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Discover the ultimate way to elevate hot dogs into a gourmet delight. Air fried bacon-wrapped hot dogs will redefine your taste buds.

4 bacon-wrapped hot dogs on plate, 1 on bun.

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Bacon-wrapped hot dogs are next level. They take everyone’s favorite quick backyard BBQ treat and combine it with everyone’s favorite meat. And when you cook it up just right so the bacon is crispy and the hot dog still has a snap, it’s remarkable.

The right way to cook bacon-wrapped hot dogs

Once I discovered the best way to make bacon dogs, regular hot dogs seem so boring.

I’ve made bacon-wrapped hot dogs on the grill before, but they never turn out awesome. Because you have to rotate them so much, the bacon slides off, the flare-ups create unpleasing flavors and they’re just not great. 

But, once I cooked bacon-wrapped hot dogs in an air fryer, it was a game changer. The bacon adheres to the hot dog like a crispy sleeve and the bacon stays plump and delicious. With this method, it’s really possible to get juicy hot dogs that are crispy at the same time. 

According to research I conducted reading historic articles at Newspapers.com, bacon-wrapped hot dogs were a popular street food in Tijuana, Mexico. The idea spread north to California in the early 2000s.

The Tijuana dogs became known as “street dogs” and transformed into “danger dogs.” They became so popular that cafes and restaurants started adding them to their menus and the idea spread across the U.S.

Another version of Mexican hot dogs that transcended north into Arizona is Sonoran hot dogs. A Tucson restaurant called El Guero Canelo began selling them in the 1990s. These are also wrapped in bacon. They are usually topped with onions, tomatoes and pinto beans and stuffed in a bolillo roll. 

Check out these other ways to cook the perfect hot dog.

four hot dogs wrapped in bacon.

Ingredients

Once you master this easy recipe for making bacon-wrapped hot dogs (which I know you’ll get right on your first try), you can top the dogs with whatever condiments you like. Personally, BLTs are my favorite sandwich, so guess what? BLT dogs are my new favorite hot dogs.

ingredients for BLT hot dogs: mayo, buns, lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, hot dogs.
  • Bacon: Don’t get the thick-cut bacon, that takes too long to cook. Just go with the original regular cut or thin cut. It’s perfect for even cooking.
  • Hot dogs: I’ve tried just about every brand of hot dog out there. My favorite brand of hot dogs is a toss-up between Nathan’s, Hebrew National and Snake River Farms
  • Hot dog buns: When I’m making BLT dogs, I use white buns, but you can mix it up and use wheat buns, potato buns or even Hawaiian buns.

Condiments for a BLT Dog

  • Lettuce: Shred up iceberg or romaine lettuce.
  • Tomato: Diced Roma tomatoes work great, just remove the seeds and extra juice. You can also use halved cherry tomatoes.
  • Mayo: I’m a fan of Duke’s. It’s so smooth and creamy.
Substitutions: Feel free to use turkey bacon, just watch your time. It'll cook up faster. Top your bacon-wrapped hot dogs with your favorite toppings. Ketchup, mustard and relish work, but feel free to go wild. 

See the full recipe card below for servings and a full list of ingredients.


How to air fry bacon-wrapped hot dogs

This recipe has been perfected for the Ninja Woodfire Grill and Ninja Indoor Grill. If you have a different type of air fryer, just pay more attention to the time. When the bacon is fully cooked and crispy, the dogs are ready.

  1. STEP ONE: Separate the strips of bacon. Take one slice of bacon and wrap it around the whole hot dog until you reach the end of the hot dog.
PRO TIP: There is no need to use toothpicks. If you plan it right both ends of the bacon will end up on the bottom and the weight of the hot dog will keep the piece of bacon in place. 
  1. STEP TWO: Set your Ninja Woodfire Grill function to Air Crisp, keep the temperature at the default, which is 390F degrees. And keep the time at 20 minutes (although you won’t need the full time). No need to use the air fryer basket.
  1. STEP THREE: Place the bacon-wrapped hot dogs on the grill grate in the pre-heated grill. For the best results, make sure the ends of the bacon are on the bottom. Cook for 10 minutes.
4 bacon-wrapped hot dogs raw on a grill.
  1. STEP FOUR: After 10 minutes, turn the hot dogs over with a pair of tongs. Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, depending on how crispy you like the bacon.
four bacon-wrapped hot dogs crisped up on a grill.
  1. STEP FIVE: Remove from the grill and place in a hot dog bun. I prefer my bun gently warmed and soft so it contrasts with the crispy texture of the bacon, but you can use a toasted bun, too. Top with your favorite condiments, and serve with a side of potato chips, Smoked Mac and Cheese on a Ninja Grill, Garlic Parmesan Ranch French Fries or Baked Beans.
4 bacon-wrapped hot dogs on plate, 1 on bun.

