Emilie Meyer
Hot dogs are a quick, easy, and tasty meal to make in an air fryer. They are a great alternative to boiling or grilling, and can be ready in just a few minutes. The hot air circulates around the hot dog, cooking it evenly and resulting in a juicy interior and a perfectly charred exterior. This guide will take you through the simple steps to make delicious air-fried hot dogs, as well as some topping suggestions.
How to cook a regular hotdog in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 370°F-400°F |
| Timing | 3-8 minutes |
| Batch size | 2-4 hot dogs |
| Hot dog type | Any type, skinny hot dogs cook faster |
| Bun | Optional, add in the last 1-2 minutes |
| Toppings | Mustard, relish, ketchup, cheese, chili, coleslaw, BBQ sauce, etc. |
| Storage | Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days |
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What You'll Learn
How long to cook hot dogs in an air fryer
Cooking hot dogs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get crispy, juicy hot dogs. The cooking time will vary depending on the type of hot dog and your desired level of browning.
For skinny hot dogs, such as Ball Park or Nathan's beef franks, cook for 4 minutes. For thicker hot dogs, like Zwiegles, or jumbo hot dogs, cook for 6 to 8 minutes. If you prefer less browned hot dogs, cook them at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes.
If you are cooking frozen hot dogs, preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 7 to 8 minutes.
You can also cook the hot dogs in the buns. Place the hot dogs in the buns and air fry for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until the buns are slightly toasted. If you are cooking the buns only, 2 minutes should be enough to get them crispy.
Some people prefer to cook their hot dogs for a bit longer, around 5 to 7 minutes, depending on the appliance being used. You can also cut slits in the hot dogs before cooking to make them look like they came off a grill.
Once your hot dogs are cooked, you can top them with your favorite condiments and enjoy!
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How to get crispy buns
To get crispy buns to go with your air-fried hot dogs, place the buns in the air fryer for about 1-2 minutes at the same temperature you cooked the hot dogs. This gives them a nice, crispy texture that pairs perfectly with the hot dog. Lightly butter or spread mayo on the inside of the buns before toasting for a delicious richness. You can also repurpose leftover hot dog buns by turning them into French toast or homemade croutons.
If you want to cook the buns before the hot dogs, you can place the buns in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook them for about 2 minutes until they are crispy. Then, remove the buns and put them on a plate before placing the hot dogs in the air fryer.
For a quick and easy meal, you can cook the hot dogs and buns together in the air fryer. Place the hot dogs inside the air fryer in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching, and cook for 4 minutes. Then, place the hot dogs in the buns and air fry for another 1-2 minutes until the buns are slightly toasted.
If you want to add some extra toppings to your hot dogs, you can cook them for 3 minutes, then add cheese or other toppings and finish cooking for 1 more minute.
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How to get a charred exterior on the hot dogs
To get a charred exterior on your hot dogs, you can try a few different methods. Firstly, it is recommended to use an all-beef hot dog, as the casing will crisp up nicely in the air fryer. You can also try a natural casing hot dog, which will also crisp up.
Secondly, you can try cutting shallow slits in the top of the hot dog before cooking. Some people recommend cutting Xs or Vs, while others suggest cutting the hot dog in a spiral to increase the surface area and get more of that crispy texture.
Thirdly, the cooking temperature and time will affect the level of char. Some people recommend cooking at 370°F for 3 minutes on each side, while others suggest 350˚F for 5 minutes, or even 390°F for 6 minutes. It may take some experimentation to find the ideal temperature and cooking time for your desired level of char.
Finally, you can try cooking the hot dogs on the grill setting in your air fryer, if your model has that option. This setting may help to achieve the charred exterior you're looking for.
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What toppings to use
There are many different toppings you can use to elevate your hot dogs. A popular choice is to add some BBQ sauce to the hot dogs to make an air fryer version of BBQ hot dogs. You can also top the hot dogs with chilli and cheese to make a delicious chilli cheese dog. If you want to add some extra flavour, try wrapping them in bacon for a salty and savoury kick.
If you're serving hot dogs to kids, they might enjoy a generous helping of ketchup on their hot dogs. For the adults, you can switch it up with other toppings such as relish, roasted peppers and onions, mushrooms, sauerkraut, habanero mango salsa, buffalo sauce with blue cheese, or coleslaw.
You can also add a slice of cheese to the bun and place the hot dog inside. Air fry for 90 seconds and the cheese will be melted and the bun toasted. If you're using frozen hot dogs, you can start by cooking them in the microwave and then finish them off in the air fryer.
Some people also recommend spraying the basket with some non-stick spray to prevent sticking, especially if you are toasting the buns.
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How to cook bacon-wrapped hot dogs
How to Cook Regular Hot Dogs in an Air Fryer
To cook regular hot dogs in an air fryer, first preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Place the hot dogs inside the air fryer in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching, and cook for 3-6 minutes. If you want to add buns, cook the hot dogs for 3 minutes, then add the buns to the air fryer for a further 2 minutes.
To cook bacon-wrapped hot dogs in an air fryer, start by wrapping each hot dog with a slice of bacon, ensuring the ends are on the same side. Secure the ends with a toothpick. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F-400°F and place the hot dogs inside, with the ends of the bacon slices down. Air fry for 8 minutes, then flip them once after about 7 minutes to ensure even cooking. Finally, place the cooked hot dogs in buns and return them to the air fryer for a further 2 minutes.
You can also add cheese to your bacon-wrapped hot dogs. Simply add some shredded cheese to the bun before returning it to the air fryer.
For an extra burst of flavor, brush the bacon with maple syrup or BBQ sauce before cooking. This will add a sweet and savory glaze.
Bacon-wrapped hot dogs can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking times vary depending on the type of hot dog and your desired crispiness. Skinny hot dogs will cook in 4 minutes, whereas thicker hot dogs can take 6 to 8 minutes. If you want a lesser browned hot dog, cook at 380 degrees for about 5 minutes. For crispy hot dogs, cook at 390 to 400 degrees for 4 to 6 minutes.
Preheat your air fryer to 380 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place the buns in the air fryer in a single layer and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. For a softer bun, warm the buns in the microwave for 50 to 60 seconds.
