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Forget the classic hot dog – these bacon-wrapped hot dogs are the ultimate! This recipe features the All-American hot dog, wraps it with bacon, loads it up with traditional BLT toppings (bacon, lettuce, tomato), and piles it all into a soft, toasty roll. These bacon dogs have the perfect juicy snap and the most delicious flavor! Can be cooked in the oven or grill. 

To give this summer bbq recipe a fun spin, top off your franks with some delicious Tex-Mex garnishes, such as sliced avocados and hot dog onions. Or make it meat lover’s with plenty of beef chili. Continue to read on for more fun topping ideas, plus tips for making the best hot dogs!

Overhead close-up photo of danger dogs (hot dogs wrapped in bacon) on a brown parchment paper.

Update: This post was originally published in June 2015. I’ve updated the post below to include more information about how to wrap hot dogs with bacon.

Table of Contents

About bacon-wrapped hot dogs

These seriously delicious hot dogs deserve a starring role on your 4th of July table. The reason they stand out so much isn’t just the bacon (although, hello, bacon makes everything better!). It’s the high-quality ingredients I used.

Don’t skimp and use cheap ingredients, even if you are making something as simple as hot dogs. Spend the extra couple bucks and purchase the good dogs. It’ll make a huge difference flavor-wise.

I highly recommend:

  • Boar’s Head
  • Nathan’s

Perfect for cooking on the grill, these are perfect for a hot summer’s day or backyard BBQ. Not in the mood to grill out, or the weather not cooperating? You can even make these crispy bacon wrapped hot dogs in the oven! Either way, you’ll be left with dang delicious hot diggity dogs.

The recipe below includes instructions on how to prepare some of THE best hotdogs on planet earth. You can trust that statement because I am not the culinary mastermind behind the method, these guys are.

All it takes is 20 minutes of your time and let everyone make their fully loaded hot dog the way they want!

Cooking Tip: If you are using casing-removed dogs, then spiral cut down the length of the dogs. This will help prevent the dogs from shriveling up.

Why you’ll love these bacon-wrapped hot dogs!

Anyone who likes a hot dog is going to love this recipe. I mean, it’s bacon + hot dog + a bunch of toppings- what’s not to love?!? Not to mention:

  • Flavorful: Smoky bacon accents the salty hot dogs, all topped with shredded lettuce and fresh juicy cherry tomatoes are the perfect combination of flavors to wake up your taste buds and make you enjoy your lunch.
  • Fast & Easy: You have TWO different ways you can cook these hot dogs- Make these hot dogs at home and then bring them to your cookout or grill them at the BBQ! Both are quick and easy to do.
  • Customizable: You have the freedom to use any of your favorite hot dog toppings. Make them taste like Tex-Mex, or make some Chicago-style hot dogs. Add slaw like in West Virginia – the choices are endless!
  • Perfect For Cookouts: This recipe is really easy to double or even triple to feed a crowd. You can even make a toppings bar and let everyone go to town.
Overhead photo of the three ingredients you need to make bacon wrapped hot dogs - hot dogs, pre-cooked bacon and buns.

Ingredients in bacon-wrapped hot dogs

There are just a handful of ingredients in these flavorful hot dogs. Here’s a bit more information about what I used.

  • Beef Hot Dogs – For the best flavor, use all-beef hot dogs.
    • Substitution: If you don’t like beef hot dogs, swap them out for some chicken or turkey hot dogs.
  • Pre-Cooked Bacon – Save yourself time and buy pre-cooked bacon. If you prefer cooking the bacon yourself, cook it ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator.
    • Substitution: Use turkey bacon as a replacement. Just know that it might not crisp up as pork bacon would.
  • Bakery-Style Hot Dog Buns – Since these hot dogs will be thick and heavy, I suggest using a bun that can handle the weight. Toast them for a delightful texture.
  • Lettuce – Thinly shredded lettuce will be easier to layer on your hot dog.
    • Substitution: Save yourself time and buy a pre-made cole slaw mix or pre-shredded lettuce.
  • Tomatoes – Halve or quarter some cherry or grape tomatoes. You want them to be fresh but also small enough to fit easily on the hot dog.

