Ingredients
1 3/4 c. (210 g.) all purpose flour
2 tbsp. granulated sugar, plus more for sprinkling
1 (1/4-oz.) package instant yeast
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1 c. whole milk
Vegetable oil, for frying (3 to 4 cups)
4 beef hot dogs
4 cheese sticks (optional)
1 1/2 c. panko bread crumbs
2 cups chopped frozen fries, crumbled ramen, and/or crushed cornflakes (optional)
Ketchup and yellow mustard, for topping
Preparation
Step 1In a large bowl, whisk flour, granulated sugar, yeast, and salt until fully combined. Fold in milk until a sticky, stiff batter forms. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and place in a warm place to proof until doubled in size, about 1 hour.Step 2Into a large Dutch oven or deep cast-iron skillet fitted with a deep-fry thermometer, pour oil to a depth of 2". Heat over medium-high heat until thermometer registers 325º.Step 3Thread hot dogs on 4 skewers or chopsticks. (If you’re making cheese dogs, slice cheese sticks and hot dogs in half. Thread one hot dog half, then one cheese half onto skewers.) Place panko and any desired toppings on 2 separate plates.Step 4Coat hot dogs in flour mixture, slowly spinning skewer and, using wet fingers, making sure entire dog is covered in batter. Roll dogs in desired toppings, then in panko, sprinkling with more if needed.Step 5Immediately fry coated hot dog, turning occasionally, until deeply golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer fried dog to a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat with remaining ingredients.Step 6Sprinkle dogs with granulated sugar on all sides, then drizzle with ketchup and mustard.
With toppings like fries, puffed rice, and crushed ramen, and with a finishing sprinkling of sugar, corn dogs have proven to be the one of the most popular street foods in the world. In New York alone, there have been six or so new restaurants dedicated just to pumping out these delicious, crispy, golden brown dogs on a stick. The best part is? They’re pretty easy to make. The dough has yeast in it, so it takes about an hour to proof, but once that’s done, the assembly and frying are pretty simple. I love the classic toppings, but if you have other ideas (maybe Cheetos? Or French’s crispy onions?), I’d love to hear about them in the comments below!
