How to Cook Hot Dogs in a Toaster Oven

The trusted hotdog is an all-time favorite in most households, especially if you have children. This staple food is often the go-to standby when the kids are hungry.

The traditional method of cooking hotdogs is to boil them in water, but if you know how to cook hotdogs in a toaster oven, you will find that it is just as easy, and thousand times more delicious.

Many people also like to cook their hotdogs in a pan or a skillet on the stovetop. This method also works, but it is time-consuming. And you are then left with a dirty pan to clean afterward.

Hotdogs, or brats, as they are also called, often have a high-fat content. When cooking them in a pan on the stove, you run the risk of the fat splattering and splashing on your skin, and burning you in the process. 

If you cook your hotdogs in a toaster oven, this will not happen. It is also a clean and easy way to cook your hotdogs, with no greasy pan to wash at the end. That said, for the best results, make sure to clean your toaster oven regularly.

Hotdogs are often bought frozen and are usually already cooked. Although it is possible to thaw them to room temperature and then eat them like that, it is far more appetizing to eat them piping hot.

It is also far healthier to cook your hotdogs again before eating them. They are meat-based, and therefore can easily spoil and become a breeding ground for bacteria, which can make you very ill. If they are cooked again to a high temperature, this will prevent them from going bad.

Are There Different Types Of Hotdogs?

There are numerous different types of hotdogs, which are all basically varieties of sausage. The most popular hotdogs are Wieners, which are long and thin, and Frankfurters, which are slightly shorter and considerably thicker.

Some hotdogs have thick skin, some have very thin, papery skins, while others have no skins at all. These are known as skinless hotdogs. I am not a huge fan of skinless hotdogs, as they tend to fall apart when you cook them.

Wieners and Frankfurters, on the other hand, frequently have a place on my shopping list. They are versatile and tasty, and quick and easy to prepare. 

With a little bit of imagination and not too much effort, the humble hotdog can be transformed into a delectable meal. Later on, in this article, I will give you some suggestions for ways to liven up your everyday hotdog.

How To Cook Hotdogs In A Toaster Oven

My toaster oven is one of the most used appliances in my kitchen. Who would have thought that this nifty little miniature oven could be so handy, and could do so much? 

The one thing that I almost never use it for is making toast, because I’d rather make toast in an air fryer! But a toaster oven is really great for quick meals like hotdogs. If you ask me how to cook hotdogs in a toaster oven, the short answer is, ‘very easily’.

Cooking hotdogs in a toaster oven gives them a similar look and flavor to when they are cooked on a grill. They will be golden brown, and crispy on the outside, but soft and moist on the inside.

Because hotdogs are such a popular meal in my house, I have experimented a lot with them, and I have learned a few tricks along the way. There are a few simple tips for getting the perfect hotdog.

Before I tell you exactly how to cook hotdogs in a toaster oven, I am happy to share these vital tips with you.

TIP NUMBER 1: Always buy good quality hotdogs. Many cheaper brands of hot dogs are filled with unhealthy additives and are bulked up with things like soya or cornmeal.

Because hotdogs are usually bought frozen and are packaged according to weight, it is also easy for manufacturers to add extra brine, in order to make up extra weight. This, of course, simply evaporates during the cooking process, giving you a dry, tasteless hotdog.

Try to only buy hotdogs that are pure meat. These are far healthier and have a much more appealing taste. It is worth paying a little more for the best quality.

TIP NUMBER 2: The sausage is only part of the finished product. Just as important as the meat in the middle, is the bun. Only use the freshest, best-quality buns. Putting a good hotdog into a hard, stale bun is a terrible waste of a good hotdog.

TIP NUMBER 3: Slice the bun open with a sharp knife, so that it doesn’t crumble, and always warm the bun just before serving. If the bun is nice and warm, the inside will be light and fluffy. This adds a whole new dimension to your hotdog.

Follow this step-by-step guide to cooking hotdogs in a toaster oven, for the yummiest hotdogs ever.

1. Preheat your toaster oven to 400° Fahrenheit.
2. Line a baking tray with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
3. Using a very sharp knife, cut a few diagonal lines into the skins of the hotdogs. The lines should be about 1 ½ inches apart, and ¼ of an inch deep. This will ensure that the skins do not burst open during cooking.
4. Place the hotdogs on the baking tray, leaving a little space between each one. Do not let them touch each other.
5. Place the tray in the oven and set the timer for 10 minutes.
6. Using a pair of silicone tongs, turn the hotdogs halfway through the cooking time. Do not prick them with a fork. This will damage the skins and the hotdogs will burst open.
7. When golden brown and sizzling, remove the tray from the oven.
8. Transfer the hotdogs to a dish and serve immediately. They are at their best when eaten piping hot and straight out of the oven.

How To Liven Up A Hotdog

A hotdog does not have to be a plain, boring sausage stuffed into a bun. A simple hotdog can be turned into a gourmet meal by the addition of interesting and varied toppings and sauces. 

Here are some of my favorite suggestions for scrumptious ways to liven up your hotdog.

• A Dollop of Tasty Sauce.

Of course, the most popular sauce to go with a hotdog is good, old-fashioned ketchup, and there is nothing wrong with that. But a generous squirt of interesting sauce will give your hotdog a fantastic tang. Some suggestions are barbecue sauce, mustard, sweet chili sauce, mayo, or thousand island sauce.

• Fried Onions

Cut up an onion into very thin slices. Fry them up for a few minutes, to brown them. Pile the fried onions into the bun with your hotdog.

• Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut is finely chopped cabbage that has been fermented and preserved. It has a unique, tangy flavor. A spoon or two of sauerkraut in your hotdog bun will give it an exotic twist.

• Pickle Relish

Whether you prefer a sweet pickle relish or something with a more sour kick, pickle relish will certainly add some zing to your hotdog. In my book, there is nothing to beat dill pickle relish.

• Cheddar Cheese

I have saved the best for last. To really turn your hotdog into something special, once it is cooked make a slit down the side of the hotdog with a sharp knife. 

Stuff a long, narrow strip of sharp, strong cheddar cheese into the slit. Put the hotdogs back into the toaster oven for another 2 minutes. The cheese will melt and bubble.

Using tongs, place the hotdog into the bun and serve immediately. Take special care not to burn your mouth. The cheese will be extremely hot and may squirt into your mouth as you bite into the hotdog. But oh, my word, how utterly delicious!

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