Best Air Fryer Hot Dogs Recipe (Time & Temp)

I used to boil hot dogs until I tried them in my air fryer. They cook well and taste way better. If you’re wondering how long to cook hot dogs in air fryer or what temperature to use, let me show you exactly how I make them. They are so much better than boiling.

Watch the quick video below to see how I make these air fryer hot dogs! Don’t forget to subscribe for more super-easy air fryer recipes.

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Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Hot Dogs

Air fryer hot dogs just taste better. They don’t get soggy like boiled ones or rubbery like microwaved ones. They heat evenly all the way through with a slightly firmer outside – not super crispy, but definitely not soft and waterlogged.

It’s really about getting a better texture than boiling gives you. The hot dogs keep more of their flavor since they’re not sitting in water. My kids can actually tell the difference and prefer them this way.

What You’ll Need

Just a few simple ingredients are all you need to make delicious air fryer hot dogs:

• 2-8 Beef franks, classic frankfurters, turkey hot dogs, Vienna sausages, or whatever you like.
• Hot dog buns (regular or brioche hot dog buns work great)
• Ketchup, mustard, and other toppings of your choice
• Optional toppings: diced onions, relish, cheese, sauerkraut

Equipment Needed

If you’re wondering which air fryer I use for these hot dogs, check out the Ninja air fryer below – it’s been my kitchen MVP for consistently perfect results every time!

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• Air fryer
• Tongs (for flipping the hot dogs)
• Knife (for making cuts in the hot dogs)

Note: Most store-bought hot dogs or frankfurters (beef, pork, turkey) are pre-cooked and just need heating through. Beef varieties take 6-7 minutes at 200°C (392°F), while turkey/chicken need only 5-6 minutes. Jumbo sizes require an extra minute. Look for a golden-brown exterior as your visual cue for doneness.

Step-by-Step Air Fryer Hot Dogs

Let me walk you through the process of making perfect air fryer hot dogs from start to finish.

Preparing the Hot Dogs

The first step is getting your hot dogs ready for the air fryer. This simple preparation helps them cook perfectly.

Step 1: Take your favorite hot dogs out of the package. I always use frankfurters because my kids really love them!

Step 2: Make a few small cuts on each hot dog. I learned this trick after my first batch exploded in the air fryer. What a mess that was! Now they cook perfectly every time, plus they get this cool pattern when they are done cooking.

Top Tip: Don’t cut too deep – just a shallow cut about halfway through the hot dog is perfect. This allows steam to escape during cooking and prevents the hot dogs from bursting.

Cooking the Hot Dogs

Now that your hot dogs are prepared, it’s time to cook them in the air fryer.

Step 3: Preheat your air fryer to 200°C or 392°F for about 3 minutes. I found that preheating helps them cook more evenly.

Step 4: Place the hot dogs in the preheated air fryer basket and air fry at 200°C or 392°F for six minutes, until the hot dogs are crispy on the outside and hot all the way through. Those little cuts we made will create a nice pattern as they cook, and you’ll notice they get a nice golden brown color all over.

Step 5: About halfway through cooking (around 3 minutes), open the air fryer and flip the hot dogs with tongs. This ensures they brown evenly on all sides.

Did You Know? Air fryers cook food by circulating super-heated air around it, which is why you get that nice crispy exterior without having to use oil or butter for frying.

Preparing the Buns

Hot dogs aren’t complete without the perfect bun. Here’s how to get them just right.

Step 6: As your hot dogs finish cooking, prepare your buns. I am using these regular hot dog buns, because I could not find my favorite brioche hot dog buns at the store today – they were sold out! But even French bread will work in a pinch.

Step 7: Open up each bun and nestle your perfectly cooked hot dog right in the middle. I like to add my toppings now, but you can keep it simple if you want.

Note: If you prefer to warm your buns separately, you can toast them in a toaster or in a skillet with a little butter for extra flavor.

Final Heating (Optional but Recommended)

But we’re not done yet. This final step makes all the difference in creating the perfect hot dog experience.

