Turns Out Grilling Hot Dogs Isn't the Best Method — This One Is
Grilling hot dogs might feel like a summer tradition, but it can quickly turn into more trouble than it's worth. Firing up a full-sized gas grill just to cook a few links feels excessive, especially when you factor in the long preheat time, the cleanup and the inevitable hot dogs that slip through the grates. It's a lot of effort for something that should be quick, easy and satisfying.
That's why I started tossing hot dogs into my air fryer instead, and I haven't looked back. In less than 10 minutes, they come out perfectly browned with a snappy skin and juicy interior. No flames, no mess, no babysitting the grill. It's a smarter way to make a classic summer food with none of the hassle. Whether you're cooking for a crowd or just craving a quick bite, this simple switch can make your hot dog game a whole lot easier.
Four minutes on high later, those dogs came out absolutely snapping. The casings were crispy, the pork fat was singing and the flavor? Easily on par with any grill or boiled batch I've had -- minus the grill watching. Cleanup? A quick rinse and a soap squirt, and I was back on the couch before the ketchup hit the plate.
My conclusion: An fryer is the best way to cook hot dogs, especially if you don't want to stand over a hot grill during a summer heat wave. As a bonus, you can make them all year, even when the cold weather sends your grill into a deep sleep.
Here's why the air fryer is my new hot dog machine and how to make the perfect wiener in minutes.
Why an air fryer the best way to make hot dogs
Here's all you'll need for a speedy summer meal.
David Watsky/CNET
The air fryer's hot convection heat cooks salty, fatty hot dogs to a crisp in minutes. It's nearly impossible to overcook a hot dog so you don't have to worry about that. Using your air fryer to make hot dogs will save you on propane and from having to clean the grill. Air fryers also don't need to heat up the way grills do. Boiling hot dogs takes time. I also personally don't care for the soggy boiled dogs with very little snap.
Plus, you can toast your hot dog bun in the air fryer with the dog. The same can't be said for the microwave or boiling method.
So, toss aside your grilling apron and pick up the air-fryer basket. Making air-fryer hot dogs takes about 4 minutes and almost no effort or cleanup, and you could cook an entire package at once.
You can cook an entire package of hot dogs as long as you don't crowd the basket too much.
David Watsky/CNET
How to make a perfect hot dog in an air fryer
Spoiler alert: Air-fryer hot dogs couldn't be easier. This is true for one-step cooking. I used this $45 Dash air fryer but almost any model will do.
Step 1 : Score your hot dogs with a knife (optional).
: Score your hot dogs with a knife (optional). Step 2 : Cook hot dogs for 4 to 6 minutes on high (400 degrees F).
: Cook hot dogs for 4 to 6 minutes on high (400 degrees F). Step 3: Add hot dog buns to the air fryer about 1 minute before the hot dogs are done.
Air fryer hot dogs are as easy as it gets.
David Watsky/CNET
Should you score hot dogs before cooking in the air fryer?
You can score your hot dog for extra crispy bits.
David Watsky/CNET
I tried both scored and unscored dogs. There wasn't a huge difference, and the unscored hot dogs didn't show any signs of bubbling or bursting. Scoring your hot dogs will prevent the occasional explosion and give you some crispier edges if you like that sort of thing.
What else can you make in the air fryer?
Roast chicken cooked in the air fryer is another one of my summer favorites.
David Watsky/CNET
The better question might be what can't you make in an air fryer? I've discovered the air fryer is excellent for making filets of salmon and whole-roasted chicken. You can make bacon in under 10 minutes and even cook a perfect medium-rare cheeseburger in the air fryer with no cleanup.
Watch this: Best Air Fryers: Cheap vs. Expensive
19:24
Here are six things I'll only cook in the air fryer from now on, and seven things I won't ever make in the countertop cooker again.
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