Air-Fryer Hot Dogs: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Hot dogs are a quick, easy, and tasty meal to cook in an air fryer. They can be cooked from frozen and are ready in just a few minutes. The air fryer gives hot dogs a crispy exterior and a juicy interior. You can cook up to eight hot dogs at once, depending on the size of your air fryer, and they can be served in toasted buns with your favorite toppings.

Cooking times and temperatures for hot dogs

The cooking time and temperature for hot dogs in an air fryer depend on the type of hot dog and your desired level of browning.

For a basic hot dog, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the hot dogs in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 3–6 minutes. If you prefer your hot dogs less browned, cook them at 380°F for about 5 minutes. For thinner hot dogs, such as Ball Park or Nathan's beef franks, 4 minutes should be sufficient. Thicker hot dogs, like Zwiegles or jumbo hot dogs, can take up to 8 minutes. If you're cooking from frozen, reduce the temperature to 350°F and cook for 7–8 minutes.

Once the hot dogs are cooked, you can add them to the buns and place them back in the air fryer for 1–2 minutes to toast the buns. If you prefer a crispier bun, you can cook the buns in the air fryer first, for about 2 minutes, before adding the hot dogs.

Cooking times and temperatures for hot dog buns

The cooking time and temperature for hot dog buns in an air fryer vary depending on the type of bun and the desired level of crispness. Here are some general guidelines and tips for achieving the perfect toasted bun:

Most sources recommend preheating the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. However, one source suggests a lower temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit for cooking the hot dogs, which may also be applied to the buns for a lesser browned result.

For buns, the cooking time ranges from 90 seconds to 3 minutes. The shorter cooking time of 90 seconds will result in a light toast with slightly crispy edges. Extending the cooking time to 2-3 minutes will produce a crispier bun. It's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the type of bun used. Top-cut buns are recommended for better toasting results.

To add some extra flavour to your buns, you can brush them with softened butter before placing them in the air fryer. This step is optional but can enhance the taste and texture of the buns.

If you're adding cheese to your hot dogs, place a slice of cheese between the hot dog and the bun before air frying. This will allow the cheese to melt and create a delicious, cheesy dog.

When cooking the buns, it's best to place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking. Additionally, if you're cooking multiple batches of buns, be sure to let the air fryer cool down between batches to prevent overcooking.

By following these guidelines and tips, you'll be able to achieve perfectly toasted hot dog buns to accompany your air-fried hot dogs.

How to get a crispy exterior on your hot dog

To get a crispy exterior on your hot dogs, you should set your air fryer to a high temperature of around 400°F (200°C). This will ensure the hot dogs are cooked thoroughly and develop a nice, crispy exterior. Preheat your air fryer for about 3-5 minutes before adding the hot dogs.

The cooking time will depend on the size of the hot dogs and the model of your air fryer, but it should take between 4 to 8 minutes. For skinny hot dogs, such as Ball Park or Nathan's beef franks, cook for 4 minutes. Thicker hot dogs, like jumbo or local varieties, will take 6 to 8 minutes. If you want a slightly charred exterior, you can cook them for an additional minute or two. Keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking.

You can also cut slits on the hot dogs to give them a nice crisp. Make about 4-5 slits on the top of each hot dog, only breaking the surface slightly with the knife. This technique also makes the hot dogs look like they came off a grill.

For an extra crispy exterior, you can briefly grill or toast the buns before serving.

How to get a juicy interior in your hot dog

To get juicy hot dogs using an air fryer, there are a few simple steps to follow. Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the hot dogs in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overlapping. Four hot dogs should fit comfortably, but you can adjust the number according to the size of your air fryer. Cook the hot dogs for around 3-6 minutes, depending on your preference for doneness. For a less browned hot dog, 3-5 minutes at 380°F will result in a juicy interior.

For thicker hot dogs, increase the cooking time to 6-8 minutes. Flip the hot dogs halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking. Once the hot dogs are glistening and slightly browned, remove them from the air fryer and place them in their buns. Add your desired toppings, such as cheese, to the hot dogs in their buns, and return them to the air fryer for an additional 1-2 minutes to melt the cheese and toast the buns.

The key to juicy hot dogs in an air fryer is to not overcook them. Depending on your air fryer and the type of hot dog, the cooking time may vary, so keep an eye on them to ensure they don't dry out.

For an extra juicy touch, try cutting slits on the top of each hot dog before cooking. This will give the hot dogs a nice, crispy exterior while keeping the inside juicy.

Toppings and condiments for your hot dog

There are endless possibilities when it comes to toppings and condiments for your hot dog. The classics are, of course, ketchup and mustard, but you can also try relish, finely diced onion, or leftover chilli. If you're feeling adventurous, try something tropical like pineapple salsa on a sweet Hawaiian roll bun, or go for a Mexican-inspired hot dog with warm pinto beans, fresh jalapeño salsa, onion, tomato, mustard, and mayo.

You can also wrap your hot dog in bacon and top with cheese, or try shredded cheese and chilli for a delicious chilli cheese dog. If you're a pickle fan, you can't go wrong with a pickle of any kind, or even try something tropical like pineapple salsa. If you want to keep things simple, try pairing your dogs with different condiments like zucchini relish, cowboy candy, or tomato chutney.

For something a little different, try a Sonoran hot dog with a split-top bun loaded with warm pinto beans, fresh jalapeño salsa, onion, tomato, mustard, and mayo. If you're feeling creative, top your hot dog with Sloppy Joes, Crockpot white chicken chilli, or even Mac sauce!

Don't forget to brush your bun with melted butter for added flavour and to keep it soft, and serve with a side of baked beans, sweet potato fries, or fruit salad.

Frequently asked questions