This Hot Dog Hack Is So Good You'll Never Go Back to Grilling

I used to think grilling hot dogs was just part of the summer ritual — until I realized how much time and cleanup it actually takes. Firing up the grill, scrubbing down the grates, and chasing down the ones that slip through? It started to feel like way too much effort for such a simple meal. Especially when it’s sweltering outside, the last thing I want is to hover over a hot flame for 20 minutes.

That’s when I gave the air fryer a shot, and it instantly changed the game. It turns out you can get that same satisfying snap and juicy center in a fraction of the time, with none of the mess. No smoke, no flipping, no watching the clock — just drop them in, wait about 8 minutes, and you’re done. Whether it’s a quick solo lunch or a low-key cookout alternative, this method delivers hot dogs that taste just as good without the hassle.

Four minutes on high later, those dogs came out absolutely snapping. The casings were crispy, the pork fat was singing and the flavor? Easily on par with any grill or boiled batch I’ve had — minus the grill watching. Cleanup? A quick rinse and a soap squirt, and I was back on the couch before the ketchup hit the plate.

My conclusion: An air fryer is the best way to cook hot dogs, especially if you don’t want to stand over a hot grill during a summer heat wave. As a bonus, you can make them all year, even when the cold weather sends your grill into a deep sleep. 

Here’s why the air fryer is my new hot dog machine and how to make the perfect wiener in minutes.

Why an air fryer the best way to make hot dogs

The air fryer’s hot convection heat cooks salty, fatty hot dogs to a crisp in minutes. It’s nearly impossible to overcook a hot dog so you don’t have to worry about that. Using your air fryer to make hot dogs will save you on propane and from having to clean the grill. Air fryers also don’t need to heat up the way grills do. Boiling hot dogs takes time. I also personally don’t care for the soggy boiled dogs with very little snap.

Plus, you can toast your hot dog bun in the air fryer with the dog. The same can’t be said for the microwave or boiling method.

So, toss aside your grilling apron and pick up the air-fryer basket. Making air-fryer hot dogs takes about 4 minutes and almost no effort or cleanup, and you could cook an entire package at once. 

How to make a perfect hot dog in an air fryer

Spoiler alert: Air-fryer hot dogs couldn’t be easier. This is true for one-step cooking. I used this $45 Dash air fryer but almost any model will do. 

• Step 1: Score your hot dogs with a knife (optional).
• Step 2: Cook hot dogs for 4 to 6 minutes on high (400 degrees F).
• Step 3: Add hot dog buns to the air fryer about 1 minute before the hot dogs are done.

Should you score hot dogs before cooking in the air fryer?

I tried both scored and unscored dogs. There wasn’t a huge difference, and the unscored hot dogs didn’t show any signs of bubbling or bursting. Scoring your hot dogs will prevent the occasional explosion and give you some crispier edges if you like that sort of thing. 

What else can you make in the air fryer?

The better question might be what can’t you make in an air fryer? I’ve discovered the air fryer is excellent for making filets of salmon and whole-roasted chicken. You can make bacon in under 10 minutes and even cook a perfect medium-rare cheeseburger in the air fryer with no cleanup.

Here are six things I’ll only cook in the air fryer from now on, and seven things I won’t ever make in the countertop cooker again.