Chef Katie Thompson - Family Comfort Food Expert
👨‍🍳 Family Food Chef

Recipe by Mitchell

🎓 Culinary Arts Graduate ⏰ 14+ Years Experience 🍽️ Game Day Food Specialist

❤️ My Recipe Story

"This recipe was born from my quest to make game day food that's both easy and satisfying. Wrapping hot dogs in buttery crescent rolls and topping with chili and cheese creates the ultimate comfort food that everyone loves."

Katie specializes in creating family-friendly comfort foods that are both delicious and simple to prepare. She's passionate about bringing people together around the table with foods that make everyone smile.

View All Mitchell's Recipes →
Golden brown crescent roll wrapped hot dogs topped with hearty chili, melted cheese, and fresh green onions on a white serving platter

Working with Crescent Roll Dough

The key to perfect crescent roll hot dogs lies in proper dough handling and wrapping technique. Keep the dough cold until ready to use, and work quickly to prevent it from becoming too soft. The dough should wrap snugly around the hot dog without being stretched too thin.

Sealing the dough properly ensures it won't unroll during baking. Starting from the wide end of the triangle and rolling tightly creates the best coverage, while placing seam-side down on the baking sheet helps maintain the wrap during cooking.

💡 Professional Tip

Score the hot dogs lightly with diagonal cuts before wrapping - this prevents them from bursting during baking and allows the flavors to penetrate better. Don't skip the egg wash as it creates that beautiful golden-brown color.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Beef, pork, turkey, or chicken hot dogs all work well. For best results, choose hot dogs that are similar in size and avoid extra-large varieties that might not wrap properly.

Any thick chili works - homemade, canned, or even chili from a restaurant. Just make sure it's not too watery or it will make the crescent rolls soggy.

You can wrap the hot dogs and refrigerate up to 4 hours before baking. Add 2-3 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold. Don't add toppings until after baking.

Use parchment paper, don't add chili until after the initial baking, and serve immediately. Make sure your chili isn't too thin or watery.

You can freeze the wrapped, unbaked hot dogs for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and bake as directed. Don't freeze after adding chili and cheese.

Try diced onions, jalapeños, bacon bits, or different cheese combinations. Pickled jalapeños and mustard are also great additions for extra flavor.

Keep them in a low oven (200°F) for up to 30 minutes after baking. Cover with foil to prevent over-browning. Add fresh garnishes just before serving.

Yes, but adjust cooking time and temperature. Puff pastry needs higher heat (400°F) and may take 15-18 minutes. The texture will be flakier than crescent rolls.

Recipe Troubleshooting Guide

✅

Dough Unrolls

Problem: Crescent roll dough unrolls during baking

Solution: Roll tighter, seal seam with egg wash, and place seam-side down. Make sure dough isn't too warm when wrapping.

✅

Hot Dogs Burst

Problem: Hot dogs split or burst during cooking

Solution: Score hot dogs lightly before wrapping, don't wrap too tightly, and avoid overcooking. Use medium-sized hot dogs for best results.

✅

Soggy Bottoms

Problem: Bottom of crescent rolls becomes soggy

Prevention: Use parchment paper, bake on lower oven rack, and don't add chili until after initial baking. Serve immediately after adding toppings.

✅

Uneven Browning

Problem: Some rolls brown faster than others

Recovery: Rotate pan halfway through baking, ensure even egg wash coverage, and space rolls evenly on the pan. Check oven hot spots.

✅

Cheese Won't Melt

Problem: Cheese doesn't melt properly on top

Prevention: Make sure chili is hot when added, use freshly shredded cheese, and return to oven for 3-5 minutes. Cover with foil if needed.

✅

Flavor Balance Issues

Too Sweet: Add hot sauce, pickled jalapeños, or more black pepper

Too Salty: Serve with sour cream or fresh vegetables

Bland: Increase seasonings in butter mixture, use spicier chili, or add hot sauce

Ingredients for crescent roll chili dogs including tubes of crescent dough, hot dogs, chili, shredded cheese, and seasonings arranged on a kitchen counter

Selecting Quality Ingredients

Choose quality hot dogs that are uniform in size for even cooking and wrapping. All-beef hot dogs provide the best flavor, but any variety works as long as they're not too large for the crescent roll triangles. Look for hot dogs without artificial casings that might not cook evenly.

