Air Fryer Cheesy Loaded Hot Dogs.

Ingredients

For the Hot Dogs

• 4 beef, chicken, or pork hot dogs
• 4 hot dog buns
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

For the Loaded Toppings

• 4 slices cooked crispy bacon, crumbled
• ½ small onion, finely sliced
• ¼ cup diced pickles
• ¼ cup sliced jalapeños, optional
• 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon barbecue sauce

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Hot Dog Buns

1. Start by preheating your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes. While it heats, carefully open the hot dog buns without separating the sides completely.
2. Mix the melted butter with garlic powder and dried parsley. Lightly brush the inside of each bun with the seasoned butter.
3. The butter helps the buns become golden and slightly crisp while also adding a delicious garlic-butter flavor.

Step 2: Prepare the Hot Dogs

1. Make a few shallow diagonal cuts across each hot dog. Do not cut all the way through. These small cuts allow the hot dogs to heat evenly and give them attractive crispy edges.
2. Place the hot dogs into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 375°F for 4–5 minutes , turning them halfway through cooking.
3. The exact cooking time can vary depending on your air fryer and the type of hot dogs you’re using.

Step 3: Toast the Buns

1. Remove the hot dogs temporarily and place the prepared buns in the air fryer basket.
2. Air fry for approximately 1–2 minutes at 375°F. Keep a close eye on them because buns can brown quickly.
3. You want them lightly toasted on the outside while remaining soft enough to hold all the toppings.

Step 4: Add the Cheese

1. Place one cooked hot dog inside each toasted bun. Sprinkle cheddar and mozzarella generously over the top.
2. Return the assembled hot dogs to the air fryer.
3. Air fry for 1–2 minutes , just until the cheese becomes completely melted and bubbly.
4. Avoid cooking them too long at this stage. The cheese should melt beautifully without becoming dry or overly browned.

Step 5: Make Them Loaded

1. Now comes the fun part. Remove the cheesy hot dogs from the air fryer and immediately add the toppings.
2. Start with crumbled crispy bacon. Add sliced onions, diced pickles, jalapeños, and chopped green onions.
3. Drizzle with ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, and barbecue sauce.
4. For a restaurant-style presentation, drizzle the sauces in thin lines across the top rather than adding them all in one place.

Step 6: Serve Immediately

1. These hot dogs are best served immediately while the cheese is warm and stretchy and the buns are still crisp around the edges.
2. Serve them with air-fried potatoes, French fries, potato wedges, coleslaw, or a simple green salad.

Nutrition

Calories: 430 kcal · Protein: 17 g · Fat: 27 g · Carbohydrates: 31 g · Saturated Fat: 10 g · Fiber: 2 g · Sugar: 6 g · Sodium: 1,050 mg