Make the VERY BEST hot dogs ever in the air fryer! Cooked in less than 10 minutes, these hot dogs are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and nestled in a toasted bun. This fast, easy way to serve up a family favorite treat is great whether you are feeding a hungry family or a crowd.
Featured Comment
“Outstanding! I won’t ever do dogs any other way! Thank you so much for this great recipe, it was “spot on”!
Karen H.
I have had a love affair with hot dogs for years. Whether they are served at a ballgame, at a backyard cookout, on a camping trip, or for a weeknight meal, I’ll be the first one in line to grab one.
But hold on, I don’t want just any hot dog. I want one that’s juicy and perfectly cooked with slightly crispy skin. And let’s not forget about the bun. I want it to be toasted and ready to hold all the yummy toppings that go on a hot dog.
Recently, I found the ultimate way to enjoy the BEST hot dog and it’s all about air frying! Cooking hot dogs in the air fryer takes just 6 minutes, and another 2 minutes are needed to toast the bun. These babies turn out perfectly whether you are cooking one for yourself or making a meal for your family.
Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Hot Dogs
Air Frying is easy, quick and clean-up is almost nonexistent since the basket goes into the dishwasher. There are no coals to heat up or heading outside to fire up the grill. So now, you don’t have to wait for summer to enjoy a perfectly cooked hot dog in a toasted bun…just grab your air fryer and go for it!
What You Need For This Recipe
- Hot Dogs – choose your favorite brand of high-quality hot dogs. I prefer either Hebrew National or Nathans.
- Hot Dog Buns – select buns that are pre-cut and fit the length of the hot dog.
- Toppings – mustard, ketchup, chili, slaw, sauerkraut, relish are a few of the favorites in my house.
Why Cut Slits In Hot Dogs Before Cooking?
- Even Cooking: Since hot dogs are cylindrical, and if you cook them without slits, they can sometimes burst open as they heat up. Cutting slits allows the heat to penetrate evenly, reducing the risk of them bursting.
- Faster Cooking: Slits help the heat reach the center of the hot dog more quickly.
- Texture and Flavor: I like to cut slits because it makes the hot dog a bit crispier on the outside.
- Toppings Holder: The little slits allow all the yummy toppings to kind of sink into the hot dog! Who doesn’t love that?
About The Air Fryer
The key to successfully cooking in an air fryer is to test and practice with different foods. I use a Power XL Air Fryer and have had excellent results. All the settings are easy to understand, and the heat stays consistent, producing beautiful results. Here are some of my top air fryer recipes:
- Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
- Air Fryer Whole Chicken
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Air Fryer Green Beans
Tips For Making The Best Air Fryer Hot Dogs
- Before cooking, make slits in each hot dog. You don’t need to do this, but I like to because those little edges get extra crispy and hold the delicious toppings.
- Brush the top of each bun with softened butter. This is totally optional, but I think it adds a bit of flavor and helps the bun toast to a beautiful golden color.
- There is no need to preheat the air fryer, and no oil is needed.
Storing And Reheating
Store any leftover hot dogs in an airtight container for up to 4 days. You can also freeze cooked air fryer hot dogs in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
To reheat, place the hot dogs in the air fryer set to 350 degrees, for 3 minutes. You can also heat them in the microwave.
What To Serve With The BEST Hot Dogs
Everyone has their favorite toppings to add to their hot dog, and I’m no different. For me, it’s yellow mustard, chopped onion, and creamy cole slaw. But, you can get creative, too, and pile on all kinds of goodies.
After the toppings, you’ve got to have some side dishes, right? Whether you’re serving these hot dogs for Memorial Day, Labor Day, a family cookout, or a simple weeknight meal, these dishes are ideal to serve alongside your perfectly cooked dogs!
- Tomato Cucumber Salad
- Macaroni Salad
- Southwest Ranch Dip and Chips
- Cucumber and Onion Refrigerator Pickles
- Pineapple BBQ Baked Beans
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 4-8 hot dogs
- 4-8 hot dog buns
- softened butter
Instructions
- Take hot dogs out of package. Cut slits in each hot dog and place them in the basket of the air fryer.
- Set temperature to 400 degrees and timer to 6 minutes. Slide basket into the air fryer and press the start/power button. At the end of the cooking time, carefully remove the basket. Place one hot dog into each bun. Brush on softened butter (optional) and place hog dogs in buns back in the air fryer.
- Set the temperature to 400 degrees and the timer to 2 minutes. At the end of the cooking time, carefully remove hot dogs from the basket and serve with your favorite toppings.
Want To Know More About Air Frying?
If you are new to cooking with an Air Fryer or just don’t know where to start, I’ve got something to help. I’ve put together a helpful guide with tips and recipes to get you using the Air Fryer like a pro!