The chili should be thick enough to stay on top without making the pastry soggy. Homemade chili works wonderfully, but good-quality canned chili saves time. Choose varieties with beans and meat for heartier texture and flavor.

Essential Ingredient Notes

  • Hot Dog Selection: Choose hot dogs that are about 6 inches long and standard thickness. Avoid jumbo or extra-wide varieties that won't fit properly in crescent roll triangles.
  • Crescent Roll Quality: Use fresh crescent roll dough from the refrigerated section. Check expiration dates and keep cold until ready to use. Generic brands work just as well as name brands.
  • Cheese Choice: Freshly shredded cheese melts better than pre-shredded. Sharp cheddar provides bold flavor while Monterey Jack adds creaminess. Mix for the best of both.
Hands wrapping hot dogs in crescent roll dough triangles, showing the proper technique for rolling from wide end to create neat packages

Mastering the Assembly Process

Proper assembly ensures even cooking and prevents the hot dogs from breaking through the dough. The key is rolling snugly but not too tightly, allowing room for the dough to expand during baking while keeping the hot dog securely wrapped.

The seasoned butter mixture adds incredible flavor to the exterior, while the egg wash creates that bakery-quality golden brown finish. The timing of adding toppings is crucial - the initial baking cooks the dough, while the final minutes melt the cheese perfectly.

Perfect Wrapping Technique

Start rolling from the wide end of the triangle, keeping the hot dog centered. Roll evenly without stretching the dough, and make sure the point is tucked under and sealed.

Crescent Roll Chili Dog Delight

Prep 15 min
Cook 20 min
Serves 8 servings
Level Easy

📋 Ingredients

For the Base

  • 450g prepared chili
    Hearty topping base
  • 225g sharp cheddar, shredded
    Bold cheese flavor
  • 115g Monterey Jack, shredded
    Creamy melting cheese
  • 60ml green onions, chopped
    Fresh finishing garnish
  • 60ml sour cream
    Cool, creamy contrast
  • 30ml fresh chives, chopped
    Mild onion flavor and color
  • Hot sauce (optional)
    For heat lovers

For Toppings & Garnish

  • 2 tubes crescent roll dough
    Buttery pastry wrapper
  • 8 beef hot dogs
    Star protein component
  • 1 large egg, beaten
    Creates golden brown finish
  • 30ml butter, melted
    Base for seasoning mixture
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
    Essential flavor enhancer
  • 1 tsp onion powder
    Adds savory depth
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds
    Optional textural garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare for Baking

    Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Remove crescent roll dough from tubes and separate into individual triangles.

  2. Wrap Hot Dogs

    Place one hot dog at the wide end of each crescent triangle. Roll up tightly, starting from the wide end, ensuring the hot dog is completely wrapped. Place seam-side down on prepared baking sheet.

  3. Season and Brush

    In a small bowl, mix melted butter with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper. Brush mixture over wrapped hot dogs, then brush with beaten egg for golden color.

  4. Bake Wrapped Dogs

    Sprinkle with sesame seeds if using. Bake for 12-15 minutes until crescent rolls are golden brown and cooked through. Meanwhile, heat chili in a saucepan over medium heat.

  5. Add Toppings and Finish

    Remove from oven and immediately top each crescent dog with warm chili and mixed cheeses. Return to oven for 3-5 minutes until cheese melts. Garnish with green onions, chives, and serve with sour cream and hot sauce.

Recipe Notes & Tips

Storage

These are best served immediately while the pastry is crispy and cheese is melted. Leftovers can be reheated in a 350°F oven for 5-8 minutes to crisp up the pastry.

Serving Suggestions

Perfect for game day parties, casual family dinners, or kids' meals. Serve with potato chips, coleslaw, or a simple green salad to round out the meal.

Variations

Try different hot dog varieties like bratwurst or chicken sausage. You can also experiment with different chili types or add jalapeños for heat. Mini versions make great appetizers.