Oven Baked Chili Dogs

If you did not already know, and if you can't tell from every form of social media out there, today is Election Day. Did you vote?

I really hate talking about politics in general. So all I am going to say is that you should vote. I personally believe that one vote can make a difference, maybe not in the final ballot count, but just in the fact that one more person is involved in the making of a country and its decisions for the next four years.

I am actually watching election coverage while I write this post. I will probably turn it off in a little while and this day will proceed as a very normal day. Dishes. Laundry. Cleaning. Love Baby.

But tonight when we turn it back on and watch all of the little states turn either blue or red, we are going to eat some of these Oven Baked Chili Dogs.

I've seen this recipe hundreds of times on pinterest. The first time it intrigued me, but kind of disgusted me at the same time. Then the more I saw it on pinterest the more I was like... "Hmmmmm... okay. I could give those a try". So I finally did.

They are definitely different, not at all what you would expect. They can't be eaten with your hands, unless you really want to get messy. They are also delicious and easy-peasy to make.

All you have to do is take a hot dog bun, spread it with your favorite condiments (we used dijon mustard, lots of mayo, and dill relish). Fill it with a hot dog, repeat. Smoosh all eight hot dogs into a foil lined and greased 9x13 pan. Smother in chili (canned or homemade), then sprinkle with cheese and diced onions.

Once they are baked they look something like this...

And this...

Just perfect for eating while you watch which direction America swings today. Hopefully if you vote, all of your wildest dreams will come true.

And just so you know I never would have thought to bake a chili dog. I also probably never would have baked them with the condiments all up in the bun like this. But they are delish. Baking the condiments in the bun just does something so indescribably to them. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Oven Baked Chili Dogs

Ingredients

• 8 hot dog buns
• 8 good quality, all beef hot dogs
• 1 can chili (or 2 cups homemade--- great for leftovers!)
• mayo
• mustard
• dill or sweet relish
• diced onion
• shredded cheese

Cooking Directions

1. Line inside of hot dog buns with mayonnaise, mustard, and sweet relish. Fill with hot dogs and squish into an aluminum foil lined and greased 9x13" baking pan.
2. Top hot dogs with chili, cheese, and diced onion. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350F for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake for 5-10 more minutes or until cheese is slightly crispy.
3. Carefully remove from the pan with a spatula and devour with a fork and knife.

Recipe by Alyssa B. Young

5 out of 5 stars

Have a happy election today!