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20 Best Hot Dog Recipes to Cook Up Over the Summer
Try them wrapped in bacon or pretzel dough, or topped with slaw! 🌭
During the dog days of summer (get it?), we don't need an excuse to throw some hot dogs on the grill. The easy prep, satisfying snap, and tasty flavor make hot dogs a staple from Father's Day dinner to your 4th of July feast. Sure we love hamburgers, but these hot dog recipes are some of the easiest things you can make on a hot summer afternoon. They're just as delicious at BBQ cookouts as they are for your next camping trip. Of course, we're not alone when it comes to loving hot dogs—Americans are known to consume "7 billion hot dogs between Memorial Day and Labor Day," according to CNN. So where do you begin? Here, you’ll find tons of hot dog toppings that will inspire you to get creative. Plus, we've even included a few variations like pigs in a blanket and a hot dog casserole to keep things interesting.
Looking for classic hot dog recipes? we've rounded up all sorts of hot dog styles from across the country. There are chili cheese dogs (Ladd Drummond's favorite), hot dogs wrapped in bacon, and even Hawaiian hot dogs with grilled pineapple. Of course, no hot dog round-up would be complete without the Chicago-style hot dog. It's loaded with toppings and piled onto a poppy-seed bun. Prefer a different way to eat a hot dog? Try a homemade version of corn dogs covered in a cornmeal crust or opt for pretzel wrapped dogs for a salty twist. No matter which hot dog recipe you choose, there’s something for every type of summer cookout.
Pretzel Dogs
Give your ballpark franks an upgrade by swapping the buns for homemade pretzel dough instead! They're perfectly golden, chewy and topped with a sprinkling of sesame seeds.
Get the Pretzel Dogs recipe.
Pull-Apart Pigs in a Blanket
Here's a fun way to serve an old-school favorite. The mini franks are wrapped in crescent roll dough and all baked together for a wreath-like look that will having everyone reaching for seconds.
Get Ree's Pull-Apart Pigs in a Blanket recipe.
Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs
Crispy, salty bacon meets ballpark dogs in this fun cookout favorite. You can make them in an oven or on the grill depending on the weather.
Get the Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs recipe.
Corn Dogs
Skip the buns and try corn dogs instead! These cornmeal crusted treats are just like the kind you'd find at a state fair.
Get the Corn Dogs recipe.
BBQ Hot Dogs with Cilantro Slaw
These all-beef hot dogs are brushed with barbecue sauce on the grill. Then, they get a burst of fresh flavor from a topping of creamy, herby cilantro slaw.
Get Ree's BBQ Hot Dogs with Cilantro Slaw recipe.
Chipotle Chili Dogs
Double up on beef with these chili-topped hot dogs. Then add plenty of melty cheese and chopped white onion to garnish.
Get Ree's Chipotle Chili Dogs recipe.
Pigs in a Blanket
You can pretty much use any pre-cooked sausage for pigs in a blanket—including hot dogs! Instead of cutting the crescent roll dough into smaller triangles, simply use a whole triangle for each hot dog.
Get the Pigs in a Blanket recipe.
Hot Dogs and Bratwurst with Sauerkraut and Relish
Doctor up store bought sauerkraut and relish with ingredients like pickled jalapeños and crunchy celery, then serve them over an assortment of hot dogs and bratwurst for the ultimate cookout!
Get the Hot Dogs and Bratwurst with Sauerkraut and Relish recipe.
Slow Cooker Little Smokies
Grab your favorite barbecue sauce to get started on this easy appetizer recipe. A smoky, sweet bottle will work really nicely with these mini dogs.
Buffalo Chicken Dogs
This recipe takes ground chicken, bread crumbs, and buffalo sauce formed into the shape of hot dogs for a fun twist on weeknight dinner. Top them off with spicy avocado ranch, lettuce, shredded carrots, and blue cheese!
Pretzel Pigs in a Blanket
Homemade pretzels nuggets meet pigs in a blanket for this fun take on party food. We love the addition of cheddar cheese in these little bites, too!
Chicago-Style Hot Dogs
A typical Chicago-style dog is not lacking in toppings. It's got yellow mustard, relish, fresh onions, tomato wedges, pickles, sport peppers and a dash of celery salt all served in a poppy seed bun.
Hawaiian Hot Dogs with Grilled Pineapple
These hot dogs are sweet, smoky, and spicy thanks to grilled pineapple and jalapeño peppers on top. Oh, and there's a teriyaki mayo that's also loaded with flavor.
Get the Hawaiian Hot Dogs with Grilled Pineapple recipe at The Endless Meal.
Grilled Cheese Hot Dogs
This recipe combines two family favorites: Hot dogs and grilled cheese! It's ooey-gooey and so much fun!
Air Fried Hot Dogs
If your grill is doing double time this season with your favorite grilled chicken recipes, try making hot dogs in the air fryer instead! You'll get a perfectly crisp and juicy frank in less than 10 minutes.
Get the Air Fried Hot Dogs recipe at Julie's Eats and Treats.
Hot Dogs with Grilled Corn Relish and Chipotle Mayo
If you really want to dress up your hot dogs, skip the ketchup and try chipotle mayo instead! Then, keep things light and fresh with a grilled corn and pineapple relish.
Get the Hot Dogs with Grilled Corn Relish and Chipotle Mayo recipe at A Classic Twist.
Beer Brats
Bratwurst is a type of sausage, just like hot dogs, but it's a little more sophisticated. It's sold fresh, then cooked in beer for a hearty flavor.
Get the Beer Brats recipe.
Chili Cheese Dog Casserole
We love when family-friendly dishes become even easier and more convenient like this hot dog recipe turned casserole. It's great for serving chili cheese dogs to a crowd.
Get the Chili Cheese Dog Casserole recipe at Dinner Then Dessert.
Oven-Baked Hot Dogs
We get it, not everyone owns a grill, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy hot dogs for dinner! This oven-baked method is incredibly quick and easy to make.
Mango Kimchi Hot Dogs
Spicy kimchi (which is a traditional Korean dish made with salted and fermented veggies) gets a burst of sweetness thanks to fresh mango. And it makes the perfect fun topping for hot dogs.
Get the Mango Kimchi Hot Dogs recipe at Grilled Cheese Social.
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