A lot of people asked me, “Can you cook hot dogs in the air fryer?” My answer is a resounding YES.
Air fryer hots dogs taste similar to grilled hot dogs- crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. With the right timer setup, you don’t have to worry about overcooked and dried out hot dogs anymore. You can even make a large batch of hot dogs to feed your whole family.
Can You Cook Frozen Hot Dogs In Air Fryer?
Yes, you can cook frozen hot dogs in the air fryer. I have actually cooked a lot of frozen hot dogs in the air fryer because I have a lot of stocks in the freezer and they taste the same as you would with fresh hot dogs.
The only difference is the cooking time. You need to add three minutes more to cook the hot dogs thoroughly.
How Long Does It Take To Cook Hot Dogs In An Air Fryer?
Hot dogs normally cook for around five minutes in the air fryer. For frozen hot dogs, you have to increase the time to 8 minutes.
Add two minutes more to cook the hot dog with the frozen buns. Add an extra minute to make the buns extra crispy.
How To Cook Hot Dogs In The Air Fryer
Air fryer hot dogs are easy to make. They also taste good just like grilled hot dogs. Check the things you’ll need and the instructions below.
What You’ll Need
- Air Fryer
The air fryer will be your best friend in this recipe. It will cook your hot dogs equally all the way around in less than 10 minutes. You can use any air fryer you want.
For me, I use the COSORI Air Fryer which has a 3.7-quartz basket that can serve 2-3 people. It has 11 presets including Preheat to reduce the guesswork in using this unit. The temperature offers a range from 170 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Hot Dogs
You can use any type of hot dog in this recipe. Beef, chicken, pork, or vegetarian, your options are endless. Beef franks are my favorite because they taste good with all the umami flavors and spices.
Hot dogs may be labeled as Kosher, Angus, Premium, and Classic. Certified Angus refers to a brand of beef and not an official designation. It doesn’t essentially make it a better hot dog than other types of hot dogs.
Kosher means that hot dogs don’t contain pork. Premium and Classic labels are simply marketing terms and not specifically meaningful.
- Hot Dog Buns
Hot dogs taste better with hot dog buns. You can use any kind of buns- low-carb, wheat, or white. I personally love the New England Split-Top Frankfurter Hot Dog Bun because they taste incredibly fresh. There’s already a slit on top so you don’t need to use a knife.
- Tongs
You’ll need a good pair of tongs to help rotate the hot dogs on the other side to cook evenly. They’re also helpful in putting the hot dogs into the bun. To protect the non-stick coating of your air fryer basket, look for tongs with silicone tips.
- Knife
A knife is helpful in making slits to your frozen hot dog. It’s also useful in cutting the hot dog bun into half to fit the hot dog inside.
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Preheat The Air Fryer
Select the Preheat button in your air fryer. If your unit has no designated button for preheating, set the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and let it run for five minutes.
- Prepare The Ingredients
Gather the ingredients- hot dogs and hot dog buns. Slice the hot dog buns in the middle if they’re not sliced yet using a knife. Also, create little slits on top of the hot dogs to ensure that they don’t burst open while cooking.
- Add The Hot Dogs
After the unit is preheated, place the hot dogs in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Give space to each hot dog to give room for air circulation. Close the air fry basket to get them ready to cook.
- Cook The Hot Dogs
Cook the hot dogs for five minutes. For frozen hot dogs, you need to cook them longer up to eight minutes. Halfway through, use your tongs to rotate the hot dogs to cook the other side.
- Transfer Hot Dogs To Buns
Once your hot dogs are done, remove them from the air fryer basket. Put each hot dog to a bun and return them into the air fryer basket for toasting.
- Cook The Hot Dogs With Buns
Cook them for another two minutes at the same temperature, 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This will give your buns an extra crisp.
- Serve And Enjoy
Serve warm and enjoy your hot dogs with your favorite toppings. I like my hot dogs with grated cheese, ketchup, and mustard on top. You can also pair it with french fries and mac & cheese.
Additional Pro Tips
If you like to cut back the time in cooking frozen hot dogs, consider defrosting them for 30-60 minutes in the microwave oven.
If you want to buy hot dogs in bulk, freeze them properly. Put the hot dogs in a single layer (one inch apart) on top of a parchment paper-covered baking sheet. Freeze for 1-2 hours and transfer in a freezer-proof bag.
For extra greasy hot dogs, add a bit of water to the bottom tray. This will help prevent the air fryer to smoke.
Have Some Air Fryer Hot Dogs Today!
Everybody loves hot dogs because they’re simply delicious. They taste even better when they’re grilled. However, grills are inconvenient during winter so air fryers make a good alternative.
Air fryers can make your hot dogs taste as you grilled them without the charred taste and hassle of cooking. All you need is five minutes.
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