How long to cook hot dogs in microwave so they are tender and juicy. Whether they are defrosted or how to cook frozen hot dogs, we will explain all the ways to make this quick lunch for all.
Wondering how long to cook hot dogs in microwave, and what method is best? We will share all about this popular fair food so you can make them yourself. Probably one of the cheapest and most loved foods for kids, let’s talk wieners y’all. Just one of many microwave recipes on our site.
First thing is first, you can’t just throw these babies in and turn your machine on. You’ll regret that about a minute into it. You can pretty much do that with air fryer hot dogs because they don’t cook quite as quickly. These on the other hand will literally explode!! A little poking or slicing is all you need.
At the least you’ll want a fork to just poke poke poke a few times from the top to the bottom. Want to make them prettier? Use a knife and kinds’ spiral slice them all the way down instead. You’ll get a more even cook this way and kids love it. I’ll show you what I mean below.
If you cringe at the thought that there isn’t a veggie with every single meal, you can nuke those too! That is right, we have instructions of how to cook carrots in microwave here too. Serve together!
This method is a lot better than boiling hot dogs for sure. That takes a lot longer to heat up, and have you ever had to wait around to watch water boil? I mean, let’s not go there. Another thing is when you submerge any food into hot water it sucks all the flavor right out of it, no good.
You’re going to use your machine at full, 100%, normal power for this one. It is better to start off with the minimum amount of time because you can always add more. No need or want for shriveled skins.
How Long to Cook Hot Dogs in Microwave
Poke or slice dogs diagonally all the way down. Lay on a plate and heat at 100% (regular) power for 1 minute, that’s typically how long to microwave perfectly. If you want them really quite hot you can add 20-30 more seconds but watch carefully.
Replace paper towels once they are separated and lay on dry ones on a plate. Poke with a fork all over so they don’t explode. Heat for 1 minute and check. If not hot enough add another 20-30 seconds.
How Long to Cook Frozen Hot Dogs in Microwave
You can using the 50% power setting sliced slightly 3 times on the top but using hot air I would say this is better hands down if your babies are thawed out. If not I prefer our air fryer frozen hot dogs method over this. I’ll explain how to do both in the printable recipe card down below but mainly you are at risk for them blowing up without enough ventilation.
Do you need to poke hot dogs to microwave them?
Yes, or else they will explode! I prefer to slit each all the way down so air can escape and the dogs to expand while they heat up, instead of poking with a fork. You could also cut on a diagonal and spin it around so it’s like a candy cane.
How do you know when they are done?
Well when you buy them, unless they are raw, they have already been steamed and you could be eat a hot dog right out of the fridge technically. If you are very concerned you can check after heated to ensure they have reached an internal temperature of 160 F or higher. Typically you are just checking whether they are plumped up.
When done you are going to want to dress them up for sure right? We love to fill and dress with all the fixings like ketchup, hot dog mustard, add fry sauce, relish, diced onions and/or top with chili to make a heartier meal.
Hot Dogs in Microwave Recipe
Video
Equipment
- 1 microwave
- 1 plate
Ingredients
- 4-6 whole hot dogs
- 3 tbsp ketchup
Instructions
- Defrosted: Slice hot dogs diagonally all the way down. Lay on a plate and heat at 100% (regular) power for 1 minute. This is typically long enough for most people, if you want them really hot you can add 20-30 more seconds but watch carefully.
- Frozen in a block: Set on a microwave safe plate with 2 paper towels underneath. Heat for 30 seconds, flip block over, heat for another 30 seconds. Do this until you can separate them.
- Replace paper towels once separated and lay on dry ones on a plate. Poke with a fork all over so they don't explode. Heat for 1 minute and check. If not hot enough add another 20-30 seconds.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to reheat hot dogs in microwave
If yours are left over and you want to reheat then. Wrap in damp paper towel and heat again for 20 seconds or so. You just wet a paper towel to keep it moist and not dried out.
If you had something more like instant pot brats size you would want to follow the same steps but increase the timing from 1 minute to about 2. For both we are referring to pre cooked (safe to eat out of the package) and not raw pieces, those would take longer.
Quick and easy meal even teenagers can “cook” after school to fill their bellies before dinnertime. 😉
