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GET IT NOWIf you’ve been around here a minute, you know I love foods wrapped in bacon. Although I usually stick to veggies to keep it balanced (think bacon wrapped asparagus and bacon wrapped brussels sprouts), I couldn’t resist trying out bacon wrapped hot dogs. They’re a little indulgent, but sometimes you need that. And I get clean-ingredient hot dogs and bacon. Whip them up with me for your next weeknight dinner or cookout!
Why You’ll Love My Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs
- Juicy dogs + crispy bacon – The most challenging part of making bacon wrapped hot dogs is that bacon cooks more slowly than hot dogs. I’ve developed a few tricks to counteract this, based on my fool-proof method for getting crispy bacon in the oven.
- A little spice – You can wrap and call it a day, but I jazz these up with a couple spices. They add so much flavor!
- Quick & easy – With just 4 simple ingredients, these dogs are ready to rock your mealtime in just 20 minutes.
- 2 cooking methods – I love giving you options! I first made these bacon wrapped hot dogs in the oven, but I’ve since tried grilling them and they are just as amazing.
- Family friendly – Kids and adults both love these bacon wrapped hot dogs! They’re super easy to eat, which makes them perfect for little hands.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my bacon wrapped hot dogs recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
- Hot Dogs – You can use any kind. My family likes grass-fed organic beef franks. Mine are regular-sized, so the cook time will be different if yours are jumbo.
- Bacon – Get regular bacon (I get one with no added sugar or nitrites). I don’t recommend thick-cut bacon here, because it will take too long to crisp up and your hot dogs will overcook.
- Spices – A sprinkle of garlic powder and chili powder give these bacon-wrapped hot dogs a nice, savory kick. You can omit these if you’re not a fan, or experiment with other spices, like onion powder, paprika, or cayenne.
VARIATION: Want a hit of sweetness?
Brush on a little maple syrup before adding (or instead of) the spices. I like this version with my natural sugar-free maple syrup.
How To Make Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
- Score the hot dogs. Cut diagonal slits in each of the hot dogs, about an inch apart. This helps them cook more evenly and prevent bubbling and bursting.
- Wrap in bacon. Wrap a slice of bacon around the hot dogs and secure the ends with toothpicks. (This prevents the bacon from unraveling while cooking.)
- Sprinkle on the spices. Season the bacon wrapped hot dogs with the garlic powder and chili powder.
- Cook until the bacon is crispy. You can pop the hot dogs on the grill, or for the method I make more often, place them on a lined baking sheet with a rack on the top and bake.
My Recipe Tips
- Use a wire rack if you’re baking these. I like this set — it’s non-stick, so easy to clean! This helps with air circulation and lets some of the extra fat dip down from the bacon, helping it crisp up. You can bake bacon wrapped hot dogs without a rack, but the bacon will be much softer and you’ll need to flip halfway through.
- The hot dogs do shrink a bit by the time the bacon gets crispy. I don’t mind and love the easy prep, but if you want to avoid this, you can bake the bacon by itself for about 10 minutes first, until it’s partially cooked but still pliable. Then wrap it around the hot dogs, return to the oven, and finish baking until crispy.
- I prefer a lower temp (medium heat) for the grill than the oven. It reduces flare-ups and the bacon gets the chance to crisp up before it burns. In the oven, 400 works great.
- If you’re grilling, soak the toothpicks in water for 10-15 minutes first. This prevents them from catching fire on the grill (similar to soaking bamboo skewers for chicken kabobs and shrimp skewers).
Storage & Meal Prep
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.
- Meal prep: Slice the hot dogs, wrap them in bacon, and season them. Store in the refrigerator for up to a few days, until you’re ready to bake.
- Reheat: I like to reheat bacon wrapped hot dogs in the oven again, using the same type of rack setup. You can also pop them in the air fryer for a couple minutes.
- Freeze: Wrap each one individually in plastic wrap and pop them into a freezer bag. They’ll keep like this for up to 3 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight.
Serving Ideas
Bacon wrapped hot dogs go with many of the same foods that regular hot dogs do! Here are some of my go-to serving ideas:
- Buns – You can serve these on your favorite buns (try my low carb hot dog buns if you need that option). But honestly, I just love them on their own with sugar-free ketchup and mustard, pictured above.
- Fixings – Load them up with pickles, tomatoes, or even avocado if you’re feeling fancy. These are actually a Mexican-inspired dish (called “danger dogs” in Mexico), though, so sometimes I like a dollop of fresh salsa or queso.
- Fries – Whip up my air fryer french fries, or zucchini fries for a lighter option.
- Salads – I love a cauliflower potato salad for a cookout-style meal. But bacon wrapped hot dogs are also yummy with my cilantro lime slaw, simple mixed greens with lemon vinaigrette, or a refreshing cucumber salad.
- Cookout Favorites – For a little variety, add some classic burgers, spice things up with chipotle turkey burgers, or make my quick air fryer brats.
