How to Cook Frozen Hot Dogs in Air Fryer

Frozen hot dogs in air fryer or Ninja Foodi turn out perfect! From rock hard frozen solid to tender yet crispy on the outside in minutes. Yes air fryer hot dogs are great but if you forgot to defrost them, you can still save dinner.

How to Cook Frozen Hot Dogs in Air Fryer

So this is how to cook frozen hot dogs on the stovetop and in the oven, but in the summertime there is no way I am turning that on. Especially when we lived in the desert and it was over 100 degrees day after day I did everything to not bake or heat the house up in any way.

I try to keep the house nice and cool during the hotter months so almost all of our meals are Ninja Foodi or Cosori air fryer recipes for sure. Ok and I love my pressure cooker too. Weiners are one of those meals I make when I am just burned out and don’t want to really cook, but don’t want the kids to eat cereal for dinner either.

They are a cheap comfort food that everyone loves, the kids can eat them outside if they are having water play fun and only take 15 minutes to prepare.

Ninja Foodi Frozen Hot Dogs

You can use any brand of hot air machine to make these you might have at home. I have three different ones and often times I will make a few things all at the same time. On busy days though I often times forget to take frozen food out in the morning to defrost by dinnertime, you may be the same way….

Air Fryer Frozen Hot Dogs

It’s likely that you’re whole package is rock hard. That would occur if you just threw the whole thing right into your deep freezer, we can help with that.

How long do you cook hot dogs from frozen?

It is a little bit less than 10 minutes, that is all. You do want to slice down the middle or poke with a fork to allow some of the steam to escape. I would stay close as it doesn’t take long to plump up and get juicy and tender. Overcooking is possible too and that will dry out the meat so don’t go far.

There are two ways to separate them which is necessary for the success of this recipe. You can run room warm water over them and gently pull them apart. Or if you throw the whole thing in the basket while it’s preheating it will typically melt most of the ice and after the 5 minutes is up you can take them apart.

Frozen Hot Dogs in Ninja Foodi

For this machine you will use the lid that is attached and the button that says air fry. There is no need to pressure cook this go around unless you wanted to add 1 minute to our Instant Pot hot dogs timing. The benefit to this machine is you can do it 2 different ways, this one will make the outside skin crispy though which is best.

1. You just need a package of weiners
   1. my favorite brand is beef Hebrew National or Boar’s Head uncured personally
2. Hot dog buns
3. I make this as my favorite hot dog mustard – we use it on soft pretzels and bratwurst in the oven too

And any other toppings you and your kids love of course.

So you probably cooked these in the microwave as a kid. I bet you made the mistake once or twice of not poking them with a fork and BOOM….right? Well that’s kinda’ the case with these too, you want to score each one in order for them to able to expand without exploding.

How to Cook Frozen Hot Dogs in Air Fryer

There’s a printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for easy air fryer hot dogs to keep on hand, here is a quick rundown too.

• Start by preheating your air fryer at 350° for 5 minutes.
  • Run frozen dogs under water and use a butter knife to carefully separate. If they cannot be separated, leave in air fryer while it’s preheating to loosen them.
• Use a sharp knife to cut a line down the center, lengthwise, of each one to allow steam to escape.
  • Spread in basket in one single layer, cook for 8-10 minutes cook time.
• The buns can be heated after that in the air fryer as well. Open and place inside of it facing up in a single layer, cook 3 minutes for warm, lightly toasted buns. 

Put them cooked hot dogs and buns together, dress them up as you would normally at any picnic or cookout and enjoy together. This will likely be added to your meal plan too because they’re so quick and easy. Just as simple as cooking fresh hot dogs and way faster than grilled hot dogs.

Hot Dog Buns in Air Fryer

Ok so if you like toasted buns, the bread kind, it is way easier to do than on the grill or oven. I did this for the first time the other day and it was a real hit. Like it took an extra 2-3 minutes and it was like I invented something new….who knew. I suggest you take the extra step and see if your family loves it as much too.

• After your dogs are done, transfer them to a plate and keep in the microwave on warm.
• Lay a piece of foil in the basket so the grease won’t touch your buns and get them moist.
• Open each bun and lay inside with the inside facing up, try not to overlap them.
• Close drawer, set to 400 F and cook for 2-3 minutes or until they are as browned as you’d like.

You can print recipe for all of it below. Fresh or frozen these will surely be a hit with your fam bam too. 😉 Now we have discussed other ways of how long to boil hot dogs using other methods too you can read up on and see which are your favorites.

How long do I cook frozen hot dogs in the air fryer

So let’s do a quick rundown right? 8 minutes is typically what you’ll need for this. A quick meal that kids love and you can toast the buns for a few more after if you like crispy buns. 😉