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It was easy and delicious!
My husband won’t have to use the outdoor grill ever again to cook hot dogs. These were so yummy! Love how soft the rolls were!
Awesome!!! Ty for sharing this delicious recipe! 😋 ❤️
Great recipe ! Will not do hotdogs any other way. Delicious !!!
Excellent!!!
Followed your recipe, turned out great
Thx!
My husband hates the air fryer, lack of oil taste. He loved this recipe. It was fantastic and gave the crispness we love without being burnt. We used Oscar Meyer classic all-beef hot dogs.
Awesome! Thank you for the terrific rating.
~Donya
These turned out GREAT !! The buns toasted up perfectly !!
THANKS !!!
Outstanding! I won’t ever do dogs any other way! Thank you so much for this great recipe, it was “spot on”!
So simple and it works great! We didn’t even put butter on the hotdogs and it was delicious!
Thanks so much for the great rating!
~Donya
This is an amazing way to cook a simple meal. We’ve been nuking hot dogs in the buns for years and they were ok but not a fave. Quick in a pinch when folks were hungry. I tried this today. My hubs said he only needed one. I made him two, which he polished off and asked why I didn’t make more. Mission accomplished! We used Land O Lakes “everything” butter on the buns – so good. Sauerkraut, ketchup mustard-done! Thanks! I will have to che k your other recipes for air fryer for sure!
I toasted my buns without hotdog in them
First time hot dogs in air fryer
Perfect cooked shell moist soft
Center easy delicious fast
Thank you for sharing your
Recipes there filled with goodness 👍
You are the best, Aeil! thanks so much.
~Donya
Perfect recipe! Thanks!
Great recipe!!! Did the buns with butter and it was so good!! Had to do a couple extra minutes because we had 1/2 lb hot dogs but really good!
This really is a game changer. I love to grill in the back yard but that is not a year round activity in the Colorado Rockies and it isn’t practical for just a couple of dogs. I have Nuwave 3.5 qt fryer. With skin on franks like Hofmann beef franks it took a couple of more minutes (8) to get a crisp outer. But this is my new go to for hot dogs.
Thanks, Jack!
I’m so mad at myself. Here I stand in front of the air fryer just wanting to know temp and time while toddlers scream in the background scrolling through the entire thing to find out not realizing you put a super convenient button right there at the top. Thank you they are now eating and the house is quiet if just for this one moment.
Donya, we only eat hot dogs a couple of times a year, but your recipe is the only one we use since finally getting an air fryer at Costco. As you said, put anything you want on it, but I combined it with a favorite Publix Seattle Piggy Tails recipe even adding the onion to the air fryer and it worked perfectly. Thanks!! I think I can remember your perfect timing of 6 min. At 400 for the “dogs” and onion rounds, then 2 minutes for dogs in bun.
I just bought an air fryer and was scared to death of it. I tried these hot dogs and WOW! they were crispy and the buns were perfect! Thanks so much.
Followed this recipe as written and found it to work out great! Would highly suggest it.
Making Hot Dogs, baked beans and dirty rice tomorrow evening for my twin daughters. Looking forward to using this recipe. Thanks again for offering it.
Delicious. It made the bun perfectly crisp!
WOW! You’ve made my day. Thanks for sharing.
I appreciate your terrific rating!
~Donya
Hi Donya. I have a Ninja 9n1 air fryer and have been steadily using it for a variety of different types of foods. Came across your hot dogs and had to give it a go. I have to let mine preheat first, if I put them in while it’s heating, they’re already half done when it finally comes to temperature. No biggie. I put the the finished hot dogs in the bun, in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds. That actually softened the buns while retaining their crispy toasted exterior. Thanks for your post!
These were delicious. Perfectly cooked as well as the buns!! Thank you
Thanks so much for the great comment and the terrific rating!
~Donya
Love it and thank you.
Worked to perfection, delicious!! 😋
Does this work for Eckrich smokey link sausages?
I don’t know about that since I’ve only cooked hot dogs.
~Donya
I was looking for a quick fix dinner and this worked great. In summer, hot dogs belong on a grill but in the winter this method worked just fine.
Tried this and loved it using New England style hot dog buns. Fast, easy and delicious.
Sound great. Thank you for the outstanding rating!
~Donya
Best way to make hot dogs! I refuse to cook it any other way now. It’s crispy and juicy.
Hey there Kristine!
I honestly couldn’t agree with you more, I’ve been using this method ever since the first time I tried it, there’s no better hot dog than an Air Fryer Hot Dog! Thank you so much for your kind words and your fantastic rating, I really appreciate your support! Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you ever have any questions about a recipe, I’m always happy to help!
