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Air Fryer Hot Dogs
Make perfectly juicy air fryer hot dogs every time with Ball Park bun-length franks, a simple diamond score, and buttery toasted buns. Ready in under 15 minutes with almost no cleanup.
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Air fryer hot dogs are ready in under 15 minutes and come out juicy on the inside with a lightly crispy exterior every time. No grill required. Just your air fryer and a handful of simple ingredients.
I made mine with Ball Park Franks, but, if you're cooking a different type of hot dog, scroll down to our guide that covers other kinds, like frozen, chicken, and skinny dogs.
Ingredients For Air Fryer Hot Dogs
Ingredients
- Ball Park bun-length franks (15 oz package) - one package contains 8 franks
- Hot dog buns (8-pack)
- Salted butter, melted (1 tablespoon, optional) - for toasting the buns
- Condiments of your choice
How to Make Air Fryer Hot Dogs
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
Score each frank with a few shallow diagonal cuts or a diamond pattern.
Place the franks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, evenly spaced.
Cook at 400°F for 4 to 5 minutes. Check at the 4-minute mark.
Doneness Check: The franks are ready when the skin is slightly puffed and the scored cuts have opened up and darkened at the edges. You should see light browning along the ridges of the diamond pattern.
At 4 minutes, they will probably be cooked through but still pale. At 5 minutes, you will get a deeper color and a slightly snappier skin.
Pull them before the cuts turn black.
Place the cooked franks in the buns. Brush the edges of the buns with melted butter.
Put the buttered buns back in the air fryer and cook at 400°F for 2 to 3 minutes until lightly golden. Skip this step if you prefer a soft bun.
Air Fryer Hot Dog Guide
Any Kind Of Hot Dog Works
Frozen hot dogs: No need to thaw. Score the tops as best as you can. Cook at 400°F for 6 to 8 minutes, checking at the 6-minute mark.
Skinny franks: Standard beef franks are done in as little as 3 to 4 minutes. Score first, watch them closely, and check for doneness after 3 minutes.
Jumbo franks: Add 2 to 3 extra minutes. Score the tops before cooking. Check at 6 minutes and continue until the skin is puffed and the score marks have darkened slightly.
Chicken franks: Chicken hot dogs are leaner than beef, so they can dry out faster. Score before cooking. Check at 3 to 4 minutes and pull them as soon as the skin starts to blister.
Veggie and plant-based franks: These vary widely by brand. Score first, and start checking at 3 minutes. You're looking for light browning and a warm center rather than a snappy, crisped skin.
How To Serve Air Fryer Hot Dogs
Air fried hot dogs are my go-to after-school snack. In less than 10 minutes, my kids are fed and satisfied until dinnertime.
And of course, they make a simple dinner as well.
Air fryer hot dogs are great with classic cookout sides like potato salad, baked beans, and coleslaw. For a quick weeknight dinner, pair them with sweet potato fries or potato chips. Set out ketchup, mustard, relish, and diced onion, and let everyone build their own.
Air Fryer Hot Dogs FAQ
Do I have to score the hot dogs?
No, but we recommend it. Scoring helps the heat reach the center more evenly and gives you that lightly crispy, grilled-looking exterior.
Do I need to preheat my air fryer?
Most models benefit from a quick preheat. Since hot dogs cook quickly, preheating is likely a good idea. However, some newer air fryer models skip this step. Check your manufacturer's instructions.
Can I make these in batches?
Yes. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches. Don't overlap the franks or the buns. The air between the hot dogs is what gives them that crispy exterior.
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Store cooked hot dogs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 2 to 3 minutes.
More After School Snack Recipes ⭐ Air Fryer Frozen French Fries | Frozen Pizza in Air Fryer | Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Air Fryer Hot Dogs
Make perfectly juicy air fryer hot dogs every time with Ball Park bun-length franks, a simple diamond score, and buttery toasted buns. Ready in under 15 minutes with almost no cleanup.
Did you try this recipe?Let our readers know how it turned out by Leaving a Review!
Ingredients
- 1 15 oz / 425g package Ball Park bun-length franks (8 franks)
- 1 12 oz / 340g package hot dog buns (8 buns)
- 1 tablespoon salted butter (melted (optional))
- Condiments of your choice
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
- Score each frank with shallow diagonal or diamond pattern cuts. Do not cut too deeply.
- Place the franks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, evenly spaced.
- Cook at 400°F for 4 to 5 minutes, checking at the 4-minute mark.
- Place the cooked franks in the buns. Brush the bun edges with melted butter and air fry at 400°F for 2 to 3 minutes until lightly golden. Skip this step for soft buns.
Notes
Scoring the franks is optional but recommended for even cooking and a crispier exterior. Do not cut too deeply.
Some air fryer models do not require a preheat cycle. Check your manufacturer's instructions.
If your air fryer is smaller, you may need to cook the franks in batches. Do not overlap.
For soft buns, skip the butter and toasting step.
Hot Dog Cooking Guide
- Frozen: Cook at 400°F for 6 to 8 minutes, checking at the 6-minute mark.
- Skinny franks: Check at 3 to 4 minutes.
- Jumbo franks: Check at 6 minutes and add 2 to 3 minutes as needed.
- Chicken franks: Check at 3 to 4 minutes and pull as soon as the skin starts to blister.
- Veggie and plant-based franks: Start checking at 3 minutes. Look for light browning and a warm center.
Nutrition
Calories: 46kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 95mg | Potassium: 14mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.5g | Vitamin A: 44IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.3mg
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