How to Cook Hot Dogs in Toaster Oven

Toaster ovens are convenient for making tasty hot dogs within a short period of time (usually in a few minutes). They make crispy, juicy, and mouth-watering delicious dogs that you will love. Today we are going to show you how to cook hot dogs in toaster ovens. 

No matter how you cook hot dogs, they come out delicious. All that is required is heating them up and eating them immediately. Whether they are plain or fanciful, topped with seasonings or not, hot dogs are the best fit for a bun.

Apart from the use of a toaster oven, there are other methods of cooking hot dogs. Each one of these methods creates a distinct taste, but we love toaster oven cooked hot dogs the more.

If you prefer learning by video, this article is also explained here.

What Will You Need for This Recipe?

Instructions

Video: How to Make a Grilled Hot Dog in the Toaster Oven

This video will show you how to make a hot dog in the toaster oven.

1. Preheat your toaster oven to a temperature of 350^oF. Line a cooking pan with aluminum foil. This will make it easy to clean the pan and toaster oven after use.
2. Cut 3 or 4 diagonal lines of about ¼” deep on the sides of each hot dog using a sharp knife. The slits let steam escape so that the hot dogs do not explode while cooking.
3. Put the hot dogs in a cooking pan and cook for about 3-4minutes. Afterward, open the toaster oven and turn the hot dogs to ensure they are evenly cooked.
4. Cook for an additional 3-4minutes or till they are crispy outside and juicy inside.
5. Remove the cooking pan from the toaster oven.
6. Toast your buns if you want to.
7. Take one bun, put a hot dog in between. You can add your preferred toppings (yellow mustard, cheese, and so on).
8. Serve and enjoy your delicious hot dogs.

Toaster Oven Broiling

If you prefer to broil your dogs rather than baking, follow these steps.

1. Set the toaster oven setting to broil.
2. Line your baking sheet with aluminum foil.
3. Put the hot dogs on the baking sheet and place them on the top rack of the toaster oven.
4. Broil for about 10 minutes or until the hot dogs start browning or heated through and crispy.
5. Flip them at intervals, remove from the toaster oven, and serve.

Note

Some new toaster oven models have rollers specially designed for hot dogs. These rollers can heat up the hot dogs as you cook other meals. You can toast your buns in the toaster oven when you are ready to serve.

A convection toaster oven can be used to cook hot dogs. They have a built-in fan that helps to evenly distribute hot air around the toaster oven. This mechanism cooks the hot dogs faster at a temperature slightly lower than the traditional oven.

It also crisps the hot dogs’ skin nicely. However, they can easily dry out the hot dogs. Hence, you should wrap the hot dogs with aluminum foil prior to baking so that they can remain tender and juicy.  

Tips 

i. It is important that you cut a few lines on the side of the hot dogs so they don’t explode because of accumulated steam.

ii. Do not cut hot dogs while they are cooking in the toaster oven. This will make the juices run out and leave a dry and tough hot dog.

iii. You can also cut the hot dogs along its length and start cooking with the slit end facing down in the cooking pan. Then after turning the hot dogs, stuff the slit length with finely sliced onions, cheese, and so on.

iv. Always use metal utensils and pans in the toaster oven. Microwavable plastics will melt.

v. Do not forget to flip the hot dogs while they are cooking so no side gets overcooked.

vi. If your toaster oven is not preheated, the cooking time can extend. Regulate your cooking time based on the brand you have as the different brands cook differently.

vii. Clean your toaster oven immediately after each use and observe all precautionary measures when using this appliance.

Serving Options

Hot dog toppings include peppers, cheese, onions, mustard, coleslaw, chili, mango salsa, ketchup, pickle relish, bacon, and so on.

Your hot dog dressing depends on your preference. So, feel free to explore more condiments.

What Are the Other Methods of Cooking Hot Dogs?

There are different methods of cooking hot dogs apart from using a toaster oven. They include:

Grilling Method

This method gives hot dogs a summer and smoky flavors leaving the skin magnificently crispy. The good news is, with this method you will not have to clean pans and pots afterward.

For A Gas Grill

Instructions

Turn on the grill and preheat to the hottest temperature setting for about 30 minutes at least.

