If you’re in the mood for hot dogs, but the extreme weather won’t permit you to grill, do not fret. The air fryer is all you’ll need. In fact, once you’ve tried this recipe, I’ll bet you’ll never go back to hot dog grilling again. Air fryer hot dogs are that amazing. Want perfectly crispy hot dogs nestled in perfectly toasted buns? There’s no need to fire up the grill. Just preheat the air fryer, and you’re golden.
Air Fryer Hot Dogs
I’ve been using my air fryer a lot recently. From frying kale chips to heating pizza rolls, this handy kitchen gadget works wonders. I decided to give hot dogs a go, because why not? It’s such an effort to grill them, and boiling results in sad, limp dogs. With the air fryer, you’ll get the same results as you would on the grill, but without the hassle. Not only does it yield perfectly cooked hot dogs, but also does so in a flash! It also gets the job done with very little to no oil at all. It’s awesome, wouldn’t you agree? Looking for more air fryer recipes? Check out the links below.
Air Fryer AppetizersAir Fryer Dinner Recipes
How To Cook a Hot Dog in an Air Fryer
First things first: preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit. You’ll want to make sure the machine is already hot enough when you cook the hot dogs. Otherwise, your cooking times will be off. Preheating will take about 3 to 5 minutes – the bigger the air fryer, the longer it will take. Once ready, place the buns inside the basket in a single layer. Do not overcrowd the basket, or else the hot air won’t be able to circulate properly. If you’re working with a smaller air fryer, just cook in batches. Cook the buns for 2 minutes, or until they’re nice and toasty. Take them out and place them on a plate. Cut shallow, diagonal slits into the hot dogs for crispy edges. Place the hot dogs in the basket, again in a single layer, making sure they don’t touch each other. Air fry them for 4 to 6 minutes, rotating them halfway through. Place the hot dogs into the buns and serve with your favorite condiments and toppings. Enjoy!
What Do I Need for Air Fryer Hot Dogs?
Just two things – hot dogs and buns. For the hot dogs, you’ll want to pick a good-quality brand, such as Nathans and Hebrew National. I prefer beef hot dogs, but this recipe works for pork, chicken, and turkey, as well. For the buns, just pick one that would fit the length of your hot dogs. Both uncut or pre-cut are fine.
How Long Does it Take to Cook Hot Dogs in an Air Fryer?
It depends on three things: how powerful your air fryer is, how thick your hot dogs are, and how crispy you want them to be. Not all air fryers are created equally. For instance, powerful air fryers – those that run on 1,700 watts – cook much faster than others. That said, the cooking time will vary from one air fryer to another. If you’re air frying hot dogs for the first time, I recommend doing one or two pieces to test out your machine. On average, though, it takes somewhere between 4 to 6 minutes for hot dogs to cook in the air fryer. This recipe uses skinny Nathans’ sausages. For thick hot dogs or sausages, add 1-2 more minutes to the cooking time. If you want extra crispy hot dogs, cook them longer. If you’re fine with tender skins, stick to 4 minutes, maybe even 3.
Tips for the Best Hot Dogs
Start with good-quality hot dogs. You can use your preferred buns, but I like Nathan’s beef hot dogs and Hebrew National beef franks best.Slice the bun vertically (along the smooth sides), not horizontally. This way, you’ll get prettier buns, and there are fewer chances of accidentally slicing them all the way through.Don’t just air fry the hot dogs, but also the buns. They’ll get nice and toasty in just 2 minutes! You can either toast the buns beforehand, or air fry them with the cooked hot dogs already inside them.Before toasting the buns, brush the tops with melted butter. It adds flavor and gives the buns a nice golden color.For cheese dogs, top the buns with a slice of cheese before toasting them. The air fryer will melt the cheese right up.For extra crispy edges, cut shallow slits into the hot dogs. You can do diagonal, V-shaped, or X-shaped slits – whatever design works for you.Shake the basket midway through so that the hot dogs are crispy on all sides.If you’re frying frozen hot dogs, add 2-4 minutes to the total cooking time.This recipe cooks 4 hot dogs. If you’re cooking more, be sure not to over-crowd the basket. Give each hot dog enough space in between to allow the hot air to pass through. The same goes with the buns.If you think hot dogs are no good without toppings, I’m with you. You can always go the classic route and smear the dogs with ketchup and mustard, but if you want to be more extra, here are some condiments and toppings you can try:Chopped onions and pickle relish for more oomphColeslaw for a creamy contrast to the salty dogsSalsa, nacho cheese, and guacamole for a Mexican twistJalapenos and cilantro for a kickChili for extra meaty goodnessAll sorts of cheese and bacon crumblesSauerkraut and spicy mustard for Reuben-style hot dogsMayo – this one’s a personal favorite. I just love the richness it adds to my hot dogs!Serve the hot dogs with these sides for a tasty, well-rounded meal:Macaroni SaladColeslawBaked BeansFriesOnion RingsCheck out this list for more hot dog serving suggestions!
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