Making mini corn dogs in the oven is a quick and easy way to enjoy this popular snack without the hassle of deep frying. Whether you’re preparing a delicious appetizer for a party or looking for a fun and kid-friendly meal, these bite-sized treats are sure to be a hit.
Traditionally, corn dogs are made by dipping hot dogs in a cornmeal batter and deep frying them until golden brown. While this method yields delicious results, it can be messy and time-consuming. By baking the mini corn dogs in the oven, you can achieve a similar crispy texture without the excess oil.
To make mini corn dogs in the oven, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients: hot dogs, cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, milk, eggs, and vegetable oil. Once you have all the ingredients on hand, the process is straightforward and requires minimal preparation time.
So, if you’re craving the nostalgic taste of corn dogs but want a healthier and easier alternative, give this oven-baked recipe a try. You’ll be delighted with the crispy exterior, tender hot dog center, and the fact that you can enjoy this classic treat in the comfort of your own home.
Step-by-Step Guide: Making Mini Corn Dogs In The Oven
If you’re craving a fun and delicious snack, look no further than mini corn dogs. These bite-sized treats are perfect for parties, game days, or just a fun meal at home. While they are often deep-fried, you can also make them in the oven for a slightly healthier alternative. Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to make mini corn dogs in the oven!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 egg
- 1 package mini hot dogs or cocktail franks
- Optional toppings: ketchup, mustard
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This will prevent the corn dogs from sticking and make cleanup easier.
Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, vegetable oil, and egg. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough corn dogs.
Step 4: Insert toothpicks into the mini hot dogs or cocktail franks, leaving enough space to hold onto while eating.
Step 5: Dip each hot dog into the cornmeal batter, making sure to coat it evenly. Use a spoon to help spread the batter if needed.
Step 6: Place the coated hot dogs onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between them. Bake in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes, or until the cornbread coating is golden brown and crispy.
Step 7: Once baked, remove the mini corn dogs from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. Serve with your favorite dipping sauces, such as ketchup and mustard.
Step 8: Enjoy your homemade mini corn dogs! They are best served fresh and can be enjoyed as a snack or as part of a meal.
Note: Be cautious when handling toothpicks and consuming the corn dogs, making sure to remove the toothpick before eating to avoid any accidents.
Preparing the Batter
To make mini corn dogs, you’ll need to prepare a simple batter that will coat the hot dogs before baking them in the oven. Here’s how to do it:
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup of cornmeal, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Mix these dry ingredients together until they are well-combined.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 egg, 1/2 cup of milk, and 2 tablespoons of melted butter or oil. Make sure the wet ingredients are well-mixed.
3. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Use a whisk or spatula to stir everything together until a thick, smooth batter forms. Make sure there are no lumps in the batter.
4. Let the batter sit for 5-10 minutes to allow the ingredients to fully combine.
Now that your batter is ready, you can move on to the next step of the mini corn dog recipe: preparing the hot dogs.
Coating the Mini Hot Dogs
Once you have prepared the mini hot dogs by cutting them to the desired size, it’s time to coat them in a delicious batter before baking them in the oven. The coating adds a crispy and flavorful exterior to the mini corn dogs.
Ingredients for the Coating:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup buttermilk
To begin, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornmeal, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and black pepper. Make sure all the dry ingredients are well combined.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg and then add the buttermilk. Whisk until the mixture is smooth.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; lumps are okay.
Now, take each mini hot dog and dip it into the batter, coating it all over. You can use a spoon or your fingers to make sure each hot dog is evenly coated.
Place the coated mini hot dogs onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 15 minutes or until the coating is golden brown and crispy. Check them periodically to avoid over-browning.
Once they are cooked to perfection, remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the mini corn dogs cool for a few minutes before serving.
You can serve your mini corn dogs with ketchup, mustard, or any other dipping sauce of your choice. These delicious bite-sized treats are perfect for parties, picnics, or a fun family meal.
Enjoy your homemade mini corn dogs fresh from the oven!
Baking the Mini Corn Dogs
To bake the mini corn dogs, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Place the frozen mini corn dogs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
Make sure to leave some space between each mini corn dog so they can cook evenly.
Bake the mini corn dogs for 15-20 minutes or until they are golden brown.
Once they are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes.
Serve the mini corn dogs warm with your favorite dipping sauces.
Baking the mini corn dogs in the oven gives them a crispy texture and reduces the amount of oil used compared to deep frying.
It is also a convenient option when you need to make a large batch of mini corn dogs for parties or gatherings.
Enjoy your homemade mini corn dogs straight from the oven!
FAQ
What is a mini corn dog?
A mini corn dog is a small version of a traditional corn dog. It consists of a bite-sized hot dog covered in cornmeal batter and deep-fried until golden brown.
Can I make mini corn dogs in the oven?
Yes, you can make mini corn dogs in the oven. It’s a healthier alternative to deep-frying and still results in delicious corn dogs.
What ingredients do I need to make mini corn dogs in the oven?
To make mini corn dogs in the oven, you will need hot dogs, cornmeal, flour, milk, eggs, baking powder, salt, and oil for greasing the baking sheet.
How do I make mini corn dogs in the oven?
To make mini corn dogs in the oven, start by preheating the oven to 200°C. In a bowl, mix together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, whisk together milk and eggs. Dip each hot dog into the wet mixture, then roll it in the dry mixture until coated. Place the coated hot dogs onto a greased baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve and enjoy!