Air-Fried Red Corn Dogs: A Quick, Tasty Treat

Red hot dogs are a classic American treat, and now you can make them at home with a crispy, golden coating and a juicy inside, all without the mess of deep-frying. Using an air fryer, you can have delicious corn dogs ready in under 10 minutes. Here's a step-by-step guide to making perfect red corn dogs, with tips on getting that crispy coating and avoiding common pitfalls.

Preparing the batter

• Cornmeal: Use finely ground yellow cornmeal to create the distinct corn dog flavour and texture.
• Flour: This will help the cornmeal batter stick to the hot dogs.
• Egg: Whisk an egg into the cornmeal batter to bind the ingredients together.
• Baking Powder: Adding baking powder will give your corn dogs a fluffy, airy texture.
• Sugar: Sugar will add a touch of sweetness to your corn dogs.
• Salt: A pinch of salt will enhance the other flavours in the batter.
• Milk: Instead of buttermilk, use whole milk, which you likely already have in your fridge.

To make the batter, start by whisking together the dry ingredients: cornmeal, flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Then, add the wet ingredients: egg and milk. Mix everything together until you have a smooth, lump-free batter.

The amount of each ingredient you will need depends on the number of corn dogs you plan to make. As a guide, for 16 corn dogs, you will need 1 1/2 cups of cornmeal, 1 cup of flour (plus extra for coating the hot dogs), 1 tablespoon of baking powder, 1/4 cup of sugar, and a pinch of salt. You will also need 1 egg and 1 cup of milk.

Once your batter is ready, you can start dipping your hot dogs! Make sure to coat each hot dog evenly and allow any excess batter to drip off before placing them in the air fryer.

Cooking the corn dogs

Now that you have your batter and your hot dogs ready, it's time to cook the corn dogs!

First, start by soaking the skewers for at least 20 minutes in a bowl of water. This will prevent the skewers from burning inside the air fryer.

Next, preheat your air fryer to 360-375°F for 5 minutes. While the air fryer is preheating, prepare a small plate with 1/4 cup of flour to coat the hot dogs before dipping them into the batter. Roll each hot dog in the flour, shaking off any excess.

Then, insert a skewer into each hot dog. Push the skewer into the middle of the hot dog lengthwise, going about 3/4 of the way through.

Now, it's time to batter the hot dogs. Pour the corn dog batter into a drinking glass or tall glass, making sure it's large enough to dip the hot dogs into. While holding the skewer, carefully dip each floured hot dog into the glass of batter. Let any excess batter drip off.

Once your hot dogs are battered, it's time to place them into the air fryer. Lightly grease the inside of your air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray or olive oil spray. Place the battered corn dogs into the air fryer basket, leaving enough space between them to allow for proper air circulation. You may need to cook the corn dogs in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Cook the corn dogs at 360-375°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. The corn dogs are ready when they are golden brown and crispy.

Finally, remove the corn dogs from the air fryer and serve them with your favourite condiments, such as ketchup and mustard. Enjoy your delicious, crispy, and juicy air-fried corn dogs!

Dipping the hot dogs in batter

Before you begin dipping the hot dogs, it is important to prepare the batter. In a tall glass or drinking glass, combine cornmeal, flour, sugar (if using), baking powder, and buttermilk. Mix these ingredients until you achieve a smooth and lump-free batter. The batter should be thick enough to coat the hot dogs evenly.

Now, let's prepare the hot dogs for dipping. Start by soaking the bamboo skewers in a bowl of water for at least 20 minutes. This step is important to prevent the skewers from burning inside the air fryer. After soaking, carefully insert a skewer into each hot dog. Push the skewer lengthwise into the centre of the hot dog, going about three-quarters of the way through. This will create a secure base for dipping and ensure even cooking.

Next, we will create a flour coating for the hot dogs. Place about 1/4 cup of flour in a shallow bowl or on a small plate. Roll each skewered hot dog in the flour until it is well coated. Make sure to shake off any excess flour. This step will help the batter adhere better to the hot dogs.

