Vegan Chili Dogs

These classic vegan chili dogs are easy to make and perfect for any season! They're warming, comforting, and ridiculously easy to make. They'll be a hit for family dinners, camping excursions, football parties, summer barbecues, and beyond!
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three vegan chili cheese dogs on a plate surrounded by toppings
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No backyard cookout is complete without plump vegan hot dogs sizzling away on the grill, shimmering beneath the summer sun. Tucked into a soft bun, that alone would be enough to power an afternoon of outdoor revelry, but the best was still yet to come.

Slathered with veggie chili and gooey melted plant-based cheese, suddenly that simple meal has transformed into these epic vegan chili cheese dogs—the stuff of childhood dreams. Equal parts indulgent and uncomplicated, you can’t beat that foolproof formula for a timeless comfort food staple.

Don’t save this classic bite of Americana just for summer barbecues. In fact, you don’t need to drag out the grill at all! Make the greatest chili cheese dogs whenever, wherever, with entirely plant-based ingredients!

You can cook them up over a campfire for a divine camping meal, or in your toaster oven or microwave for a quick-fix meal at home. Use canned or homemade chili and your favorite vegan cheese! Even skeptics will be won over by this irresistible entrée.

Why These Are The Best Vegan Chili Dogs Ever

  • High in plant-based protein: Anything meat can do, plants can do better! Nutrition varies depending on the brand but expect each meatless frank to have anywhere from 10 – 20 grams of protein each.
  • Serve one or one hundred: Scale the recipe up or down to accommodate any number of eaters, even if they arrive with a hearty appetite.
  • Four essential ingredients: You can go all-out with toppings, but there are only four core ingredients you need to bring this recipe together.
  • Ready in minutes: By using ready-to-eat staples, you have a quick fix meal that you just need to heat and eat.
  • Perfect for cooking newbies: Not confident in the kitchen? Have limited experience with fancy equipment? Trying to get the kids involved? This is an ideal place to start since it doesn’t require any knife skills, measuring, or even using a stove. There’s no shame in microwaving!
the best vegan chili cheese dogs with plant based cheese

Key Ingredients

Vegan Hot Dogs: Meatless hot dogs are widely available in most mainstream supermarkets these days. You’ll find a wider selection at natural foods stores, such as Whole Foods or Sprouts, and don’t forget to check the freezer aisle as well as the fresh section, too. You can also try a more highly seasoned meatless sausage if you’d like to change things up.

Hot Dog Buns: White, whole wheat, pretzel, or gluten-free; top-sliced or side-sliced; it’s all fun on a bun! On rare occasion, you might find dairy, eggs, or honey in store-bought options, so always double check labels.

Vegan Chili: Make your own from scratch or crack open a can to get the spice right. While you have a huge number of choices from mild to extra-hot, err on the side of caution when serving a diverse audience. You can always spike yours with sriracha or jalapeño peppers to pump up the volume.

Vegan Cheese: Sharp cheddar-style shreds offer just the right amount of savory, gooey goodness here. We used Violife‘s Just Like Cheddar Shreds because it melts beautifully and tastes great in this dish. But you can use any vegan shredded cheese you can find near you!

What’s The Best Way To Cook Chili Cheese Dogs?

If you’re in a hurry, the microwave can’t be beat. It’s great for anyone cooking with since it’s fast, safe, and works in an instant. Solo diners might enjoy using the air fryer or toaster oven a bit more, since it allows the bun to get lightly toasted instead of slightly chewy.

For a crowd though, it’s easier to assemble all eight dogs in a large casserole dish that you can just slide into the oven at once. In short, there’s no wrong answer; the best way to cook chili cheese dogs is the one that you prefer, so don’t be afraid to experiment!

chili cheese dogs ingredient flatlay with violife dairy-free cheddar cheese shreds

Chili Cheese Dog Topping Ideas

The fun in making chili cheese dogs is dressing them up with wild and wonderful toppings. Add a lot or a little, switching it up to keep every meal exciting. Everyone can get exactly what they want from the same basic meal this way. Just a few topping ideas include:

  • Mustard or ketchup
  • Diced red or yellow onions
  • Sliced chives or scallions
  • Sliced jalapeño or sriracha
  • Shredded lettuce
  • Crushed corn chips
  • Diced avocado
  • Pickle relish
  • Vegan sour cream

What To Serve With Chili Cheese Dogs

Chili cheese dogs could be a complete meal in and of themselves. If you’d like to round out the meal with some additional sides, there are lots of complementary accompaniments. Here are a few favorites:

How To Make Chili Cheese Dogs From Scratch

Sometimes, you just want a semi-homemade solution to speed through meal prep. Other times, it’s fun to turn dinner into a project and craft every single element from scratch. If you’d like to take a DIY approach, here’s where to start.

