Air Fryer Corn Dogs are a crispy, kid-friendly fair-style snack made with hot dogs dipped in a cornmeal batter (cornmeal, eggs, buttermilk, sugar, salt, and baking powder) and air-fried until golden. It’s quick and weeknight-friendly and works well for an easy game-day snack or fast family dinner (even using frozen corn dogs in about 8 minutes). Unlike traditional deep-fried corn dogs, this version uses the air fryer for a crunchy coating with way less mess (and no vat of hot oil), while still keeping the inside juicy.
Why The Whole Family Will Love These
If you’re new to air frying, some of the first foods you’ll attempt making are likely going to be of the frozen variety.
They’re easy, they’re generally just as good (if not better) made in the air fryer than they are when they’re deep fried, and it’s a way for your older kids to gain some independence in the kitchen without too much supervision.
- Fast. You can have a tasty snack or meal in less than 30 minutes , even if you’re making them from scratch.
- Easy. Mix up the batter, skewer the hotdogs, dip, air fry , and enjoy!
- Inexpensive. With just a few pantry staples and a package of hotdogs, you can satisfy everyone for less than a trip through your favorite drive thru.
- Family-Friendly. There’s a reason we see corn dogs on the children’s menu at most restaurants–kids love them! And we promise not to tell anyone that you still love them, too.
How Long Do You Cook Corn Dogs In The Air Fryer?
Frozen corn dogs are ready in a flash when made in your air fryer. Make them in as little as 8 minutes from start to finish.
What You’ll Need
No matter if you’re attempting to make your own homemade corn dogs in the air fryer , or if you’re just popping a few frozen ones in for a quick meal, you’ll only need a few things to get started.
- An Air Fryer - The Instant Vortex or Cosori are my favorite for making big batches in my air fryer, but any air fryer will work.
- Bamboo Skewers- Cheap bamboo skewers you would use to make kebabs work perfectly.
- A Tall Glass- Something tall enough to place the batter in so it will cover the entire length of the hot dog.
- 6 Hot Dogs - Use your favorite brand; beef or turkey hot dogs both work great.
- 6 Wooden Skewers - For easy handling and that classic corn dog look.
- 1 cup Yellow Cornmeal - Gives that signature corn flavor and crunchy texture.
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour - Helps create a sturdy batter that clings to the hot dogs.
- 2 tablespoons Granulated Sugar - Adds a touch of sweetness, balancing the savory flavors.
- 1 tablespoon Baking Powder - Ensures the batter puffs up light and airy.
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt - Enhances all the flavors.
- 1 cup Buttermilk - Keeps the batter moist and slightly tangy; substitute with milk + a teaspoon of vinegar if needed.
- 1 Egg - Helps bind the batter and adds richness.
- Cooking Spray or Oil Mister - To lightly coat the air fryer basket.
Can You Air Fry A Frozen Corn Dog?
You sure can, and they come out perfectly crispy every time. Here’s how to do it:
- Turn on your air fryer.
- Place the frozen corn dogs in the air fryer basket.
- Cook, turning half way through the cooking cycle.
- Serve and enjoy!
Can You Make Homemade Corn Dogs In The Air Fryer?
- Turn on your air fryer and allow it to preheat. Since we’re a fans of efficiency, most of our air fryer recipes don’t include a preheating step, but to keep the batter from sliding off of the corn dogs, you don’t want to skip it for this recipe.
- Prepare the batter. Place the cornmeal, eggs, buttermilk, sugar, salt, and baking powder in a tall glass and mix until smooth.
- Place the skewers in the hot dogs. Starting from one end, push the skewer into the middle of the hot dog lengthwise 3/4 of the way.
- Roll the hot dogs in a shallow bowl or pie plate of flour. Roll the skewered hot dog in the flour until well coated.
- Dunk the flour-covered hot dogs into the batter. While holding the skewer, carefully dip the flour coated hot dog into the tall glass of batter.
- Place the corn dogs in the air fryer basket. Add the battered corn dogs to the preheated air fryer basket, ensuring you leave plenty of room between them.
- Spray with cooking spray. Cover the corn dogs with a light layer of cooking spray to help them crisp.
