I’ve made hot dogs every way you can imagine, but air frying is my favorite. In less than 10 minutes, you get that perfect snap, juicy inside, and toasted buns all in one easy step.
You’ll find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Be sure to check out the blog post itself for extra tips and tricks!
I love a good hot dog, but not all hot dog cooking methods are the same. I’ve had them boiled, I’ve had them grilled, and I’ve even had them microwaved. Regardless of your preference, I promise you won’t want them any other way after you’ve Air Fried them.
Why Make Hot Dogs in the Air Fryer?
Air frying gives you hot dogs with a crispy outside and juicy inside in under 10 minutes. There’s no need to preheat; you can make one or a whole batch with the same cook time, and you can toast the buns right in the basket for an all-in-one meal.
Ingredients Needed
Ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions are on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Hot dogs - I prefer all-natural, 100% beef hot dogs. However, any type or brand will work, including turkey, chicken, pork, or plant-based options. I usually grab whatever's on sale.
- Hot dog buns - Use your favorite style, from classic white to whole wheat, brioche, or gluten-free. Fresh buns work best, but slightly stale buns crisp up beautifully in the air fryer.
How to cook hot dogs in an Air Fryer
First, I like to cut small little slits in my hot dogs. This is not a required step at all. I like to do this to make hot dogs pretty and mimic a grill line. When my hubby makes the hot dogs in the Air Fryer, he does not do this, and it all works fine.
Then, place your hot dogs in the Air Fryer basket. There is no need to spray or anything; the hot dogs won’t stick to the basket and will release their natural hot dog oils, whatever that is.
Close the Air Fryer basket and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 4-6 minutes.
Remove the hot dogs and place them in your hot dog buns. Return hot dogs to the air fryer and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for two more minutes to get a nice crisp on your buns.
Remove and top them with your favorite toppings. Here’s a great list of hot dog toppings to try. You could also add my hot dog chili, or you can keep it simple with ketchup, mustard, and sauerkraut, which is my favorite.
Frequently Asked Questions about these Air Fryer Hot Dogs
Nope! One of the perks of this recipe is that you don’t have to preheat. Just pop the hot dogs in and start cooking. If you prefer an extra-crispy exterior, you can preheat for 2–3 minutes.
Yes! Add about 2–3 extra minutes to the first cooking stage. Check them halfway through and separate if they’re stuck together.
As many as fit in a single layer in your air fryer basket without overlapping. Most medium baskets hold 4–6 hot dogs.
Place them in the air fryer at 350°F for 2–3 minutes until heated through. If they’re already in buns, reduce the time slightly to prevent over-toasting.
If you’re looking for more quick and easy Air Fryer recipes, try these out:
- Air Fryer Pizza
- Air Fryer Steak
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Burgers (Turkey or Beef)
- Air Fryer Sausage and Peppers
I hope you love these air fryer hot dogs as much as we do. If you have tried this recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
10 Minute Air Fryer Hot Dogs Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place hot dogs in Air Fryer basket and cook on 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 4-6 minutes. Remove hot dogs and place in buns. Place back in Air Fryer and cook on 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 more minutes.
- Remove and top with your favorite toppings. Enjoy 🙂
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- This recipe works for traditional beef or the hot chicken, beef, and pork combination hot dogs.
- Consider cutting small slits in your hot dogs for appearance. It is not a necessary step.
- Test your hot dogs around the 4-minute mark to see if they are dark enough. Different Air Fryer wattages and sizes will cook hotdogs at different rates.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!This post was originally published on June 6, 2019. It has been updated with additional information and new photos.
Karen Clark says
I looked at several recipes before deciding on this one; it makes sense to cook the frankfurters first. I am a senior citizen, very picky, and this was the best hot dog I have had in years.
Tanya says
Thank you so much Karen 🙂
David W Booth says
TANYA KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK. the WIFE AND I ARE NEW AT THIS air fryer thing. So far we have done the steak, hot dogs, french fries. I'm in my late 70's and slow, but having fun with this air fryer. Thanks again.
Tanya says
Thanks so much David! So glad you like the recipes 🙂
Penney says
These came out perfect! And I love putting the buns in as well, so I'm not trying to cram them in my toaster!