Optional Toppings

Add any (or all) of these toppings to your hot dog. The more you add, the better it will taste!

  • Cheese – Any type of cheese will work perfectly on these hot dogs. Add some spice with some pepper jack, or choose some soft mozzarella cheese. For Tex-Mex hot dogs, consider using queso fresco, cotija cheese, or warm chili con queso cheese!
  • Chopped Red Onion – Red onion has a slight sweetness to it, especially if you use Vidalia onions. Dice them up really small because a little bit goes a long way. If you prefer more flavorful onions, try these quick and easy recipe for pickled red onions!
  • Slaw – If you’re looking for a refreshing crunch, top your bacon dogs with your favorite slaw. I’m partial to this coleslaw with jalapeno and Mexican cabbage slaw.
  • Avocado – Soft, creamy avocado contrasts delightfully with bold and crunchy onions. The avocado brings the Tex-Mex flair to the hot dogs.
  • Condiments – Add your favorite condiments; mayo, ketchup, mustard, or spicy versions of all three!
Overhead photo of a stack of raw hot dogs wrapped with strips of bacon on a parchment-lined tray.

How to make bacon-wrapped hot dogs

These memorable hot dogs come together so quickly, that you’ll wonder why you haven’t made them this way before! Here’s how to make them:

  1. Prep the hot dogs: Remove them from the package and place the hot dogs on a paper towel. Blot dry.
  2. Wrap with bacon: Working with 1 hot dog at a time, start spiral-wrapping one slice of bacon around the hot dog, starting at the top, and continue to wrap the hot dog with the bacon using a downward spiral motion. Secure the bacon to the dog with toothpicks as necessary.
  3. Season the hotdogs (optional):Season hot dogs to taste before cooking.I typically season mine with ground black pepper and smoked paprika, along with a bit of onion and garlic powder.
    • Cooking tip: Don’t salt the hotdogs as the bacon is salty enough.
  4. Cook: Bake or grill hot dogs depending on your preference.
    • Oven:
      • Preheat the oven to 450° F (or 425° convection).
      • Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil (or parchment) and place an oven-safe wire rack on top. Spray with non-stick cooking spray.
      • Add the hot dogs to the rack and bake for 6 minutes.
      • Turn the hot dogs over and return to the oven to bake for an extra 5-9 minutes (or until hot dogs are hot and bacon is cooked.)
        Note: My hot dogs took 13 minutes.
    • Grill:
      • Preheat the grill over medium-high heat and grease the grates.
      • Add the hot dogs and grill, COVERED, turning the hot dogs as necessary, until nicely charred on all sides, about 6-10 minutes.
  5. Assemble: Remove and discard the toothpicks. Stuff each toasted bun with 1 bacon-wrapped hot dog.
  6. Serve: Garnish with your favorite hot dog toppings. Enjoy!

Tips for best success!

  • Hot dog brands: I recommend using a good-quality brand with a natural casing for the best flavor and snap. Boars Head and Nathan’s are both excellent brands.
  • Soak in beef: For a hoppy twist, soak your hot dogs in your favorite beer. You’ll need 1 or 2 bottles. You can use any beer you like drinking to soak your hot dogs. I typically use light or lager beer, depending on what I have!
  • Toppings: Drizzle mayonnaise down the dog and top with lettuce and tomatoes (plus any other toppings of choice. I typically add smashed avocado and flakey sea salt. Everything But The Bagel Seasoning is delicious as well!
  • Slaw: Swap the lettuce out for crisp, flavorful slaws, like this recipe for sweet coleslaw or recipe for mexican coleslaw.
Overhead photo of four oven baked bacon wrapped hot dogs topped with shredded lettuce, cherry tomatoes and mayonnaise sauce.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

How do you stick bacon to hot dogs?

I’ll admit- This is tricky! The best way I found to get the bacon to stick to the hot dogs is to use toothpicks. Wrap the bacon around the hot dogs and secure them to both ends with a toothpick.

