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Author:
Franco Salzillo
Hot dogs are the easiest quick lunch, appetizer and early dinner. A sausage in a bun, whether a wiener or a frank, is just what you need to keep your hunger at bay.
Hot dogs, though, are a blank canvas for creativity, and the toppings can change the hot dog’s personality massively. From hot dogs inspired by world cuisines to classic ones evocative of your childhood, if there’s something all hot dogs have in common is that they’re fun. No hot dog is created equal.
And although grilling or pan-frying hot dogs is not particularly hard, you’ll love to color, flavor and texture of air-fried hot dogs.
To make hotdogs, you need bread and sausages, whether Frankfurters or Vienna-style weiners. There are other alternatives, of course.
Then you need a roll or hotdog bun. Here’s where you can make a difference. Store-bought hot dog rolls are often too bland and uninteresting. Visit your local bakery and see what alternatives they have for you. Freshly baked bread is ten times better than industrially produced rolls.
As for the toppings, everything goes. This time, we made a Mexican-inspired hot dog with salsa, guacamole and jalapeno peppers. Another one with pickled yellow peppers (the sweet kind,) and ripe tomatoes. Mustard, of course, is a must.
Hot dogs might look simple, but they’re a whole meal with proteins, carbs and veggies. Perhaps not the healthiest meal out there, at least hot dogs provide more nutrition than most fast food.
Serve hot dogs with French fries, potato wedges or chips, and have some extra toppings and condiments on the table for your guests, friends and family to customize their hot dogs.
Air-fry the nicest hot dogs and let everyone turn theirs into their own perfect dog. There are no right or wrong answers here, and creativity is encouraged. Hot dogs are everything you want them to be.
Preheat the air fryer according to its user manual to 400°F:
Place the hot dogs in the air-fryer basket and air fry for 2-3 minutes.
Remove the hot dogs. Ensure the appliance is turned off and place the hotdog buns inside the air fryer. Warm for 1-2 minutes.
Assemble the hot dogs as you’d usually do. Top with ketchup, mayo, jalapeño, chopped onion, tomatoes or your favorite toppings.
