Name: Air Fryer Corn Dogs | How To Make Homemade Corn Dogs
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 13 min
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

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Whether you're new to air frying, or just love an indulgent meal or snack, Air Fryer Corn Dogs are the perfect easy to make treat. With only a few minutes and a few ingredients you can satisfy that deep-fried craving without all of the extra oil and calories.

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?

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.

If you love Air Fryer Corn Dogs as a quick and easy meal or snack, make sure you share how to make them on Facebook and Instagram so your friends can try it too. Don't forget to Pin it so you can try it again soon!