Homemade Corn Dogs

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Don't wait for the local county fair. Whip up a few homemade corn dogs anytime with this easy and delicious corn dogs recipe.

Active Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
20 mins
Servings:
4

Don't wait for the local county fair; whip up a few homemade corn dogs anytime with this easy and delicious recipe.

We think corn dogs belong on the list of ultimate Southern comfort foods. Flavorful beef, starchy cornmeal, and tangy mustard come together to create our favorite childhood snack. They're also surprisingly easy to make, and the dipping is a fun step to take on with your kids.

Learn how to make homemade corn dogs, and make your own the next night you have a game night or tailgate planned.

Southern Living Homemade Corndogs in a basket to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

What Makes a Corn Dog a Corn Dog?

A corn dog is a sausage or hot dog that is skewered then dipped in a cornmeal batter and deep fried until crispy and golden. Corn dogs are typically served with ketchup or mustard.

Who Invented Corn Dogs?

Southerners, of course! German Texans, to be precise. These handheld foods were first introduced by Texans with German ancestry in the early 20th century. The earliest version of corn dogs was a combination of sausage rolled in cornbread batter and fried.

The skewer isn't original to corn dogs. They were added later and made it easier to hold the corn dogs without getting dirty hands on your meal.

Ingredients for Homemade Corn Dogs

Beyond the hot dogs, you'll need a few pantry and fridge staples for the batter. Here's what you need on hand to make homemade corn dogs:

  • Canola oil: For frying.
  • Hot dogs: We prefer all-beef franks, but you can use whatever hot dog you like.
  • Yellow cornmeal: This ingredient gives the corn dog batter its delicately sweet, corn-like flavor.
  • All-purpose flour: This helps make the batter more solid.
  • Granulated sugar: Amps up a bit of the sweetness of the cornmeal with sugar.
  • Cornstarch: This helps make the corn dog batter fluffy on the inside and crisp on the outside.
  • Baking powder: This makes the batter "puff" while cooking.
  • Kosher salt: Helps balance all the other flavors.
  • Buttermilk: Provides the majority of the liquid for the corn dog batter.
  • Egg: Final ingredient for the batter, which helps it all hold together when fried.
  • Skewers: This is what you'll use to hold the hot dog—and it's how you can safely dip and fry these corn dogs.
Southern Living Homemade Corndogs ingredients

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

How To Make Corn Dogs

Ever wonder how to make corn dogs at home? It's simpler than you'd think. You'll need about 20 minutes of time—that's it! Follow these three easy steps and you'll have a homemade treat in no time.

  • Step 1: Heat the oil. Add canola oil to a large pot or Dutch oven with tall sides. Heat over medium. Use a candy thermometer to monitor the oil's temperature. Meanwhile, skewer all 8 hot dogs to get them ready for dipping.
  • Step 2: Make the batter. In a bowl, whisk together dry ingredients, buttermilk, and the egg. Once fully mixed, transfer to a tall quart-sized glass.
  • Step 3: Fry corn dogs. Working one at a time, dip each skewered hot dog into the batter. Then, gently drop the skewer hot dog into the heated oil. Fry about 2 minutes, or until the corn dogs are golden and crispy. Use tongs to remove the corn dogs, and place them on a wire rack. Continue cooking the remaining hot dogs.

This corn dogs recipe makes 8, but you could always double it if you're serving a crowd.

Our Tips for the Best Homemade Corn Dogs

What's the secret to success, you make ask? It's all in the corn dog batter. A good batter is the foundation of a great corn dog. And we've perfected it: Buttermilk, sugar, and flour are the key ingredients.

In the South, Conecuh sausage is often dipped and fried for a particularly Southern version of the classic fair food.

How To Store Corn Dogs

If you have leftovers, store the corn dogs in an airtight container or ziplock bag in the fridge up to five days. Reheat in a 300°F to warm the corn dog through while also keeping the crust as crisp as possible.

What To Serve With Corn Dogs

Typically, you'll see corn dogs served simply: with ketchup and mustard. But no one will stop you from using any other sauce you prefer, from comeback sauce to hot sauce. Even a little drizzle of cheese sauce would be great.

Ingredients

  • 1 qt. canola oil

  • 8 all-beef franks, or hotdog of choice

  • 8 8-inch skewers

  • 1 cup plain yellow cornmeal

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

  • 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar

  • 2 Tbsp. cornstarch

  • 1 Tbsp. baking powder

  • 3/4 tsp. kosher salt

  • 1 1/2 cups whole buttermilk

  • 1 large egg

Directions

  1. Prepare oil and hot dogs:

    Heat oil in a large Dutch oven to 350°F over medium heat. Meanwhile, insert skewers into franks, so that at least 2 inches are still exposed on one end.

    Southern Living Homemade Corndogs inserting the skewers into the hotdogs

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  2. Make batter:

    Whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.

    Southern Living Homemade Corndogs dry ingredients in mixing bowl

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Add buttermilk, and egg and whisk until smooth.

    Southern Living Homemade Corndogs whisking the wet ingredients into the batter

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Transfer batter to a tall quart-sized glass.

    Southern Living Homemade Corndogs batter in a glass to use for dipping

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  3. Fry the corndogs:

    Dip hotdogs, 1 at a time, in batter. Immediately place dipped hotdogs in hot oil.

    Southern Living Homemade Corndogs dipping the hot dogs in the batter

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Fry in batches of 2 until golden and crisp, about 2 minutes, turning constantly to help with even browning. Transfer to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drip excess oil while you continue with remaining batter and hotdogs.

    Southern Living Homemade Corndogs on a wire rack after frying

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

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