Are Hot Dogs Good in the Air Fryer? (Spoiler Alert: They are DELICIOUS!)

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You may have heard that air fryers are good for cooking hot dogs. But, is that true?

Some people swear by their air fryer and say it’s the perfect way to cook a hot dog without having to worry about softening the texture too much, as well as not having to wait forever while at the same time potentially burning it like on the grill or under-the-broiler.

Are hot dogs good in the air fryer?

Yes, hot dogs are good in the air fryer! In fact, they can be cooked in a number of ways using the air fryer. For example, you can cook them whole or slice down the length of the hot dog.

The best way to prepare the hot dogs is by scoring them about 10 times on opposite sides and air-frying them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes before putting them back into the buns and cooking some more, or until toasted. However, if you want extra crispy hot dogs, cook them for about 10 to 15 minutes.

What do I need for air fryer hot dogs?

In order to make air fryer hot dogs, you will need a few simple ingredients: hot dogs, buns, and aluminum foil (optional). If you want your hot dogs to be soft on all sides, then using aluminum foil is a must. The aluminum foil will help provide cover against the extremely heated air in the air fryer. However, if you would rather not use aluminum foil, parchment paper rounds work just as well and are completely safe to use in an air fryer. Just make sure that you always have food weighing them down so they don’t fly around in the appliance.

The hot dogs only need to cook for an extra few minutes or more and may need to be rotated during cooking. Once they’re done, simply remove them from the air fryer and serve them with your favorite toppings!

How to cook hot dogs in an air fryer?

We all love a good hot dog, but cooking them can be tricky and may be less than what you and I would consider healthy. The air fryer is a great, easy way to cook your hot dogs and to get some great flavor.

Pre-heat your air fryer for about 4 minutes at 390 degrees Fahrenheit. If your hot dogs are frozen, they should be thawed first before you attempt to cook them.
Add your hot dogs and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the desired doneness is achieved.
Remove the hot dogs and set them aside. Add your hot dogs to your buns and add any toppings you want to melt and then cook for about 2 more minutes to get toasty.
If you have other toppings you want to keep cold or that you do not want to toast, add them to the hot dog after it is done.

At what temperature should I cook my hot dogs in the air fryer?

Cooking hot dogs in the air fryer is a great way to get that perfect, crispy texture. But what temperature should you cook them at?

Some people might say that you can cook your hot dogs at any temperature in the air fryer, but we recommend cooking them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This will give your hot dogs that nice, crispy outer layer and ensure that they are cooked all the way through.

Of course, the cooking time will vary depending on how powerful your air fryer is and how thick your sausages are. But generally speaking, you should cook them for at least 5 minutes to make sure they are cooked all the way through.

If you want extra crispy hot dogs, feel free to cook them for longer. Just be careful not to overcook them! You can add 1 to 2 minutes to the regular cooking time if your sausages are thicker, or 1 minute if they are thinner.

How long should I cook my hot dogs in the air fryer?

The cooking time will vary depending on how powerful the air fryer is.

This thinner and more regular sized hot dog that easily fits the bun can take between 4 and 6 minutes to cook in an air fryer.

For thick hot dogs or sausages, cook the dog for 1 to 2 more minutes.

If you want extra crispy hot dogs, cook them an additional 1 to 2 minutes longer than that.

Generally speaking, if you’re okay with just a fantastic hot dog, you can cook the dogs in a 400 degree Fahrenheit air fryer for at least 5 minutes.

What are the benefits of cooking hot dogs in the air fryer?

Air frying is becoming an increasingly popular way to cook food, and hot dogs are no exception. There are a number of benefits to cooking your hot dogs in the air fryer.

They’ll be cooked evenly and almost perfectly every time.
They’ll taste great.
There’s a thickened exterior on the hot dog.
The buns are almost toasted.
The air fryer is easy to use.
It’s a fast and convenient method.

To start with, scoring each dog before you put them in the air fryer will help ensure that they cook evenly. You can then toast the buns in the air fryer at the same time for an extra bit of flavor. And finally, cooking hot dogs in the air fryer is simple. You should also preheat to 380 degrees Fahrenheit before putting them in, and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, depending on how done you like them.

Are air-fried hot dogs healthier than traditional cooked hot dogs?

Hot dogs are super tasty, that being said, they can be very fattening and they can be terrible for you at the same time. We have all seen the hotdogs at the gas station that are greasy and that look absolutely fantastic, these hot dogs are cooked with extra fat which can make them even more calorie rich.

