Classic Corn Dogs
Iconic American street food featuring hot dogs coated in a crispy, golden cornmeal batter and deep-fried to perfection. A quintessential fair food experience.
🧂 Ingredients
- 8 Hot dogs (full-size)(Choose good quality hot dogs that hold their shape well when cooked.)
- 8 Wooden skewers or craft sticks(Ensure they are sturdy enough to hold the hot dog and batter.)
- 1 cup Yellow cornmeal(Fine or medium grind is best for a smooth batter.)
- 1 cup All-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons Granulated sugar(Adds a subtle sweetness to the batter.)
- 2 teaspoons Baking powder(For a lighter, crispier coating.)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 Large egg
- 1 cup Buttermilk(Or regular milk with 1 tsp white vinegar or lemon juice, let sit for 5 mins.)
- 4-6 cups Vegetable oil or shortening(For deep frying. Enough to submerge the corn dogs.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the hot dogs: Pat the hot dogs completely dry with paper towels. This is crucial for the batter to adhere properly. Firmly insert a wooden skewer into the end of each hot dog, pushing it about halfway through.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 2
Make the batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and pepper until well combined. In a separate medium bowl, whisk the egg and buttermilk until smooth.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
Combine wet and dry ingredients: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until just combined. A few small lumps are okay; do not overmix. The batter should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but still pourable.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 4
Heat the oil: Pour the vegetable oil or shortening into a deep, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven (at least 3-4 inches deep). Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 375°F (190°C). Use a thermometer to ensure accuracy. If you don't have a thermometer, a drop of batter should sizzle immediately and float to the surface.
⏱️ 10-15 minutes - 5
Batter the hot dogs: Hold a hot dog by its skewer and dip it into the batter, rotating to coat evenly. Let any excess batter drip off for a second or two. For a thicker coating, you can dip the hot dog a second time.
⏱️ 3 minutes - 6
Fry the corn dogs: Carefully lower the battered hot dogs, one at a time, into the hot oil. Do not overcrowd the pot; fry in batches of 2-3 to maintain oil temperature. Fry for 3-5 minutes per side, or until the batter is deep golden brown and crispy. Use tongs to turn them gently.
⏱️ 10-15 minutes (total for batches) - 7
Drain and serve: Remove the cooked corn dogs from the oil using tongs and place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain any excess oil. Let them cool slightly before serving. They are best served warm.
⏱️ 2 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure hot dogs are completely dry before dipping for optimal batter adhesion.
- ✓Use a tall, narrow container (like a drinking glass or mason jar) for dipping to minimize batter waste and ensure full coverage.
- ✓Maintain the oil temperature between 350°F (175°C) and 375°F (190°C) for best results. Too low and they'll be greasy; too high and they'll burn before cooking through.
- ✓Serve hot with classic accompaniments like mustard, ketchup, or relish.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Mini Corn Dogs: Use cocktail wieners and shorter sticks.
- Cheese Stuffed: Wrap a piece of cheese around the hot dog before inserting the stick and battering.
- Spicy Batter: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the batter.
- Jumbo Corn Dogs: Use larger hot dogs.