Air fryer frozen corn dogs are a quick and easy snack or meal. Air fryer corn dogs have a crispy, golden exterior with a juicy interior! Here’s everything you need to know to cook frozen corn dogs in an air fryer, ensuring they come out perfectly crispy and delicious every time.
Why Use an Air Fryer for Frozen Corn Dogs?
Air fryer frozen corn dogs are a total game-changer! They are just as tasty as deep-fried corn dogs but with less oil, meaning they’re “healthier”. Talk about a win-win! These might be my three-year-old Lily’s favorite food. Especially when cooked in the air fryer. Cooking them this way seems to make for crispier corn dogs. They come out hot, crispy, and ready to be dipped in ketchup! It’s surprisingly quick too! No need to pre-heat an oven or deep fryer. Just toss them into the air fryer, and you’re off to the races! In not much time, you’ll be munching on some delicious little corn doggies.
Ingredients
- Frozen corn dogs: You can use any brand you prefer. You can also use full size or mini corn dogs.
- Oil spray: Use any type of oil to prevent the corn dogs from sticking to the air fryer. It is recommended not to use a nonstick spray on your air fryer as most contain a chemical that can damage the nonstick coating on the basket.
Instructions for Cooking Frozen Corn Dogs in an Air Fryer
- Preheat Your Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 370°F for 5 minutes. Preheating ensures the frozen corn dogs will cook evenly.
- Arrange Corn Dogs: Place the frozen corn dogs in the air fryer basket or wire rack in a single layer with space between so they do not touch. Do not overcrowd the air fryer. It’s important that the air can pass all the way around the corn dogs for consistent cooking.
- Cook: Air fry at 370°F/188°C for 8 minutes. Flip the corn dogs over. Continue to Air Fry at 370°F/188°C for another 2-4 minutes or until heated through. Use a meat thermometer to ensure your corn dogs reach 165°F in the center.
- Serve: Once your corn dogs are beautifully crispy and cooked to perfection, carefully remove them from the air fryer. Let them cool for a moment before serving. Pair them with your favorite dipping sauce and sides for a complete meal or snack.
For Mini Corn Dogs
Place frozen mini corn dogs in an even layer in a foil-lined air fryer basket. Air fry at 380°F for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through, flipping them halfway through the cook time. Serve with your favorite corn dog toppings.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Corn Dogs
- No Thawing Needed: You do not need to thaw your corn dogs at all before cooking them. Place them straight in the air fryer from frozen.
- Flip Halfway: Be sure and flip your corn dogs part way through cooking to make sure they crisp on all sides. This also gives you a chance to check on how well done your corn dogs are.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Make sure the corn dogs are placed in a single layer in the basket of your air fryer. This allows hot air to circulate properly, giving you that nice crunchy texture.
- Check Your Air Fryer: Every air fryer is different so you may need to adjust your cooking time. Remember, different air fryers may require slightly different cooking times, so keep a close eye on your corn dogs the first time you make them.
- Oil Spray: For an even crispier breading use cooking spray or by basting the frozen corn dogs with extra oil before air frying. A light coating of oil – To really give these corn dogs a fantastic crunch, brush each one with a light coating of vegetable oil before cooking. It’s optional, but really helps to mimic that deep fried texture.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve air-fried corn dogs with your favorite sauce and sides such as corn on the cob, onion rings, or french fries. Ketchup and mustard are my preferred dipping sauces! For an extra touch of indulgence, sprinkle some grated cheese or chopped green onions on top of the mini corn dogs right when they finish cooking.
Storing and Reheating
Leftover air-fryer corn dogs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Plan to eat the leftovers within three days. Reheat leftover corn dogs in a 350° oven or air fryer until crisp and heated through to an internal temperature of 165°. You can also reheat them in the microwave, but the corn dogs will not be as crispy.
FAQs
Do I need to preheat the air fryer?
You should always preheat your air fryer for the same reasons you should preheat your oven or skillet. Preheating ensures the frozen corn dogs will cook evenly. However, if you skip the preheat, they will take a little longer to cook.
Do I need to coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray?
You don’t need to use any oil in this recipe. I’ve never had the corn dogs stick to the bottom. However, if yours tend to stick, consider spraying some olive oil in the air fryer basket before placing the corn dogs in.
Can I cook mini corn dogs the same way?
Yes, but reduce the cooking time to about 10-12 minutes since they are smaller and cook faster. Air fry mini corn dogs at 380°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the mini corn dogs are golden brown and cooked through.
Do I need to thaw the corn dogs first?
No, there’s no need to thaw the corn dogs before air frying them. Just add them straight from frozen into the air fryer.
What if my corn dogs aren’t crispy enough?
Air fry the hot dogs for 2 to 3 extra minutes. If you wish, increase the temp to 400 degrees F for crispy corn dogs.
Can I use homemade corn dogs?
Use frozen corn dogs — homemade corn dogs will need a different time and temperature to air fry. Air fryers can do a lot of amazing things, but they can’t fry uncooked corn dog batter without making a huge gloopy mess. However, you can freeze a batch of homemade corn dogs after frying them and reheat the frozen corn dogs in the air fryer.
What brands of corn dogs work best?
My personal favorite brand of corn dogs is State Fair. But any brand of frozen corn dogs can be air fried so use what you love. I recommend using the State Fair brand, but Foster Farms or any other frozen brand will work well. You could also use Field Roast for a plant-based version!