Look no further for an easy yet delicious finger food recipe to make for your next summer party. Golden brown air fryer corn dogs are savory, satisfying, and perfectly crispy every time. No more store-bought freezer-burned corn dogs. These homemade air fryer corn dogs are so much better than anything from the store because they are made from scratch!

These homemade air fryer corn dogs are sure to curb your cravings for this famous carnival treat. This recipe is so delicious that you won’t ever want corn dogs cooked any other way. The batter has some spicy cumin and chili powder, giving your homemade air fryer corn dogs a unique flavor.

My favorite part about this recipe is that it is perfect for sharing with your loved ones. Serve these tasty corn dogs alongside some other mouthwatering appetizers, such as air fryer homemade pizza rolls,  air fryer honey mustard chicken wings, and grilled potato wedges.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Sometimes corn dogs hit the spot just right, but I got tired of the same frozen, store-bought corn dogs. These homemade air fryer corn dogs are so much better and worth the extra effort to make them from scratch!

• Better quality meat, I like to use beef hot dog franks
• Quick to prepare and ready to serve in under thirty minutes
• Reminiscent of nostalgic summer days at carnivals or street fairs
• They make for a lovely appetizer to share with family and friends
• Super fun to make with young (and picky!) children

Ingredients

This easy-to-make recipe only calls for a few simple ingredients that you may already have on hand in your pantry. Below are all of the ingredients you will need to make these from scratch in your air fryer, no more freezer section corn dogs for you!

• All-purpose flour
• Yellow cornmeal
• Sugar
• Baking powder
• Chili powder
• Cumin powder
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Chives
• Butter
• Egg
• Milk

How To Make Air Fryer Corn Dogs

Check out the steps below to learn how to make these staple carnival fare corn dogs in your kitchen with only an air fryer and the best homemade, from scratch ingredients!

Step 1: prepare the air fryer

Line the air fryer with parchment paper to make cleanup a breeze. I like to use precut parchment paper or these reusable silicone nonstick mats. Make sure you have eight wooden skewers ready to go, I like to use these 6″ bamboo skewers. You can also preheat your air fryer to 370°F by using the preheat function or running the air fryer at 370°F for 2-3 minutes.

Step 2: mix the ingredients

Add the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt to a mixing bowl. Blend the ingredients well with a whisk. Next, stir in the egg, milk, and melted butter.

Let the batter sit for 5-10 minutes to absorb the moisture from the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. The batter will continue to thicken as it sits.

Step 3: dip the hot dogs

Dry each of the hot dogs off. We don’t want any hot dog juice. The batter sticks better to dry hot dogs. Place a wooden skewer halfway into the end of each hot dog. While holding the stick, dip the hot dogs into the batter. Spin and twirl the hot dogs to coat all sides of the hot dogs entirely.

Step 4: cook the hot dogs

Place the coated hot dogs in the air fryer. Be sure to give them plenty of space so that they aren’t touching each other. Spray them with oil for a crispier exterior while they cook.

Set the air fryer to 370°F and cook the corn dogs for 10 to 12 minutes or until the batter forms a beautiful brown and crispy exterior. Remove them from the air fryer and load the next batch of corn dogs, if necessary

Since the batter is soft and the corn dogs are resting on the air fryer basket, they will not be perfectly cylindrical. It is completely normal for them to have a flat spot from where they were resting in the basket.

Serve them with some dipping sauce. I like a side of spiced ketchup or Kansas City-style BBQ sauce.

Tips For Success

• Leave plenty of room between each of your corn dogs while cooking to ensure they cook evenly and get crispy. You may also flip them halfway through the cooking time to attain a crispier crust.
• If your air fryer is on the smaller side, you may need to cut the hot dogs in half, and you may need to cut your skewers so that they fit in the smaller basket.
• Try to use high-quality and flavorful hot dogs. I recommend lean all-beef hot dogs for best results. Although, if you are feeling adventurous, substitute hot dogs for bratwurst or other sausage varieties.
• Make mini corn dogs! Mini corn dogs are an ideal option if you have a smaller air fryer, are serving children, or want enough to feed a large crowd. Simply cut your hot dogs to your desired size before dipping them in the batter.

FAQ

What should I serve with air fryer corn dogs?

Corn dogs make an excellent appetizer or fulfilling snack option. Pair this dish with a flavorful dipping sauce, such as our creamy honey mustard sauce, and you are ready to serve.

Do I need to thaw the hot dogs before air frying?

If your hot dogs are frozen, you don’t need to wait for them to thaw in the fridge or on the counter. Instead, you can quickly thaw them in boiling water by placing the frozen hot dogs in a water-tight bag and submerging them in the water for about 5 minutes.

You can also place the frozen hot dogs in a water-tight bag and submerge them in warm water for about an hour.

If you prefer the microwave, use the defrost setting on your microwave. Cover the frozen hot dogs with a wet paper towel so that you prevent them from burning or scorching in the microwave.

What is the best way to store this dish?

These corn dogs will last in the refrigerator for up to four days. They also keep in the freezer for approximately two months so that you can save some aside for future meals. If freezing, be sure to store the corn dogs in a tightly sealed freezer-safe bag or wrapped in aluminum foil. Then, to reheat, you just place them back in the air fryer for five to seven minutes.

Add These Recipes to Your List!

Speaking of finger food like corn dogs, these air fryer buffalo chicken wings are AMAZING! The best thing about this recipe is that you don’t even need to thaw out the chicken wings. Just coat them in some seasoning and throw them in the air fryer. The secret to getting super crisp chicken wings in the air fryer is to add a pinch of baking powder. This helps to get that restaurant quality crisp without the need for a deep fryer.

If you are anything like me, it can be difficult to come up with a good breakfast in the morning, especially if I haven’t had my coffee. These homemade air fryer breakfast pockets make breakfast super easy! Make them ahead of time and store them in the freezer. Then when hunger strikes, throw them in the air fryer for a quick and delicious breakfast!

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