How To Air Fry Hot Dogs
I assume youve already figured this out, but just in case, here are the three super challenging steps to making hot dogs in the air fryer.
Cooking hot dogs in the air fryer really couldnt be easier.
Easy Air Fryer Hot Dogs In 8 Minutes
Cooking hot dogs in the air fryer is possible! And these juicy air fryer hot dogs are such a great family-friendly meal. Hang around and check out the step-by-step tutorial on how to make air fryer hot dogs. Suitable for those following Weight Watchers eating plan. Post includes WW Freestyle Points.
Hey hot dog lovers, this post is for you! I will show you how to make Juicy Air Fryer Hot Dogs that the whole family will happily tuck into.
The best thing is that you need only 2 everyday ingredients and 8 minutes to whip up these juicy on the inside, yet grilled tasting on the outside Air Fryer Hot Dogs. Plus they are sooooo quick and fun to make and really easy to customise.
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They are also very affordable. And because the kiddoes will eat them with no fuss whatsoever, they are just the thing for serving up as a frugal, much-loved kid lunch or easy midweek supper.
I will let you in on a little secret. AKA these awesome juicy air fryer hot dogs come served up in a really crunchy bun. And that is why everybody, and I mean everybody looooves them. You can serve them in a regular bun but do try it with an air fried bun and see what you think.
Is This A Meal Prep Friendly Recipe
No, this is generally not a meal prep friendly recipe.
This is a quick weeknight dinner recipe thats perfect when nothing is thawed or you dont feel like doing too much work . Its also great because you only have to make as many as you need, and you shouldnt have any leftovers.
This meal is a great meal plan filler meal when youve got an empty night to fill!
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What Side Dishes Go With Hotdogs
Try pairing some of these delicious side dish recipes with your air fryer hotdogs:
Deviled Egg Pasta Salad, Air Fryer Corn on the Cob, Instant Pot Baked Beans or Parmesan Zucchini Fries
Maybe you’d prefer some Creamy Dill Macaroni Salad or a Mixed Berry Fruit Salad to go with your air fryer hot dogs.
Tips For The Best Air Fryer Hot Dogs
Hot dogs are easy and a fast meal on those buys weekdays or lazy weeknights.
- Slice or Prick Hot Dogs: Nope, you do not have to prick or slice your hot dogs before air frying. They will not explode on you. You can give them diagonal slits if you want to give them kind of a grilled look, but it is not necessary.
- Quality Hot Dog: The better the quality of hot dog the better the flavor and taste. One of the great things about hot dogs is how cheap they are. You can make a great dinner on a budget and it will taste fantastic.
- No Oil Needed: You do not need to pre-oil your air fryer basket or spray the hot dogs with oil.
- Bun: Toasting the bun in the air fryer is a must try. It creates the perfect soft bun on the inside and a slight toasty crunch to the outside.
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Basket Style Air Fryer
Key To Success #2 Choose Your Favorite Toppings
We like to toast our hot dog buns a bit and melt the cheese in the Air Fryer. You can add chili to your hot dog as well, if youd like.
In the Air Fryer, the buns toast up nicely in just a couple of minutes. You wont need much more than two minutes for the buns.
Another option is to put the put the dressed hot dogs back into the Air Fryer but dont turn it on. The residual heat will gently melt the cheese without toasting the bun.
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Tips For Making Hot Dogs In An Air Fryer
Cut small slits. Add little slices to the top of each hotdog to prevent them from splitting while cooking.
Single layer. Only cook them in a single layer, do not stack them or they will not cook thoroughly.
Read your instructions. Some air fryers will require you to use cooking spray when you are using them, others dont so be sure to check the specific directions for yours.
What To Put On A Hot Dog
All thats left is to dress up your dog exactly how you like it.
Sure you can stick with classic Ketchup and Mustard. Or you could top with chili, onions and cheese for a killer coney dog.
If you really want to explore some new territory, try my Greek Hot Dog recipe, or get SAUCY with this copycat JDawgs sauce, or my Meat Candy sauce.
With hot dogs, the possible combinations of toppings are endless.
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Tips For The Best Air Fried Hot Dogs:
- Most importantly, start with a good hot dog! We love the taste and texture of all beef hot dogs, but use your own favorites
- Cut shallow slits in the top of the hot dog for max crispiness and flavor. I learned this trick from my friend Karen at The Food Charlatan, and it really makes a difference! I prefer to make shallow V cuts, but you can also do Xs.
