These homemade corn dogs cook up golden and crispy in the air fryer with a fluffy, slightly sweet cornbread coating wrapped around juicy hot dogs. They’re quick to prep, kid-approved, and perfect for an easy dinner, game day snack, or nostalgic fair-style treat without the deep frying.
If you love fair food but don’t love the grease, these Homemade Corn Dogs in the Air Fryer are about to be your new favorite treat.
They come out perfectly golden on the outside, soft and slightly sweet on the inside, and wrapped around a juicy hot dog, without the mess of deep frying. And they are the perfect homemade corn dogs in air fryer without cornmeal.
Whether you’re making them for a quick weeknight dinner, game day snack, or just to win over picky eaters, this easy recipe keeps things simple and seriously delicious.
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
- Crispy Without Deep Frying: You get that golden, crunchy cornbread coating without dealing with hot oil or greasy cleanup. The air fryer does all the heavy lifting.
- Quick and Easy: Minimal prep, simple ingredients, and fast cook time make this perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute cravings.
- Kid-Friendly Favorite: Let’s be honest, corn dogs are always a win with kids (and adults who still love fair food).
- Perfect for Snacks or Dinner: Serve them as a fun family dinner, party appetizer, or game day snack. They fit just about any occasion.
- Made with Simple Ingredients: No complicated steps or hard-to-find items. Just pantry staples and hot dogs turned into something everyone gets excited about.
If you are looking for even more Air Fryer Summer Quick Lunches, some of my favorites are AIR FRYER PATTY MELT, AIR FRYER COPYCAT MCDONALD’S FILET-O-FISH, AIR FRYER TUNA MELT GRILLED CHEESE, and AIR FRYER WEIGHT WATCHER GRILLED CHEESE.
Ingredients Needed
- Cornbread mix (such as Jiffy): Sweet cornbread mix forms the fluffy coating.
- Whole milk: Adds moisture and creates smooth batter consistency.
- Egg: Helps bind ingredients and adds structure.
- Sugar: Enhances sweetness for classic fair-style flavor.
- Wooden skewers: Makes dipping and air frying easy.
- Hot dogs: Juicy center wrapped in cornbread batter.
Recipe Variations
- Cheesy Corn Dogs: Add a strip of cheddar or mozzarella next to the hot dog before dipping in batter for a gooey surprise inside.
- Mini Corn Dog Bites: Cut hot dogs into bite-sized pieces and skip the sticks. Perfect for party appetizers or after-school snacks.
- Spicy Kick : Mix a little cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños into the batter for heat.
- Honey Corn Dogs: Stir a spoonful of honey into the batter for a slightly sweeter, fair-style flavor.
- Turkey or Beef Dogs: Swap traditional hot dogs for turkey, beef, or even plant-based options.
- Gluten-Free Version: Use a gluten-free cornbread mix to make this recipe friendly for more diets.
How To Make Homemade Corn Dogs In Air Fryer
Step 1: Preheat your air fryer temperature to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) for 3-5 minutes. After preheating line the air fryer basket with parchment paper and lightly spray it with cooking spray.
Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornbread mix, milk, egg, and sugar until the batter is smooth and free of lumps.
Step 4: Pour the batter into a tall drinking glass to make dipping easier.
Step 5: Carefully insert a wooden skewer into each hot dog. Dip the hot dog into the batter, coating it almost to the top. Let any excess batter drip off for a few seconds.
Step 6: Place the coated corn dog into the prepared air fryer basket. Repeat with the remaining hot dogs, working in batches if needed.
Step 7: Set cook time for 8-10 minutes, or until the corn dogs are golden brown and cooked through without becoming overly dark. Serve warm and enjoy.
Homemade Air Fryer Corn Dogs Recipe Tips
- Use a tall glass for dipping: Pour the batter into a tall glass to make coating each hot dog easier and less messy.
- Let excess batter drip: After dipping, let the batter drip for a few seconds to avoid clumps and uneven cooking.
- Work in batches: Depending on the size of your air fryer, cook corn dogs in batches to ensure even crisping.
- Check doneness carefully: Air fryer times may vary, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking or burning.
- Add flavor twists: Mix a little cheese, honey, or spices into the batter for a fun variation.
Storing and Reheating Instructions
- Storing: Let corn dogs cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Wrap individually in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month.
- Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer at 350 °F (177 °C) for 3–5 minutes until warmed through, or in the oven at 350 °F for 8–10 minutes. Avoid microwaving to keep them crispy.
Homemade Corn Dogs In Air Fryer Recipe Faqs
Homemade Corn Dogs in Air Fryer Recipe FAQs
Can I use frozen hot dogs for this recipe? Yes! Frozen hot dogs can be used, but make sure to thaw them slightly before dipping in the batter for even cooking.
Do I need to preheat the air fryer? Preheating helps ensure even cooking and a crispy coating, but if your air fryer doesn’t require it, you can cook directly.
Can I make mini corn dogs? Absolutely! Cut hot dogs into smaller pieces, dip in the batter, and air fry for a shorter time for fun bite-sized snacks.
How do I keep the corn dogs from sticking? Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper and lightly spray with cooking spray. Let the batter drip off before placing them in the basket.
Can I make them gluten-free? Yes! Use a gluten-free cornbread mix to make the recipe suitable for gluten-free diets.
How long do leftover corn dogs last? Store cooled corn dogs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350 °F (177 °C) for 3-5 minutes to keep them crispy.
Can I add flavor variations? Definitely! Add cheese, honey, or spices to the batter for unique flavor twists.
Can these be frozen for later? Yes! Wrap individual corn dogs in plastic wrap, store in a freezer-safe bag, and freeze for up to 1 month. Reheat in the air fryer without thawing for best results.
More Easy Air Fryer Corn Dog Recipes
Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Turkey Corn Dog
Air Fryer Foster Farms Corn Dogs
Air Fryer State Fair Frozen Corn Dogs
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Homemade Corn Dogs In Air Fryer
Description
Ingredients
- 13 ounces cornbread mix, such as “jiffy”
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 8 hotdogs
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer temperature (using air fryer setting) to 350 degrees F, or 177 degrees C for 3-5 minutes.
- After preheating, line air fryer basket with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
- Whisk together 13 ounces cornbread mix, ½ cup whole milk, 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon sugar in a small bowl until consistency is smooth and there are no lumps in the batter.
- Pour into a tall drinking glass.
- Insert a skewer (carefully) into a 8 hotdogs and dip it into the batter as far as you can – to the end of the hot dog. Pull out of the batter after a few seconds and allow the batter to drip for a few seconds before placing in the prepared air fryer basket.
- Repeat with each of the hot dogs until finished, you may need to work in multiple batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Set cook time for 8-10 minutes, until the corn dogs are golden brown, but before they are singed or too crispy.
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
- 8 Wooden Skewers
Nutrition
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