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.
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!
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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!