How to make a BLT hot dog

To make the BLT hot dog, spread a heavy amount of mayonnaise on the bun before you add the hot dog. Then, pile on shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes.

two blt hot dogs.

Storage

If you have any leftover bacon-wrapped hot dogs, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Reheat them in the microwave or Ninja Grill. You can also freeze them, but the bacon will get soggy, unless you re-air fry them.


GCG Pro Pitmaster Tips

  • Don’t use thick-cut bacon
  • Wrap the hot dogs tightly with one strip of bacon
  • Secure the ends of the bacon on the bottom side of the hot dog
  • Cook until the bacon is crispy and golden brown

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make bacon-wrapped hot dogs without toothpicks?

It all comes down to the wrapping. Place the piece of bacon under the hot dog and then wrap it a few times. So long as both ends of the bacon are on the bottom of the hot dog, the weight of the hot dog will keep the bacon in place.

How do you make bacon-wrapped hot dogs on a grill?

The best way to make this hot dog recipe is in an air fryer. It’s the perfect way to get crispy bacon. You can cook these on the grill, too. Heat your grill to medium-high heat and rotate them often, until the bacon is crispy.

Because you have to rotate them so frequently to avoid bacon grease flare-ups, you should secure the bacon with toothpicks. Otherwise, it may fall off before it’s cooked and crispy.

What’s the best bacon to use for bacon-wrapped hot dogs?

Use regular-cut bacon or thin-sliced bacon, so it will crisp up quickly. Hot dogs are already fully cooked, so they don’t need much time in the air fryer. Thick-cut bacon takes too long to cook, which means your hot dog will dry out by the time the bacon is crispy. 

How many hot dogs should I plan on per person?

When you wrap your hot dogs in bacon, the whole family will love them, so plan to make a few extra. Kids will probably eat one, but they may surprise you and go for a second. Adults will eat two, but may go for a third, depending on the amount of hot dog toppings they add and the number of side dishes you have.


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5 from 1 vote

Bacon-wrapped hot dogs on the Ninja Grill

Discover the ultimate way to elevate hot dogs into a gourmet delight. Air fried bacon-wrapped hot dogs will redefine your taste buds.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients 

  • 4 hot dogs
  • 4 slices bacon
  • 4 hot dog buns

For a BLT Hot Dog

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup shredded lettuce
  • 1 roma tomato, diced

Instructions 

  • Preheat: Preheat your Ninja Grill to the air crisp function at 390F degrees for 20 minutes.
  • Wrap: Take a slice of bacon and wrap it around a hot dog. Arrange it so both ends of the bacon are on the bottom.
  • Air Fry: Place the hot dogs on the Ninja Grill with the bacon ends on the bottom. Air fry for 10 minutes. Flip. Air fry for another 5 minutes or so, until the bacon is as crispy as you like it.
  • Assemble: Place your hot dog in a bun and top with your favorite condiments.

BLT Hot Dog

  • For the BLT hot dog, spread mayo on each bun. Add the hot dog. Top with shredded lettuce and tomato.

Nutrition

Calories: 421kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 12gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 754mgPotassium: 213mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 192IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 77mgIron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Did you try this recipe?Be sure to rate it, leave a comment and save it so you can make it again. Show off your awesome results on social by tagging @girlscangrill
christie vanover standing against wood wall.

Hey BBQ Family

I’m Christie, the head cook and award-winning competitive pitmaster for Team Girls Can Grill. I have won multiple grand championships and top 10 category finishes. I’m an expert grill reviewer for BBQ Guys, and I have appeared on the Food Network and Ninja Woodfire Grill infomercials. I established this website in 2015 to share my BBQ tips and recipes.

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