Your kids’ favorite go-to for a picnic or a meal, hot dogs don’t have to be just about the basic bun. From mac and cheese dogs to hot dog curry to hot dog hash, we’ve rounded up creative hot dog recipes that will change the way you think about franks. Keep reading to discover our favorite hot dog recipes for kids.
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Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket
Pigs in a Blanket got an Air Fryer makeover with this recipe from Bake Me Some Sugar. Add cheese for variety and serve with various dipping sauces! Get the recipe here.
Polynesian Sweet and Sour Hot Dogs with Rice
A sweet and delicious stir fry that includes a go-to ingredient like hot dogs? Yup, we've just found the answer to your busy weeknight dinner problems. Get the recipe from Tablespoon.
Bahn Mi Slaw Hot Dog
If you love Bahn Mi sandwiches, you'll love this hot dog version. The slaw is easy to make at home, and the results are delicious. Get the recipe over at Real Housemoms.
Pretzel Dogs
Pretzels and hot dogs, what's not to love about this recipe? Soft and chewy dough surrounding a juicy hot dog, sprinkled with sea salt, yum! Get the recipe over at Food Fanatic.
Pizza Dogs
Pizza and hot dogs, two of your kids' favorite meals combined into one. Gooey mozzarella and mini pepperoni are the trick in this fun recipe from Taste and Tell.
Hot Dog Fried Rice
From Delish comes this yummy looking fried rice. Filled with healthy veggies like carrot and peas, and with an extra protein punch in the form of fried egg, this is basically a one-pot meal that the whole family can enjoy. Get the recipe here.
Marinated Hot Dogs
When you give your hot dogs a good overnight soak in this sweet-and-spicy marinade from Good Food Stories, you won't need to worry about fancy toppings. Made with ketchup, soy sauce and other yummy ingredients, the only thing left to do is check out the grilling tip that Casey from Good Food Stories shares here.
Mini Corn Dogs
Everyone's favorite fair food can be yours at home with this sweet recipe from The View from Great Island. Even better, there's a recipe for onion sauce, which fancies it up for the parents!
Seattle Hot Dog
Our tummies are growling over this Seattle hot dog spotted over at Show Me the Yummy. Loaded with sauteed onion, bacon cream cheese and spicy jalapeños, this is a grown-up edition of your kiddo's go-to dinner. Find out what you'll need over at Show Me the Yummy.
The Classic New York Hot Dog
If you haven't had a hot dog from a New York street cart, you haven't had a hot dog. Luckily, you can recreate the simple but classic flavors by following Pennywise Mama's recipe. One secret? Boil the dogs, don't grill 'em!
Pigs in a Blanket
This little piggy goes down great for playdates, lunches or even kid-friendly appetizers and it's easier to make than you think. Just click here for the full how-to.
Chili Cheese Dilly Dogs
You can’t let the summer slip by without having a chili dog—and if you’re going to do it, you might as well do it right, with this recipe from Garlic & Zest. The “dilly” part comes from a pickle, which makes for a crisp and tangy contrast to the hearty chili.
Taco Dogs
We like to keep a stash of hot dogs in the freezer for those times when cooking up an elaborate meal isn’t in the cards. This twist on chili dogs from Mama Gourmand is the perfect way to make an old favorite new again—and it’s a guaranteed kid-pleaser too.
Fancy Hot Dogs
You know what makes a hot dog fancy? Mushrooms. This take on dogs with sauteed mushrooms is essentially the beef stroganoff of the hot dog world. Get the full recipe here.
Hot Dog Hash
Think hot dogs are only for lunch (or dinner)? This creative recipe from macheesmo.com brings hot dogs to the breakfast table—and the results are delicious.
Ball Park Frank Grilled Cheese
They loved grilled cheese. They love hot dogs. Why not switch things up and combine the two for a lunch that invokes the ballpark and comfort food all in one. Get the full recipe right here.