How long does an open pack of hot dogs last in the refrigerator?

If there is no expiration date on the bag of hot dogs, they will stay fresh in the refrigerator for two weeks unopened, and one week after you open them.

What goes good on a hot dog?

The sky is the limit when it comes to hot dog toppings! Here are a few of the most popular toppings you can use:

What to serve with bacon dogs?

Are you looking for a few delicious pairing options for those juicy dogs? Below are some of the best summer side options for hot dogs:

Serving suggestions for bacon-wrapped hot dogs

After you make these hot dogs, you’ll never go back to plain dogs again! Here are a few of my favorite ways to serve them.

  • Make BLT Dogs – Top the hot dogs with lettuce, tomatoes, and a drizzle of good-quality mayo or buttermilk dressing for a simple twist on a classic BLT salad or sandwich.
  • Make Dogs On A Stick – Skip the bun and toppings and serve the hot dogs on a stick- just like corn dogs!

My favorite thing to serve with these fully loaded hot dogs is some classic sea salt chips. With so many toppings going on this hot dog, the plain chips balance everything out nicely. You can also serve them with some french fries (or even sweet potato fries)! For a healthier option, consider making a batch of roasted broccoli.

If you’re throwing a backyard barbecue, consider serving Carolina pulled pork (crockpot recipe), BBQ ribs in oven, slow cooker beef brisket, black bean burgers with veggies, or try grinding your own hamburger meat for the freshest tasting burgers around.

Storing leftovers

  • Refrigerate: Once baked (or grilled), bacon-wrapped hot dogs will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. 
  • Freezing: If you prefer, you can freeze the uncooked hot dogs for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe storage bag or container.
  • Reheating: To reheat, heat up in the microwave in 45-second increments or in a toaster oven at 200°F for 5-10 minutes until heated through.
Overhead, close up photo of a bacon hot dog topped with lettuce, tomatoes and red onions in a toasted bun.

Add these danger dogs to your 4th of July menu! And feel free to come back here and tell me all about how much you and your guests loved these beef and bacon hot dogs! Until next time, cheers and happy grilling!

Cheyanne

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More easy ideas for hot dogs

  • Mumm-eenies (fun puff pastry-wrapped hot dogs that resemble mummies!)
Overhead photo of four bacon wrapped hot dogs topped with lettuce, tomatoes, onions and mayonnaise.

Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs

5 from 8 votes
Author: Cheyanne Holzworth
Total Time: 20 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 8 hot dogs
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This bacon-wrapped hot dog recipe features the classic hot dog, wraps it with bacon, loads it up with traditional BLT toppings (bacon, lettuce, tomato), and piles it all into a soft roll. These bacon dogs have the perfect juicy snap and the most delicious flavor! To give this summer bbq recipe a fun spin, top it off with some delicious Tex-Mex garnishes, such as sliced avocados and chopped red onions! Can be cooked in the oven or grill.
Recipe can be scaled up or down by using the slider if you hover your mouse over the number of Servings.

Equipment

  • Paper Towels or Tea Towels (to blot hot dogs dry)
  • Grill or Sheet Pan with Wire Rack (depending upon cooking method)

Ingredients 

  • 8 Beef Hot Dogs
  • 8-16 Slices Pre-Cooked Bacon (SEE NOTES)
  • 8 Bakery-style Hot Dog Buns – split and toasted
  • 2 Cups Finely Shredded Lettuce
  • 1 Cup Grape or Cherry Tomatoes – halved or quartered, depending upon size
  • Optional Toppings: Freshly Shredded Cheese, Chopped Red Onion, Avocado (slice or smash)
  • Optional Condiments: Mayonnaise and/or Ketchup, Mustard

