Description
Imagine the rich, melty goodness of a grilled cheese sandwich wrapping itself around a juicy, savory hot dog. Now imagine that masterpiece coming together effortlessly in your air fryer — no messy stovetop flipping, no greasy pans! Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Hot Dogs are here to upgrade your snack game, blending nostalgic flavors into one easy-to-make, family-approved dish. Whether you’re preparing a quick weeknight meal, a party snack, or a fun weekend treat, these hot dogs bring gooey cheese, buttery bread, and meaty satisfaction together in every bite.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need: exact measurements, step-by-step directions, smart tips, creative variations, and expert advice on storing and serving. Let’s dive right in!
Ingredients
For the Grilled Cheese Hot Dogs:
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4 hot dog sausages (beef, chicken, or vegetarian)
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4 slices of sandwich bread (white or whole wheat)
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4 slices of American cheese or cheddar cheese
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2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, softened
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1 tablespoon of mayonnaise (optional, for extra crispiness)
Optional Toppings and Fillings:
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2 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella or pepper jack cheese
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1 tablespoon of finely chopped onions
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1 tablespoon of pickled jalapeños
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1 tablespoon of ketchup or mustard for dipping
Instructions
First, gather everything you need. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes to ensure even cooking later. While the air fryer is heating, soften the butter if it’s not already at room temperature.
Meanwhile, lightly roll each slice of bread with a rolling pin to flatten it just a bit. This step helps the bread wrap snugly around the hot dogs and cheese without tearing.
Lay a slice of cheese onto each slice of flattened bread. Place a hot dog sausage at the bottom edge of the bread. Roll it up tightly, enclosing the hot dog and cheese inside the bread. If you like, you can sprinkle some extra shredded cheese, onions, or jalapeños inside before rolling for a flavor boost!
Seal the edge with a small dab of mayonnaise or a touch of butter to prevent it from unrolling during cooking.
Once rolled, brush the outside of each wrap generously with softened butter. This not only ensures a beautiful golden brown finish but also adds that classic grilled cheese flavor.
If you want an extra crispy result, brush a very thin layer of mayonnaise along with the butter — trust me, it crisps up beautifully!
Place the wrapped hot dogs seam-side down in the air fryer basket. Make sure to leave a little space between each one to allow proper air circulation.
Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through. They should turn golden brown and crispy on the outside, with melted, gooey cheese on the inside.
Tip: Keep an eye on them during the last few minutes to avoid over-browning.
Once cooked, remove the grilled cheese hot dogs from the air fryer and let them rest for about 2 minutes — the cheese will be lava-hot right out of the fryer! Serve with your favorite dipping sauces, like ketchup, mustard, or a tangy barbecue sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Lunch, Appetizers
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 grilled cheese hot dog
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 790 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg