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These bacon wrapped hot dogs in the air fryer come out juicy in the middle with smoky, crisp bacon around the outside. BBQ seasoning adds extra flavor, and brushing on the sauce near the end gives the bacon a sticky finish without letting it burn.
This air fryer bacon wrapped hot dogs recipe works for an easy lunch, casual dinner, or game day spread. If you want to skip the bacon, start with my air fryer hot dogs. Or, make these a meal with homemade French fries in the air fryer and Southern coleslaw.
Ingredients Needed
Find the exact ingredient amounts in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Bacon: I use thin-cut pork bacon because it crisps more easily during the short air fryer cooking time.
- Hot dogs: Beef or turkey hot dogs both work. Lightly score each one a few times before wrapping it.
- BBQ seasoning: I use my homemade BBQ seasoning to season the bacon.
- BBQ sauce: Use your favorite hickory or smoky barbecue sauce. Add it after the bacon has already started cooking so the sugars do not darken too quickly.
- Hot dog buns: Optional for serving. I like them lightly toasted for a little extra texture.
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs in the Air Fryer
Score the Hot Dogs
Use a knife to make a few shallow cuts across each hot dog. I do this before adding the bacon so the hot dogs heat evenly without splitting as much while they cook.
Season the Bacon
Toss the bacon with the BBQ seasoning so both sides get some of the seasoning.
Wrap the Hot Dogs
Wrap one slice of bacon snugly around each hot dog, slightly overlapping it as you go. If the end will not stay tucked underneath, secure it with a toothpick.
Start Air Frying
Place the wrapped hot dogs in the air fryer in a single layer with some room between them. Air fry at 400°F until the bacon starts to brown and tighten around the hot dogs.
Flip, Sauce, and Finish
Flip the hot dogs, then brush them with about half of the BBQ sauce. Continue cooking until the bacon is browned and crisp to your liking. Brush on the remaining sauce before serving if you want a saucier finish.
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How Long to Air Fry Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs
Bacon wrapped hot dogs cook in the air fryer for about 10–12 minutes at 400°F, flipping after the first 6 minutes.
The exact cooking time depends mostly on the bacon. Thin-cut bacon should crisp within that window, while thicker slices may need more time.
I use the clock as a guide, but I look at the bacon before taking them out. It should be browned around the hot dog with the edges crisp to your liking.
Tips for Crispy Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs
- Use thin-cut bacon: This is the biggest thing I’d recommend. Thick-cut bacon takes longer to render and crisp than the hot dogs need to heat through.
- Partially cook thick bacon first: If thick-cut bacon is what you have, cook it for about 5 minutes first so it gets a head start before wrapping the hot dogs.
- Leave room in the air fryer: Give the hot air space to move around each hot dog instead of packing them tightly together.
- Add BBQ sauce after the flip: Starting with the sauce can cause it to darken before the bacon gets crisp.
- Use toothpicks only if needed: A snug wrap often stays in place on its own. If you use toothpicks, remove them before serving.
- Use the bacon as your final cue: Air fryers vary, so look for browned, crisp bacon rather than relying only on the timer.
- Use the drip tray for easier cleanup: If you have an air fryer oven, place the drip tray beneath the cooking rack to catch the bacon drippings without blocking airflow.
Toppings and Serving Ideas
You can keep these simple with mustard and BBQ sauce or add ketchup, diced onions, pickles, relish, sauerkraut, or shredded cheese. For the rest of the meal, I usually choose a side based on the kind of spread I’m making:
- Fries-and-hot-dogs dinner: Add homemade air fryer French fries or air fryer potato wedges for a hearty side.
- Cookout-style plate: Serve them with Southern coleslaw for something cool and creamy next to the smoky BBQ flavor.
- Game day spread: Add these alongside wings, sliders, dips, and my bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers, or browse more ideas by looking through my game day recipes.
You can also browse my air fryer recipes when you want more meals and sides cooked in the air fryer.
Storage & Reheating
- Store: Keep leftover bacon wrapped hot dogs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
- Keep buns separate: Store the buns separately so they do not get soggy.
- Reheat: Air fry until the hot dogs are heated through and the bacon has crisped again.
FAQs
Not always. Wrap the bacon snugly and tuck the end underneath the hot dog when possible. Use a toothpick if the bacon starts to unwrap while you are assembling them.
Thin-cut bacon works best because it cooks quickly enough to crisp while the hot dog heats through. If you use thick-cut bacon, partially cook it before wrapping the hot dogs.
The bacon may be too thick, the hot dogs may be crowded in the air fryer, or they may simply need another minute or two. Give each hot dog some space and use the bacon’s color and texture rather than the clock alone to decide when they are done.
Yes. Season the bacon and air fry the wrapped hot dogs without sauce, then serve them with mustard, ketchup, or your favorite hot dog toppings.
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Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs in the Air Fryer
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Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon, thinly sliced, see the blog post for what to do if you have thick-cut bacon
- 4 hot dogs, beef or turkey, score the hot dogs (3-4 slices is good) with a knife
- 1 tsp BBQ Seasoning, click for my recipe
- ¼ cup BBQ Sauce, any hickory, keto, or your favorite bbq sauce works
- 4 Hot Dog Buns, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Make a few shallow cuts across each hot dog.
- Toss the bacon with the BBQ seasoning.
- Wrap one slice of bacon snugly around each hot dog, slightly overlapping the bacon as you go. Secure with a toothpick if needed.
- Place the bacon wrapped hot dogs in the air fryer in a single layer with space between them.
- Air fry for 6 minutes.
- Flip the hot dogs and brush them with half of the BBQ sauce.
- Air fry for another 4–6 minutes, or until the bacon is browned and crisp to your liking.
- Brush with the remaining BBQ sauce before serving, if desired.
SAVE THIS RECIPE
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Recipe Notes
- Use thin-cut bacon: It crisps more easily during the short air fryer cooking time.
- Using thick-cut bacon: Partially cook it for about 5 minutes before wrapping the hot dogs.
- Give them space: Leave room between the hot dogs so hot air can circulate around the bacon.
- Add sauce later: Brushing on the BBQ sauce after the flip helps prevent it from darkening before the bacon is crisp.
- Check the bacon: Air fryers vary, so use the bacon’s color and texture as your final doneness cue.
- Toothpicks: Use them only if needed, and remove them before serving.
Nutrition Details
The nutrition facts come from entering the recipe ingredients into a database of food ingredients. They may vary for any recipe based on the exact product used.