- Air Fry. Air fry for 8 minutes, flipping half way through and coating the other side with cooking oil.
- Serve and enjoy!
Tips And Tricks
Making homemade Air Fryer Corn Dogs is a fun and easy way to enjoy a classic fair favorite right in your kitchen. To ensure they turn out perfectly golden, fluffy, and delicious every time, here are some helpful tips and tricks to keep in mind:
- For a thicker batter, you dip the corn dogs, freeze them for 20-30 minutes, and then dip a second time before cooking.
- No bamboo skewers? Make air fryer corn dog nuggets. Cut the hotdogs into 2 or 3 pieces and dip. Use a fork to transfer from the batter to the air fryer basket.
- Give them space. Just like with any other air fryer recipe, layering will not allow the food to cook evenly. Make sure you leave around 1/2" to 1" of space between each corndog for adequate air flow.
Variations
Homemade corn dogs are endlessly customizable, making them a fun recipe to experiment with for any taste or occasion. Whether you want to add a twist of flavor, accommodate dietary needs, or switch up the presentation, here are some tasty variations to try:
- Cheese-Stuffed - Insert a small slice or stick of cheddar or mozzarella cheese alongside the hot dog before dipping in batter for a gooey, melty surprise inside.
- Mini - Cut the hot dogs in half or thirds and make bite-sized versions that are perfect for kids, parties, or appetizers.
- Spicy - Mix a little cayenne pepper, chili powder, or a splash of hot sauce into the batter for a kick of heat.
- Sweet - Add a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup to the batter for a sweeter, fair-style version that pairs perfectly with mustard or honey butter.
How Long Do They Last?
These corn dogs are best enjoyed right when you make them. If stored in the refrigerator, they can have a tendency to become soggy to the point that an air fryer even has a hard time saving the texture.
Can You Freeze Them?
If you’re planning on making homemade corn dogs to air fry in the future, they can last up to 3 months stored in parchment paper inside of a freezer safe container.
What To Serve With Them
- Ketchup. Ketchup with corn dogs is my perfect dip. Salty, slightly sweet, and tangy.
- Honey Mustard. The classic choice for corn dogs, and arguably the most popular.
- Honey. A favorite with kids, and anyone with a sweet tooth.
- Mayo. Makes a tasty dipper and is great with air fryer french fries, too!
- Raspberry Preserves. Ok, I know this one sounds a little weird, but hear me out. It’s meat with a sweet, deepfried coating. You would eat a Monte Cristo with preserves, so why not a corn dog?
If your air fryer corn dog batter won’t stick to the hot dog, it’s usually because the surface is too wet or slick and the batter is too thin. Both make the coating slide right off. Pat the hot dogs completely dry, then lightly dust them with a bit of flour (or cornstarch) so the cornmeal batter has something to grip, and make sure your batter is thick enough to cling (more like pancake batter than pourable crepe batter). Chilling the battered dogs for 10–15 minutes (or a quick freeze) helps set the coating so it doesn’t drip in the air fryer, and using skewers makes dipping easier and keeps the coating even for crispy homemade corn dogs in the air fryer.
To make air fryer corn dogs crispy (homemade or frozen corn dogs in the air fryer), preheat the air fryer, don’t overcrowd the basket, and cook with plenty of airflow. Flip halfway so both sides brown evenly. For homemade cornmeal batter corn dogs, keep the batter thick so it clings, chill the battered dogs briefly so the coating sets, and give the outside a light oil spray to encourage a crunchier, more golden finish. If they’re browning too fast before crisping, lower the temp slightly and cook a bit longer; crispiness comes from steady heat and dry airflow, not maximum temperature.
For the best cornmeal for corn dog batter, choose fine-grind cornmeal (often labeled “fine” or “corn flour-style cornmeal”) because it makes a smoother batter that coats evenly and cooks up crisp without a gritty texture. This is ideal for air fryer corn dogs where you want an even, crunchy shell. Medium-grind cornmeal can work, but it tends to taste more coarse and can make the coating thicker and less uniform, especially on homemade corn dogs. If you’re after that classic fair-style bite, fine cornmeal plus a thick batter consistency (and a brief chill before air frying) usually gives the most reliable crispy corn dogs in the air fryer.