Homemade Vegan Hot Dog Recipes

  • Vegan Carrot Hot Dogs may be the butt of many jokes, but don’t knock them until you’ve tried them! Humble orange tubers are transformed with a marinade of liquid smoke and liquid aminos. Almost like magic, you’ll craft a shockingly meaty alternative that’s truly plant-forward.
  • Seitan Dogs use wheat gluten and white beans to create a chewy, meaty bite. These are not for anyone with Celiac disease, of course, but perfect for anyone seeking extra protein in their diet.

Homemade Vegan Chili Recipes

Homemade Vegan Cheese Recipes

  • Cheese Dip is intended to go with pretzels, but you can very happily drizzle it all over your chili dogs instead as an instant cheese sauce.
  • Grateable Vegan Cheese shreds, melts, and tastes just like the real thing! You’ll need more time to make it in advance, but it’s worth the extra effort.
  • Vegan Beer Cheese is a fun, grownup twist on a simple cheese sauce. If you already have shredded vegan cheddar and want to make them more exciting, here’s a way to dress up the basics.

More Quick Fix Vegan Party Recipes That Start With Pantry Staples

vegan party foods chili cheese dogs

Vegan Chili Dogs

Author: Michelle Cehn | World of Vegan
5 from 13 votes
These vegan chili dogs are the perfect summer food — and you don't even need a grill to make them! They come together quickly (in as little as 5 minutes depending on the cooking method). They're great for parties, barbecues, family dinners, or just a quick lunchtime meal. 
Three vegan chili cheese dogs with plant based cheese served on a plate.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 8 chili dogs

Ingredients

  • 8 vegan hot dogs
  • 8 hotdog buns
  • Mustard, to taste
  • 1 can vegan chili, or use homemade
  • Vegan cheddar cheese shreds, any brand
  • Diced purple onion
  • Sliced chives, green onion or cilantro will work too
  • Sliced jalapeños

Instructions

  • Cook hotdogs according to package instructions.
  • Make a slit down the center of each bun and press down with your fingers to create a boat for the dogs.
  • Add a slathering of mustard, if desired, and place a dog in each bun.
  • Top with chili and vegan cheese, and heat in the microwave, toaster oven, oven, or air fryer until the cheese is melted.
  • Top with diced onion, chives, and jalapeños (or your favorite toppings), and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 243kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 609mg | Potassium: 285mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 12IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 157mg | Iron: 3mg
Course dinner
Cuisine American
Keyword vegan barbecue recipe, vegan bbq recipe, vegan hot dogs, vegan party food, vegan summer dish

These vegan chili dogs were photographed by Purely Kaylie. Written with support from Hannah Kaminsky. Recipe and photos copyright of World of Vegan, all rights reserved.

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Recipe Rating




18 comments
  1. 5 stars
    Ich besuche Ihre Webseite immer wieder gern und habe schon einige Rezepte ausprobiert die super lecker geworden sind. Danke.
    I always enjoy visiting your website and have tried a few recipes that turned out to be super delicious. Thanks.

  2. 5 stars
    delish melty cheesy vegan dogs. My kids couldn’t even tell it wasn’t the usual ssausages

  3. 5 stars
    OMG! These were such a hit at our bbq!

  4. 5 stars
    These are so perfect for vegan cookouts! This recipe is a staple now!

    • They are! What do you like on your vegan hot dogs, besides the chili and cheese?

  5. 5 stars
    These vegan cheese dogs are so so good!

  6. 5 stars
    There’s a vegan bakery I love nearby that makes vegan hot dog like these sooo good!

  7. 5 stars
    I love this 5 minutes recipe. My family loves this too. Thanks for sharing!!

  8. 5 stars
    These chili dogs take me back to my childhood! They were a big hit at our BBQ!

  9. 5 stars
    Ohh so delicious! I set out all the toppings and let everyone make their own, makes it so fun!

  10. 5 stars
    Such a classic! Perfect for a BBQ get-together!

    • 5 stars
      My vegan friends loved these, as did the rest of us! I’ll definitely be making again

  11. 5 stars
    These look soooo good!!!

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