Quick and Tempting Air Fryer Pizzadogs Prepared in 15 Minutes

In the realm of creative cooking, the air fryer has become a kitchen staple, and one of its most popular recipes is the Air-Fryer Pizza Dogs. This innovative dish, which originates from various creative cooking blogs and home experiments, is a fun twist on the classic hot dog, bringing together the flavours of pizza in a quick and easy way.

To prepare these scrumptious treats, preheat your air fryer to 370°F (190°C). Cheap, fluffy hot dog buns work best for this recipe. Start by assembling the pizza dogs by placing a pre-cooked hot dog in a bun, followed by a generous spoonful of pizza sauce, a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella, a few pepperoni slices, and a dusting of Italian seasoning.

It's essential to ensure that your air fryer isn't overcrowded, as this can lead to soggy buns. A quick spritz of oil on the bun edges before cooking helps prevent them from getting too crispy. Once assembled, pop them into the preheated air fryer for 5-7 minutes, or until the bun is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

At the 5-minute mark, it's recommended to peek at the pizza dogs to check on their progress. If you prefer a spicy kick, jalapenos or a drizzle of hot honey can be added to the mix. For a Hawaiian-style twist, swap pepperoni for diced ham and pineapple tidbits. Meat lover's pizza dogs can be made by crumbling cooked sausage or bacon bits over the cheese. Veggie-loaded pizza dogs can be made by adding sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, or black olives.

Three-cheese pizza dogs can be made by mixing mozzarella with cheddar and parmesan for extra gooeyness. For those who prefer a different sauce, marinara, a quick mix of tomato paste with Italian seasoning, or a light smear of ketchup mixed with oregano can be used as a substitute for pizza sauce.

Each pizza dog contains approximately 320 calories, making them a satisfying yet manageable snack or meal. It's important to note that air fryers can vary, so it's crucial to check the pizza dogs at 5 minutes to prevent over-browning.

Pizza dogs can be assembled up to 2 hours ahead, but should be covered with damp paper towels to prevent the buns from drying out. Once cooked, let the pizza dogs rest for 1 minute to allow the cheese to set perfectly and prevent burning your tongue.

Leftover pizza dogs can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes. With these simple steps, you can enjoy delicious Air-Fryer Pizza Dogs in under 15 minutes, ready to satisfy your pizza and hot dog cravings in one go!