Cooking hot dogs in an air fryer is a surefire way to get quick, crisp, and tender results

• Air-frying hot dogs typically takes less than five minutes, making it faster than grilling or boiling.
• The air fryer circulates hot air around the hot dog, resulting in a crisp outside and juicy inside.
• Throw in a bun for the last two minutes of cooking to make it warm and toasty.

There are a number of options for cooking hot dogs, from boiling to grilling to broiling. But the best method of all might surprise you: the air fryer.

"By cooking them in the air fryer, you end up with a delicious and perfectly cooked hot dog," says Laurie Fleming, author of The Essential Air Fryer Cookbook for Beginners and the blog Fork to Spoon. And the reasons to opt for cooking in the air fryer don't stop there.

• It requires no prep: There's no need to clean and prep a grill or boil a big pot of water. You can simply add the hot dogs to the air fryer frozen of thawed — preheating optional.
• It's quick: Because there's no prep involved, air frying is an especially fast way to cook a hot dog. After adding it to the air fryer, it's ready in about five minutes.
• No mess: Fleming points out that the air fryer also offers minimal clean-up. No need to wash a big pot or scrub the grill grates; just give the air fryer basket a quick wash once the device cools down.
• Great results: "The flavor is truly elevated," says Fleming. "The reason is that the hot air circulating [around] the hot dog cooks it perfectly, and it's so much better than grilling." The air fryer produces hot dogs with a crispy exterior and a tender, juicy interior.

Quick tip: You can air-fry hot dogs in any model of air fryer. For an oven-style air fryer, Fleming recommends placing the hot dogs on the bottom shelf to help them cook evenly. "If you add it to a higher shelf, you will often find that the outside is browned while the inside is still cold," says Fleming.

How to make hot dogs in an air fryer

The air fryer is one of the easiest methods for cooking a hot dog. While some recipes call for piercing or cutting slits into the hot dog before cooking, Fleming prefers to leave her hot dogs whole so they remain extra juicy. If you're concerned with bubbles popping up, she recommends making a few small, shallow slits in the hot dog before cooking.

1. Preheat the air fryer. If you have a few minutes to spare, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit according to the manual. This step is optional, so you can skip preheating if you're short on time.
2. Add the hot dogs. Place the hot dogs in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You can cook just one or several at once, as long as they will fit in a single layer in the air fryer with space between each one for the hot air to circulate.
3. Set the temperature and time and begin cooking. Program the air fryer to cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for four minutes.
4. Add the bun. Once the four minutes are up, Fleming likes to place the cooked hot dog into a bun and put it back into the air fryer for two minutes. "This way you end up with a juicy hot dog inside a crispy bun," says Fleming.
5. Add toppings and serve. If you like a cheesy dog, you can add the cheese and air fry for another 30 seconds to a minute, until melted.

Note: If you'd prefer an untoasted bun, simply air fry the hot dog for five minutes, or until browned and warmed through, and then serve.

Variations for air-fried hot dogs

From creative toppings to pigs in a blanket, there are plenty of fun ways to serve air fryer hot dogs.

• Bacon-wrapped hot dogs: When Fleming wants to take hot dogs up a notch, she adds bacon. Before air frying, wrap the hot dog in bacon, securing each end with a toothpick. Air fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 to 10 minutes, or until crispy and warmed through. Use classic toppings like ketchup and mustard or top with Tex-Mex-inspired toppings like guacamole, sour cream, pickled onions, and hot sauce.
• Chili cheese dogs: For a classic chili cheese dog, air fry the hot dog using the instructions above (four minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit). Add it to a bun and top with chili followed by shredded cheese. Place back in the air fryer and cook at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for three to five minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted.
• Pigs in a Blanket: You can also use the air fryer to make pastry-wrapped hot dogs, also known as pigs in a blanket. Fleming likes to use cocktail wieners for appetizer-sized pigs in a blanket, but regular hot dogs can be used as well. If you're using standard hot dogs, cut them into thirds. Use sections of canned crescent roll dough to wrap cocktail wieners or the pieces of hot dog. Air fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for five to eight minutes, depending on the size of the hot dog, until the pastry is puffed and browned.

Insider's takeaway

For a juicy hot dog with a crispy exterior, use the air fryer. They take just minutes to cook and leave minimal clean-up. Add the hot dog bun at the end of air frying to crisp it up, or get creative and make pigs in a blanket, chili cheese dogs, or bacon-wrapped hot dogs.