~Donya
I had never thought about putting butter on buns and putting the hotdogs in them and airfrying for more time. Absolutely delicious! We added mustard, onions and chill and had a gourmet hotdog in no time! Thanks!!
Hey there Kathie!
I am so happy to hear that you found your way to this recipe, Air Frying the buttered buns with the hot dogs really takes the whole dish to the next level! If you enjoyed this recipe, you should check out my Air Fryer Chicken Wings, they’re super simple to prepare and perfect for game days or entertaining friends, I’d love to hear what you think. Thank you so much for your kind words and your phenomenal rating, I really appreciate your support!
~Donya
Love hot dogs in the air fryer. Here where I’m at we have a local manufacturer that makes meats, they are called SMITHS and they make the best hot dogs out of any I’ve tried in the country! Look up smiths provisions online and you can order to ship, they are amazing !
Hey there Brian!
Thank you so much for your kind words and your wonderful recommendation, I will definitely check out Smiths Provisions, I’m always looking for good high quality ingredients. Let me know if you ever have any questions about a recipe, I’d be happy to help, I really appreciate your support!
~Donya
Have to say they were great cooked only 5 minutes. BBQ can wait now.
Hey there Diana!
Wow! I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed this recipe, it makes for a quick and easy lunch or dinner, and it’ll be perfect for Memorial Day Weekend! Thank you so much for your kind words and your fantastic rating, I really appreciate your support! If you ever have any questions about a recipe, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
~Donya
Absolutely delicious!! My family all agreed to never eat a hot dogs made any other way again!! I love my air fryer but would have never thought to put hot dogs in it lol. Love how the skin is crispy but not burnt like on the grill. And those buttery toasted bun are great as well. Never thought I give a hotdog recipe 5 stars, but here it is!!
Hey there Tami!
WOW! Reading this outstanding review has me smiling ear to ear, I am so happy to hear that you and your family enjoyed this recipe. I completely agree with you, once I tried these Air Fryer Hot Dogs I just haven’t been able to go back to the grilled version, I think the warm buttered bun is definitely the selling point. Thank you so very much for your phenomenal rating and your kind words of support, I appreciate it! If you ever have any questions about a recipe, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
~Donya
You have convinced me to get an air fryer!!! I am eager to try all your air fryer recipes. My granddaughter made delicious food in hers last summer when we visited. I am looking at one that combines a toaster, fryer and convection oven but am not sure it would give the same results as yours. I am reluctant to use up any more counter space in my smaller kitchen but could replace my small toaster oven with the combo. Any advice?
Hey Margaret,
I’ve not used one of the combo units. I would look at the comments and ratings on those appliances and then go from there. When I’m not using my air fryer, I store it in my cabinet. I know what you mean about taking up too much counter space.
Hope you enjoy your new air fryer!
~Donya
These hotdogs were delicious! I’ve cooked them in the air fryer before, but those buttered buns, cooked perfectly in the air fryer! A little crispy on the outside and tender and buttery inside! Also, scoring the hot dogs really kicked it up! My new hotdog recipe!
Hey there Shirley!
Thank you so much for your kind words, I am so happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe! I completely agree with you, the buttery Hot Dog buns make all the difference. Thank you so much for your support, I hope you have a great rest of your day!
~Donya
OMGoodness!!! The hot dogs are wonderful like this and so darned easy!! Thank you so very, very much!!
Hey there Susan!
Thank you so much for your sweet words and your phenomenal rating! I am so happy that you enjoyed this recipe, this is one of the easiest and tastiest dinner’s you can make, perfect for busy weeknights. I really appreciate your support, I hope you have a great rest of your day!
~Donya
Just tried this. Hot Dogs came out perfect! My new favorite way to cook Hot Dogs!
Hey there James!
I am absolutely thrilled to hear you enjoyed this recipe, honestly I haven’t made a Hot Dog any other way since I tried Air Frying. Thank you so much for this terrific rating and your kind words, if you ever have any questions about a recipe please feel free to reach out!
~Donya
We did hotdogs in the air fryer for the first time tonight, using your directions. Thanks!
Hey there Marzee!
I am so happy to hear you gave them a try! It might seem like an unconventional way to cook a Hot Dog, but I just love how the buns get perfectly toasted. Thanks so much for your support, if you ever have any questions just let me know!
~Donya
Delicious and easy. I guess there’s nothing you can’t cook in the air fryer. Thank you for the recipe!
Hey there Sue!
Thank you so much for this terrific rating and your kind words! I am so happy you enjoyed this recipe, it’s one of my favorite quick and easy dinners. You said it right, everything is better Air Fried! Thank you for your support, I hope you have a great day!