Step 8: Place the hot dogs with the buns back in the air fryer and air fry the hot dogs at 200°C or 392°F for another 2 minutes, so the buns will be also nice and warm. This quick heating melds the flavors together and makes the buns just soft enough to bite through easily without falling apart.

Step 9: Remove from the air fryer and add your favorite toppings.

And that is it, your air fryer hot dogs are ready to be served. Add ketchup or mustard, or both, and anything else you like on your hot dogs and enjoy! These are so much faster than grilling and taste way better than boiling. My family loves these for quick dinners when we are short on time.

If you like cooking in your air fryer, check out also how I make this super simple egg on toast for breakfast every morning. It is another quick recipe that saves me so much time and tastes amazing.

Want the perfect topping for these hot dogs? My sauerkraut for hot dogs recipe here to takes these from good to amazing – check it out next!

Variations and Toppings

One of the best things about hot dogs is how versatile they are. Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy air fryer hot dogs:

Classic Toppings

Nothing beats these traditional hot dog toppings:

• Ketchup and mustard – the timeless classics
• Relish – sweet or dill, depending on your preference
• Chopped onions – raw for crunch or caramelized for sweetness
• Sauerkraut or gherkins – adds a tangy crunch

Gourmet Hot Dog Ideas

Want to elevate your hot dog game? Try these more creative options:

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• Chicago Style: Yellow mustard, neon green relish, chopped onions, tomato slices, pickle spear, sport peppers, and a dash of celery salt
• Chili Cheese Dogs: Top with your favorite chili and shredded cheddar cheese
• Bacon-Wrapped: Wrap the hot dogs in bacon before air frying (may need to add 2-3 minutes to cooking time)
• Buffalo Style: Buffalo sauce, blue cheese crumbles, and diced celery

Top Tip: If adding cheese, place it on the hot dog before returning to the air fryer for the final 2 minutes with the bun. This melts the cheese perfectly.

Why Air Fryer Hot Dogs Beat Other Methods

I’ve tried every way to cook hot dogs over the years, and the air fryer has become my favorite for several reasons:

Compared to Boiling

Boiled hot dogs often end up soggy and can lose flavor to the water. Air fryer hot dogs maintain all their flavor and have a much better texture with that slight snap when you bite into them.

Compared to Grilling

While grilled hot dogs are delicious, they require more setup and cleanup time. Air fryer hot dogs are ready in minutes with minimal cleanup, and you don’t have to worry about flare-ups or uneven cooking like you might on a grill.

Compared to Microwave

Microwaved hot dogs cook quickly but often end up with a rubbery texture. Air fryer hot dogs have a much better texture and taste more like they were grilled.

Perfect Occasions for Air Fryer Hot Dogs

These quick and delicious hot dogs are perfect for so many occasions:

• Weeknight dinners when you’re short on time
• After-school snacks that kids can help prepare
• Game day meals that don’t keep you stuck in the kitchen
• Casual gatherings where people can customize their own toppings

Storage and Reheating

If you somehow end up with leftover hot dogs (which rarely happens in my house!), Here’s how to store and reheat them:

Storing Leftovers

• Separate hot dogs from buns and toppings
• Store cooked hot dogs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
• Store buns at room temperature in their packaging or in a bread box

Reheating

The air fryer is perfect for reheating too!

• Place leftover hot dogs in the air fryer at 180°C (356°F) for 2-3 minutes until heated through
• Toast buns separately for about 1 minute
• Assemble with fresh toppings

More Air Fryer Recipes For You

If you enjoyed this air fryer hot dog recipe, I have plenty more quick and easy air fryer recipes on my YouTube channel. From crispy chicken thighs to perfectly roasted potatoes and even desserts, you’ll be amazed at what your air fryer can do! Just search “FoodHow” on YouTube or click the links below to see all my air fryer recipes.

Here are a few of my favorites:

• Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks – Crispy outside, juicy inside, perfectly seasoned.
• Easy 20-Minute Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes – Golden, fluffy, and ready in just 20 minutes.
• EASY Air Fryer Donuts Recipe – Soft, glazed, and no deep-frying needed—just 3 minutes!

Let me know which one you try next!