Dinner

Air Fryer Chili Dogs Recipe

ByClara Bennett February 1, 2026February 1, 2026

Introduction

Air fryer chili dogs bring together juicy hot dogs and a flavorful homemade chili sauce in a quick and easy meal. With the air fryer, you get perfectly cooked hot dogs and toasted buns in minutes, topped with cheesy goodness and just the right amount of spice.

Three hot dogs are placed inside an air fryer basket, each layered with a soft yellow bun holding a browned sausage, topped with a thick layer of dark brown chili, scattered with thin strips of bright orange cheddar cheese and small white onion pieces. The air fryer basket is black, and the background includes a small white bowl with light green sliced jalapeños, another white bowl with white diced onions, and a third white bowl with more chili on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

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

Instructions

Step 1: Add the ground beef and beef broth to a deep skillet over medium heat. Use a fork to break the meat into small pieces, creating a finer texture for the chili.
Step 2: Stir in tomato sauce, ketchup, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and cumin. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, until the chili thickens slightly.
Step 3: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 2 minutes.
Step 4: Place the hot dogs in the air fryer basket and cook for 3 minutes. For extra browning, continue cooking in 1-minute increments until desired color is reached.
Step 5: Place cooked hot dogs in the buns and return them to the air fryer for 1 minute with the air fryer turned off to lightly toast the buns.
Step 6: Spoon the hot chili sauce generously over each hot dog. Top with shredded cheddar, minced onion, and sliced jalapenos if desired.
Step 7: Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious air fryer chili dogs!

Tips & Variations

For a spicier chili, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a splash of hot sauce to the sauce mixture.
Try using turkey or chicken sausage instead of traditional hot dogs for a leaner option.
Swap shredded cheddar for pepper jack or mozzarella to change up the flavor.
Make the chili sauce ahead and store it in the fridge to save time on busy days.

Storage

Store leftover chili sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep hot dogs and buns separate to avoid sogginess. Reheat the chili sauce gently on the stove or microwave before serving. For best results, reheat hot dogs and buns in the air fryer to regain their texture.

How to Serve

Four chili cheese hot dogs sit inside a black air fryer basket on a white marbled surface. Each hot dog bun is golden and soft, with a layer of smooth reddish-brown chili spread evenly on the sausage. Two of the hot dogs are topped with bright yellow shredded cheddar cheese and small white onion pieces, while the other two also have green sliced jalapeño peppers on top. Around the air fryer are small white bowls filled with diced onions, green jalapeños, shredded cheddar cheese, and extra chili. A white plate with plain, light golden hot dog buns is near the top left of the image next to a blue and white striped cloth. The scene is bright and colorful with a clean and fresh look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the chili sauce without beef broth?

Yes, you can substitute beef broth with water or vegetable broth, though using broth adds extra depth of flavor to the chili sauce.

How long can I keep assembled chili dogs before serving?

It’s best to assemble and serve chili dogs immediately to enjoy the buns toasted and hot dogs juicy. If needed, you can prepare components separately and assemble just before eating.