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–+ servings
chili board featuring cheesy chili, heart shaped cocktail sausage cornbread muffins, corn, cilantro, jalapeño, diced red peppers, Fritos, Doritos, shredded cheese, avocado, black olives on a large wooden serving tray with a wooden spoon in the chili ready for game day

Easy Chili Board Idea (Perfect for Game Day!)

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Easy, cheesy, and delicious black bean chili served with a simple heart-shaped corn dog muffins recipe makes this a perfect addition to your game day chili board, meal prep or a delicious school lunchbox option.
Servings: 8
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients

for the corn dog muffins

  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • ½ cup melted butter
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup yellow cornmeal
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • 12 cocktail sausages, cut in half to form hearts
  • 1 tbsp olive oil + honey, optional to brush over

for the black bean chili

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, undrained
  • 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, undrained
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1½ tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese

Instructions

for the (heart shaped )corn dog muffins

  • Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a muffin pan with cooking spray (I used cupcake lines for easier transportability). Set aside. 
  • In a bowl whisk together dry ingredients.
  • In another bowl, whisk together wet ingredients.
  • Form a well in the center of the dry ingredients, and pour wet ingredients in the center. Whisk together until well combined.
  • Spoon about 1/4 cup of batter into each of the muffin tins; cut each cocktail sausage in a slanted half, turning the right-side up to form a heart and place it in the center.
  • Bake for 13-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Test with a toothpick to make sure the center comes out clean. Remove to a cooling rack.

for the black bean chili

  • Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef; cook and stir until slightly browned. Add onion and cook until onion has softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir in beans, tomatoes, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, and apple cider vinegar. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until flavors are well blended, about 20-30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Turn off heat and stir in the cheddar cheese until fully combined and melty.
  • Drizzle over melted queso or additional cheddar cheese, if desired.