Making hot dogs in the air fryer is a total game changer for quick family meals. This method delivers perfectly crispy-skinned hot dogs with juicy interiors, paired with golden toasted buns. Once you try this technique, you’ll never go back to boiling, microwaving, or even grilling.
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Why you should make hot dogs in the air fryer
Do you want a quick and delicious meal for the whole family? Top these with your favorite toppings and condiments, and you will soon be on your way to the most delicious hot dogs ever. Do you love those grilled hot dogs? Learn the ultimate way, with this easy air fryer recipe.
Why this is the best recipe for air fried hot dogs
This is an easy way to make flavorful hot dogs. To be honest, once this method was tried in my house, we never went back to boiling, baking, or microwaving them. Best of all, there’s no need to fire up the grill for a cookout when you can make tasty hot dogs in your air fryer.
Ingredients
Here’s all you need to make the best air fryer hot dogs:
- Hot Dogs – pick your favorite brand of hot dog. We enjoy beef hot dogs the best, so brands like Nathan’s, Hebrew National, or whatever Costco is carrying is what we buy.
- Hot Dog Buns – your standard hot dog bun is fine, but if you can find pretzel hot dog buns, you will thank me later.
You can also make air fryer hot dogs with cheese. See the recipe card below for instructions.
How to air fry hot dogs and buns
I like my Phillips Air fryer. I turn up the heat to 390 degrees Fahrenheit. I pop a couple of hot dogs into the preheated air fryer right on the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook them for about 5 to 6 minutes. You should start to see crispy skin at this point.
I like to pull the hot dogs out of the cooker, place them into the hot dog buns, and cook them for 1 to 2 minutes more. This makes the outside of the hot dog bun crispy. Who doesn’t love a crispy bun? And if you add a bit of cheese when you pop them back into the air fryer, the cheese melts perfectly.
Recommendations on hot dog buns
There is an endless variety of hot dog buns you can use for this air fryer hot dogs recipe. Here are some recommendations on what type of hot dog buns you may want to try.
Hot dog buns are a type of bread specifically designed to hold hot dogs or sausages. While the classic hot dog bun is a long, soft, and slightly sweet bun with a split down the middle, there are many variations in size, shape, and texture.
Here are some different types of hot dog buns you may come across:
- Classic buns: As mentioned, classic hot dog buns are soft, slightly sweet, and often made with enriched wheat flour, which gives them their distinctive taste and texture.
- New England-style buns: These are similar to classic hot dog buns but are rectangular and have flat sides instead of rounded ones. They are commonly used for lobster rolls in the Northeastern United States.
- Steamed buns: Also known as Chinese bao buns, steamed hot dog buns are typically made with a mixture of wheat and rice flour and are often used for Asian-inspired hot dogs, such as ones topped with pickled vegetables or kimchi.
- Pretzel buns: Pretzel buns have a chewy texture and a slightly salty, crusty exterior. They are a popular alternative to classic hot dog buns and are often used for gourmet or artisanal hot dogs.
- Sourdough buns: Sourdough hot dog buns are made with sourdough starter, which gives them a tangy flavor and a slightly denser texture than classic hot dog buns.
- Gluten-free buns: Gluten-free hot dog buns are made with alternative flours, such as rice, potato, or almond flour, to accommodate those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
- Wheat buns: I do not recommend placing these into an air fryer; they will dry out. This is because wheat buns contain more fiber and protein than white buns.
Overall, the type of hot dog bun you choose can significantly impact the overall taste and texture of your hot dog or sausage, and there are many options to suit different dietary needs and flavor preferences.
What can you serve with hot dogs?
These hot dogs can make a meal on their own, but here are a few suggestions:
- Potato Salad: A classic side dish that’s perfect for summer barbecues.
- Baked Beans: A sweet and savory side dish that adds a hearty touch to your hot dog meal.
- Corn on the Cob: Grilled or boiled, this sweet and juicy veggie is an excellent complement to hot dogs.
- Coleslaw: A tangy, creamy side dish that adds a refreshing crunch to your hot dog meal.
- French Fries: Regular, crinkle-cut, or waffle fries are a classic pairing with hot dogs.
- Broccoli Pasta Salad: A cold pasta dish packed with veggies and dressing is a great side dish for hot dogs.
- Potato Chips: From plain to flavored, they’re a quick and easy side for hot dogs.
- Tortilla Chips and Salsa: A crunchy and spicy snack perfect for dipping or topping your hot dog.
