Corn dogs are an American classic, and they remind me of childhood memories at the street fair. Those crispy golden treats are just impossible to resist! However, because it’s basically processed food dipped in starch and deep-fried in oil, a corn dog is far from being a healthy treat. But hey, there’s nothing wrong with indulging from time to time, right? And with the air fryer, you’ll get the same level of crispy corn dog deliciousness without the oil. That’s already at least 200 calories slashed off. Yay! Best of all, air frying corn dogs only takes 10 minutes, tops. It doesn’t get any better than that. So let’s get cooking, shall we?
Air Fryer Corn Dogs
Just like any regular corn dog, an air fryer corn dog is wonderfully crispy on the outside with a savory, snappy hot dog on the inside. It’s heaven in a bite! The only difference is that it’s healthier, to a certain degree. Sure, corn dogs won’t rank high on the list of nutritious snacks, but at least this version is oil-free. How awesome is that? Plus, the air fryer is very convenient. These dogs take less than 10 minutes to make, and you won’t even need to thaw frozen corn dogs.
How to Make Frozen Corn Dogs in the Air Fryer
First things first: preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes. I set mine at 360 degrees Fahrenheit, but all air fryers run differently. If you’re new to using your gadget, 350 degrees Fahrenheit is a good place to start. Better yet, check the manual! Next, arrange the corn dogs in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Don’t stack them on top of one another, or they won’t crisp up. Give them enough room to cook! Four corn dogs fit perfectly in a basket. If you want to make more, do so in batches. Once the corns dogs are resting nicely in the basket, pop it in the air fryer and close the drawer. Cook for 3 minutes, open the drawer, and flip the corn dogs over. Cook for another 3 to 5 minutes, or until the skins are nice and crispy. Now, here’s the most important part: turn off the air fryer and leave the corn dogs inside, with the drawer closed, for another 3 to 5 minutes. This will warm the insides further, resulting in perfectly cooked corn dogs. Without this step, you’ll end up with lukewarm or even cold hot dogs. Yikes.
How to Make Frozen Mini-Corn Dogs in the Air Fryer
Corn dogs are great, but for some reason, I find corn puppies to be more addictive. The first bite will get you hooked! Before you know it, you’ll have eaten 10 of these bad boys. If you’re on team mini-corn dog, you’ll want to learn how to cook them in the air fryer as well. The whole process is pretty much the same, except you’ll only need to cook them for 5 minutes, not 8. Just like regular corn dogs, you’ll also need to flip these minis halfway through. Let them cook further with the fryer turned off for 3 to 5 minutes. This way, you’re not only cooking the outsides, but the insides as well.
Tips for the Best Corn Dogs
I can’t stress enough how important it is to preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes before cooking the corn dogs. If you place the corn dogs in the air fryer when it’s not hot enough yet, you won’t get that golden crispy goodness every corn dog needs to have.Be sure the corn dogs are arranged in a single layer in the basket. Don’t stack them on top of one another, or they won’t cook properly.For extra crispy corn dogs, spray a bit of olive oil on top of the dogs. It’s completely optional, but if you want that ridiculously crunchy exterior, go for it!Also not required, but it helps with the cleanup if you spray a bit of oil on the basket to prevent the corn dogs from sticking. Be sure to use an air fryer-safe spray.Air fryers weren’t created equally, so you’ll have to check on your corn dogs from time to time, especially if this is your first time. It’s also crucial to flip the corn dogs halfway through. Otherwise, you’ll get one side that’s burned and another side that’s undercooked.Leave the corns dogs in the air fryer for 3 minutes post-cooking. This will ensure that they’re cooked all the way through.If the corn dogs didn’t cook well on the first try, just try again. Maybe switch up the temperature or alter the cooking time. Don’t give up, because the result is very rewarding.Freshly cooked corn dogs are very hot, so handle with care. Let them cool for a few minutes before taking your first bite.This recipe doesn’t work on corn dogs with a wet batter. If you want to use the air fryer to make corn dogs from scratch, stick to a dry batter, such as crushed cornflakes or Panko bread crumbs. Dredge the hot dog in whisked egg, then in the crumbs, and then pop it in the air fryer.Corn dogs are tasty on their own, but they’re so much better with ketchup, mustard, and mayo. Or, take them to the next level by smothering them with honey mustard or nacho cheese.
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