- Note: When we tested this recipe with thinner pork hot dogs, they curled up when air fried. For this reason, we recommend cutting slits on both the top and bottom of thinner hot dogs.
How To Cook Hot Dogs In The Air Fryer Step By Step Tutorial
Step 1.
You have 2 options, you either cook the hot dogs as they are or make a few small cuts before cooking. The reason why some people like to make the cuts is to prevent the hot dogs from inflating/exploding while theyre being cooked and potentially ending up with a wrinkly dry exterior.
Arrange the hot dogs in your air fryer.
Step 2.
Cook on 200c for 6 minutes.
Step 3.
Take the hot dogs out. Put the bread buns in the air fryer now and air fry for 2 more minutes for toasted and crunchy buns!
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How To Preheat Your Air Fryer
I recorded preheating times needed to get my air fryers ready before cooking frozen cheese sticks. I found out that they actually reach the cooking temperature before 5 minutes. However, the air fryer self needs the extra time to get completely ready. The internal surfaces will be hot and ready to cook the food as soon as it touches it.
Preheating is really easy! However, the way you go about doing it depends on the type & model of air fryer you own.
One of two ways are used:
- Digital controls/push button models: These often have a preheat button. When used, the unit will heat itself for the time required then turn off. You can also set the temperature and cooking time manually to do the same thing.
- Air fryers with dial controls can be set to the cooking temperature then set for 5 mins cooking time. When the timer is done youre ready to add food and start the cooking process.
In either case, 5 minutes is usually a great preheat time to use. For the preheating temperature, set it to 350°F as well use that for cooking.
Love For Our Local Top Dogs
Our home city of Columbus Ohio is an under-the-radar oasis in the foodie world. We have so much culinary talent here, a thriving breakfast scene, access to more incredible ice creams than perhaps anywhere else on earth, and if its sausages or hot dogs you want, Cbus is the spot.
- Carfagnas An Italian kitchen, market, and Columbus fixture. These guys have my favorite sausages for cookouts.
- Dirty Franks A restaurant that is better described as a hot dog themed experience. Just about any flavor combo you can dream up, they put it on a dog. Also, it doesnt hurt that they have some amazing appetizers like their tots and creamy mac and cheese
- The Good Frank A small family business from our neighborhood that is responsibly making delicious sausages and frankfurters by hand with locally sourced, quality ingredients. These guys are just the best people. Plus, they have really cool merchandise.
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Key To Success #3 Make As Many As You Need
You can make Hot Dogs for a crowd in the Air Fryer. After 5 minutes, shake the basket around to redistribute the hot dogs.
If they need a little more time in the Air Fryer, cook them 2-3 minutes at a time until they reach your desired crispiness.
Another thing thats nice is that you can keep the hot dogs warm in the Air Fryer while you are getting other things ready or while youre serving.
Its hard to mess up these Air Fryer Hot Dogs.
One of the nice things about cooking Hot Dogs in the Air Fryer is how juicy theyll be.
Air Fryer Hot Dogs remind me a lot of Hot Dogs on the Hot Dog Roller Grill.
They are all crispy and delicious and oh-so-juicy.
I am not a huge fan of Hot Dogs but I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the Hot Dogs that were cooked in the Air Fryer.
Now, the kids have two dinners they can make for themselves in the Air Fryer these Air Fryer Hot Dogs and their favorite Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.
I think its fantastic when Emily and Noah help me in the kitchen.
The Air Fryer is a great appliance for kids to learn with because theyre not cooking over an open flame or a hot stovetop and theres no grease splattering up on everything.
Cooking together with kids is a great way to encourage them to try new foods.
If they get to be involved in every step of the cooking process, theyre much more likely to try the food at mealtime.
Whats your favorite dish to cook with kids? Tell us in the comments below!
What Are The Best Hotdogs
Hotdogs don’t have to be unhealthy!
There are many different brands and styles of hotdogs in the refrigerated meats section of just about every local grocer.
When you’re caring for a healthy, growing family, there are are a few things you can look for when purchasing hotdogs:
If you’re a meat eater, look for a pack of plump all-beef hotdogs. They’re the most flavorful and contain fewer preservatives.
