Whether it’s the 4th of July weekend, a birthday party, a BBQ, or even a Friday afternoon, hot dogs are a perfect addition to the buffet!

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These versatile snacks suit any occasion and can be completely customized to suit your guests. So, we have gathered some easy and delicious ways you can cook your hot dogs at home.

Chili Dogs

This hot dog is everything you want it to be from spicy to messy and is sure to fill you up. For the ultimate taste, you need ½ pound of bacon, 2 pounds ground beef, 1 large onion chopped, 4 garlic cloves chopped, 16-oz can of tomato sauce, 2 tablespoons molasses and paprika, 1 tablespoon ground cumin and chili powder, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and salt to taste.

Fry the bacon over medium-high heat until crispy, followed by the onions. Add in the ground beef and stir occasionally for a few minutes until brown; add in the garlic midway. Then, add the tomato sauce, all the spices – except for cayenne – and molasses, and broth. Bring to a gentle simmer for 30 minutes and add salt and cayenne; you can add more chili powder as you please – just remember to taste before adding any more spices. After 30 minutes, you can begin to grill the hot dogs over medium-high heat; you can add more beef broth to the chili if it gets dry. Brush your buns with olive oil or butter before adding in the hot dogs. Then top it with the chili.

Chili Cheese Casserole

You can also make this delicious casserole that will feed the whole family. All you need to include are crescent rolls to wrap your sausages in and cheddar cheese to stuff into your rolls. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F, and pour your chili into a 9” x 13” baking dish. Spread chili evenly and place the sausage and cheese stuffed hot dog rolls in a row on top of the chili. Combine melted butter with onion powder and chives and brush the mixture over your hot dog rolls. Bake the dish for 30 minutes; you can cover the dish with foil to prevent your rolls from getting too dark or burnt.

Almost every country has its own signature special recipe. Although the hot dog originated in Europe, this delicious treat made its way across the world and has been adopted by America who has taken the hot dog game up a notch. As can be seen at TheHotDog.org, these bites of heaven have a long history and there is a recipe for it for any occasion. This is why hot dogs spark up excitement and having one in your hand already feels like a vacation.

Corn Dogs

Also known as the UK’s sausage roll or the American pigs in a blanket; corn dogs are the ultimate party snack. All you need is 1 8-oz tube crescent rolls, a 12-oz package of little cocktail sausages, 4 tablespoons of melted butter, and salt for sprinkling.

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F, layout your crescent sheets on a lightly floured surface, and cut out smaller triangles from the existing triangle shapes of the dough. Place a mini sausage on the thick end of each triangle and roll over to the thinner side. Continue until you have filled all the triangles with sausages. Transfer them to a baking sheet and brush the melted butter on each blanket. Sprinkle them with salt and place them in the oven for 12 to 15 minutes. Bake until golden brown. You can serve them with honey mustard or mustard-onion dipping sauce. Another variation of this dish can include cheese-stuffed corn dogs.

Jalapeño Poppers

For those who just can’t get enough of jalapeños, this hot dog is for you. Start with the following ingredients: 12 extra-large jalapeños, 8 slices of American cheese, 4 thin, halved lengthwise hot dogs and 4 buns, and mustard. Set your grill to high heat, then slice the tops and bottoms off your jalapeñs, and remove seeds and ribs. Break the cheese to the same size and rectangular shape. You want to stuff your hot dog with it so place some cheese on top of one half and then place the other half of the hot dog back on top to reform the sausage. Then, insert your stuffed cheese hot dogs into the jalapeño tubes. You can use 2 or 3 jalapeños to cover the hot dog. Grill the jalapeño popper on each side, removing it from heat before all the cheese spills out. Place in the hot dog buns and serve with mustard.

From celebrations to easy home lunches, you can transform a hot dog in the ways mentioned above to feed your loved ones. These simple yet tasty recipes are easy to make and will ensure your hunger is satiated. They don’t take too long to cook, and are worth the effort!

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