~Donya
So my husband’s favorite hotdog is one prepared in a pot of boiling water in tribute to his happy childhood memories. He Did Not want me to use the air fryer to prepare hotdogs but my son and I were able to time the completion of a hotdog lunch (using your recipe) with hubby’s return from visiting his mom in the hospital. He went on and on about how tasty it was, even though it wasn’t boiled. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Hey there!
Wow! I am thrilled to hear that y’all enjoyed this recipe! Hot Dogs are one of those foods that’s super nostalgic for a lot of people, but I totally agree with you that Air Frying the Hot Dogs really takes them to the next level! Thank you so much for your sweet words and your phenomenal rating, I really appreciate your support!
~Donya
Best hot dog I have ever cooked. I usually put my bun in the microwave and my hubby puts his in the toaster oven. I was skeptical about putting the bun in the air fryer but it came out terrific, not dried out, just delicious. I also put the french fries in with the dogs and they were nice and crispy too. A great quick dinner. Thank you for a great recipe. I shared it with my bestie.
Hey there Beverly!
Wow! Thank you so much, I am thrilled to hear you and your husband enjoyed this recipe. I know it seems odd putting the buns in the Air Fryer but it’s one of those things where you just have to trust the process. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe with your friends, and for your kind words of support. I hope you have a great Labor Day weekend!
~Donya
My husband said to just make hit dogs in microwave instead of air fryer. He was busy do I made them in the air fryer. Yum!! Next time we had hit dogs, he asked me to make them in the air fryer! So good!!
Hey there Becky!
Thank you so much for your terrific rating and for your kind words! These are really something serious, I haven’t made a Hot Dog any other kind of way since I tried this, I am so glad to hear y’all enjoyed it as well. I hope you have a great rest of your day!
~Donya
I just tried this using jalapeño cheese dogs. I did not brush the buns with butter but I did use some nice brioche hotdog buns. Followed your instructions for time and temp and it is definitely the best way to cook a dog! Bread was just a little toasty without being dry and the hotdogs were cooked perfectly! Loaded them up with mustard, dill relish, and red onions! Yum! Yum!
Hey there Julia!
Wow! Thank you so very much for your kind words and your fantastic rating! It sounds like you made quite a delicious meal, I bet the jalapeno cheese dogs were really good Air Fried. I completely agree that Air Frying is THE way to cook a dog, after I discovered it I never went back to the grill. Thank you for your support, I hope you have a great rest of your day!
~Donya
This one did not disappoint! 10/10 The skin was crisp, the dog juicy and bun was perfect! So easy. Love it!!
Hey there Kristal!
My goodness! Thank you so much for your kind words and that terrific rating! Glad to hear this recipe was a hit; it’s a favorite in my house as well, especially on weeknights when life gets busy. If you liked this recipe, I have a bunch of other easy Air Fryer and Crockpot recipes, the Air Fryer baked potatoes never disappoint. Thanks again for all your support, I hope you have a great rest of your day!
~Donya
Just bought the power xl a few days ago. Cooked tator tots (they were ok), hard boiled eggs (good), your hotdog recipe DELISH! THANK YOU!
Hey there Lynette!
Wow! Thank you so much for your kind words of support and your phenomenal rating, I am thrilled to hear that you enjoyed this recipe! These Air Fryer Hot Dogs are a favorite in my house as well, they’re so easy to make and they come out perfectly every time! If you enjoyed this recipe, you should check out my Air Fryer Chicken Wing recipe, it’s just as easy and absolutely delicious. Thank you for your kind words of support, if you ever have any questions don’t hesitate to ask!
~Donya
Can’t believe how great the hot dogs came out. They were juicy and delicious!
Hey there Mark!
Isn’t it crazy? I swear by the Air Fryer to cook just about anything, but these Air Fryer Hot Dogs are something special, they come out perfect every time. Thank you so much for your sweet words and your fantastic rating, I am thrilled you liked this recipe! I hope you’re having a great summer!
~Donya
I’m just getting to know my air fryer so this was a great recipe to make. The hotdogs came out delicious!!!
Hey there Michele!
My goodness, I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed this recipe, and that you’re getting into Air Frying, as soon as you get comfortable with the Air Fryer it’ll become your best friend in the kitchen! If you enjoyed this recipe, you should check out my Air Fryer Chicken Wings, they’re just as simple to make and they’re a wonderful easy weeknight meal. Thank you so much for your kind words and your fantastic rating, I really appreciate your support!
~Donya
We loved these hot dogs! Husband is usually pretty ho-hum about hot dogs but he’s actually been requesting these. Son loves them, and can eat about four with no problem. Buttering the buns and putting them in the air fryer with the meat in them really kicks the over-all goodness up even more! Thanks for sharing this!