Surprise! You can also make delicious hot dogs in the air fryer!
When my now-teenaged son was little, he was a super picky eater. Given a choice, he would have subsisted on nothing but bread and chicken nuggets. I gradually tried different proteins, and eventually he liked grilled hot dogs. The grill got them a little crispy and charred on the outside, and that seemed to be the key. This was a small victory, except that it was late fall, and we weren’t really going to be grilling out in the cold weather. Air fryer to the rescue!
If it’s rainy or cold outside and your usual outdoor grill isn’t an option (or if you don’t have an outdoor grill), the air fryer is the way to go. The icing on the cake, so to speak, is that you can easily toast the buns as well—right in your air fryer.
The air fryer cooks up hot dogs that are juicy on the inside and slightly crispy on the outside. You will love the convenience of cooking them right in your kitchen and the easy cleanup. And, just like on the grill, you can control how charred or not they turn out according to your preference.
What Liner To Use?
If you’re used to using parchment paper or foil to line your air fryer basket for easy cleanup, you may want to change things up on this recipe. For best results, use a silicone basket liner. It’s a bit heavier than foil or parchment paper and stays put better when cooking smaller items like hot dogs (versus a chicken breast or something bigger). If you don’t have a silicone liner, look for them at any big box store or online.
FAQs & Tips
How Do I Store Leftovers?
While hot dogs in the air fryer are best enjoyed right away, you can save leftovers (without any condiments) for up to 1 day in the fridge. Simply wrap them tightly with plastic wrap or foil. Reheat at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 minutes.
Can I Use Any Kind Of Hot Dogs In The Air Fryer?
Certainly! Not a meat-eater? Veggie or vegan dogs work great in the air fryer. My family prefers beef hot dogs, but turkey, pork, or chicken dogs work as well.
Do The Diagonal Slits Help The Hot Dogs Cook Better?
Yes! In Step 2, you slice small diagonal slits in the hot dogs before placing them in the air fryer. Slashing hot dogs not only helps them cook faster and retain their juices, but it also makes them crispier and even helps them hold all those delicious toppings better!
Serving Suggestions
In addition to the usual condiments, consider mixing things up a bit. One easy variation is to baste the hot dogs with a bit of barbecue sauce before placing them in the air fryer. The barbecue adds a little zing and extra texture as it cooks. You can also easily top the hot dogs with Chili and make homemade chili dogs. As for sides, stick with picnic sides like Pasta Salad or Broccoli Slaw.
Hot Dogs In Air Fryer
Ingredients Â
- 4 hot dogs
- 4 hot dog buns
- Preferred toppings and condiments for serving
InstructionsÂ
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Make slits in the hot dogs using a knife. Place hot dogs in the air fryer basket in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Cook for 5 minutes, turning halfway through for even cooking.
- Remove the hot dogs from the air fryer and place each one in a bun. Return the hot dogs to the air fryer with the buns and cook for another 60-90 seconds to toast the bun.
- Serve immediately with your favorite condiments.
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