Want to upgrade your hot dog game without firing up the grill? These crispy, juicy bacon wrapped hot dogs in air fryer are salty, smoky, and seriously satisfying—done in under 15 minutes!
These bacon-wrapped hot dogs are a game day favorite, summer BBQ hero, and weeknight winner all in one. The air fryer gives you crispy bacon without the mess, and the combo of juicy hot dog + smoky bacon? Absolute magic. If you’re into easy mains like Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas With Cotija Cheese or Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings, this one’s a must-try.
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💖 Why This Recipe Works
- Easy: Using an air fryer to make bacon-wrapped hot dogs is an easy way to upgrade your everyday meal.
- Party Food: This air fryer hot dogs recipe makes a great snack for parties or game-day gatherings. The crispy bacon adds texture and flavor.
- Versatile: You can customize the toppings to suit every taste. Try Keto Hot Dog Buns or pair them with Goat Cheese Dip for a low-carb option.
⭐ Star Ingredients
- Hot Dogs: Choose good-quality beef hot dogs with a snappy casing—they hold up well and taste amazing after air frying.
- Bacon: Regular or thick-cut bacon both work. I like to stretch the slices slightly when wrapping to ensure even crisping.
- Hot Dog Buns: Go for soft buns that can hold up to juicy bacon-wrapped dogs. Lightly toasted is best for contrast.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Turkey Dogs: Use turkey sausages instead of pork for a lighter option.
- Chili Cheese Dogs: Add chili and cheese for an indulgent twist.
- Mini Bacon-Wrapped Dogs: Use cocktail sausages or cut hot dogs in half. Wrap with half a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick. Great for lunchboxes or birthday parties!
- Dry Rub Seasoning Hack: Before air frying, dust bacon with:
- Brown sugar + chili powder (sweet heat).
- Paprika + garlic powder (BBQ-style).
- Everything bagel seasoning (trend-friendly!).
Looking for more fun, flavorful twists? Try these with Air Fryer Onion Rings or Air Fryer Cauliflower Pizza on the side.
🔪 How To Make Air Fryer Hot Dogs?
- Step 1: Wrap each uncooked hot dog with 1 slice of uncooked bacon. Completely wrap the hotdog.
- Step 2: Place each wrapped hotdog in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°f for 10-12 minutes, depending on how cooked you prefer your bacon.
- Step 3: Remove the bacon-wrapped hotdogs from the air fryer and let them sit for 1 minute.
- Step 4: Clean and dice jalapeño.
- Step 5: Place the hotdog in a bun and top with cheese, onion, and jalapeños. You can use toasted buns if you prefer.
- Step 6: These cooked hotdogs are juicy and pack a punch full of flavor, but if you need more, you can add mustard, ketchup, or BBQ sauce.
Best Toppings For Hot Dogs
- Bacon and cheese.
- BBQ sauce, diced onion, and cheddar cheese.
- Yellow mustard and relish.
- Ketchup, mayonnaise and diced pickles.
- Chili and cheese.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Preheat the air fryer before adding the hot dogs.
- Make sure bacon is wrapped tightly.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket—cook in batches if needed.
- Overlap ends slightly and secure with a toothpick (if needed).
- Stretch the bacon slightly to get full coverage with fewer gaps. This helps reduce curling and ensures crisp, even cooking.
💭 FAQs
The bacon-wrapped hot dog is often referred to as a “baconator” a “bacon-wrapped wiener or a Danger Dog. A bacon-wrapped hotdog is also sometimes called pig in blankets. Whatever you call it, this dish is sure to be a hit! Hot dogs air fry well and taste delicious with your favorite toppings.
No need—just wrap raw bacon around the hot dog and let the air fryer do it's magic.
For this recipe, it is best to use thick-cut bacon. Thin-cut bacon slices can easily become too crisp when cooked in the air fryer. You can use regular bacon or even turkey bacon if you prefer. Both will give the same smoky flavor and make the best hot dogs.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2–3 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.
💖 Serving Suggestions
Pair these bacon wrapped hot dogs in air fryer with:
- Potato Salad: Try Smashed Potato Salad.
- Coleslaw: Red Cabage Coleslaw is light and crunchy.
- Baked Beans: Like Vegan Baked Beans for a flavor punch.
- Corn on the Cob: Try Air Fryer Corn On The Cob for an easy veggie.
- French Fries: Air Fryer French Fries are crispy and classic.
- Berry Salad: Try a Berry Salad Recipe With Goat Cheese for balance.
Use leftover bacon hot dogs in:
- Quesadillas with cheese and BBQ sauce.
- Sliced on pizza.
- Diced in mac & cheese.
- Chopped into breakfast hash.
🍽 Try More Fantastic Air Fryer Sides
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Air Fryer Hot Dogs
Ingredients
- 8 Hotdogs
- 8 Slices Bacon
- Shredded Cheese
- 1 Fresh Jalapeño
- ¼ Cup Diced Onion
- 8 Hot Dog Buns
- 1 Tbsp Ketchup
- 1 Tbsp Mustard
Instructions
- Wrap each uncooked hotdog with 1 slice of uncooked bacon. Completely wrap the hotdog.
- Place each wrapped hotdog in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°f for 10-12 minutes depending on how cooked you prefer your bacon.
- Remove the bacon-wrapped hotdogs from the air fryer and let them sit for 1 minute.
- Clean and dice jalapeño.
- Place the hotdog in a bun and top with cheese, onion, and jalapeños. You can use toasted buns if you prefer.
- These bacon-wrapped hotdogs are juicy and pack a punch full of flavor but if you need more, you can add mustard, ketchup or bbq sauce.
Crispy bacon and juicy hot dogs? Yes, please! These air fryer bacon-wrapped hot dogs are a quick and delicious twist on a classic favorite. Perfect for a fun and easy meal!