This hot dog bar is the perfect way to feed a crowd at parties or any special occasion you plan on having a lot of guests! Everyone will love building their own hotdogs using a variety of meat, vegetables, cheese, condiments, and more at this DIY hot dog buffet! You can save time on the day of the party by preparing all of the toppings in advance!
Hot Dog Bar For Parties
Hot dog bars are a great choice for any kind of party. From birthday parties to backyard BBQs, movie nights, game days, and more!
Everyone will love getting to build their perfect hot dog from a variety of toppings with limitless flavor combinations! Even picky eaters will find something to love.
š„ Ingredients For Making A Hot Dog Bar
You certainly don’t have to provide all of these toppings. Choose at least 7-10 that could make some tasty combinations!
Hot Dogs
- Hot Dogs - 20 hot dogs, sausages, or links. Your favorite brand.Hot Dog Buns - 20 hot dog buns, hoagie rolls, or your preferred bread.
Toppings
For 20 hotdogs, I recommend having at least 2 cups of each topping you decide to serve.
Meat
- Bacon - Crumbled or chopped, extra crispy is best!Chili - I prefer homemade chili but you can use canned in a pinch.Pulled Pork - Pulled pork is delicious and you can serve it right out of your crockpot!
Cheese
- Shredded Cheese - I usually opt for shredded cheddar, but Monterey Jack is also a great choice!Feta Cheese - Crumbled feta is great for Mediterranean or Greek-style hot dogs!Nacho Cheese Sauce - You love it or you hate it, but it is almost always a hit with kids!
Vegetables
- Tomatoes - Diced tomatoes are a classic hot dog topping.Onions - Red or white sliced onions.Green Onion - Sliced green onions, chives, or scallions.Black Olives - Sliced black olives Shredded Lettuce - Thinly shredded lettuce is another great way to add some freshness and crunch to a hot dog.Pico de Gallo - It is even better when made from scratch!Jalapenos - I use pickled jalapenos, though you can certainly use fresh if you like things spicy!Pickles - Sliced pickles, pickle spears, or both!Corn - You can use canned corn or take it one step further and use grilled corn!
More Topping Ideas
- Sauerkraut - Sauerkraut and sausage are a classic combination!Roasted Onions & Bell Peppers - It’s incredibly easy to quickly roast some peppers and onions for your hot dogs!Greek Salad - Cucumbers, tomatoes, kalamata olives, and plenty of vinegar.Coleslaw - Coleslaw gives hot dogs a much-needed crunch!Black Beans - Whole black beans make a healthy and hearty topping!Guacamole - Homemade guac is the perfect way to finish a Tex-Mex hot dog!Baked Beans - Baked beans are a wonderful addition to a BBQ-style hot dog!Diced Pineapple - Pineapple is a great way to add some sweet tropical flavor to your hot dog!French Fries - They are just as tasty on a hot dog as they are on the side of one!Crushed Potato Chips - You haven’t lived until you try your favorite potato chips crushed on a sandwich, and they are just as tasty crushed up on a hot dog!
Condiments
- Ketchup - A classic choice, you can even use reduced sugar ketchup!Mustard - Yellow mustard, brown mustard, or Dijon mustard.Ranch Dressing - Some people like to put ranch on everything, and that’s ok!Tzatziki Sauce - Great for Greek-style hot dogs!Sriracha - Or your preferred hot sauce so you can have a spicy option for guests.BBQ sauce - Your favorite brand of BBQ sauce.Relish - Sweet pickle relish is a must-have for Chicago dogs.
Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!
Gourmet Hot Dog Topping Ideas
These are a few of my favorite toppings and flavor combinations for hot dogs! You can always write out a few suggested combinations at the start of your hot dog bar to help guests who have a hard time making a decision.
Chicago Dog
- Sweet Pickle RelishYellow MustardTomatoes Pickle SpearHot Sport Peppers (optional)Celery Salt (optional)
BBQ Dog
- Pulled PorkColeslawBBQ saucePickle Slices (optional)
Tex Mex Dog
- Black BeansJalapenosPico de GalloGuacamoleShredded Cheese (or Cotija, or Queso Fresco, or nacho cheese!)
