A fun little appetizer made with hot dogs wrapped in phyllo dough and shaped like Christmas crackers. The recipe needs only 3 main ingredients: the phyllo dough, shredded cheese, and hot dogs. You will also need an egg to brush on top or just milk! These bake super fast (15 minutes in the oven) and they are so fun to eat!
Published: December 7, 2025 by Pamela.
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I’ve been on a puff pastry kick lately and had to stop myself and give other doughs a chance. That’s how I ended up making these Cheesy Phyllo Hot Dog Crackers. They’re simple to roll, bake in no time, and only need three ingredients. They’re fun, kid friendly, and honestly tick all the boxes for a quick Christmas appetizer. If you’re planning your easy appetizers, here are my favorites from this year and they are all super easy to make with a few ingredients:
Ingredients to make these Christmas appetizers with phyllo dough:
- Phyllo dough or filo dough: Each sheet makes two crackers, which makes this a great recipe for using leftover sheets.
- Hot dogs: Go with medium size hot dogs, or use larger ones and cut them down.
- Shredded cheese: Mozzarella is always a safe choice, but cheddar, Monterey Jack, provolone, gouda, or even a bit of gruyère all melt well and bring their own flavour.
- Egg or milk: to brush on top of the crackers before baking. You can use an egg on its own, milk, or a combination of both. I used 1 egg and a splash of milk.
- Flour and water: I make this mixture to seal the cracker so it doesn’t open during baking, you can use water on its own but I find equal amounts of flour and water gives it a better seal.
You can serve these with ketchup, a cocktail sauce, or whatever you like with your hot dogs. You will also need a few pieces of Butchers Twine which is a cooking and food safe cotton string.
Measurements are posted in the recipe card below the instructions.
How to make hot dog appetizers for Christmas:
1. Cut your phyllo sheet in half landscape style. Fill each half with one hot dog and a little shredded cheese, then roll it straight into a log.
2. Before sealing the end, brush it with the flour paste (mix 1 tbsp flour with about 1 tbsp water until you get a smooth glue). This helps keep the cracker closed. Tie butcher’s twine on both ends to shape the cracker.
3. Set the crackers on a baking tray lined with parchment and brush the tops with egg wash. Bake at 180 °C / 350 °F for about 15 minutes, or until you like the colour and texture. Serve warm.
💬 Tried this easy Christmas appetizer? I’d love to know what you think! Leave a quick comment or tap the ⭐️ to rate, your feedback helps me keep improving recipes.
Can I make these ahead of time?
You can roll and shape them a few hours ahead and keep them in the fridge covered. Bake right before serving.
Storage
How do I store leftover phyllo hot dog crackers?
Let them cool first. Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days.
How do I reheat them?
Warm them in the oven at 350 °F to give them that fresh bake again. If you have an air fryer that would work well too!
Can I freeze them?
Yes, freeze them unbaked. Place them on a tray until solid, then move them to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen and add a few extra minutes.
Easy Christmas appetizers you might like 🎄:
⭐️ If you tried this phyllo dough Christmas recipe, be sure to leave a rating and share your thoughts in the comments below. I’d love to hear your feedback!
Cheesy Phyllo Hot Dog Crackers
Equipment
- 1 Butchers Twine (16 small pieces)
Ingredients
- 4 phyllo sheets
- 8 hot dogs
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese
- 1 egg and a splash of milk for brushing
- Flour paste: 1 tbsp flour mixed with about 1 tbsp water to seal the dough
Instructions
- Cut each phyllo sheet in half landscape style so you end up with eight pieces. Add one hot dog and a little shredded cheese on each half, then roll it straight into a log.
- Brush the end with the flour paste to help it stick. Tie butcher’s twine on both ends to shape the Christmas cracker.
- Set the crackers on a baking tray lined with parchment. Brush the tops with the egg and milk mixture. Bake at 180 °C / 350 °F for about 15 minutes, or until the colour and crispiness feel right to you. Serve warm.
Notes
- Nutrition info is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and portions. For the most accurate details, consider using a nutrition tool or checking our full Nutrition Information Disclaimer.
Nutrition
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