- Watermelon: A sweet and juicy fruit perfect for a hot summer day.
- Spicy Macaroni and Cheese: A creamy and cheesy pasta dish perfect for satisfying your comfort food cravings.
- Fruit Salad: A sweet and refreshing dish perfect for a light and healthy side.
- Pickles: A tangy and crunchy snack perfect for munching on between bites of a hot dog.
Whether you’re grilling for a crowd or just looking for something quick and easy, these side dishes are sure to be a hit!
10 Unforgetable hot dog toppings combinations you must try!
Here are many great options for you to try with his easy hot dog recipe. I know that you will find that the air fryer method is the way to make a perfectly cooked hot dog.
- Classic Ketchup and Mustard: Never underestimate the power of the classic combination. A timeless classic for a reason!
- Caramelized Onions: Slow-cook sliced onions in butter until they’re golden and sweet, then heap them on top of your hot dog.
- The New Yorker: Try this with Sabrett Onions
- Swiss cheese, mustard, and sauerkraut: Fermented cabbage adds a tangy, slightly sour flavor to your hot dog.
- Chili cheese dogs: Warm, meaty chili makes a delicious topping for hot dogs, especially when topped with a handful of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Cheese: Shredded cheddar, Swiss, or American cheese can all be melted over a hot dog to create a delicious and gooey topping.
- Guacamole: Rich and creamy guacamole makes a delicious topping for hot dogs, especially when combined with a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
- Salsa: Fresh salsa adds flavor and a little heat to your hot dog.
- Coleslaw: Sweet and tangy coleslaw is a classic topping for hot dogs, especially in summer. Try my KFC coleslaw.
- BBQ Sauce, dill pickle relish, and chopped onion: Tangy and sweet, a drizzle of BBQ sauce can add some serious flavor to your hot dog.
Frequently asked questions about air fryer hot dogs
Most air fryer baskets can easily accommodate 4 to 6 hot dogs, this depends upon the size of your air fryer. Be sure to place the hot dogs on a single layer without overcrowding them. The hot dogs should not be touched to ensure even cooking.
Typically 3-4 minutes at 400°F (200°C) for standard hot dogs. If you have jumbo hot dogs, you may need to add 1 to 2 minutes to the cooking time.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Cook for 4 to 6 minutes. There is no need to thaw frozen hot dogs to cook them.
Yes, a quick 2-3 minute preheat helps ensure even cooking. Preheating to 400°F is recommended for best results.
While not strictly necessary, flipping halfway through cooking ensures even browning.
Hot dogs will have a slightly crispy exterior. Light grill marks or browning will appear.
This usually happens when cooking at too high a temperature. You can score them lightly before cooking to prevent splitting. Some splitting is normal and doesn’t affect taste.
More Favorite and Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Air Fryer Baked Potato
- Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
- Air Fryer Broccoli
- Air Fryer Carrots
- Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
- Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
- Air Fryer Potato Wedges
- Air Fryer Tempura
- Sweet and Spicy Chicken Wings
Get the best recipes for restaurant appetizers and restaurant side dishes.
Air Fryer Hot Dogs – Crispy & Juicy in 5 Minutes
Ingredients
- 2 hot dogs
- 2 hot dog buns
- 2 tablespoons grated cheese if desired
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 390°F for about 4 minutes.
- Place two hot dogs into the air fryer and cook for about 5 minutes. Remove the hot dogs from the air fryer.
- Place each hot dog in a bun and add cheese if desired.
- Return the dressed hot dogs to the air fryer and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
Does it matter if you use “skinless” hotdogs or not? I only like natural casing hotdogs. I think they have more grease…is that bad for the fryer?
It does not matter.
Do you use the basket for hot dogs?
hi im ken and i made fried chicken and wedgies fries in my airfryer plus a can of green beans i can cook almost anything in my new airfryer.
Yes. Mine has the basket and a small pot with a bail on it. I haven’t really used the pot for anything yet. If you use the basket, the grease drips below. I suppose you could do it without the basket, but the dogs will be sitting in the grease.
I don’t own an air fryer yet; but am very interested in how they work. Do you put only “fresh” ingredients in there, or can you use them for pre-packaged “oven fry” items? (Like Ore-Ida fries or Tyson Chicken Tenders).
How easy is clean up without a dishwasher?
Thanks for your input.
