Homemade Hot Dog Buns & Chili Dogs #HotDogDay

Hey hey! It’s National Hot Dog day! 

Dude absolutely loves hot dogs.  When the kids are home all summer, I have to stock hot dogs and buns because he will have one for lunch at least half the week.  And the other half of the week, he’s asking to make a fire in our fire pit and roast hot dogs!

Then for hot dog day I went and made something that he totally wouldn’t eat – he’ll tolerate chili (if he must), and loathes cheese (ps – I let him have a regular hot dog, the chili dogs were for Hubs and me).

But, I did make homemade hot dog buns for the first time and his mind.was.blown!  He has officially decreed that the homemade hot dog buns are the best ever and I can’t buy them anymore and when these run out I have to make more homemade hot dog buns right away.

If that’s not a glowing review, I don’t know what is!

Oh, and the chili dogs were fabulous as all – I mean, it’s hot dogs with cheesy chili – what’s not to love?

Here’s some more #HotDogDay recipes!

• Beer Braised Hot Dogs and Sauerkraut by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Bison Dogs with Drunken Onions by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Chili Dogs by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• New England Hot Dog Buns by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Pretzel Dog Bites by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
• Sloppy Joe Dogs by Jolene's Recipe Journal
• Southwestern Hot Dogs by The Freshman Cook
• Special: Hot Dog Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Girl Abroad

Homemade Hot Dog Buns

Adapted from Completely Delicious

1 cup warm water (about 115 degrees)

2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast

2 tablespoons sugar

¼ cup milk, room temperature

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 ½ teaspoon salt

2 eggs

3 ½-4 cups all-purpose four

1 egg + 1 teaspoon water (egg wash)

Place the warm water, yeast, and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer.  Stir together and let rest until foamy.  Add the milk, butter, salt, eggs, and 2 cups of flour.  Mix until smooth.  Add the flour, ½ cup at a time until the dough is smooth, but tacky, switching to the dough hook as needed. Note: it was very humid the day I made these – I needed about 4 ½ cups flour.

Place the dough in a greased bowl and allow to rest for 30-45 minutes.

Divide the dough into 2 – 2 ½ ounce pieces (about 12).  Roll the dough ball flat, then roll into tight 5-inch long logs, about 1-inch thick.  Place the dough logs about 2-inches apart on a parchment lined baking sheet.  Cover and let rise for about 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.  Brush with egg wash, then bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes.

Cool to room temperature and serve.

Use the same day as baked, or freeze until ready to use.      

Chili Dogs

Homemade Hot Dog Buns

Hot dogs of choice

Chili (I used Hearty Garden Chili)

Sharp cheddar cheese

Grill hot dog or roast over a campfire.  Place hot dogs in homemade buns, then top with chili and cheese.  Enjoy!