Other Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- Keto Chicken Tenders - Low carb and taste just like traditional chicken tenders.
- Air Fryer Shrimp Fried Rice - Believe it or not, you can make this amazing dish in your air fryer!
- Korean Chicken Wings - Packed with flavor and keto.
- Air Fryer Scotch Eggs - Just like your favorite Scotch egg recipe, but without being deep fried.
- Fennel Chicken - A blog favorite, and for great reason. This chicken is incredibly flavorsome and easy to make.
Air Fryer Corn Dogs | How To Make Homemade Corn Dogs
Equipment
- PHILLIPS AIR FRYER
Ingredients
- ▢ 6 hot dogs
- ▢ 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- ▢ 1 cup all purpose flour
- ▢ 2 tsp granulated sugar
- ▢ 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- ▢ 1 tbsp baking powder
- ▢ 1 cup buttermilk
- ▢ 1 Egg
- ▢ cooking spray
Instructions
- Turn on your air fryer to 375F and allow it to preheat
- Place the cornmeal, eggs, buttermilk, sugar, salt, and baking powder in a tall glass and mix until smooth.
- Starting from one end, push the skewer into the middle of the hot dog lengthwise 3/4 of the way.
- Roll the skewered hot dog in a shallow dish of flour until well coated.
- While holding the skewer, carefully dip the flour coated hot dog into the tall glass of batter.
- Add the battered corn dogs to the preheated air fryer basket, leaving plenty of room between them.
- Cover the corn dogs with a light layer of cooking spray to help them crisp.
- Air fry for 8 minutes, flipping half way through and coating the other side with cooking oil.
Tips and Tricks
- For a thicker batter, you dip the corn dogs, freeze them for 20-30 minutes, and then dip a second time before cooking.
- No bamboo skewers? Make air fryer corn dog nuggets. Cut the hotdogs into 2 or 3 pieces and dip. Use a fork to transfer from the batter to the air fryer basket.
- Give them space. Just like with any other air fryer recipe, layering will not allow the food to cook evenly. Make sure you leave around 1/2" to 1" of space between each corndog for adequate air flow.
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Air Fryer Corn Dogs | How To Make Homemade Corn Dogs
Ingredients
- 6 hot dogs
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 2 tsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 Egg
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Turn on your air fryer to 375F and allow it to preheat
- Place the cornmeal, eggs, buttermilk, sugar, salt, and baking powder in a tall glass and mix until smooth.
- Starting from one end, push the skewer into the middle of the hot dog lengthwise 3/4 of the way.
- Roll the skewered hot dog in a shallow dish of flour until well coated.
- While holding the skewer, carefully dip the flour coated hot dog into the tall glass of batter.
- Add the battered corn dogs to the preheated air fryer basket, leaving plenty of room between them.
- Cover the corn dogs with a light layer of cooking spray to help them crisp.
- Air fry for 8 minutes, flipping half way through and coating the other side with cooking oil.
Tips and Tricks
- For a thicker batter, you dip the corn dogs, freeze them for 20-30 minutes, and then dip a second time before cooking.
- No bamboo skewers? Make air fryer corn dog nuggets. Cut the hotdogs into 2 or 3 pieces and dip. Use a fork to transfer from the batter to the air fryer basket.
- Give them space. Just like with any other air fryer recipe, layering will not allow the food to cook evenly. Make sure you leave around 1/2" to 1" of space between each corndog for adequate air flow.
Air Fryer Corn Dogs | How To Make Homemade Corn Dogs https://twosleevers.com/air-fryer-corn-dogs/
Have you been toying with the idea of buying an air fryer but hate clutter on your kitchen counter? Love your Pressure Cooker and want a way to use it even more? Let my Mealthy CrispLid Review help you decide if this air fryer attachment is the right addition to your kitchen.
Why You Should Trust My Mealthy CrispLid Review
- Air Fryer Cookbooks: I have two best-selling air fryer cookbooks, Every Day Easy Air Fryer and Air Fryer Revolution , so you can feel confident in knowing that I use air fryers on a regular basis, I’m quite familiar with how they work and I know what makes a good air fryer.