Greek Dog
- Greek SaladFeta CheeseTzatziki Sauce
BLT Dog
- BaconShredded LettuceTomatoRanch Dressing
šŖ How To Make A Hot Dog Bar
Once you prepare the toppings and hot dogs, all you need to do is arrange them somewhere that is easily accessible to guests (don’t forget serving utensils).
You can make the hot dogs however you like! I used my grill and grilling utensils, but you can just as easily make them on the stovetop or in your air fryer. You will also need ramekins or small bowls for serving and ideally, some form of labels for all the different toppings.
I made 2 packages of 10 hot dogs, but you can easily scale this up or down as needed!
- Set up toppings & condiments. Arrange the toppings and condiments on a table or surface that can be easily accessed by guests. At the head of the table, start with plates and hotdog buns. It helps to label the toppings, if possible.Prepare hot dogs & buns. Grill 20 (or however many you plan to serve) hotdogs then butter and toast the same number of buns. *Toasting the buns is optional! Place them at the start of your hot dog bar by the plates. Cover the hot dogs with foil until ready to serve.Build your own hot dog. Let guests build their own hotdogs with their favorite topping and condiment combinations!
Crispy potato chips or french fries are classic sides to pair with hot dogs. Some seasoned popcorn or fried pickles would also be easy and delicious! Enjoy!
š Angela’s Tips & Recipe Notes
- If you don’t feel like firing up the grill, you can also make perfectly cooked hot dogs in your air fryer!A crockpot is a great way to keep warm toppings like nacho cheese, chili, or pulled pork warm.For 20 hotdogs, I recommend having about 2 cups of each topping. However, you can easily make more or less hot dogs and adjust the toppings as needed!To save on time, you may chop, grate, or dice the toppings the night before then cover and refrigerate them until your hot dogs are ready!
š„” Storing & Reheating
Leftover toppings and condiments can be covered and returned to the fridge for up to 3 days. Leftover hot dogs can be kept in an airtight container and refrigerated for 3-4 days.
Reheating Hot Dogs
The easiest way to reheat your hot dogs or warm toppings is in the microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute, or until heated through.
See all of my recipes HERE««
What are some of the weirdest hot dog toppings people like? What is weird to one person is delicious to another! Some unique topping choices include french fries, crushed potato chips, tartar sauce, or kimchi! What is the most popular hot dog topping in America? The most popular hot dog toppings in America are all condiments: mustard, ketchup, and mayonnaise. Pickle relish, onions, and sauerkraut are close behind! Why is ketchup not OK to use as a topping on a Chicago-style hot dog? It’s an unspoken rule in Chicago that ketchup not be used on hot dogs. There are many thoughts as to why this may be. The majority think that the sweet relish on a Chicago-style dog adds enough sugar, so ketchup would be overkill and hide the flavor of the juicy hot dog underneath!
š„³ More Food For Parties
- Baked Potato Bar - An easy and filling option where guests can make their own loaded baked potatoes!S’mores Board - A great idea for any outdoor gathering, sleepover, or backyard BBQ!Pinwheel Sandwiches - Pinwheel sandwiches are the ultimate finger food for any occasion!Charcuterie Board - Charcuterie boards are all the rage and can easily be customized with your favorite meats, cheeses, nuts, and fruit!Lil Smokies Pigs In A Blanket - It’s super easy to whip up a bunch of these 2 ingredient pigs in a blanket!Sour Cream Chip Dip - A creamy dip for chips that is super easy to make and so delicious!
Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-starĀ šrating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. Stay in touch with me through social mediaĀ @Ā Pinterest,Ā Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Don’t forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!
š Recipe
Print Recipe Leave A Comment Love This Recipe?Click On A Star To Rate It! 5 from 1 review
Hot Dog Bar
This hot dog bar is the perfect way to feed a crowd at parties or any special occasion you plan on having a lot of guests! Everyone will love building their own hotdogs using a variety of meat, vegetables, cheese, condiments, and more at this DIY hot dog buffet! You can even save time on the day of the party by preparing all of the toppings in advance!
