Deep-Fried Hot Dogs on Sticks: A Classic Fair Food Favorite
Crafting Your Own Corn Dog Delight at Home
Who needs a state fair when you can whip up homemade corn dogs in the comfort of your own kitchen? Here's a hassle-free recipe for the ultimate savory treat.
** equipment at hand:** You'll need a deep frying/candy thermometer and a tall, slender container or glass, like a pint glass, for this recipe. You can find candy-apple craft sticks next to the apples in the produce section of the grocery store, or order them online. If you can't get a hold of those, go ahead and use 6-inch wood skewers or wood coffee stirrers instead.
State fair vibes, all year round: Candy-apple craft sticks give these corn dogs an authentic state-fair feel. Give 'em a try!
Freezable fun: You can prepare these tasty corn dogs ahead of time—just pop 'em in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. Warm them up in a 350°F oven for 20 minutes or until heated through.
This recipe is a part of our "Make Your Own Corn Dogs" project. Learn the ropes of deep-frying if you're a novice cook.
Yield: 8 corn dogsDifficulty: EasyPrep time: 15 minutesCook time: 30 minutes
Ingredients (13)
- 2 quarts vegetable oil, for frying
- 8 candy-apple craft sticks or alternatives
- 8 (2-ounce) hot dogs
- 1 cup fine- or medium-ground yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- For dipping: Ketchup, mustard, or other condiments of choice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 250°F and set a wire rack over a baking sheet.
- Pour the oil into a Dutch oven or large, heavy-bottomed pot. Heat over medium-high heat until the oil reaches 360°F on a deep-frying/candy thermometer.
- Insert a craft stick lengthwise into each hot dog, leaving about 2 inches of the stick exposed at the bottom. Set aside.
- Whisk the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl. Whisk the milk, eggs, honey, and sugar together in a large bowl. Add the cornmeal mixture to the milk mixture, stirring with a rubber spatula until a smooth batter forms. Pour the batter into a tall, narrow container or drinking glass, leaving 1 inch of room at the top.
- When the oil is ready, dip a hot dog into the glass of batter by holding the stick and rotating the hot dog as needed until it's completely covered. Fry, turning occasionally, until light golden brown all over, about 3 minutes. Remove the corn dog from the oil and place it on the wire rack in the oven.
- Repeat with the remaining hot dogs, working with 2 at a time, refilling the glass with batter as needed and letting the oil return to 360°F between batches.
- Serve immediately with ketchup, mustard, or any other dip you love.
Pro tip:
For an added twist, try using all-beef, chicken, turkey, or veggie dogs.
** Fun Fact:** Corn dogs were first introduced at the State Fair of Texas in 1942! [1]
** tl;dr:** Sweet fair-food favorite, corn dogs, are only upstaged by the blue ribbon winner—funnel cakes. However, you can now enjoy homemade corn dogs with ease and customize them to suit your taste. Whip up a batch and enjoy with your favorite condiments!
** Enrichment Data:**
General:
The Classic Corn Dog: A Fun and Easy Snack to Make at Home
Discover how to prepare delicious homemade corn dogs using this easy-to-follow step-by-step guide. It's the perfect treat for parties, snacks, and convenient meals anytime.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 2 large eggs
- Hot dogs (16 ounces)
- Vegetable oil for frying
Equipment Recommendations:
- Deep Fryer or Deep-Frying Pan (preferably with a thermostat for easy temperature control)
- Wooden skewers or sticks (optional, but enhance traditional corn dog presentation)
- Thermometer (to monitor oil temperature)
- Paper towels (for blotting excess oil from the hot dogs)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Prepare the Hot Dogs: Dry the hot dogs with paper towels, allowing the batter to adhere better. If using skewers, insert them halfway through the hot dogs.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: Combine the cornmeal, flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder in a large bowl.
- Blend Wet Ingredients: Whisk the milk and eggs together in another bowl.
- Mix the Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly with a rubber spatula until fully combined.
- Heat the Oil: Pour vegetable oil into the deep fryer or deep-frying pan, ensuring enough oil to submerge the corn dogs (about 4 inches deep). Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C).
- Coat the Hot Dogs: Dip the hot dogs (and skewers, if using) into the batter, ensuring full coverage. Gently tap off excess batter with your hand.
- Fry the Corn Dogs: Carefully lower each coated hot dog into the hot oil. Cook until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until the exterior is crispy. Cook in batches if necessary to prevent overcrowding.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove each corn dog using a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve immediately with condiments of your choice, such as ketchup, mustard, or mayonnaise.
⚠️ Safety Tips:
- Ensure the oil temperature remains at the recommended 350°F to prevent oil spattering or undesirable results.
- Do not leave hot oil unattended.
- Always use caution when handling hot objects.
** Alternate Recipe Option:** Air Fryer Corn Dogs
If you prefer a healthier or space-saving alternative, you can make mini corn dogs in an air fryer. Prepare the batter as directed and arrange the coated hot dogs on a single layer on parchment paper in the air fryer basket. Cook at 375°F (190°C) for about 8 minutes, flipping every 4 minutes. Enjoy!
** Corn Dog FAQs:**
What's the history of corn dogs? Corn dogs were first introduced at the 1942 State Fair of Texas. [1]
Can I use all-beef hot dogs for corn dogs? Yes! Consider using all-beef hot dogs for a more flavorful corn dog experience.
** What condiments go well with corn dogs?** Classic condiment choices include ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise. However, you can get creative and try other sauce options.
References:
- Texas State FFA Association (n.d.). History of the State Fair of Texas. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://www.statefairoftexas.com/about-us/history/
- With this homemade corn dog recipe, you can create fair-inspired delights any time of the year, ready to enjoy whenever a craving strikes.
- Nutrition-wise, deep-frying can be indulgent, but using high-quality ingredients like whole milk and honey helps elevate the nutrition profile of these corn dogs.
- When serving corn dogs, offer a variety of dipping options, such as ketchup, mustard, or honey, to add an extra layer of flavor fair-goers love.
