Air fryer chili dogs are the perfect quick dinner idea our whole family loves! Here is how long to air fry hot dogs in buns so they are juicy and plump. With Hebrew National or Oscar Mayer we even share how to cook frozen hot dogs too.
Looking to make plain wieners or chili dogs for dinner tonight??!! Well we perfected how to keep the meat juicy but with a crispy bun lathered with chili, cheese and onions if you want. It is a great throw together meal that the kids ask for these air fryer recipes all the time after school.
We are all about easy family meals for those busy nights when you only have about 20 minutes to prepare and cook something. And if you’re wondering, can you air fry hot dogs? The answer is yes! Air frying hot dogs is a quick and delicious option that fits perfectly into our family-friendly meals. We started with making Instant Pot hot dogs which are great but not crispy at all.
Ninja Foodi Chili Dogs
When it comes to dogs we love them crispy on the outside, that’s the benefit of air fryers. Now that we have a Ninja Foodi we can pressure cook them but using the air fryer function makes them even better!
Tips: My Favorite models are the Cosori or making Ninja Foodi recipes with the lid that is attached.
It is best practice to put food into a hot basket. This is how to preheat air fryer first before adding your food so it becomes as crispy as possible. For best results, here’s a printable free air fryer cooking time chart here for your fridge.
How Long to Cook Hot Dogs in Air Fryer
You definitely want to make sure that you preheat your machine before adding any of them for the optimal crispy texture on the outside. Then you’ll be air frying for 6-8 minutes or so. Timing depends on how crisp you like them on the outside. f you’re continuing on to make chili cheese dogs then set air fryer and cook for 6 minutes
How Long to Cook Frozen Hot Dogs in Air Fryer
A bit forgetful and forgot to defrost them the night before? No problem really because we recently shared how to cook air fryer frozen hot dogs in 8 minutes too! That is right, it just takes a few extra minutes but dinner can still be saved using this fail proof method. Here’s some information before you get going on this:
Air Frying Hot Dogs in Buns
There is no need for the bread if you don’t want it. If you do you can toast them after the dogs are done, add chili on top with cheese and melt that too. So as simple as you want it to as loaded as others might this turns out incredibly well. We have even made hot dog burnt ends without the bread that are killer.
When it comes to processed meats I prefer Boars Head hot dogs hands down I don’t always have them on hand though, thus the photo above which was what I found that day and what was on sale
Best hot dog chili
We use our 5 ingredient dump chili that can be made in the pressure cooker, crockpot or just thrown together and warmed on the stovetop. If you want a faster option you can of course use canned instead, warm, and spoon on top.
Air Fryer Chili Cheese Dogs
If you want to add chili you are going to do so after minute 6 when the meat is warmed. You then pick up dogs and place into a bun. Put back into the basket. Spoon chili and cheese on top and continue cooking for another 2 minutes or so until it’s browned and warmed to your liking.
Air Fryer Chili Dogs Recipe
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
Ingredients
- 4 large hot dogs, use as many as will fit inside your air fryer without overlapping really
- 1/4 cup cheese, if making chili cheese dogs
- 8 oz chili, if making chili cheese dogs
- 4 large hot dog buns, if making chili cheese dogs
Instructions
- Put 2-4 hot dogs inside your air fryer (add as many as you like as long as they don’t overlap – keep in mind that typically only 2-3 prepared chili cheese dogs will fit at one time)
- Turn machine on, press air crisp, set to 375 degrees and cook for 6 minutes (8 if you want them quite crispy on outside).
- Put these cooked hot dogs inside buns.
- Spoon about 2 oz. of chili on top of hot dog in bun, add diced onions if you want on top of this, and then sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese on the very top.
- Close lid and set again to 375 degrees for 4 minutes or until cheese is melted and golden brown enough for you. (4 min. is perfect for us)
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What to do with leftovers
If you have made a bunch of these and they aren’t finished you can make our hot dog casserole the next night! I hate wasting food so I get it.
Like I said, the brand doesn’t matter. We have quite a few and I haven’t found a difference other than the size of the basket. Larger is better for more people so you don’t have to make as many batches but other than that just go with whatever you have.
Ours come out looking like this! Seriously the slightly crispy hot dog underneath, with the edges of the buns toasted and smothered with chili and cheese. OH MY!! Here are a few other air fryer recipes you’ll love:
Other fun air fryer snacks you’ll love
Our air fryer frozen corn dogs are made by my girls often. Ninja foodi french fries are homemade Want to make air fryer pigs in a blanket?? We’ve done that too!! Make air fryer frozen tater tots to go with this one on the side.
You can print recipe below and keep it on hand for all your holiday get togethers, or for an after school snack. Nutritional information such as saturated fat and calories will vary with brands.
I am 82 and just got a Ninja AF100 series. I love your site but I am very confused. Do your Ninja Foodi recipes work on my Ninja?
If you just have the Ninja air fryer then the air fryer recipes will work with that machine. The foodi is a pressure cooker and air fryer so there are two functions, some require to pressure cook while others use air fry