10+ Hotdogs Recipes You’ll Love for Quick and Tasty Meals

Hot dogs are classic, easy, and honestly—sometimes you just crave one. Whether you’re grilling outside or tossing together a quick snack at home, hot dogs have so many possibilities.

You can make hot dogs way more exciting by trying out recipes that mix classic flavors with new twists. This guide’s here to help you explore a bunch of simple ways to make your hot dogs way more fun.

1) Classic Chicago-Style Hot Dog

A classic Chicago-style hot dog is packed with flavor and couldn’t be simpler to put together. Start with a steamed or boiled all-beef hot dog—Vienna Beef if you can swing it.

The bun should have poppy seeds for that authentic touch. Top it with yellow mustard, neon-green sweet pickle relish, chopped onions, and a fresh tomato slice.

Tuck a dill pickle spear along one side and throw on some sport peppers if you want a little kick. Sprinkle a bit of celery salt over the top.

Want to see how it’s done? Here’s a Chicago-Style Hot Dogs Recipe.

Ingredients

• All-beef hot dogs (like Vienna Beef)
• Poppy seed hot dog buns
• Yellow mustard
• Sweet neon-green pickle relish
• Chopped onions
• Tomato slices
• Dill pickle spear
• Sport peppers
• Celery salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Steam or boil the hot dogs until heated through.
2. Warm the poppy seed buns briefly.
3. Place the hot dog in the bun.
4. Add mustard, pickle relish, onions, and tomato slices on top.
5. Place the dill pickle spear and sport peppers alongside.
6. Sprinkle celery salt over everything.
7. Serve right away!

2) Chili Cheese Hot Dog

Chili cheese hot dogs are just a solid comfort food move. Grill or boil your hot dog, then pile on warm chili and a mountain of melted cheese.

The chili usually has ground beef, chili powder, garlic, and onion. Diced onions on top add crunch and a little bite.

If you want gooey cheese, bake the whole thing for a few minutes. It’s easy to adjust the chili and cheese to your taste.

Ingredients:

• Hot dogs
• Hot dog buns
• Ground beef (for chili)
• Onion (diced)
• Garlic (minced)
• Chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt
• Tomato paste
• Shredded cheese (cheddar or whatever you love)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Cook ground beef with onion and garlic until browned.
2. Stir in tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, paprika, and salt; let it simmer for about 15 minutes.
3. Grill or boil hot dogs.
4. Place hot dogs in buns, spoon chili over the top.
5. Top with shredded cheese and diced onions.
6. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes if you want the cheese bubbly.

3) Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs

Bacon-wrapped hot dogs are one of those “why didn’t I do this sooner?” ideas. Just wrap a strip of bacon around each hot dog—easy.

The bacon adds a salty, crispy layer that’s hard to beat. You can bake them in the oven or grill them.

If you use a wire roasting pan, the bacon gets crispier and the extra fat drips away. Preheat to 375°F (190°C) for best results.

Want bite-sized snacks? Cut the hot dogs smaller and wrap each with bacon. Top them however you like when they’re done.

Ingredients

• Hot dogs
• Bacon strips

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Wrap each hot dog (or piece) with a slice of bacon.
3. Place on a wire roasting pan.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes until bacon is crispy.
5. Add your favorite toppings and dig in.

For more ideas, there are tons of bacon-wrapped hot dog recipes out there.

4) Sonoran Hot Dogs

Sonoran hot dogs come from the Sonora region in Mexico and, wow, they’re loaded. Start with a beef hot dog wrapped in bacon.

Put it in a soft bun. Top with onions, tomatoes, and jalapeño salsa.

Pinto beans and Mexican crema add a rich, creamy flavor. Some folks like to spread mayo or mustard on the bun first.

You’ll need a grill or a pan to crisp up the bacon-wrapped dogs.

Ingredients

• Beef hot dogs
• Bacon strips
• Soft hot dog buns
• Chopped onions
• Diced tomatoes
• Jalapeño salsa
• Pinto beans
• Mexican crema or sour cream
• Mayonnaise (optional)
• Mustard (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Wrap each hot dog with bacon.
2. Grill or pan-fry at 375°F (190°C) until bacon is crispy.
3. Toast the buns lightly.
4. Spread mayo or mustard on the buns if you want.
5. Place the hot dog in the bun.
6. Add pinto beans, onions, tomatoes, and jalapeño salsa.
7. Drizzle with Mexican crema.

5) Firecracker Hot Dogs with Spicy Sauce

If you love a little heat, firecracker hot dogs are a must-try. Grab your favorite hot dog and pile on a spicy sauce for a big kick.

The sauce blends hot sauce, mayo, sour cream, and celery seed. It’s creamy, tangy, and hot.

Use whatever hot dog you like. The real trick is mixing and spreading the sauce just right.

Want to take it up a notch? Toss some chopped onions or jalapeños into the sauce.