Instructions

  • Wrap with bacon: Remove hot dogs from packaging and place on a paper towel-lined work surface and blot dry. Working with 1 hot dog at a time, start spiral-wrapping one slice of bacon around the hot dog, starting at the top, overlapping the layers, and ending at the middle of the hot dog. Pick up the second slice of bacon and continue to wrap the hot dog with the bacon using a downward spiral motion. Secure the bacon to the dog with toothpicks as necessary. Repeat with remaining hot dogs.
  • Cook: Bake or Grill hot dogs depending upon your preference. (See below)
    Optional: Season hot dogs to taste just before cooking. I typically season mine with ground black pepper and smoked paprika, along with a bit of onion and garlic powder. However, don’t salt the hotdogs as the bacon is salty enough.
  • To Oven Bake: Preheat oven to 450-degrees Fahrenheit (or 425-degrees convection). Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment for easy clean up. Place an oven-safe wire rack on top of the baking pan and spray rack with non-stick cooking spray. Add the hot dogs to the rack and bake for 6 minutes. Remove from the oven and turn hotdogs over. Return to the oven and continue to bake an additional 5-9 minutes, or until hot dogs are hot and bacon is cooked. (My hotdogs took 13 minutes.)
  • To Grill: Preheat grill over medium-high heat and grease grates. Add the hot dogs and grill, COVERED, turning the hot dogs as necessary, until nicely charred on all sides, about 6-12 minutes.
  • Assemble hot dogs: Remove and discard the toothpicks. Stuff each toasted bun with 1 bacon-wrapped hot dog. Garnish with your favorite hot dog toppings. 
    To Make BLT Dogs: Drizzle mayonnaise down the dog and top with lettuce and tomatoes (plus any other toppings of choice, I typically add smashed avocado and flakey sea salt. Everything But The Bagel Seasoning is delicious as well.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • Hot Dogs: I recommend using a good-quality brand with a natural casing for the best flavor and snap. Boars Head and Nathan’s are both excellent brands.
  • Bacon: Please read the tips below to make your life easier!
    • Microwave it: To make the pre-cooked bacon even easier to work with, I like to microwave it for about 15-30 seconds. The gentle nuke makes the bacon more pliable and easier to wrap.
    • Pre-cook your own bacon: If you want to partially cook the bacon yourself, go for it! You’ll need to cook it until it’s partially cooked, but not crisped – it needs to be pliable. Drain and cool the bacon completely before continuing with the recipe.
    • Stretch your budget: This recipe uses 2 strips of bacon per hot dog (for a total of 16 strips). However, if you’re looking to stretch your budget, there are a few ways you can do it. A) Use just one strip of bacon per hot dog (total of 8 slices). Wrap the bacon around the middle of the hot dog and don’t overlap the layers. B) Use 1 ½ strips of bacon per hot dog (total of 12 slices). Cut half of your bacon in half, vertically down the center. Wrap the hot dog from top to bottom, starting with the half slice and ending with the full slice.
  • Beer-soak your hot dogs: For a hoppy-twist, soak your hot dogs in your favorite beer- you’ll need 1 or 2 bottles. You can use any beer you like drinking to soak your hot dogs. I typically use a light beer or lager beer, depending upon what I have.
    • Add beer to container: Pour the beer(s) into a tall cup or small pan just big enough to hold all the hot dogs.
    • Cut slits in hot dogs: Working with 1 hot dog at a time, cut a few small ½-inch-deep slits spiraling down and around the hot dog.
    • Add hot dog to beer.
    • Repeat with remaining hot dogs – cut slits and add to beer.
    • Marinate hot dogs for at least 30 minutes, preferably 1 hour.
    • Pat dry before proceeding with bacon wrapped hot dog recipe.
Nutritional information is an approximation based upon 8 hot dogs. Exact information will depend upon the brands of ingredients and precise measurements used.

Nutrition

Calories: 403kcal    Carbohydrates: 23g    Protein: 13g    Fat: 28g    Saturated Fat: 10g    Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g    Monounsaturated Fat: 13g    Trans Fat: 0.04g    Cholesterol: 47mg    Sodium: 890mg    Potassium: 176mg    Fiber: 1g    Sugar: 4g    Vitamin A: 13IU    Vitamin C: 1mg    Calcium: 67mg    Iron: 2mg
Course: dinner, entree, Lunch, Sandwich
Cuisine: American

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Overhead photo of a BLT Dogs with chips.