Classic American Corn Dogs (Printable)

Juicy hot dogs wrapped in sweet cornmeal batter, deep-fried until golden and crispy.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Corn Dogs

01 - 8 hot dogs
02 - 8 wooden sticks (popsicle or bamboo skewers)

→ For the Batter

03 - 1 cup yellow cornmeal (120 g)
04 - 1 cup all-purpose flour (125 g)
05 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar (50 g)
06 - 1 tablespoon baking powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1 cup whole milk (240 ml)
09 - 2 large eggs
10 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

→ For Frying

11 - 6 cups vegetable oil (1.5 liters) for deep frying

# How-To:

01 - Pat the hot dogs completely dry with paper towels. Insert a wooden stick into each hot dog, pushing it about halfway through to create a secure handle. Ensure enough stick remains exposed for easy gripping.
02 - Pour vegetable oil into a deep fryer or large, heavy-bottomed pot. Heat to 350°F, maintaining consistent temperature throughout frying. Use a thermometer to ensure proper oil temperature.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together yellow cornmeal, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until thoroughly combined.
04 - In a separate bowl, beat the whole milk, eggs, and vegetable oil until well blended. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients.
05 - Whisk the wet and dry ingredients together until smooth and thick. The batter should coat the back of a spoon. Transfer to a tall glass for easier dipping.
06 - Dip each hot dog into the batter, turning and swirling to coat completely. Ensure an even layer covers the entire surface. Allow excess batter to drip off briefly.
07 - Carefully lower 2-3 battered hot dogs into the hot oil. Fry for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy on all sides. Do not overcrowd the pot.
08 - Remove corn dogs with tongs and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve immediately while hot, accompanied by ketchup and mustard if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They come out impossibly crispy and golden, like something from a professional fair booth
  • The batter clings perfectly every single time, no sliding off in the oil
  • Ready in 30 minutes flat for last minute cravings or hungry crowds
02 -
  • Patting hot dogs completely dry is non-negotiable for batter adhesion
  • Letting the batter rest for 10 minutes before dipping makes it thick enough to coat properly
  • Crowding the pot drops the oil temperature too fast, leading to soggy results
03 -
  • Add 2 extra tablespoons of cornmeal to the batter for extra crunch
  • Use room temperature ingredients for better batter consistency
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