Choose franks that are nitrate-free and contain lower levels of sodium and saturated fat.
Buy veggie dogs! Beyond Meat offers plant-based veggie dogs and you can also buy tofurkey dogs if you prefer.
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Hot Dogs In The Air Fryer
Everyday I find new ways to use my air fryer, and using it to make hot dogs might be one of my favorite uses yet! Much like using my air fryer to reheat pizza, this really is a game changer. Once you make hot dogs in an air fryer, you will never want to put one in a microwave, or pot of boiling water, again. To put it simply, this is the perfect way to cook hot dogs.
Lets discuss how to make these hot dogs, as well as the ingredients that are needed. Please take note that below you will find discussion, expert tips, and answers to frequently asked questions about this recipe to help you recreate it in your kitchen. If you *just* want the recipe itself, scroll down. The full printable recipe itself, with exact measurements and instructions, is found at the bottom of this page.
Melting Cheese For Chili Cheese Dogs With An Air Fryer
Got cheese? Lets be honest, gas station cheeses options for hot dogs are TERRIBLE! Real cheese should taste likewell, real cheese! To get fantastic cheese dogs or chili cheese dogs, you can use ANY of your favorite choices with your air fryer. Even though real sliced block cheese is harder to melt, its a snap to do this way.
Not all chili cheese dogs are the same! Theres a reason I almost never get cheese dogs when we go out to eat usually theyre awful!
However, my homemade air fryer cheese dogs were excellent!
The great news is that you can use any cheese options that work best for you and your budget:
- Grated cheese in the bag
- Sandwich slices
- Hand-sliced block cheese
Of the three, block cheese is a bit harder to use as its harder to melt. However, the great news that Ive figured out the easiest way to do it.
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What Do You Serve With Hot Dogs
There are so many great options for side dishes that go with hotdogs. There really is not a wrong side dish when you are making hotdogs for dinner. If I am wanting to make things more on the fun side I make homemade potato chips including salt and pepper potato chips and garlic parmesan potato chips.
When we make hot dogs in the warm months I like to make cold side dishes like pasta salads and fresh salads. If you are looking for more easy sides that go well with hotdogs check out some of our favorites.
The Dog Days Of Quarantine
Once businesses start to reopen, you best believe I will be ordering a flight of assorted dogs/sausages to spark some flavor inspiration.
Until then, these Air Fryer Hot Dogs are a great way to squash any hot dog craving.
With this Air Fryer Hot Dogs recipe, you can have grill quality hot dogs with even less prep and cleanup. So, parents/grandparents with kids who love hot dogs, maybe bookmark this one for a fast lunch idea.
And let us know in the comments or on social how you like your dogs!
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Hot Dogs And Toasted Buns
Now heres my favourite part. You know how I was just saying that I used to cook hot dogs by boiling them? I never toasted the buns! Because that meant that I had to do that in a pan or in the oven, and who has time for that?
Since Ive started cooking hot dogs in the air fryer, I started toasting the buns in the air fryer as well! Takes just 2 minutes and the result is glorious!
Storing Leftover Hot Dogs
You can store an leftover cooked air fryer hot dogs in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can also freeze the leftovers for up to 2 months.
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How Long Does It Take To Cook Hotdogs In An Air Fryer
7 to 9 minutes, and that includes toasting the bun! The dogs will be done after 5 minutes, but another two gives them a nicer texture. Two more minutes after that makes them crisp, so time according to how you like yours cooked. If you want a REALLY crispy dog in the Air Fryer, cook for 10 – 12 minutes: 7 minutes on their own, and another 3+ minutes in the bun.
Adding Chili And Other Toppings
Eat with only cheese or add mustard, ketchup, or whatever suits your fancy. For seriously delicious chili cheese dogs, add hot dog chili from a can, onions if you like, and enjoy! Its fantastic!
After carefully measuring melted cheese time & temperatures I got my perfectly melted cheese dogs.
To create fantastic chili cheese dogs, I simply added hot dog chili from a can at room temperature and then fresh-cut onions. The result was excellent!
While you can heat up your chili, mine was fine at room temperature. If youd like to heat your chili a bit, place it in the air fryer once youve added the topics and use the warm setting for 2-3 minutes, or 30-60 seconds at 350°F.
Note:
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