If you’re craving a quick and delicious meal, these bacon-wrapped hot dogs in the air fryer are a must-try! Perfectly crispy bacon wrapped around juicy hot dogs, ready in minutes. This recipe is a game-changer, whether you’re looking for a simple dinner idea, a fun weekend treat, or a crowd-pleasing appetizer for your next gathering. It’s one of those easy bacon-wrapped hot dog recipes that fits perfectly into any quick air fryer meals lineup.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 15 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a quick bite that doesn’t compromise on flavor. The air fryer ensures that the bacon is perfectly crispy while keeping the hot dog juicy. It’s an excellent addition to your collection of easy air fryer recipes.
- Versatile Cooking Options: Whether you prefer the convenience of the air fryer, the traditional taste of grilling, or the simplicity of the oven, this recipe has you covered. Each method delivers a delicious result with minimal effort.
- Family Favorite: A hit with kids and adults alike, these bacon-wrapped hot dogs are sure to become a staple in your meal rotation. Customize them with your favorite toppings for a dish everyone will love.
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Ingredients
To make these easy bacon-wrapped hot dogs, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen:
- 4 hot dogs: Choose your favorite brand. Beef, pork, or even turkey hot dogs work well in this recipe.
- 4 slices of bacon: Regular cut bacon is ideal as it crisps up nicely without overwhelming the hot dog.
- Toothpicks (optional, for securing the bacon): These can help keep the bacon in place as it cooks, ensuring an even wrap.
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs in Air Fryer
This easy recipe comes together in just a few simple steps, making it perfect for any level of cooking experience.
Step 1: Prepare the Hot Dogs
Start by wrapping each hot dog with a slice of bacon. You can secure the bacon with toothpicks if needed, but often, the bacon will stay in place as it cooks.
Tip: For the best results, make sure the bacon overlaps slightly as you wrap it around the hot dog. This will help it stay secure and cook evenly.
Step 2: Cook in the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Once heated, place the bacon-wrapped hot dogs in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 8-10 minutes, turning them halfway through to ensure the bacon is evenly crispy.
- Tip: If you’re cooking more than four hot dogs, you may need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer.
Step 3: Serve
Once the bacon is crispy and the hot dogs are heated through, remove the toothpicks and serve immediately. These hot dogs are delicious on their own or with your favorite toppings. It’s a quick and easy meal that fits perfectly into any weeknight dinner plan.
- Tip: When hotdogs are done cooking I put them in the buns and place them back in the oven to toast the buns up a bit. I think the hot dog isbetter when the bun is toasted with a medium heat. In less than 20 minutes we have amazing hotdogs.
Alternative Cooking Methods
While the air fryer is my preferred method for this recipe, you can also use the oven or grill for equally tasty results.
Oven Method
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Place the bacon-wrapped hot dogs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat to catch any grease.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, turning them halfway through to ensure even cooking. The bacon should be crispy and the hot dogs heated through.
- Pro Tip: For an extra burst of flavor, brush the bacon with a bit of maple syrup or BBQ sauce before baking. This adds a sweet and savory glaze that’s hard to resist.
Grill Method
- Preheat your grill to medium heat.
- Grill the bacon-wrapped hot dogs for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally to prevent the bacon from burning.
- The bacon should be crisp and slightly charred, adding a delicious smoky flavor to the hot dogs.
- Note: Grilling gives the bacon a unique, smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with the savory hot dog. Just keep a close eye on them to avoid flare-ups from the bacon grease.
Variations and Customizations
Get creative with these ideas to make your bacon-wrapped hot dogs even more special:
- Cheese-Stuffed Hot Dogs: Before wrapping the hot dog in bacon, make a slit down the middle and stuff it with your favorite cheese. Cheddar, pepper jack, or mozzarella work great.
- Turkey Bacon: For a lighter version, use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon. It’s a bit leaner but still adds that delicious smoky flavor.
- Spicy Kick: Add a slice of jalapeño or drizzle some sriracha sauce inside the bacon before wrapping it around the hot dog for an extra spicy bite.
- Toppings Galore: Top your bacon-wrapped hot dogs with grilled onions, bell peppers, or even a fried egg for a hearty meal.
