There’s a reason that cocktail franks make their way onto so many party food tables. They’re tiny hot dogs that are the perfect one-bite appetizer that both kids and adults love. You can prepare them even easier with my air fryer cocktail franks recipe.
My mother used to make cocktail franks for an appetizer any time we were entertaining. She boiled them, though! It wasn’t until I was older that I realized how much I really appreciated the caramelization you could get on the meat from other preparation methods.
The air fryer is the best of all worlds to me. It gets that beautiful browning, keeps your franks juicy, and requires very little effort and attention from you!
These party-sized hot dogs are delicious dipped in any normal hot dog topping, but they’re also great on their own. Shove a toothpick in them to make them easy to grab for guests! You could even create a hot dog slider bar with mini buns and toppings.
You’ll also often find cocktail franks made into pigs in a blanket, wrapped in a pastry dough. If you’re interested in making this a meal, then make sure to check out my recipe for homemade Crescent Roll Hot Dogs.
Hillshire Farm is one of the most popular brands in US grocery stores, but you can use any brand of cocktail franks you can find, such as Sabrett, Boar’s Head, Nathan’s, or Martin
Note that these are actual small hot dogs (sometimes called slider franks), and are distinctly different from Lit’l Smokies, which are a mini smoked sausage. You can check out my recipe for Air Fryer Little Smokies if that’s what you’re looking for
Feel free to skip the honey mustard and just cook the franks plain instead but note that even glazed they don’t taste overly sweet or mustardy so they can still be dipped or topped if desired
My favorite dipping sauce is yellow or brown mustard, but ketchup is another popular choice
How to Cook Cocktail Franks in an Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F
Unpackage and separate the cocktail franks, then place them into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer
Cook on the air fry setting for 5-6 minutes at 400°F, pausing after 3 minutes to shake the basket. Cocktail franks are cooked when the internal temperature reaches at least 140°F (mine were good at 5 minutes verified via thermometer)
While they are cooking, combine the mustard and the honey in a medium bowl
After the franks have cooked, transfer them to the honey mustard and stir to coat
Return sauced cocktail franks to the air fryer basket and cook an additional 3-4 minutes, or until glaze is thickened and browned to your preference (I did 4 minutes for mine)
Serve with toothpicks, buns, or additional hot dog condiments for dipping, if desired
What to Serve With Cocktail Franks for a Meal
French fries
Potato chips
Fried green beans
Jalapeno poppers
Potato salad
Broccoli salad
Macaroni salad
Panzanella salad
Mac and cheese
Pretzel bites
Cornbread
Baked beans
Cocktail meatballs
Sauerkraut
Applesauce
Fruit salad
There are so many great sides you can serve with cocktail franks to make a complete meal (or just improve your party spread)!
Yes, you can put cocktail franks in the air fryer. They will get browned on the outside while maintaining a juicy inside.
The smaller party sized cocktail frank takes less time than a full sized hot dog, though, simply due to size.
How Do You Cook Cocktail Franks?
Cocktail franks may be cooked in the air fryer, on the stove, on the grill, in the microwave, on a hot dog roller, or in the oven.
The microwave method is fastest at around 40 seconds of cooking, and the conventional oven takes the longest.
How Long to Cook Frozen Cocktail Franks?
If you are cooking frozen cocktail franks instead of refrigerated, add 2-3 additional minutes to the cooking time. On average, they will require 7-10 minutes total cooking time in the air fryer.
Note that there is no need to defrost the franks prior to cooking, and that the results are exactly the same.
Are Cocktail Franks Fully Cooked?
Like most hot dogs, yes, cocktail franks are fully cooked.
In areas outside of the US, this may differ, so be sure to consult the package to check for certain.
Are Little Smokies the Same as Cocktail Weenies?
No, Little Smokies are actually different from cocktail weenies. Little smokies are a small smoked sausage, whereas cocktail weenies are a slider sized hot dog.
While similar in nature, they are actually two different foods. That said, the names are often used interchangeably, which can lead to some confusion.
