These air fryer grilled cheese hot dogs turn two lunch time favorites into one crispy, melty handheld bite in under 10 minutes. You get golden, buttery bread on the outside and a gooey cheese and hot dog center, no skillet or flipping required.
My parents used to make grilled cheese hot dogs back in the day, standing over the stove grilling the bread and melting the cheese.
Hi, couldn’t be me. I’m throwing just about everything in the air fryer! 🤣
These are just a really simple, classic lunch favorite that I’ve been making on repeat around here.
If you already love our Air Fryer Chili Dogs or our basic Air Fryer Grilled Cheese, you’re really going to love these! Try dipping them in chili sauce or squirting on some mustard. So good.
The toothpicks felt like a hassle the first time I made these, but once I figured out how to lay them in the basket so the picks poke through the holes, the whole process got a lot easier. Now it’s one of my go to lunches when I want something different than a plain sandwich.
Two favorites in one bite. You get the crispy, buttery crust of a grilled cheese wrapped right around a hot dog, so you’re not choosing between lunch options anymore.
Ready in under 10 minutes. There’s no skillet to babysit. The air fryer does the browning for you while you get everything else on the table.
Kid approved and easy to hold. These are sized for little hands and don’t fall apart the way a regular sandwich might, which makes them great for lunches or quick snacks.
Ingredient Notes, Swaps, & Tips:
White bread works best for the classic soft, buttery crust, but top sliced hot dog buns are a good swap too. Just butter the outside of the bun and cook it the same way.
American cheese melts the smoothest and holds everything together, but cheddar or a mild Swiss will work if that’s what you have in the fridge.
Hot dogs are your standard ballpark style dogs here. Haven’t tried this with the pre-cooked brats, but now that I’ve thought of it, it’s going on the menu soon.
Step by Step:
Prep the Bread – Spread the softened butter over one side of each slice of bread. If you don’t have soft butter, you can use mayo instead.
Assemble the Sandwich – Lay a slice of American cheese on the unbuttered side of each piece of bread, then set a hot dog in the center. Use a toothpick to secure the bread around the hot dog.
Load the Basket – Lay the wrapped hot dogs on their sides in the air fryer basket, tucking the toothpicks through the holes in the basket so they sit flat.
Air Fry – Cook at 380 degrees for 4 to 6 minutes, flipping at the 4 minute mark so both sides brown evenly. Keep an eye on it after the 4 minute mark and pull it once the bread is as golden as you like and the cheese has melted.
Serving Ideas
These are great on their own for a fast lunch, but I like to serve them with a side of tomato soup for dipping, especially on a chilly day.
A cup of hot dog chili on the side turns them into more of a meal, and mustard is always sitting on the table for dunking.
More Air Fryer Lunches Your Kids Will Love To Eat!
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Hot Dogs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 slices white bread
- 2 teaspoons softened butter
- 2 slices American cheese
- 2 hot dogs
Instructions
- Spread the butter on one side of each slice of bread.
- Place a piece of cheese on the non-buttered side of bread and put a hot dog in the center.
- Fold the bread and over the hot dog with the butter side facing out. Use 3 toothpicks straight through the bread and hot dog to hold the bread wrapped around the hot dog.
- Air fry at 380 degrees for 4-6 minutes, checking after 4 minutes until the bread is as browned as you’d like and the cheese has melted. Flip the bread over at the 4 minute mark to help both sides brown evenly.
Notes
Nutrition
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