Tanya says
Thanks so much Penney! I agree, the crispy bun in the air fryer is my favorite part.
Sarah - Sustainable Cooks says
These were so great and saved us from having to fire up the grill on the 4th!
Tanya says
Thank you so much Sarah! So glad you enjoyed the recipe 🙂
Sheila Smith says
I don't make anything in my Ninja without checking your site first. Thank you!
Tanya says
Thank you so much Shelila 🙂
Tricia Kelly says
Perfect! Cooked 1 Hebrew National Jumbo dog for 5-6 minutes at 390F, didn't score it, didn't toast the bun and it came out perfectly. Only my 10 yr old eats hot dogs and he loved it. He is impossible to feed, so thank you for the easiest, fastest and best option over giving him another bottle of Pediasure!
Tanya says
Awesome! So glad he liked them. Thank you for the feedback ?
Geoffrey Edge says
My family size actifry cooks at 350 C, so how long would I need to cook them using it for this recipe?
Tanya says
I would reduce the temp to 200c and cook the same amount of time.
Leonard Alexander says
@Tanya, my actifry temp isn't adjustable only the time.
Joe says
I tried his with a couple of ball Park beef dogs in my nuwave AF, At 6 mins the dogs were greasy, so I put them back in for another 4 mins (total 10 mins) They turned out pretty good but I think next time I'll have to try doing them for 12 mins as I like my dogs well done.
Ann Knowles says
I ask for directions a few minutes ago. I used the information I got from the computer and cooked two Brightleaf hot Dogs in the air fryer for 4- 5 minutes and they were wonderful, they were brown and so plump and juicy. I will never boil or cook on a inside grill again. they tasted so wonderful and were brown all over. This a a triple A for this recipe.
I now want to learn how to fry chicken and other things i can do wit the Air Flyer.
Doug Mclaurin says
The sky is the limits on sn air fryer. Its like learning how to cook all over again. Trial and error. Make your mistakes and learn. Good luck
Dorothy Black says
Easy and wonderful! Poked some holes in them and placed them on the air fryer for 8 min at 400. The buns were done in 2 min at 360. I chopped up some raw onion, shredded some mild cheddar, and topped with curry ketsup (a German commercial type) and they were terrific! Incidently, the Internet has loads of curry ketsup recipes in case you don't want to buy a commercial type. Next time, I think I'll shred some cabbage, grill it, and omit the cheese! Also might cook the hot dogs in the fryer and add to some lentil soup. Thanks again for the inspiration, Tanya, you are a wonder! By the way, the hot dogs were long and did not lie flat in the basket. Did not matter a bit, I just placed them in and they cooked to perfection!
Kind regards,
Doris Collins says
These were incredible! I took this one step further and put a spoonful of hot dog chili on the hot dog. A sprinkle of fresh onion and I was done. Yummy
MaryAnne says
Made your steak recipe tonight, it was yummy. Came out perfect, pink in center and very juicy. Thanks
Jim says
WOW! WOW! WOW! I can't believe this hot dog! It may seem foolish to rave over a humble hot dog but this dog came out perfect! When I cook dogs for the group I grill them but today it was just me and I wanted just one. I did it in the AF exactly as you said and I couldn't believe it. I'll never boil or microwave a single hot dog again. Crispy and juicy with a toasted bun all in 8 minutes. I've tried and enjoyed many of your recipes but this is a life changer! LOL Thanks for all you do. Jim
Tanya says
Lol, it's one of the only ways we make hot dogs other than the grill. Beleive me, I was just as excited as you are the first I made them. My husband was the one who started making them in the Air Fryer and I decided to crisp them in the bun.
Louise B says
Can you do this with frozen hot dogs?
If so what is the time difference?
Tanya says
Yes you can do them with frozen hot dogs. I'd suggest increading the initial cook time from 6 minutes to about 8-9 minutes. Then place them in the bun for the remaining 2 minutes.
Linda C says
I will do this next time my husband wants hot dogs. I used the grill pan the other day but have an air fryer I need to use more often! THX
Jani says
Ditto ^^