- Experienced Reviewer : I’ve done various air fryer reviews in the past, so I have a wealth of knowledge about air fryers and what makes one better than another.
- Gadget geek! : I’m a self-proclaimed food tech enthusiast and have been known to purchase (and review ) just about any kitchen appliance I can get my hands on.
Watch The Video
What Is A Mealthy CrispLid?
The Mealthy Crisplid is an attachment that goes on the top of a pressure cooker to convert it into an air fryer.
It cooks by directing heat directly onto the food and circulating air around the surface to create a crispy texture.
What Features Does It Have?
- Controls. The Mealthy CrispLid features customizable time and temperature controls so you can broil, crisp, air fry, and dehydrate.
- Safety Features. It comes with multiple safety features (including a lever that prevents you from operating it without the lid your pressure cooker correctly and a short cord to prevent tripping).
- Easy Viewing. It has a glass lid that makes it easy to see your food as it cooks.
What Does It Come With?
- Mealthy Crisplid attachment
- Trivet
- A mesh basket
- Tongs
- Silicone Trivet
- A recipe book (that you won’t need if you have any of my air fryer cookbooks).
If you want a deeper basket for more cooking capacity, you can purchase a deep basket .
What Other Products Are Similar To The Crisp Lid?
- Ninja Foodi
- Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid
- Instant Pot CrispDuo
- MooSoo Air Fryer Lid
- ROZMOZ Air Fryer Lid
While this technology is still relatively new, the Mealthy CrispLid is certainly not a one of a kind item. There are several air fryer attachments that are compatible with your electric pressure cooker.
Mealthy CrispLid Pros
- Versatile. Fits on any 6 quart or 8 quart electric pressure cooker.
- Customizable. Adjustable time and temperature buttons.
- Safety Functions. The safety lever on the top ensures it only heats when the lid is locked in place.
- Viewing. The glass lid lets you see your food as it cooks.
- Inexpensive. Compared to freestanding air fryers, this is a much cheaper option.
- Clean Up. Easy to clean.
- It Dehydrates. It comes with 5 dehydrating settings.
Mealthy CrispLid Cons
- Small. It has a smaller cooking capacity than other air fryers.
- Safety. Can be dangerous for small children since you’re moving a hot lid on and off.
- No presets. This can be a con for some people, but I don’t mind the lack of presets.
- Flipping. For it to crisp the food on both sides, you have to flip it halfway through cooking since there is only a heating element on the top and air doesn’t circulate around the food like it does in a standard air fryer.
Should I Get a CrispLid Or A FreeStanding Air Fryer?
The CrispLid is good if you expect to make smaller portions, or if you just want to cook something in a pressure cooker and then brown it. But if you plan to make large batches you can’t do it in this.
It’s also easy to clean because you can put the instant pot stainless steel insert straight into the dishwasher.
Taking those things into consideration will help you make the right decision for you. They both have their own perks, so it’s truly up to personal preference.
Would I Buy It?
I won this Mealthy CrispLid in a giveaway, but I can say that I would purchase it on my own.
If I was short on space in my kitchen or needed an inexpensive air fryer option, I would consider purchasing this product. It’s such a great space saver and gets the job done if you need to air fry something. While it does take a little longer to cook food, it still produces the same quality of air fried food as some of my other air fryers.
If you decide the Mealthy Crisplid is the right fit for your kitchen, you can purchases it HERE . And if you need the pressure cooker to go with the crisplid, you can grab the Mealthy MultiPot HERE . Use the Coupon Code TWOSLEEVERS for $10 off of a $100 purchase on the Mealthy website.
MoreKitchen Gadget Reviews
- Ninja Foodi Review: Pressure Cooker And Air Fryer Combo
- How To Choose An Air Fryer - Picking The Right Air Fryer For You
- Mealthy Crisp Lid- Crisp Lid Review
- Cosori Oven Air Fryer Combo Review
- Breville Smart Oven Air Review
- Instant Pot Duo Crisp
And don’t forget to check out my air fryer cookbooks! Every day easy air fryer , and Air Fryer Revolution .
Originally Published July 30, 2020