One Pot Spaghetti Hot Dog
This recipe, courtesy of Ramona at Curry and Comfort, combines two of your kids’ favorite foods: spaghetti and hot dogs. Add in veggies like onions and bell peppers and the result is a delicious hearty meal that requires only one pot. Hooray for easy clean-ups! Get the full recipe by clicking here.
Baked Corn Dog Muffins
Corn dogs were one of our favorite summer foods when we were kids, so we’re obsessed with this bite-size version that works perfectly for picnics. The only problem? It’s impossible to eat just one. To snag the recipe, click here.
Cheesy Hot Dog Wontons
Try out this clever twist on pigs in a blanket, swapping crescent rolls for wonton wrappers. Don’t forget the key ingredient: gooey cheddar cheese! Click here to get the details from Cheap Recipe Blog.
Tortilla Dogs
Here’s a perfect “the-fridge-is-nearly-empty” meal—just wrap hot dogs in a tortilla and fry them up, then you’ll have perfectly sized bites to dip in ketchup and mustard. Get the full recipe from Or Whatever you Do.
Hot Dog Sliders
Whether served as a finger-food appetizer or as dinner alongside a green salad, this recipe from Cook the Story is bound to be a home run. The mini hot dogs are topped with honey mustard and a peach salsa.
Polynesian Hot Dogs
Hot dogs become something brand new with this recipe from The Midnight Baker. With a salty-sweet sauce made using pineapple juice, soy sauce and brown sugar, it’s going to be an instant hit with the kiddos.
Threaded Spaghetti Hot Dog Bites
This fun idea from Damn Delicious gets the tots involved in the cooking. Have them thread uncooked spaghetti through hot dogs before you boil the pasta, and pair it with homemade or jarred marinara sauce for a delicious meal. To get the recipe, click here.
Tex-Mex Hot Dogs
To add a colorful Tex-Mex flair to your usual hot dog, top it with corn, beans, salsa and peppers — or let your little ones pick their own topping combinations. Get the recipe from Country Cleaver.
Franks & Beans With Sweet Potatoes
Try this twist on the classic franks and beans that incorporate hearty sweet potatoes, crispy bacon and tangy barbecue sauce for a stick-to-your-ribs meal. Get the recipe from The Weary Chef.
Tot Dogs
Got a tater tot lover in your family? Top some hot dogs with tater tots, cheese sauce, sour cream and crumbly bacon for a kid-approved meal. Get more details from The Merry Thought.
Hot Dog Curry
Transform hot dogs into something totally unexpected with this great recipe from Curry and Comfort. It’s not spicy, just sweet and tangy, so even picky eaters will love this one. To snag the recipe, click here.
Chili Dog Casserole
This dish from Cully’s Kitchen will come together in no time at all — just layer chili, hot dogs, tortillas and cheddar cheese to make a warming meal that the whole crew will love. Grab the recipe by clicking here.
Mac and Cheese Dogs
Two kid-favorite foods combine in Taste and Tell’s awesome mac and cheese dogs recipe. Whip this one up as a decadent weekend treat. It’s sure to be a big hit with the whole fam. Grab the recipe by clicking here.
BBQ Bacon Cheese Hot Dogs
As if grilled hot dogs weren’t delicious enough already, this recipe from Barbara Bakes ups the ante by wrapping them in bacon and stuffing them with gouda cheese. Sign us up! Click here for the full recipe.
Hot Dog Bar
If you can't decide on what kind of hot dog you'd like, Lindsay from Pinch of Yum has you covered with her hot dog bar! Check out her yummy toppings for a California dog (and more!) here.
Easy Carrot Dog
This is not your typical hot dog recipe but cooked inside a delicious marinade, these carrot dogs will be a surprise for everyone. Head over to Pass the Plants for the easy recipe.
Tropical Hot Dog Bar
Try out these tasty toppings from The View from Great Island. There are so many fresh and delicious topping options that everyone will find a favorite! Find the recipe here.
—Taylor Clifton, Susie Foresman with Gabby Cullen
Featured photo: Unsplash
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