The air fryer has turned into a favored device for whipping up a variety of dishes, spanning from roasted potatoes and Brussels sprouts to hard-boiled eggs and cookies. When it involves hot dogs, the air fryer is an absolute revolution. Amelia Eudailey, proprietor of Hej Hej Swedish Style Hot Dogs, reveals her suggestions to guarantee that this ballpark, tailgate, and backyard barbecue essential comes out flawlessly when air fried — tender and crunchy with that gratifying snap akin to the traditional grilled variant.
As stated by Eudailey, “The most frequent error when air frying a hot dog is cooking for too long or at excessively high temperatures.” Excessive cooking can result in a hard, overcooked exterior instead of a desirable crispy casing. To prevent this, she suggests a brief air fry duration of around 3 to 5 minutes, depending on the brand and size of the hot dogs. “You can even attempt a test one first!” she advises.
Time and temperature are critical for air fried hot dogs
Amelia Eudailey recommends scoring hot dogs prior to cooking. By creating shallow, uniform cuts along the surface, steam can escape while maintaining the interior’s moistness. This method helps to avert the hot dog from bursting, particularly in an air fryer, where heat flows evenly and swiftly. Scoring also guarantees the hot dog stays firm without sacrificing its delightful juiciness.
While the air fryer can yield delectable outcomes, the selection of hot dog you opt for is vital. In fact, the brand can greatly influence the result, as hot dogs vary in moisture, fat, and seasoning characteristics — all of which have an effect on how they crisp up. If you intend to experiment with several brands, be ready to modify the cooking duration slightly dependent on how each one performs. (We assessed grocery store hot dog brands.) With a few practice runs, you can effortlessly replicate that tasty, summer-grilled hot dog flavor from the comfort of your own kitchen.
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