More Bacon Wrapped Recipes
I wasn’t kidding when I said I love bacon-wrapped foods! Try one of my others below — and I have more at the bottom of the recipe card.
My Favorite Pan & Rack For This Recipe
I’m a big fan of this set. It’s big enough to fit plenty of bacon wrapped hot dogs, the rack fits inside perfectly, and it’s nonstick for easier cleanup.
Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs
These easy bacon wrapped hot dogs are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside! Make them in the oven or on the grill in just 20 minutes.
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Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
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Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C), or preheat the grill to medium heat (350 degrees F). If using the oven method, line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup, then place an oven-safe rack over the baking sheet (I use this set).
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Cut diagonal slits in each hot dog, about an inch apart. Wrap the bacon around the hot dogs and secure with toothpicks on each end.
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Sprinkle the bacon wrapped hot dogs with garlic powder and chili powder.
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Oven method: Place the bacon wrapped hot dogs on the baking sheet fitted with the rack. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the bacon is crispy.
Grill method: Place the bacon wrapped hot dogs on the grill. Close the lid and grill for 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally, until the bacon is crispy.
LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 bacon wrapped hot dog
📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my 30 Dinners In 30 Minutes!
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy.
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Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs
Gratitude Moment
I’m “recovering” from a photo shoot today, so I’m just grateful to sit down, ha! If you’ve seen my recipe development process, I photograph 8-10 recipes in one day about once a month. These are long days on my feet, but I love the efficiency. And I can’t wait to share the new recipes I’ve made recently!
I’ll be planning for fall soon, so which recipes would you like to see that time of year? Let me know in the comments below!
23 Comments
Jeannette
1This is the bomb! Great for a bigger crowd, especially if there are kids. Quick and easy. I rolled mine over 1/2 way through the cooking time. Going to try to air fry next time. OH, and I did 1/2 with Hebrew Nationals and 1/2 with the Kirkland Hot Dogs. Both turned out great! Grandkids and great grand kids wanted more! Some even ate them without buns!
doreen arnold
0I love salmon, my spouse does not. He loves hotdogs, I do not. So quick and different hotdog dish for him and baked salmon for me. Everyone is happy! And who does not love the smell of bacon cooking? Wonder how salmon wrapped in bacon would be! hmm
Wholesome Yum D
0Doreen, I love how you made it work for both of you! Salmon wrapped in bacon actually sounds pretty delicious… you might be onto something there. 😊 Let me know if you give it a try!
Allison Howard
0Quick, easy and just a few ingredients. The kids loved it. Planning on bringing this for a gathering soon.
Mary Kay
0I slice each hot dog halfway through and fill with a piece of sliced cheese, some onion pieces and pickle relish before wrapping them with bacon.
Mickey
0Hmm, I’m thinking bacon needs to be precooked a bit, had it 400° for 20 minutes and bacon not cooked, dogs burning on ends.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Mickey, Did you use a rack? The oven time is based on a rack, so the bacon might not get crispy in this amount of time if you don’t use one. I’ve added to the tips above that you can pre-cook the bacon first, though.
Patti
0I don’t see where you mention the oven temperature???
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Patti, It’s 400 degrees. You can find this information in the recipe card (step 1). Enjoy!
Pat
0Hi Maya,
They don’t seem to sell the Garrett Valley Farms products anywhere near me. I usually buy Hebrew National hot dogs since they are sugar free, but I have never found bacon that is totally sugar free. Do you know of any other sugar free bacon that is on the market?
Thanks,
Pat
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Pat, I’m not sure what’s specific to your area, but you can search for “sugar-free bacon” and hopefully find a national brand that is available near you.
Coleen
0These look really good, however they remind me of a dish my mother made (1950s-60s) which was the same but had sliced cheese inserted in a vertical cut in the hot dog and they were baked in the oven on a bed of pork & beans!
Beth
0I’ve made pork tenderloin wrapped in bacon, why not hot dogs! Such a fun and simple idea.
Av
0Lovely recipe.. The family loved it.
Bernice
0Wow! These hotdogs are so amazing…I’m now a huge fan of wrapping them in bacon. Great idea!
Swathi
0Bacon and hot dogs love that ultimate combo.
Beth
0Oh my goodness! This recipe is going to be such a hit here! So excited to give these a try! My hubby and son are going to love this!
Michelle
0This was such a tasty recipe! My hubby loved it! Thank you!
Toni
0This quickly became a favorite at my house!! So good and delish!
Jo
0So easy and delicious! love these bacon-wrapped hot dogs!
Gina
0This takes hot dogs to the next level! Love this idea as we head into grilling season!
Kristyn
0I know what I am using the bacon I have in the fridge for! Loving all the spices & flavors going on! These are sure to be a hit with my family!
Natalie
0Why does bacon make everything taste better?! These are awesome! Thank you!