Air Fryer Hot Dogs

Air Fryer Hot Dogs cook in minutes and are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Your family will love air fried hot dogs and I vouch that the air fryer is the best way to cook them!

I am a big fan of air fryer cooking. So when several readers asked me "can you put hot dogs in the air fryer?", I knew I had to show you how they come out. Yes, you CAN put hot dogs in the air fryer and they are the best hot dog you'll eat!

While my husband and I love to eat a grilled hot dog outside, there are times when the weather is not cooperating or we just want to have our food ready quicker than doing the work to get the grill ready and so on. Air fried hot dogs are simple to make and take very little cooking time. If you want an inside hot dog, the air fryer is the way to go for a perfectly cooked hot dog.

You can serve different toppings so the whole family is happy. Cooking them this way is a game changer and an easy way to get a weeknight meal on your table fast.

Ingredients

It doesn't take many ingredients to make juicy hot dogs that taste as good as the ones from the ball park.

• hot dogs - there are so many varieties but we like the deli style hot dogs like Sabretts, Nathans and Hebrew National beef franks.
• buns - I like a soft bun that is slightly toasted.
• toppings - see below and serve with your favorite toppings.

See recipe card below for exact quantity of ingredients and directions.

How to Cook Air Fryer Hot Dogs

Hint: Make sure to score the hot dogs with a sharp knife as that will give crispy edges and nice marks on the hot dogs.

Cooking Tips

• For best results, don't overcrowd your air fryer basket. The hot dogs cook quickly so you can easily cook in batches if nesessary and depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Preheat your air fryer if required.
• No oil is needed for these hot dogs but they taste as good as deep fried hot dogs minus the grease.
• Serve with a variety of condiments and toppings.
• To keep assembled hot dogs warm, turn off the air fryer but keep the hotdogs in the toasted buns before serving.
• Learn about freezing and defrosting hot dogs HERE.

Equipment

Different air fryers each work a little differently. I have an air fryer oven which contains two racks and fits a large amount of food and a smaller air fryer with a compact basket. Any air fryer works to cook hot dogs but typically I only cook a few hot dogs at a time so my small basket air fryer works perfectly.

Toppings for Air Fryer Hot Dogs

To me, cooked hot dogs are a blank canvas where you can add as little or as many toppings as you like. I keep some homemade classic toppings in my fridge but there is no shame in using store bought condiments or sauces. Here are some suggestions to top off the perfect hot dog:

• ketchup, mustard or relish - everyone has their own favorite brands. I prefer spicy brown mustard.
• Onions in Sauce - as a kid I loved getting a hot dog in NYC with the blue and yellow umbrellas. You can make theme yourself or I always keep a jar of these Sabrett onions in my fridge. Crispy Fried Onions are also a favorite topping of mine.
• classic chili - I always keep some chili in the freezer to have on hand for topping hot dogs. Who doesn't love chili dogs?
• sliced or diced onions - either raw or sauteed
• salsa - I love corn and black bean salsa on a hot dog but my favorite jarred salsa works well too.
• melted cheese - my family loves cheese dogs
• sauerkraut - If you are really adventurous, you could try making your own homemade sauerkraut in a mason jar.

Leftovers/ Storage

I barely ever cook hotdogs then store the leftovers just because they are so easy to make fresh. But I don't like to waste anything so if I do have some leftover, I keep them well wrapped in plastic wrap or foil for up to 2 days in my refridgerator.

The leftovers can be microwaved for 30 to 60 seconds or reheated in the air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes.

I like to slice leftover hotdogs then pan fry them with potatoes to make a great breakfast hash to serve with eggs. You could also add them to baked beans or fried rice to make and turn a side dish into a more hearty main dish.

FAQ

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RECIPE

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