AIR FRYER HOT DOGS

Read Time: 3 minutes
by Karen
16 comments

Until recently the only way I could eat a hot dog is if it was grilled. I love the charred taste on my dogs. I’ve now discovered air fryer hot dogs and honestly, I may never go back. It’s quicker and easier and the air fryer gives them that grilled taste without having to warm up the bbq. I know once you’ve tried it you’ll love them too!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Makes hot dogs that taste just like grilled.
It’s quick & easy.
You don’t need a grill or boiling water.

What Ingredients Do I Need

Good quality wieners – I used artisanal all-natural jumbo beef hot dogs but you can use any jumbo hot dog. If you use regular-sized hot dogs just shorten the cooking time.
Hot dog buns – Again I used a larger-sized bun for the jumbo hot dogs.
Topping ingredients – I like mustard, ketchup, relish, and onion but you can you any toppings you like and I’ve included some suggestions later in this post.

How To Make Hot Dogs In An Air Fryer

Add hot dogs to the basket of your air fryer in a single layer.

Adjust the temperature to 400F and set the timer for 4 minutes.
Check after 4 mins and shake the basket to turn the wieners if desired. Cook for another 1-2 minutes or until the hot dog casing starts to look brown and just a little blistered but not split open. This will let the juices out.

Add wieners to warmed buns and top with your favorite toppings.

Recipe Tips and Tricks For Success

Don’t add more than 1 layer of wieners to the basket or they may not cook evenly.
Don’t allow the hot dog casings to split as this will let the juice out.

Storage Tips

These are best served immediately while still hot but if you have leftovers they can be refrigerated in a sealed container for up to a week and reheated for 3-4 minutes in the air fryer. Make sure not to overcook.

A wooden board with 2 hot dogs and fried on it. On the side there is a small bowl of relish and 2 hot dog buns.

What Are The Best Hot Dog Toppings?

My favorites are Dijon mustard, relish, ketchup, and chopped white onions but there are many things you could top your dog with. Here’s some inspiration;

Yellow or grainy mustard
Grated Cheese – you could use any hard cheese but cheddar is a popular topping
Chili
Sauercraut
Coleslaw
Sauteed or caramelized onions
Sauteed peppers
Bacon pieces
Chopped tomato
BBQ sauce
Pickled jalapenos

A wooden board with 2 hot dogs and a side of fries on it.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS;

Do I need to slice the top of the weiners before cooking? No you don't need to perforate the hot dogs when air frying. I have never had a hot dog burst. They may split a little when cooking if done too long but this is fine.

Can I cook frozen hot dogs in an air fryer? Yes. Preheat the air fryer to 350F and add the hot dogs in a single layer. Cook regular sized hot dogs for about 5-6 minutes and jumbo sized for about 6-7 minutes or until the skin looks brown and a little blistered.

Are hot dogs better in an air fryer or microwave? I find that hot dogs cooked in an air fryer cook more evenly and consistantly than in a microwave. Cooking in a microwave may cause hot spots where some parts are overdone and some underdone. Cooking in an air fryer also more closely resembles grilled hot dogs with a crispy skin.