How to Cook Hotdogs in Toaster Oven - Perfectly Cooked Every Time

When I was a kid, my mom boiled hotdogs and the buns were simply out of the bag.  I didn't know any different, and loaded with mustard and ketchup who would?

But fast forward to now, and hotdogs have come a long way.  No longer are they the bright red color with ingredients we didn't understand and would drive kids up the walls, but now have gone more on the healthy side of things.

But what is the best way to cook them?

✅A toaster oven.  If you happen to have one, the easiest way to cook them is as follows:

Step 1 - Line the toaster oven tray with some tin foil (this stops dripping and drying out)

Step 2 - Set the little oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 3 - Make a few slanted cuts into the hotdogs so they don't try to burst, approx. 1/4 inch deep with a good sharp knife.

Step 4 - Cook approx 8 minutes turning occasionally.

That is it!  This way you have the perfectly cooked hotdog that was not drowned in boiling water or blown up on the barbecue, plus you have not created any mess.  Simply pull out the tin foil when the toaster oven has cooled and recycle or throw out.

This way you do not turn on the large oven which can take forever to heat up.  That is the bonus to toaster ovens, is that they preheat super quick and are great for heating up snacks, cooking hotdogs and even the odd steak.  They are efficient.  But check out the alternative way to cook them below:

✅Retro Hotdog and Bun Toaster

I am a lover of the "retro" look especially in the kitchen, and love the small dedicated appliances when it comes to cooking.  So I was quite interested in this actual dedicated hot dog toaster, which I have found on Amazon.

I was really surprised to see that there is an actual hot dog toaster on the market. This one toasts the buns and the food at the same time.

I have obviously been living under a rock because it has over 1500 positive reviews at the time of this writing!

It cooks 2 hotdogs to perfection and you can adjust the cooking time to your liking and perfectly toasts the buns (I personally am not a fan of the toasted buns, but if you are this is perfect, no burning).

You place the hotdogs in a toaster cage that comes with it.  This makes it easier for handling and a pair of tongues so you don't burn yourself come with it too.  You can get this one for under 20 bucks!  If you are a hotdog connoisseur, this would be a wise investment.

I love the idea of this hotdog cooker and bun toaster, as I would either rely on the outdoor grill which was hard to control for cooking, there was always that lick of flame that burnt the skin, or boiled to death on the stove.

If your kids or you love hotdogs, this would be a super cool and less messy way to cook them.  There is a clean out drip tray underneath. 

✅Different Styles of Hot Dog Toasters

As I checked around further I saw many different retro styles of this appliance.  It is cute enough to stay out on the counter too.  Check out this ENTIRE PAGE of different colors and styles.

Retro kitchen decor is popular right now, and I must admit I quite like it.  The look of years ago but with the modern safety equipment in place.  When I was a kid the electric cords were not grounded and they were wrapped in fabric (yes this ages me), so it is nice to see safety first but still the old world styling.

Hot Dogs Have Gone Uptown!

I love the pop of red.  Many of my small appliances are hidden away because they are simply ... well... ugly.  But this would be a super cute way to decorate the kitchen.  I would leave it out front and center.   Check out some other options below.  Hotdogs have gone uptown!