Serving Suggestions
These bacon-wrapped hot dogs are versatile and can be served in many ways:
- With French Fries: A classic pairing that’s always a hit.
- On a Salad: Add sliced bacon-wrapped hot dogs to a bed of greens with your favorite dressing for a low-carb option.
- As a Party Appetizer: Cut the hot dogs into bite-sized pieces and skewer them with toothpicks. Serve with a variety of dipping sauces for a crowd-pleasing snack.
- With Baked Beans: The sweet and savory flavors of baked beans complement the smoky bacon and juicy hot dog perfectly.
- In a Bun with Toppings: Serve on a toasted bun with mustard, ketchup, relish, or your favorite condiments for a classic experience.
Equipment Used
To make this recipe, you’ll need a few key kitchen tools. Here’s what I recommend: This post includes affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at absolutely NO COST TO YOU. Thanks for your support!
BBQ Grill Mesh Mat Set
COSORI Air Fryer Max XL
Instant Vortex 4-in-1 Basket Air Fryer
Ninja Air Fryer, 4 Qt.
Air Fryer Parchment Paper, Air Fryer Liners
Wellshire Farms, Premium All-Natural Uncured Beef Franks, 16 oz
Wellshire Farms, Organic Uncured Bacon
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes! The oven and grill methods work just as well. The oven gives a more consistent cook, while the grill adds a smoky flavor.
Regular cut bacon is ideal for this recipe. It crisps up nicely without being too thick. Avoid thick-cut bacon, as it may take longer to cook and may not crisp up as well.
Yes, you can wrap the hot dogs in bacon and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking. This makes it easy to prep in advance for a party or busy weeknight.
Cook them for 8-10 minutes at 400°F, turning halfway through for even crispiness.
The air fryer is the best method for achieving crispy bacon, but you can also bake them in the oven or grill them for a slightly different flavor.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
- Calories: 250
- Protein: 10g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbs: 1g
Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs (Air Fryer, Oven, Grill)
Ingredients
- 3 Hot Dogs
- 3 Slices Bacon (I used Thick Cut)
- 3 Hot Dog Buns
Instructions
Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs in Air Fryer
- Step 1 – Wrap the the Hot Dogs in Bacon. Grab a piece of bacon and wrapped hotdog in bacon starting at one end wrapping the bacon around the hotdog. The idea here is to not overlap the bacon when you are wrapping. This will make for more even cooking.Tip: If you want you can secure the bacon at each end with a toothpick.
- Place the completed hotdogs on a baking sheet. If you were just doing a few of them like I am placed them directly in the air fryer basket.
- Cooking Temperature 400 Degrees FahrenheitCooking Time 10 Minutes (Less if you like less crispy bacon)
- Step 2 – Flip the Hotdogs about halfway through the cooking time. If you have not secured the bacon with toothpicks be careful when flipping. If you are using thinner bacon it usually crisps up pretty quickly and does not move around.
- Step 3 – Toast the hot dog buns by removing the hotdogs when they are done cooking. Place each hotdog in a bun and return them to the air fryer basket and cook for about 30 seconds to toast up the bun.
Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs in Oven
- I sometimes like to make these bacon wrapped hot dogs in the oven. I usually do this when I am making a large amount of hotdogs because you can fit a lot of these hotdogs on a baking sheet. I find that lining the baking sheet with parchment paper keeps things from sticking.Preheat Oven to 400 Degrees FahrenheitCooking Time is 12 to 15 Minutes (or until bacon is crisp to your liking)Hint: When hotdogs are done cooking I put them in the buns and place them back in the oven to toast the buns up a bit. I think the hot dog isbetter when the bun is toasted with a medium heat. In less than 20 minutes we have amazing hotdogs.
Bacon Wrapped Hot Dog on the Grill
- Preheat Grill to a Low Setting. (If using charcoal place coals on one side of grill)Brush Grill Grates with a little bit of oil. Using a grill mesh mat is really convenient.I find securing the bacon with the toothpicks is a good idea when grilling.Place bacon wrapped hot dogs on the clean grill grate.Cook 8-10 minutes tuerning often until bacon is crispy and cooked to your liking.
