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.
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 baconper 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.