Author | Angela
Servings: 20 hot dogs Calories: 230kcal Prep 30 minutes Cooking 15 minutes Total Time 45 minutes
Pin Recipe Share on Facebook Ingredients 1x2x3x⢠20 hot dogs (or sausages, or links)⢠20 hot dog buns (or hoagie rolls, or other bread)Toppings ⢠bacon (chopped or crumbled)⢠chili⢠pulled pork⢠shredded cheddar cheese⢠feta cheese (crumbled)⢠nacho cheese sauce⢠tomatoes (diced)⢠guacamole⢠pico de gallo⢠onions (sliced)⢠coleslaw⢠green onions (sliced)⢠black olives (sliced)⢠iceberg lettuce (shredded)⢠baked beans⢠black beans⢠pickles (spears or slices)⢠corn⢠sauerkraut⢠roasted onions & bell peppers⢠jalapenos⢠diced pineapple⢠french fries⢠crushed potato chipsCondiments⢠ketchup⢠mustard⢠ranch dressing⢠tzatziki sauce⢠sriracha⢠pickle relish⢠BBQ sauce
InstructionsArrange the toppings and condiments on a table or surface that can be easily accessed by guests. At the head of the table, start with plates and hotdog buns. It helps to label the toppings, if possible.bacon, chili, pulled pork, shredded cheddar cheese, feta cheese, nacho cheese sauce, tomatoes, guacamole, pico de gallo, onions, coleslaw, green onions, black olives, iceberg lettuce, baked beans, black beans, pickles, corn, sauerkraut, roasted onions & bell peppers, jalapenos, diced pineapple, french fries, ketchup, mustard, ranch dressing, tzatziki sauce, sriracha, pickle relish, BBQ sauce, crushed potato chipsGrill your hotdogs and butter and toast the buns, if desired. Place them at the start of your hot dog bar by the plates.20 hot dogs, 20 hot dog bunsLet guests build their own hotdogs with their favorite topping and condiment combinations! Equipment You May NeedBBQ grill (gas, charcoal, pellet, wood)Chef’s KnifeRamekins Notes If you don’t feel like firing up the grill, you can also make perfectly cooked hot dogs in your air fryer! A crockpot is a great way to keep warm toppings like nacho cheese, chili, or pulled pork warm. For 20 hotdogs, I recommend having about 2 cups of each topping. However, you can easily make more or less hot dogs and adjust the toppings as needed! To save on time, you may chop, grate, or dice the toppings the night before then cover and refrigerate them until your hot dogs are ready! To store: Leftover toppings and condiments can be covered and returned to the fridge for up to 3 days. Leftover hot dogs can be kept in an airtight container and refrigerated for 3-4 days. To reheat: The easiest way to reheat your hot dogs or warm toppings is in the microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute, or until heated through.
NutritionCalories: 230kcal (12%) | Carbohydrates: 30g (10%) | Protein: 9g (18%) | Fat: 8g (12%) | Saturated Fat: 3g (19%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 20mg (7%) | Sodium: 518mg (23%) | Potassium: 118mg (3%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 3g (3%) | Vitamin A: 0.4IU | Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) | Calcium: 72mg (7%) | Iron: 3mg (17%) Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I canāt wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love! BBQ hot dog bar toppings, best toppings ideas for hot dogs, Hot Dog Bar, hot dog bar ingredients, hot dog ideas to feed a crowd, hot dog topping ideas, hot dog toppings, how to assemble a hot dog bar, party food, what do i need to make a hot dog bar Course BBQ, Dinner Recipes, Main CourseCuisine American
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.comAngela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma’s kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love! bakeitwithlove.com/about/
What is weird to one person is delicious to another! Some unique topping choices include french fries, crushed potato chips, tartar sauce, or kimchi!
What is the most popular hot dog topping in America? The most popular hot dog toppings in America are all condiments: mustard, ketchup, and mayonnaise. Pickle relish, onions, and sauerkraut are close behind!
Why is ketchup not OK to use as a topping on a Chicago-style hot dog? It’s an unspoken rule in Chicago that ketchup not be used on hot dogs. There are many thoughts as to why this may be. The majority think that the sweet relish on a Chicago-style dog adds enough sugar, so ketchup would be overkill and hide the flavor of the juicy hot dog underneath!
