Air-Fryer Hot Dogs: A Quick, Crispy Treat?

Hot dogs are a quick and easy meal to cook in an air fryer, with many people saying they taste just as good as grilled hot dogs. They are also a great option for people who don't like the charred taste of grilled hot dogs. Air-fried hot dogs are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, and can be cooked in a variety of ways, including in a bun, with cheese, or with different toppings.

How long to cook hot dogs in an air fryer

Hot dogs can be cooked in an air fryer in just a few minutes. The cooking time depends on the type of hot dog and your desired level of doneness.

For skinny hot dogs, such as Ball Park or Nathan's beef franks, cook the hot dogs in the air fryer for 4 minutes. For thicker hot dogs, like Zwiegles, or jumbo hot dogs, increase the cooking time to 6 to 8 minutes. If you prefer your hot dogs less browned, cook them at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes.

If you are cooking more than four hot dogs, you may need to cook them in batches, as most air fryer baskets can only fit four hot dogs in a single layer. Make sure the hot dogs are not overlapping and have enough space around them to cook evenly.

Once the hot dogs are cooked to your desired level of doneness, place them in the buns and return them to the air fryer for an additional 1 to 2 minutes to toast the buns. You can also brush the buns with melted butter before adding the hot dogs for extra flavor and softness.

Some people prefer to cook the buns separately. In this case, you can place the buns in the air fryer for about 2 minutes until they are crisp, and then add the cooked hot dogs.

If you are cooking frozen hot dogs, increase the cooking time to 7 to 8 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also start frozen hot dogs in the microwave and finish them in the air fryer to speed up the cooking process.

How to get crispy hot dogs

Air-fried hot dogs are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The perfectly toasted buns are the icing on the cake. Here is a step-by-step guide to making crispy hot dogs using an air fryer.

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the buns in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook until crisp, which should take about two minutes. Remove the buns from the air fryer and place them on a plate.

Next, place the hot dogs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching. For crispy hot dogs, it is recommended to cook them for around 5-6 minutes. If you are using thinner hot dogs, such as Ball Park or Nathan's beef franks, cook them for 4 minutes. For thicker hot dogs, like Zwiegles or jumbo hot dogs, increase the cooking time to 6-8 minutes. If you prefer your hot dogs less browned, cook them at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes.

Once the hot dogs are cooked to your desired level of crispiness, place them in the buns and return them to the air fryer for an additional 1-2 minutes, until the bun is slightly toasted.

For an extra crispy texture, try cutting slits in the hot dogs before cooking. You can cut shallow Vs or Xs, or make diagonal cuts to resemble grill marks. You can also wrap the hot dogs in bacon for an extra crispy and savory flavor.

Finally, serve your crispy hot dogs with your favorite toppings and condiments, such as ketchup, mustard, relish, or sauerkraut. Enjoy your delicious and crispy air-fried hot dogs!

How to get juicy hot dogs

Air fryers are a great way to cook juicy hot dogs with a crispy exterior. The first step to getting juicy hot dogs is to choose a good-quality sausage. You can use any type of hot dog you like, but all-beef hot dogs are popular for their taste and texture.

Preparing the Hot Dogs

Before cooking, place the hot dogs on a cutting board and cut shallow diagonal slits into the surface of the sausage. You should make around four to five slits on the top of each hot dog, being careful not to cut too deeply. This technique gives the hot dogs a nice, crispy texture and makes them look like they've been grilled.

Cooking the Hot Dogs

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the hot dogs inside the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. For four hot dogs, cook for about three minutes. For thinner hot dogs, this time may be as short as two minutes, while thicker hot dogs may need up to eight minutes. You'll know they're ready when they start to bubble and pop.

Toasting the Buns

You can toast the buns in the air fryer for a couple of minutes to add a nice finishing touch. Place the buns in the air fryer in a single layer and cook for about two minutes until crisp. You can also brush the buns with melted butter for extra flavor and to keep them soft.

Assembling the Hot Dogs

Once the hot dogs and buns are cooked, it's time to assemble. Place the hot dogs in the buns and add your favorite toppings. You can add classic toppings like ketchup, mustard, and relish, or get creative with chili, cheese, bacon, or even Fritos Corn Salad.

Storing and Reheating

Store any leftover hot dogs in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should stay good for about three to four days. You can reheat them in the air fryer, oven, or microwave.

How to toast the buns

Air fryers are a great way to cook hot dogs and toast buns to perfection. The buns come out crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside.

To toast the buns, first, cut the hot dog buns down the middle, being careful not to cut all the way through. Then, spread a thin layer of butter, margarine, or mayonnaise on both sides of the buns. You can also brush the top of each bun with softened butter before toasting, which is said to add flavor and help the bun toast to a golden color. This step is optional but recommended, as the butter also helps keep the buns from sticking to the air fryer basket.

Next, place the buns in the air fryer basket with the cut side facing up. Make sure the buns are in a single layer and not overcrowded, so that air can circulate properly and cook each bun evenly. Depending on the air fryer model, you may need to cook the buns in batches to ensure even toasting.

Cook the buns for 2-3 minutes or until they are lightly golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on them as they can quickly go from golden brown to burnt. Once toasted, remove the buns from the air fryer immediately to prevent them from getting soggy.

If you want to add extra flavor to your buns, you can sprinkle them with herbs, spices, or grated cheese before toasting them in the air fryer. You can also add your favorite toppings, such as ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, relish, chili, cheese, or caramelized onions.

What toppings to use

There are many toppings you can add to your air-fried hot dogs. The most popular toppings are ketchup and mustard, but you can also add shredded cheese, onions, relish, and even leftover chilli. If you want to get creative, try something like Fritos Corn Salad, or coleslaw. You can also wrap your hot dogs in bacon for an extra salty, savoury flavour.

If you want to add cheese, place the cheese on your hot dog and put it back in the air fryer for a couple of minutes to melt the cheese. You can also add butter to your bun for a buttery flavour and softer texture.

Frequently asked questions