You can put anything you want in there. I like to put in a variety of foods. If you are going pre packaged foods, I think you should make sure they are already par-cooked like “oven fry” foods. You need to clean the insides every time after using because if you don’t the grease will build up and become hard to clean.
Maryann I did a lot of research before I purchased mine and in IMO, the best for your money and performance is the nuwave air fryer. I hope this info helps you in your purchase of an air fryer
That’s most likely the one model I didn’t try. I tried the black and decker, two of the panisonics, and I now have another one for the life of my I can’t of what the name is. I would let your family size help guide you into which one you should get.
I love my Newave Air Fryer
I recently got an air fryer. I do not think you could find a kitchen utensil that is easier to clean. And I am really picky about that. It’s wonderful! Just use some warm soapy water in the sink. I haven’t use mine and off a lot yet. But in a matter of seconds it is spotless.
I hotdogs in my air fryer last weekend, They were so good, better than unevenly cooked ones over the campfire. My daughter, granddaughter and I really liked them. I am just looking through different recipes for future ideas.
It’s really just a small convection oven, so you can use these for all sorts of things.
Our favorite hot dogs are sliced not quite through in a long strip. Stuff thin sliced sharp cheese in, Then wrap in a bacon slice. How can this be done in the air fryer?
I would do it just the same. Slice the hotdog, place in the cheese, and then wrap with bacon and cook it 😉
Love to try the hot dogs.. I would have to cook more than 2 though.. Maybe 6…would I still use the same time and temp?
Yes, you can cook more than 2 hotdogs in there at one time. Depending upon the size of your air fryer, all of the buns may not fit in there at once. I don’t think there will be a huge difference of the cooking time.
Would love to try hot dogs but my fryer only go’s up to 200 degrees
Well just leave it there for a few more minutes. How hard is that?
Rob,the recipe temp is 390 F. Check your air fryer. Your temperatures might be in Celcius
Interesting, I want to try it now.
This is the first time I have seen anyone address cooking in the air fryer. I hope you will continue to so as I really enjoy mine for frozen, breaded fish fillets and fries. Great little appliance though it is a single purpose tool, which I normally shy away from. Had one given to me by my cousin and after it died I bought another.
You can use these to cook, I have roasted vegetables in there, made baked potatoes. It really is just a convection oven.
Love you on CopyKat.com. Love your air fry recipes.
Will you marry me?
????
Sorry Georje… I want her… ; )
My 1st time using this…I tried it with the hot dos and toasted buns…I liked them because you can tell they are not boiled…almost like grill cooking…lot easier to use instead of going out in 4* weather and about a foot of snow to use the grill…lol
I just got my air fryer and haven’t tried it yet. Need to get a cookbook for it. You make it seem easy to use
Your hot dogs show grill marks; did you put them on a rack?
Try Wrapping Bacon around the Hot Dogs. Break a Toothpick in half to hold the Bacon in Place. cook two to three minutes longer. Let me know what you think.
I think I am sad I didn’t think of that before you just wrote it!
the only problem is, you have to be careful cooking chicken, because you can undercook it
according to the instructions
Certainly underdone chicken is not healthy.
I can tell you from (painful) experience, neither is underdone pork.
I brown my frozen Meatballs in my air fryer. 10 minutes 400 degrees.
That’s a great idea!
Please add more air fryer recipes. French fries crispy, tater tots and veggie tots too. I use mine almost every day.
Silky question, do you put the hot dogs in frozen or thawed? Love my Phillips Air Fryer and can’t wait to try this!
Mine are always frozen. They come out perfect!
It seems a long time to cook thawed hot dogs. Stephanie, however, does not say they are frozen, so we should assume they are thawed/refrigerated hot dogs.
Right, Stephanie?
I hope she gives us more good sir fryer recipes in future.
The hot dogs were not frozen in my cooking instructions.
The hot dogs are not frozen in the cooking instructions.
LOVE the Air Fry recipes!! Keep them coming!!
Hope you’ll be adding more air fryer recipes! I’ve also done hot dogs in the air fryer & love the way they turn out. (I’m from the Boston area, so I like my buns “toasted” on the sides & split on the top, which I do in a fry pan.) I also love the way you can cook (or reheat) a steak in the air fryer! Comes out perfect – & doesn’t seem to further cook a steak you’re reheating. It’s one of my favorite appliances these days!
I’m from the Boston area too and I like my hot dogs cooked the same way. I will definitely try this out with my air fryer.