The most popular hot dog toppings in America are all condiments: mustard, ketchup, and mayonnaise. Pickle relish, onions, and sauerkraut are close behind!
It’s an unspoken rule in Chicago that ketchup not be used on hot dogs. There are many thoughts as to why this may be. The majority think that the sweet relish on a Chicago-style dog adds enough sugar, so ketchup would be overkill and hide the flavor of the juicy hot dog underneath!
Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-starĀ šrating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. Stay in touch with me through social mediaĀ @Ā Pinterest,Ā Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Don’t forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!
Love This Recipe?Click On A Star To Rate It!
5 from 1 review
Hot Dog Bar
This hot dog bar is the perfect way to feed a crowd at parties or any special occasion you plan on having a lot of guests! Everyone will love building their own hotdogs using a variety of meat, vegetables, cheese, condiments, and more at this DIY hot dog buffet! You can even save time on the day of the party by preparing all of the toppings in advance!
Author | Angela
Servings: 20 hot dogs
Calories: 230kcal
Prep 30 minutes
Cooking 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Ingredients 1x2x3x⢠20 hot dogs (or sausages, or links)⢠20 hot dog buns (or hoagie rolls, or other bread)Toppings ⢠bacon (chopped or crumbled)⢠chili⢠pulled pork⢠shredded cheddar cheese⢠feta cheese (crumbled)⢠nacho cheese sauce⢠tomatoes (diced)⢠guacamole⢠pico de gallo⢠onions (sliced)⢠coleslaw⢠green onions (sliced)⢠black olives (sliced)⢠iceberg lettuce (shredded)⢠baked beans⢠black beans⢠pickles (spears or slices)⢠corn⢠sauerkraut⢠roasted onions & bell peppers⢠jalapenos⢠diced pineapple⢠french fries⢠crushed potato chipsCondiments⢠ketchup⢠mustard⢠ranch dressing⢠tzatziki sauce⢠sriracha⢠pickle relish⢠BBQ sauce
InstructionsArrange the toppings and condiments on a table or surface that can be easily accessed by guests. At the head of the table, start with plates and hotdog buns. It helps to label the toppings, if possible.bacon, chili, pulled pork, shredded cheddar cheese, feta cheese, nacho cheese sauce, tomatoes, guacamole, pico de gallo, onions, coleslaw, green onions, black olives, iceberg lettuce, baked beans, black beans, pickles, corn, sauerkraut, roasted onions & bell peppers, jalapenos, diced pineapple, french fries, ketchup, mustard, ranch dressing, tzatziki sauce, sriracha, pickle relish, BBQ sauce, crushed potato chipsGrill your hotdogs and butter and toast the buns, if desired. Place them at the start of your hot dog bar by the plates.20 hot dogs, 20 hot dog bunsLet guests build their own hotdogs with their favorite topping and condiment combinations!
Equipment You May NeedBBQ grill (gas, charcoal, pellet, wood)Chef’s KnifeRamekins
Notes If you don’t feel like firing up the grill, you can also make perfectly cooked hot dogs in your air fryer! A crockpot is a great way to keep warm toppings like nacho cheese, chili, or pulled pork warm. For 20 hotdogs, I recommend having about 2 cups of each topping. However, you can easily make more or less hot dogs and adjust the toppings as needed! To save on time, you may chop, grate, or dice the toppings the night before then cover and refrigerate them until your hot dogs are ready! To store: Leftover toppings and condiments can be covered and returned to the fridge for up to 3 days. Leftover hot dogs can be kept in an airtight container and refrigerated for 3-4 days. To reheat: The easiest way to reheat your hot dogs or warm toppings is in the microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute, or until heated through.
Nutrition
Calories: 230kcal (12%) | Carbohydrates: 30g (10%) | Protein: 9g (18%) | Fat: 8g (12%) | Saturated Fat: 3g (19%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 20mg (7%) | Sodium: 518mg (23%) | Potassium: 118mg (3%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 3g (3%) | Vitamin A: 0.4IU | Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) | Calcium: 72mg (7%) | Iron: 3mg (17%)
Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I canāt wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
Course BBQ, Dinner Recipes, Main CourseCuisine American