Air Fryer Hot Dogs are easy and absolutely the best! 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 is a yummy, fast, easy way to serve up a family favorite.
Served with Deviled Egg Pasta Salad, Sweet Heat Pickles, and Crock Pot Baked Beans for an outrageously delicious meal that’s great to serve any time of the year!
In This Post
5-Star Reader 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 tender, juicy hotdogs, 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 like Hot Dog Chili, mustard, Creamy Cole Slaw, and chopped onions that go on a hot dog. So you know, I’ve tested this recipe dozens of times, and it’s a winner!
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 Cooking Hot Dogs In The Air Fryer
Air Frying is easy and 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, and 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: They help the heat reach the center of the hot dog more quickly.
- Texture and Flavor: I like to do this 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?
How Long And What Temperature To Cook Hot Dogs In The Air Fryer?
Place the hot dogs in the air fryer, set the temperature to 400 degrees, and set the timer to 6 minutes. After the hot dogs are done, take them out of the basket, place them in the butter bun, and then place them back in the air fryer for 2 minutes to toast.
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 and pile on all kinds of goodies.
After the toppings, you’ve got to have some side dishes. My favorites are Caprese Pasta Salad and Crock Pot Baked Beans. Whether 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!
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.
Nutrition
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!
Robert Shroyer
Worked to perfection, delicious!! 😋
Bill
Does this work for Eckrich smokey link sausages?
Donya Mullins
I don’t know about that since I’ve only cooked hot dogs.
~Donya
Toby Faliveno
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.
Ginger
Tried this and loved it using New England style hot dog buns. Fast, easy and delicious.
Donya Mullins
Sound great. Thank you for the outstanding rating!
~Donya
Kristine Vick
Best way to make hot dogs! I refuse to cook it any other way now. It’s crispy and juicy.
Donya
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
Kathie Murphy
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!!
Donya
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
Brian knapp
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 !
Donya
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
Diana
Have to say they were great cooked only 5 minutes. BBQ can wait now.
Donya
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
Tami
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!!
Donya
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
Margaret Marcotte
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?
Donya
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