Jalapeño & Cheddar Pretzel Hot Dog Buns with Turkey Chili Cheese

5 from 2 votes

Jalapeño & Cheddar Pretzel Hot Dog Buns with Turkey Chili Cheese is like the mother of all hot dogs. Those pretzel buns are awesome!

Hey guys! Nicole at Cooking for Keeps here! Can you believe Fourth of July is in two days??! Since I was a wee little tyke, I’ve always had major love for the Fourth of July, and some of my fondest childhood memories are derived from those days. Every year, we would to decorate our bikes, dress up in all red, white and blue outfits and conduct our own little parade by traipsing up and down our tiny little street with all the other neighbor kids. After our makeshift display we’d have a massive potluck barbecue (where I’d down close to a dozen deviled eggs), and then cap the night off with the local fireworks show that would inevitably take place two hours after it was supposed to. We’d bide the time by shooting off our own fireworks (back when they were still legal) and write our names in pretty cursive handwriting with sparklers until the inaugural BOOM of the first firework took place.

As an adult, Fourth of July still holds a special place in my heart, and I celebrate accordingly. While I don’t decorate bikes or hold my own parade anymore (at least not until I have kiddos of my own!), the Fourth always involves a red, white and blue outfit (nothing crazy) of some sort, backyard barbecues and sparklers – the kid in me will never tire of those pretty things.

This year we’re planning on heading to the lake with some friends of ours, that is, unless my friend Angie can’t move or goes into labor (she’ll be 38 weeks pregnant this week and is carrying a nine pound baby on a 5ft frame). Regardless of where we end up, the core traditions will still go on. I will still dress up in red, white and blue. I’ll still stuff my face with deviled eggs (although these days I try to keep the consumption under four). And I’ll still write my name into the sky (although that last name has since changed) with sparklers.

Since I can’t subsist on deviled eggs alone, the first food that automatically came to mind when thinking up entrees for the Fourth this year was a quintessential all-American hot dog. But my friends, this is no ordinary hot dog; special occasions call for special treatment in regards to foods. These, are what I like to call “hot dogs on steroids,” a term I ever so affectionately name items that are completely over-the-top.

The “bun” and the star of the show, is a chewy pretzel roll studded with spicy jalapenos and shredded cheddar cheese that is a serious cinch to whip up. For those of you intimidated by yeast bread baking (I’m one of you!), these are the perfect introductory item. I love that the dough can be made in advance, popped into the fridge and pulled out when you’re ready to bake them off. You could even make them from start to finish in advance, and store them in an airtight container until you need them.

After they bake and cool, each bun is split down the middle and stuffed with your hot dog of choice, smothered with a 10 minute turkey chili, shredded cheese and then popped into the oven for just a few minutes until everything is piping hot and the cheese is super gooey and melted.

And there you have it — Jalapeño & Cheddar Pretzel Hot Dog Buns with Turkey Chili Cheese….

If that doesn’t look and sound like Fourth of July, I don’t know what does.

Can You Use Instant Yeast In Place Of Active Dry Yeast?

You can use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast, but you should use about 25% less.

So, if your recipe calls for 1 packet or 2 1/4 teaspoons of active dry yeast, use 1 3/4 teaspoons of instant yeast.

Can You Use Salted Butter Instead Of Unsalted Butter In Recipes?

Yes, you can use salted butter, but it will result in more salt than is called for in the recipe.

It may not be noticeable, depending on the recipe.

If the recipe calls for added salt, just omit the added salt.

Is Turkey Chili Healthy?

Turkey has less fat and fewer calories than ground beef.

So, turkey chili is a little more healthy than beef chili.