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.
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. Brush on a little maple syrup before adding (or instead of) the spices. I like this version with my natural sugar-free maple syrup.
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:
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).
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. Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email. 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. 📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my 30 Dinners In 30 Minutes! 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!
