Pin it
I stumbled on the coolest way to make hot dogs—popping them in the air fryer! When summer hit and I couldn't be bothered to start up the grill for just a couple dogs, I tried this instead. They turned out fantastic! The outside gets this awesome crispiness while keeping all the juiciness locked inside. My children actually like these better than grilled ones now—they can't get enough of that satisfying pop when they take a bite!
What Makes These So Fantastic
These are crazy fast and simple! They're done in about 5 minutes with zero babysitting needed. The other day when my kid's teammates showed up after soccer, I whipped up hot dogs for everyone super quick. What's really cool? You get that same yummy grilled flavor without any hassle. And you can even warm the buns right in there too—total lifesaver!
Stuff You'll Want
- Main Items: Quality hot dogs (Hebrew National works great), some fresh buns, a bit of cooking spray, and maybe some cheese slices if you're feeling extra.
- Add-ons: Regular yellow mustard, your go-to ketchup, chopped onions, pickle relish, or anything else you love on your dog!
Time To Cook
- Getting Ready
- First, heat up your air fryer to about 350°F. Give a quick spritz of cooking spray—nobody wants stuck hot dogs! Put them in just one layer—they need room to get crispy everywhere.
- Where It All Happens
- Just five minutes does the trick! No need to turn them; they brown up evenly. While they cook, I usually set out all the fixings—everyone loves building their own dog.
- Going Next Level
- If you want them super crispy, leave them in a minute longer. For cheese lovers, stick a slice in with the dog and pop it back in for about 90 seconds—so gooey and good!
Pin it
Adding Your Favorites
Here's where the fun starts! My little girl sticks with just mustard, while my boy piles his high like they do in Chicago (but skips the celery salt). Sometimes I'll heat up some chili for chili cheese dogs—talk about comfort food! Just lay everything out and let everyone fix their dog exactly how they want it.
Little Extras
Want to make them even better? Warm those buns right in the air fryer—they get these amazing crispy edges. I sometimes brush butter inside the buns first—so tasty! During parties, I just keep the air fryer running so folks can grab hot dogs whenever they want—it's like having your own hot dog stand at home!
Easy Cleanup
Tidying up couldn't be simpler—just wipe down the basket! If you're cooking lots, keep your first batch warm in the oven on low while making more. Though honestly, in my house they get gobbled up so fast I rarely need to worry about keeping them warm!
Switch Things Up
Give different hot dog types a try—the natural casing ones get super crispy! Play around with cheese options—pepper jack adds a nice kick. I once made some pizza-style dogs with mozzarella and a bit of pasta sauce—the kids couldn't get enough! That's what makes it fun—you can totally make them your own way!
Pin it
The Beauty Of It All
This isn't just cooking hot dogs—it's about getting a tasty meal ready in no time. They're perfect for crazy weeknights, surprise visitors, or when you just want that ballpark taste at home. And somehow they taste even better because they're so darn easy to make!
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Do I need to heat the air fryer first?
- It's not a must, but warming it up can help. Check your model's manual if you're unsure, as preheating might save a bit of time.
- → Can I pick other types of hot dogs?
- Absolutely! Use pork, beef, turkey, or veggie options—just keep in mind different sizes or types may vary in cook time.
- → How do I include cheese in these?
- Place the cheese in the bun before adding your hot dog. Cook for 90 seconds to melt the cheese while the bread gets toasted.
- → Is it okay to cook a lot at once?
- Don't overfill the air fryer. If you need to make several, it's better to do a few at a time for even results.
- → What are good topping ideas?
- Mustard, onions, ketchup, pickles, sauerkraut, or chili all work great. Add your personal faves to mix things up!