My family and I were caught up in March Madness the entire month of March.  The road to the championship is almost over. Yes, I’m a basketball fanatic! Along with our love for college basketball, we also like small bites to enjoy throughout the games. Say hello to my mini chili cheese dogs.

this recipe

The entire family gathers at my house when our favorite teams are playing. We are a house divided when it comes to college basketball, but that’s okay. We love talking trash to each other and we’re never mean with it. It’s all in good fun. I think. And the food has to be on point.

Sports and hotdogs go hand in hand, but I wanted to make something a little different than just plain hot dogs so I went small.  The stars of my mini chili cheese dogs are little Smokies (cocktail franks).  They may be small, but they’re full of flavor!

The crunch of the slightly sweet, toasted buns is the perfect vehicle to carry the bold taste of the little smokies, the melted cheese, and the flavorful chili.

Small bites always go over well at my parties.  They’re fun and easy to eat.  You don’t need utensils.  Let the games begin!

Mini Chili Cheese Dogs

Preheat oven to 350º.  Add chili to a saucepan and heat until warm.

Meanwhile, in another saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add franks and simmer for 5 minutes.

Add Hawaiian rolls to a baking pan. Cut slits in the rolls. Be careful not to cut all the way through.

Place one cocktail frank in each roll.

Top each roll with chili.

Add shredded cheese.

Bake at 350º for 8-10 minutes, or until heated and cheese is melted.

This recipe makes 24 mini chili cheese dogs. Feel free to double or triple the recipe. Sometimes, when it’s only a few of us watching the game (rarely) I’ll only make a dozen.

If you don’t like chili from a can, make it homemade. I have the perfect chili recipe.

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Yield: 24

Mini Chili Cheese Dogs

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These mini chilli cheese dogs are always a hit when I host a casual party. The cocktail franks are served in toasty Hawaiian rolls and covered with chili, and shredded Jack/cheddar cheese.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 24 Lil' Smokies (cocktail franks - 12 oz.)
• 1 can chili, no beans
• 2 Packs Hawaiian rolls (12 each)
• Shredded Pepper Jack/Cheddar mixture, 2 cups

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350º.
2. Pour chili into a saucepan and heat until warm.
3. In another saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add franks and simmer for 5 minutes. Drain.
4. Cut a slit into each Hawaiian roll. Be careful not to cut all the way through.
5. Place one frank in each roll and place in two 13x9 baking dishes.
6. Top each with chili and cheese.
7. Bake at 350º for 8-10 minutes, or until heated and cheese is melted.

Nutrition Information

Yield

24

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 101Total Fat 5gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 13mgSodium 229mgCarbohydrates 10gFiber 3gSugar 2gProtein 5g

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Are you a college basketball fan? If so, who’s your favorite team?

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