Hot dogs are an all-time favorite when it comes to quick and satisfying meals or snacks. In this guide, I will instruct you on how to cook hot dogs in 6 various methods to help you achieve mouthwatering hot dogs every time.
1. How To Cook Hot Dogs in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 4 hot dog buns
- 4 hot dogs
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup diced onions
- 1/4 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup diced pickles
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons mustard
- Optional toppings: relish, sauerkraut, jalapenos, etc.
Instructions
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
While the air fryer is preheating, prepare the toppings by dicing the onions, tomatoes, and pickles.
Place the hot dogs in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer. Cook them for 8 to 10 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping the hot dogs halfway through for even browning.
Once the hot dogs are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and place them in the hot dog buns.
First, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the hot dogs, allowing it to melt slightly. Next, add the diced onions, tomatoes, and pickles on top of the cheese. Then drizzle ketchup and mustard over the loaded hot dogs, or use your preferred condiments.
Serve the loaded air-fried hot dogs immediately and enjoy!
2. How To Cook Hot Dogs in Oven
Ingredients
- 4 hot dog buns
- 4 hot dogs
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup diced onions
- 1/4 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup diced pickles
- Ketchup, mustard, and any other desired condiments
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup. Then place the hot dog buns on the baking sheet and set aside.
Using a fork or toothpick, poke a few small holes in each hot dog to prevent them from bursting during cooking.
Place the hot dogs on the baking sheet, alongside the buns.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the hot dogs are heated through and lightly browned. You can rotate the hot dogs halfway through the cooking time for even browning, if desired.
While the hot dogs are baking, prepare your toppings. Dice the onions, tomatoes, and pickles.
Once the hot dogs are cooked, remove them from the oven and place them in the buns.
First, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the hot dogs, allowing it to melt slightly. Next, add the diced onions, tomatoes, and pickles on top of the cheese. Then drizzle ketchup, mustard, and any other desired condiments over the loaded hot dogs.
Serve the oven-baked hot dogs immediately and enjoy!
3. How To Cook Hot Dogs on Stove
Ingredients
- 4 hot dog buns
- 4 hot dogs
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 1 bell pepper (any color), thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Ketchup, mustard, or any desired condiments
Instructions
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the sliced onions and bell peppers to the skillet. Cook them for about 5 minutes, or until they become tender and slightly caramelized.
Push the onions and bell peppers to the side of the skillet and add the minced garlic to the center. Cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
Push the onions, bell peppers, and garlic to the side and add the hot dogs to the center of the skillet. Cook the hot dogs for 5 to 7 minutes, turning them occasionally, until they are heated through and develop a golden brown color.
While the hot dogs are cooking, lightly toast the hot dog buns either in the skillet or using a separate toaster or oven.
Once the hot dogs are cooked, remove them from the skillet and place them in the toasted hot dog buns.
Spoon some of the caramelized onions and bell peppers over each hot dog. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve the stove-cooked hot dogs immediately with your preferred condiments such as ketchup, mustard, or any other desired toppings
4. How To Cook Hot Dogs on Grill
Ingredients
- Hot dogs
- Hot dog buns
- Condiments and toppings of your choice (ketchup, mustard, onions, sauerkraut, etc.)
Instructions
Preheat your grill to medium heat. If you’re using a gas grill, preheat it with all burners on. For a charcoal grill, light the charcoal and let it burn until it reaches medium heat.
Place the hot dogs directly on the grill grates, parallel to the grates to prevent them from rolling. Cook the hot dogs for about 5 to 7 minutes, turning them occasionally, until they are heated through and have grill marks. Avoid overcooking them to prevent them from becoming dry.
While the hot dogs are cooking, you can also place the hot dog buns on the grill, cut side down, for a minute or two to lightly toast them. This step is optional but adds extra flavor and texture to the buns.
Once the hot dogs are cooked to your desired level, remove them from the grill using tongs and place them in the toasted buns.
Dress up your grilled hot dogs with your favorite condiments and toppings. This can include ketchup, mustard, onions, sauerkraut, relish, or any other toppings you prefer.
Serve the grilled hot dogs immediately while they’re still hot.
5. How To Cook Hot Dogs in Crock Pot
Cooking hot dogs in a slow cooker, or crock pot, is a convenient method, especially when preparing them in larger quantities for parties or gatherings. Here’s a simple guide
Ingredients
- Hot dogs
- Hot dog buns
- Water
Instructions
Place the hot dogs in the slow cooker: Arrange the hot dogs in the bottom of the crock pot.
Pour enough water into the slow cooker to cover the hot dogs completely. This will ensure they cook evenly and stay moist.
Set the slow cooker to low heat and cook the hot dogs for 4 to 6 hours. This slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld and the hot dogs to become tender.
Once the hot dogs are cooked, you can serve them in hot dog buns with your preferred condiments and toppings.
6. How To Cook Hot Dogs in Microwave
Ingredients
- Hot dogs
- Hot dog buns
Instructions
Use a fork or toothpick to poke a few small holes in each hot dog to prevent them from bursting during cooking.
Place the hot dogs on a microwave-safe plate, arrange the hot dogs in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate.
Cook the hot dogs on high power for 1 to 2 minutes. Cooking times may vary depending on the wattage of your microwave, so start with a shorter cooking time and adjust as needed. The hot dogs should be heated through and plump.
If you’re cooking multiple hot dogs, halfway through the cooking time, rotate them or rearrange their positions on the plate to ensure even heating.
If desired, you can place the hot dog buns in the microwave for a few seconds to warm them.
Place the hot dogs in the buns, add your favorite condiments and toppings, and enjoy your microwave-cooked hot dogs.
With the instructions shared in this article, I hope that you know how to cook hot dogs perfectly every time. Whether you prefer the smoky goodness of a grilled hot dog, the simplicity of stovetop cooking, the convenience of microwaving, or the innovative air fryer method, each technique offers its unique charm.