You also have to take into account the overall buttering of the bun that some people do, that added fat that some people use to cook their dogs, and more. Air fried hot dogs are going to be quick, they are not going to have the added potential carcinogens that might come from the grill, and they are not going to have the added fat and oils that some cooking methods require.

The air fryer is going to cut out a ton of time in the cooking process, you can add whatever healthy topping you like, and you can get a truly delicious hot dog.

What kinds of hot dogs are best for air frying?

You can find all sorts of hot dogs that you can air fry, but some work better than others. Prick or slice the hot dogs before air frying them, as they will not explode this way. If you want a grilled look, make diagonal slits on the dog, but this is optional. Toasting the bun in the air fryer creates the perfect crispy exterior but soft interior bun to put your dog in.

Some of the best brands to choose from are:

Applegate Farms Uncured Beef Hot Dog
Sabrett Frankfurter’s Beef Hot Dog
Hebrew National Beef Franks
BallPark Angus Beef Franks
Oscor Mayer Turkey Original Franks
Hillshire Farm Beef Hot Links
Honest Dogs
Boar’s Head Uncured Beef Frankfurters
Nathan’s Famous Skinless Beef Franks

Tips for air frying the best hot dogs

The first tip you need to follow with air frying a hot dog is to make sure that they are thawed before you put them in the fryer. Unlike boiling a hot dog or throwing it on the grill, if you put a hot dog in the air fryer when it is frozen, you are going to get a hot dog that is warm and delicious on the outside, but still frozen on the inside.

Another tip you need to follow is to consider how many dogs you are putting in at once. You want to avoid overcrowding as this can make your hot dogs limp and less than tasty. You also need to keep in mind that unless you want a hot dog with a crispy exterior, you do not need to add a ton of extra oil or grease to the fryer basket.

You also need to keep a rather close eye on them as they do cook rather quickly in the air fryer. They are a very easy to cook food and the air fryer might be just the right vessel for you to cook them in.

Thaw your hot dogs before cooking
Do not over crowd your basket
Do not add a ton of extra oil
Pay attention to cook times

Safety tips for cooking hot dogs in an air fryer

Your biggest safety concern when cooking a hot dog in the air fryer is that they do tend to burst when they are overcooked or when they get too hot. Just like a hot dog can explode or burst in the microwave, they can burst in the air fryer.

They can also burn quite easily, this is why you need to pay close attention to them. They do have quite a bit of fat in them and if they burst the fat can drip down and cause smoke and potentially a fire if you let them cook for too long without paying attention to them. You do need to make sure you pay close attention to them to prevent issues and to make sure that you are going to get delicious hot dogs at the end of it.

This is especially important if you are putting more than one hot dog or hot dogs with buns into the air fryer all at once. Bread burns very easily and can catch fire or cause smoke that can fill your cooking space and be very dangerous.

Can I cook frozen hot dogs in the air fryer?

Yes, you can cook frozen hot dogs in the air fryer. Try and make slits in the hot dog to help prevent it from bursting or under cooking when it is fried. Air-frying meat helps to reduce cooking time and preserve nutrients, so it’s a sustainable option for smart cooks like you and me!

If you’re short on time or just don’t feel like turning on the oven, microwaving frozen hot dogs for 1 minute on defrost will help to remove the ice. Then you can put them into the air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

In addition, you can also toast the buns right inside the air fryer as well.

What toppings should I add to my hot dog?

There are so many different ways to top your hot dog! The list of toppings is extensive, and it’s hard to choose just a few. For me, my favorite toppings are yellow mustard, chopped onion, and slaw. These side dishes are ideal to be served with hot dogs!

Bacon is a classic topping for air fryer hot dogs. Tex-Mex toppings are also fun and tasty options for air-fried hot dogs.

The most popular way to add toppings is with chili and cheese.

What to serve with air-fried hot dogs

There are many different ways to serve air-fried hot dogs.

Your favorite regional toppings include ketchup, mustard, and French fries! Cheese dogs are a fun twist on the traditional combination of hot dog and American cheese. The perfect accompaniment to fried hot dogs is coney sauce. Hot dogs can be served in either a poppyseed or top-loading bun, depending on which region of the U.S. you’re from!

In Seattle, hot dogs are served with cream cheese and grilled vegetables. Reuben dogs are made by topping a hot dog with sauerkraut, shredded Swiss cheese, and thousand island dressing for dipping. Thai-inspired banh mi style hot dogs can be made by adding shredded carrots, chopped cucumber, sliced jalapenos, cilantro, and vegan Thai salad dressing to the top of your dog! You can serve hot dogs with coleslaw, fresh pickles, and potato chips as side dishes.

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