Frozen hot dogs are a timeless and convenient kitchen staple, providing a quick and tasty meal option for busy days or impromptu gatherings. In this article, I will instruct you on how to cook frozen hot dogs in 5 different ways.
1. Do You Have To Defrost Frozen Hot Dogs Before Cooking?
When using methods like an air fryer, oven, or stove (pan-frying), you do not need to thaw frozen hot dogs before cooking. These cooking methods can effectively cook hot dogs from frozen. However, if using the grill method, you will need defrost frozen hot dogs before grilling.
There are two few safe methods to thaw frozen hot dogs:
Refrigerator: Place the frozen hot dogs in a container or on a plate and allow them to thaw in the refrigerator. This method takes longer, usually several hours to overnight, but it’s the safest way to thaw food.
Cold Water: If you need to thaw the hot dogs more quickly, you can use the cold water method. Place the frozen hot dogs in a sealed plastic bag and submerge them in cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes until they thaw completely. This method usually takes about 1-2 hours, depending on the number of hot dogs.
2. How To Cook Frozen Hot Dogs
Ingredients
- 4 frozen hot dog
- 4 hot dog buns
- 1 cup chili (homemade or canned)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup diced onions (optional)
- 1/4 cup diced tomatoes (optional)
- Pickle relish or sliced pickles (optional)
- Mustard and ketchup (optional)
- Cooking spray or oil (if using frozen hot dogs)
Instructions
Step 1: Cook Frozen Hot Dogs
- In the Air Fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Then place frozen hot dogs in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Air fry frozen hot dogs at 400°F (200°C) for 8 – 10 minutes. Turn them halfway through the cooking time for even browning.
- In the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Next, Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup then place the frozen hot dogs on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each hot dog for even cooking.
Put the baking sheet with the hot dogs in the preheated oven. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping the hot dogs halfway through the cooking time
- In the Microwave
Place frozen hot dogs on a microwave-safe plate, making sure they are not touching each other to ensure even cooking. Then cover with a microwave-safe cover
Cook the hot dogs on high power in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes for one hot dog or 2-3 minutes for multiple hot dogs.
- On the Stove
Fill a pot with enough water to cover the number of hot dogs you want to cook. Then place the pot on the stove over high heat and bring the water to a boil.
Once the water is boiling, add the frozen hot dogs to the pot and reduce the heat to medium-high and let the hot dogs boil for about 6-8 minutes.
After boiling, remove the hot dogs from the pot and pat them dry with a paper towel.
In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil or butter over medium-high heat.
Once the oil/butter is hot, add the boiled hot dogs to the skillet. Sear hot dogs in the skillet for about 1-2 minutes on each side until they develop a light golden-brown crust.
- On the Grill
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Then place the defrosted hot dog on the preheated grill grates. You can line them up in a row to keep them organized and prevent them from rolling around.
Grill the hot dogs on the grill for about 10 to 15 minutes, turning them occasionally to ensure even cooking on all sides. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
Step 2: Assemble the Hot Dogs
Place the cooked hot dogs in the buns. Top each hot dog with a generous amount of chili and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top.
Step 3: Add Toppings
Customize your hot dogs by adding diced onions, diced tomatoes, pickle relish, mustard, and ketchup as desired.
Step 4: Serve & Enjoy
Your Chili Cheese Hot Dogs are now ready to be served! They make for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Learning how to cook frozen hot dogs will help you quench your hunger quickly. So, after reading this article, I hope that you can confidently transform frozen hot dogs into mouthwatering treats in just a few minutes.
