potatoes or cornbread
- Pizza Hot Dog Bake. Mix hot dogs, marinara sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni (or other pizza toppings). Top with extra mozzarella in the last few minutes of cooking
Step By Step Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir together the hot dogs, chili, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, ketchup, and mustard, until combined
- Pour into a greased casserole dish (or split into two) that fit into your air fryer’s basket or rack
- Cover the mixture evenly with the shredded cheese (pat it down a little so it sticks into the mixture, keeping it from blowing around)
- Top with the tater tot crowns in a single layer (if you use full sized tots, I lay them down sideways instead of upright), and sprinkle the pepper, onion power, and garlic powder over the top to season (you can add salt too, but the base is salty enough that I typically don’t)
- Cook on the air fry setting at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, until tater tots are browned and crispy, cheese is melted, and base is hot and bubbly
- Serve with your favorite sides. Enjoy!
Alternate Baking Directions
Bake uncovered in an oven preheated to 350°F for about 30 minutes.
Pairing Suggestions
Side Dishes
- Green salad with a tangy vinaigrette (to cut the richness)
- Steamed or roasted vegetables like broccoli, green beans, or carrots. Try my Air Fryer Carrots With Brown Sugar for a quick option!
- Coleslaw for a crunchy, refreshing contrast
- Baked beans for a nostalgic cookout-style pairing!
- Garlic bread or dinner rolls for soaking up any cheesy goodness!
Drink Pairings
- Lager or pilsner, light beers work well with the savory, cheesy base
- Classic cola or root beer, especially fun for kids or a retro vibe
- Dry white wine, like Sauvignon Blanc, to balance the richness
Desserts
- Apple crisp or cobbler for a cozy finish. My Air Fryer Apple Cobbler is the perfect choice!
- Ice cream floats or milkshakes for a diner-style treat
Recipe FAQs
What Are the 5 Components of a Casserole?
A classic casserole usually includes five components: a protein (like meat – hot dogs in this case), a starch (such as pasta, rice, or potatoes), a vegetable, a binder (like soup, sauce, or eggs), and a topping (cheese, breadcrumbs, or crispy onions).
The emphasis is on being hearty, easy to prepare, and served as a complete meal, though it can still be served with additional sides if desired.
Why Do They Call It Casserole?
The word “casserole” comes from the French word casserole, meaning “saucepan” or “cooking dish.” It refers to both the dish used and the food cooked in it.
Can I Use Leftover Hot Dogs?
Leftover hot dogs are perfect for casseroles like this one, but you can also slice and use them in macaroni and cheese, fried rice, scrambled eggs, chili, or even chopped into salads or quesadillas for a fun twist.
Tips For the Best Hot Dog Casserole
- I do not preheat my air fryer and my casseroles cook perfectly in 15 minutes. Times can vary between air fryers, and based on the size and depth of your dish, so adjust as needed for your specific setup
- To retrieve the casserole dish from the air fryer, I use a flat spatula to lift it out, or just grab it with oven mitts on (sometimes that feels like the trickiest part)!
Storage and Reheating
Storage Tips
- Refrigerator: Let the casserole cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3-4 days
- Freezer: For longer storage, freeze individual portions or the whole casserole (tightly wrapped) for up to 2-3 months. Let it cool completely first to avoid ice crystals
Reheating Tips
- Oven: Cover with foil and reheat at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through
- Air Fryer: Place a portion in a heat-safe dish and air fry at 325°F for 5-8 minutes, until warmed through and the top is re-crisped
- Microwave: Reheat individual servings in a microwave-safe dish, covered loosely, on medium power for 1–2 minutes, stirring halfway through, but note that the potatoes will lose their crispiness this way
Final Thoughts
This chili cheese dog casserole is such an easy recipe, and the perfect comfort food! Savory hot dogs, hearty chili, ooey gooey cheese, and perfect crispy tater tots make for a great combination.
It’s highly customizable, and easy to make. In fact, thanks to the air fryer, it only takes about 15 minutes to cook, for a meal that’s easy enough for a weeknight. Plus, both kids and adults love it, so it’s a family favorite.
Katie’s tip
Looking for more recipes to use up a pack of hot dogs? I’ve got lots of unique and delicious Air Fryer Hot Dog Recipes to try!
Chili Cheese Hot Dog Casserole (Air Fryer)
Equipment
- Spatula (or spoon)
- Casserole dish (or similar oven-safe dish that fits in your air fryer)
- Nonstick spray
Ingredients
- 4 bun length hot dogs (sliced into 1/2" thick medallions)
- 15 ounce can chili (with or without beans)
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp hot sauce (or to taste)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 ½ cups frozen tater tots or crowns (can vary slightly based on dish size)
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 Tbsp yellow mustard (or Dijon)
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ⅛ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir together the hot dogs, chili, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, ketchup, and mustard, until combined. Pour into a greased casserole dish (or split into two) that fit into your air fryer’s basket or rack4 bun length hot dogs, 15 ounce can chili, 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp hot sauce, ¼ cup ketchup, 2 Tbsp yellow mustard
- Cover the mixture evenly with the shredded cheese (pat it down a little so it sticks into the mixture, keeping it from blowing around)1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Top with the tater tot crowns in a single layer (if you use full sized tots, I lay them down sideways instead of upright), and sprinkle the pepper, onion power, and garlic powder over the top to season (you can add salt too, but the base is salty enough that I typically don’t)1 ½ cups frozen tater tots or crowns, ¼ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp garlic powder, ⅛ tsp black pepper
- Cook on the air fry setting at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, until tater tots are browned and crispy, cheese is melted, and base is hot and bubbly
- Serve with your favorite sides. Enjoy!
Notes
- Any hot dogs you like are fine. I use all beef, but you can use a blend, turkey dogs, veggie dogs, or anything similar
- Instead of the tater tots or crowns, you can use biscuit dough, frozen fries, or even cornbread. Cooking times can vary slightly for different toppers (and between different air fryers), so adjust as needed
- Feel free to add veggies into the base – onions and peppers are a great choice, but you could also do potatoes, corn, or similar (just nothing with too much moisture or it will get soupy). You could also add cooked crumbled bacon, dill pickle relish, or zesty jalapenos too!
- You can also make this casserole without the tater tot topping. Instead, use hot dog buns or tortillas. Add the full hot dog (don’t cut it) to the bun or wrap in the tortillas. Place them in your dish, cover with the chili mixture, and top with cheese – messy but delicious!
- All seasonings are adjustable to taste – you can modify and add/subtract as desired to make something you love!
- You can use homemade chili instead of canned if preferred, and the ketchup can also be swapped hot dog dog (Coney) sauce if you’d like!
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