Ingredients:

• 6 hot dogs
• ½ cup hot sauce
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup sour cream
• ½ teaspoon celery seed

Cooking Instructions:

1. Grill or cook hot dogs.
2. Mix hot sauce, mayo, sour cream, and celery seed in a bowl.
3. Spread the sauce over each hot dog.
4. Serve right away.

Looking for more spicy ideas? Here’s the Spiralized Firecracker Hot Dogs Recipe on Food52.

6) Pigs in a Blanket

Pigs in a Blanket are so simple and always a hit. Just wrap each hot dog in dough and bake until golden.

You can use crescent roll dough, biscuit dough, or puff pastry if you want extra fluff. They’re perfect for snacks, parties, or a super quick dinner.

If you want to get a little wild, add cheese inside the wrap. Serve with ketchup, mustard, or whatever dipping sauce you love.

For easy recipes, check out Melanie Cooks or Pillsbury.

Ingredients

• Hot dogs
• Refrigerated crescent roll dough or biscuit dough
• Optional: cheese slices

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Unroll dough and cut into strips.
3. Wrap each hot dog with a strip of dough.
4. Place on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the dough is golden.
6. Serve warm with your favorite dip.

7) Homemade Corn Dogs

Making corn dogs at home is way easier than you’d think. Whip up a batter with cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and milk or buttermilk.

You want the batter thick enough to stick. Dip each hot dog in, then fry in hot oil at about 350°F (175°C) until golden.

The outside gets crispy and the inside stays juicy. Serve with ketchup, mustard, or whatever you’re craving.

Ingredients

• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup white sugar
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk or buttermilk
• 8 hot dogs
• Vegetable oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
2. Add milk and stir to make a thick batter.
3. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep pan.
4. Pat hot dogs dry, then dip them into the batter.
5. Fry hot dogs until golden brown, about 3-5 minutes.
6. Drain on paper towels before serving.

8) Hot Dog Stroganoff

Hot Dog Stroganoff is a fun twist when you want something filling and fast. Slice up the hot dogs and sauté them with onions in butter.

That’s the base for a creamy sauce. Add sour cream and a little water or stock, then let it simmer until it thickens a bit.

Serve it over noodles or pasta. If you’re feeling fancy, toss in mushrooms and parsley for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 6 hot dogs, sliced
• 1 cup yellow onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/3 cup water or beef stock
• Optional: 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• Cooked noodles or pasta

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add onions and cook until soft.
3. Stir in sliced hot dogs; cook for 3-5 minutes.
4. Add water or stock, then sour cream.
5. Simmer gently until sauce thickens.
6. Serve over noodles or pasta.

9) Mexican Street Hot Dogs with Peppers and Cheese

Mexican street hot dogs put a fun spin on the regular hot dog. They come wrapped in bacon and get loaded with sautéed peppers, onions, and gooey cheese.

You get smoky, spicy, and cheesy flavors all in one bite. Honestly, it’s a little addictive.

First, wrap the hot dogs with bacon and toss them in a pan. While those cook, sauté the onions and peppers until they’re soft.

Toast your buns. Stuff each bun with a bacon-wrapped dog, then pile on the veggies and sprinkle a good handful of cheese over the top.

Want more kick? Add jalapeños or tomatoes if you’re feeling bold.

Ingredients

• 4 hot dogs
• 4 slices of bacon
• 1 cup sliced bell peppers
• 1 cup sliced onions
• 4 hot dog buns
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
• 1 tablespoon oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Wrap each hot dog with a bacon slice.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
3. Cook the bacon-wrapped dogs until the bacon turns crispy, usually 8-10 minutes.
4. Take the dogs out and toss the peppers and onions into the same pan. Sauté until they’re soft, about 5 minutes.
5. Lightly toast the hot dog buns.
6. Put the hot dogs in the buns, top with the veggies, and throw some cheese on there.
7. Serve while they’re warm. Dig in!

For inspiration, check out Mexican hot dogs with peppers and onions.

10) Coney Island Hot Dogs

Coney Island hot dogs keep things classic but never boring. Start with a hot dog nestled in a soft bun.

The real star is the meaty chili sauce. It’s usually ground beef, tomato paste, and a handful of spices.

Top the dog with chopped onions and a squiggle of yellow mustard. That combo just works—savory, rich, and a little tangy.

You can whip up the chili sauce at home with just a few pantry staples. It’s a quick meal but doesn’t skimp on flavor.

Ingredients

• 4 hot dogs
• 4 hot dog buns
• 1/4 pound lean ground beef
• 6 ounces tomato paste
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/4 cup chopped onions
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Toss the ground beef into a pan. Cook it until it turns brown.

2. Add in the tomato paste and a splash of water. Stir it all together.

3. Let the mixture simmer on low for about 15 minutes.

4. Toast the buns just a bit—don’t let them burn!

5. Pop the cooked hot dogs into the buns.

6. Spoon the chili sauce right over the top.

7. Sprinkle on chopped onions. Add a squiggle of mustard if you like that.

8. Serve them up while they’re still warm. Enjoy your Coney Island hot dogs!

For more details, check out this Coney Island Hot Dogs Recipe.