How do you cook your hot dogs? On the grill? Boiled on the stove? In the microwave. Today we are looking at the various ways to cook a hot dog and finally answer the question, what is the best way to cook a hot dog?
Memorial Day weekend is just a few days away, and the unofficial start of summer is here. Hot dogs are one of America’s favorite summertime treats. I recently ranked the 3 best brands of hot dogs, and in the coming days, I’ll be looking at the best toppings for hot dogs. But first, let’s figure out how to cook those dogs.
Microwave
It’s not fancy, but a microwave will get the job done. Chef Mike is the fastest at the job, as he can roast a dog in 30 seconds. That speed comes at a cost though.
The big downside to microwaving hot dogs is it leaves them sitting in a pile of grease. We all know hot dogs are not the most healthy of foods, but having them swimming in their own grease is a little much.
Microwaves also tend to split the dogs more quickly than other cooking methods. For these reasons, I rank the microwave as the option of last resort. A microwave does the job, but it’s not ideal.
Boiling – The Classic Way To Cook A Hot Dog
Who doesn’t love a good dirty water dog? Boiling is the classic cooking method when it comes to hot dogs. Giving your dogs a bath keeps them from being too greasy, but it has drawbacks as well.
The main issue with boiling your dogs is that it causes them to lose flavor. Condiments help cover this problem, You can help alleviate the problem by not putting your dogs through a rolling boil, and instead allowing them to simmer. Nevertheless, some of that delicious hot dog flavor will be lost at sea.
Air Fryer
Air fryer hot dogs!? You bet. Cooking hot dogs in the air fryer gives them a similar feel to a grilled down, but without the flame/charcoal taste. If you use the racks instead of the baking tray, you can even avoid the pool of grease that the microwave is notorious for.
The downside to the air fryer is that it takes a bit longer than the microwave. It’s still fast compared to grilling or boiling, as an air fryer heats up faster than a traditional toaster oven. The air fryer is at a disadvantage over the microwave when it comes to speed.
If you want a grill experience without the flame-grilled/charcoal taste, this is the way to go. I love the flame-grilled flavor on hot dogs, so this is a drawback.
In the market for an air fryer? Check out the review I recently uploaded on the Aumate Air Fryer!
Grilling – The Best Way To Cook A Hot Dog
Grilling is the best way to cook hot dogs. It checks all the marks, and not to mention it’s perfect for the summer BBQ season. So toss those dogs on the grill this Memorial Day weekend. You won’t be disappointed.
Grill racks allow grease to slip through so your dog isn’t greasy. You get the flame-grilled or charcoal taste, depending on your grill type of course, as I mentioned earlier. I prefer flame-grilled over charcoal when it comes to hot dogs, as it doesn’t overpower the hot dog’s natural taste.
Grilling brings out the best in any brand of hot dog. I am a lifelong all-beef hot dog consumer, but even I can enjoy a red hot dog on the grill. If you are entertaining guests and are afraid some of them might be picky about their hot dogs, go with the grill.
That’s my opinion on the best way to cook hot dogs, but I want to know what YOU think! Leave a comment below and let me know what is your favorite way to cook hot dogs.