Just before you place the hot dogs on the grill, lower the heat to a medium temperature of about 400-degree Fahrenheit or 205 degrees Celsius.

Place the hot dogs diagonally on the grill to keep them still. It also gives it that characteristic grill marks.

Grill the hot dogs for 3-4 minutes or until they are charred (not blackened) and crispy.

Turn and cook them for another 3-4 minutes.

Remove hot dogs from the grill, dress them according to your taste, and serve.

For Charcoal Grill

Instructions

Heat charcoal for about 30-45 minutes or until the charcoal ash over.

Spread the coals over the lower part of the grill.

Place the hot dogs diagonally on the grill to keep them still. It also gives it that characteristic grill marks.

Grill hot dogs for 3-4 minutes or until they are charred (not blackened) and perfectly cooked.

Flip the dogs and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes.

Remove hot dogs from the grill, dress them according to your taste, and serve.

Note:

Make sure you cook them under medium heat, and you remove them at once to prevent overcooking.  Remember to flip them while they cook.

You can also use an electric grill in place of two types mentioned above.

Traditional Oven Roasting Method

Roasting your dogs in a traditional oven gives it a well-browned outside just like you’d on a grill.

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to a temperature of 400^oF.
2. Line your roasting pan (you can also use a baking tray or casserole dish) with an aluminum foil.
3. Place the hot dogs in the roasting pan and cook for about 15 minutes or when they are brown and sizzle.
4. Remove your hot dogs from the oven, add your preferred toppings, and serve.

Note: You can turn your oven settings to ‘Broil’ for more crispiness.

Stove Top Method

1. Add water to a frying pan or skillet just enough to cover the hot dogs.
2. Turn on the heat source to medium-high and heat the frying pan until water starts boiling.
3. Add your hot dogs gently and steam for some minutes or until they heat through. Make sure you roll them at intervals for even cooking.
4. Remove them from the pan with a fork or tongs and allow them to sit for about 7 minutes.

If you want more flavorful dogs, use few tablespoons of olive oil or butter instead of water.

1. Add the hot dogs to the heated oil and fry for few minutes until they are crispy.
2. Remove from the pan and turn off the heat.
3. Place your buns with the face down in the pan and allow to simmer for a few seconds (45 seconds).
4. Serve and enjoy this goodness.

Note: When you boil hot dogs, most of the flavors drains into the water leaving you with watered-down dogs. So, we do not advise you to boil except you prefer it.

Microwave Method

Microwaved hot dogs do not taste so good like the stovetop or grilled method. However, they can be cooked in less than one minute.

Instructions

1. Using a paper towel, wrap the hot dog, and put them in the microwave directly. Alternatively, you can place them on a plate and cover it with a paper towel.
2. Turn the microwave settings to ‘High’ and cook for about 15 to 50 seconds or till they are evenly cooked.
3. Carefully remove the cooked hot dogs so you don’t burn your fingers.
4. Microwave the buns for about 10-15 seconds.
5. Remove buns, place the hot dog in the middle of each, add your dressing and enjoy.

Note: The paper towel traps steam or moisture that leaves the hot dogs while it cooks. This keeps them juicy and nice. Microwaved hot dogs can be rubbery, and most times explode or curl. So do not allow them to get overcooked.

Open Flame Method

This is similar to the grilling method but it’s more fun. The open flame method is great for cold evenings around a fireplace and for campfires. It usually creates a crispy, charred exterior, hot and juicy interior.

Steps

1. Prepare a fire.
2. Using a tong or skewer meant for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows, hold the dogs some few inches above the flame top.
3. Rotate the hot dogs slowly as they cook until it has a crispy and charred skin and it heated through on the inside. This takes about 2-5 minutes.
4. Dig in and enjoy.

How to Store Hot Dogs?

Hot dogs can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 months or thereabout. They can also be cooked straight out of the freezer in a toaster oven and other standard methods of cooking.

Store unopened hot dog packs in the fridge and eat within the manufacturer’s consumption date. You can store opened packs in a Ziploc bag and keep in the fridge. Make sure you use them within 3days of opening.

Conclusion

Now you know how to cook a hot dog in a toaster oven and other methods. Do you have a traditional way you prepare yours? Or perhaps a favorite condiment? Share your recipe in the comment section below, we will love to hear from you.