It's now time for the crucial dipping step. Holding the skewer, carefully dip each flour-coated hot dog into the glass of batter. Ensure that the hot dog is fully coated in the batter. Allow any excess batter to drip off before placing the hot dog in the air fryer. Repeat this process for all the hot dogs.

After dipping, gently place the battered corn dogs into the preheated air fryer basket. Leave adequate space between each corn dog to allow for proper air circulation. You may need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer.

Finally, give the corn dogs a light coating of cooking spray or non-stick cooking spray to help them crisp up during the frying process. This step will ensure that iconic crispy texture on the outside of your red corn dogs.

Now, you are ready to air fry your perfectly dipped red corn dogs! Follow the cooking instructions provided by your air fryer for the best results. Enjoy the delicious, crispy, and golden red corn dogs!

Placing the corn dogs in the air fryer

To make red corn dogs in an air fryer, you'll need to follow these steps:

Firstly, prepare your corn dogs for frying. If you're making them from scratch, coat your hot dogs in flour and then dip them in a cornmeal batter. If you're using frozen corn dogs, there's no need to thaw them first—simply arrange them in a single layer in your air fryer basket, making sure they don't touch and that there's enough space for the air to circulate. You can cook between one and six corn dogs at a time, depending on the size of your air fryer.

Next, you'll want to preheat your air fryer to between 360 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. If you're cooking homemade corn dogs, it's important to preheat the air fryer to ensure the batter doesn't slide off; for frozen corn dogs, you may need to experiment with preheating to find what works best for your particular air fryer model.

Once your air fryer is preheated, it's time to place your corn dogs inside. Place the battered corn dogs in the preheated air fryer basket, leaving plenty of space between them. If you're cooking frozen corn dogs, you can lightly grease the basket with an oil spray first.

Now, it's time to cook your corn dogs. For frozen corn dogs, cook at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through. For homemade corn dogs, cook at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes, again flipping halfway. Your corn dogs are ready when they're golden and crispy on the outside.

Finally, remove your corn dogs from the air fryer and allow them to cool before serving. The sticks will be very hot, so be careful not to burn yourself. Serve with your favourite dipping sauce and enjoy!

Serving the corn dogs

Once your red corn dogs are cooked, it's time to serve them! Corn dogs are a fun and versatile food that can be served as a snack, a meal, or even a party appetiser. Here are some tips and suggestions for serving your air-fried red corn dogs:

Number of Servings

The number of corn dogs you can cook at once will depend on the size of your air fryer. Most recipes recommend cooking 4-6 corn dogs at a time, but this may vary depending on the size of your air fryer basket. It's important not to overcrowd the air fryer, so leave enough space between each corn dog to allow for proper air circulation.

Dipping Sauces

Corn dogs are typically served with a variety of dipping sauces. Some popular options include ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, or honey mustard. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also try unique dips like marinara sauce, hot sauce, or even raspberry preserves.

Side Dishes

If you're serving corn dogs as a meal, consider pairing them with some side dishes. Some ideas include air fryer chips, pasta salad, potato salad, or a fruit salad for a well-balanced meal. You can also serve them with air fryer French fries, tater tots, or even a side of macaroni salad.

Reheating and Storage

If you have any leftover corn dogs, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, you can use an oven, air fryer, or microwave, but note that the corn dogs will be crispier when reheated in an oven or air fryer. Reheat until they are crisp and heated through to an internal temperature of 165°F.

Presentation

Corn dogs are a fun and casual food, so feel free to get creative with your presentation. You can simply place them on a plate with the dipping sauces on the side, or get a little more festive by using colourful napkins or plates. If you're serving them as a snack or appetiser, you can cut the corn dogs into smaller pieces or bite-sized nuggets.

Remember, corn dogs are a versatile and enjoyable treat, so feel free to customise your serving style to suit your taste and occasion. Enjoy your freshly made red corn dogs!

Frequently asked questions