What Meat Are Cocktail Frankfurts Made Of?
Cocktail frankfurts are typically made of beef, pork, chicken, or a combination thereof.
An all beef variety will be just beef, whereas one that is not marked specifically is usually a mix of 2-3 different meats.
Can You Eat Cocktail Franks Without Heating?
Technically, you can eat cocktail franks without heating them. However, while they are fully cooked, it’s still recommended to heat them for food safety. They also taste better heated.
The USDA recommends an internal temperature of 140°F for all hot dog products to ensure there is no bacterial contamination present.
How Long Do Cocktail Weenies Last in the Fridge?
Cocktail weenies last in the fridge until the best by date indicated on the package. Once the package is opened, however, they should be consumed within one week.
You may also freeze them for up to 2 months if you wish to extend the life of your cocktail franks.
How Do You Know When Cocktail Frankfurts Are Cooked?
Cocktail frankfurts are cooked when the internal temperature reaches 140°F in the center, or they are hot to the touch in the middle.
If the casing begins to split on the outside, they are overcooked.
Recipe Pro Tips
If you are cooking your cocktail franks from frozen, add 2-3 minutes to cooking time to account for the colder starting temperature. If they are stuck in a block, pause after the first few minutes to shake the basket and break them apart
Don’t worry if your franks are misshapen coming out of the vacuum package, as they’ll plump up and return to normal appearance as they cook
Cooking times were tested in a Ninja Dual Zone air fryer. Other sizes and brands of air fryers may vary slightly
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover cocktail franks in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. They may also be frozen for up to 2 months, but shouldn’t be frozen more than once
Reheat cocktail franks in a preheated air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 350°F, or microwave for 30 seconds on high
These easy air fryer cocktail franks are the perfect food for your next party. They’re enjoyed by kids and adults alike!
Serve them with your favorite dipping sauces and toothpicks for the perfect appetizer. You can even pair them with fries, mac, or other sides to make a meal!
Not only are they fun to eat, but they’re fun to make as well. That’s right, it’s a low stress food to cook, coming in under 10 minutes in total with no advanced preparation required. I love easy entertaining!
Easy Air Fryer Cocktail Franks
These air fryer cocktail franks are the perfect appetizer and cook in under 10 minutes. Make them into mini hot dog sliders, or dip them in your favorite condiments!
14Ouncepackage cocktail franks(such as Hillshire Farm Lit’l Wieners)
1TbspDijon mustard
½Tbsp honey
Instructions
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F
Unpackage and separate the cocktail franks, then place them into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer
14 Ounce package cocktail franks
Cook on the air fry setting for 5-6 minutes at 400°F, pausing after 3 minutes to shake the basket. Cocktail franks are cooked when the internal temperature reaches at least 140°F (mine were good at 5 minutes verified via thermometer)
While they are cooking, combine the mustard and the honey in a medium bowl
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard, ½ Tbsp honey
After the franks have cooked, transfer them to the honey mustard and stir to coat
Return sauced cocktail franks to the air fryer basket and cook an additional 3-4 minutes, or until glaze is thickened and browned to your preference (I did 4 minutes for mine)
Serve with toothpicks, buns, or additional hot dog condiments for dipping, if desired
Notes
Hillshire Farm is one of the most popular brands in US grocery stores, but you can use any brand of cocktail franks you can find, such as Sabrett, Boar’s Head, Nathan’s, or Martin
Note that these are actual mini hot dogs (sometimes called slider franks), and are distinctly different from Lit’l Smokies, which are a mini smoked sausage
Feel free to skip the honey mustard and just cook the franks plain instead but note that even glazed they don’t taste overly sweet or mustardy so they can still be dipped or topped if desired
My favorite dipping sauce is yellow or brown mustard, but ketchup is another popular choice
If you are cooking your cocktail franks from frozen, add 2-3 minutes to cooking time to account for the colder starting temperature. If they are stuck in a block, pause after the first few minutes to shake the basket and break them apart
Don’t worry if your franks are misshapen coming out of the vacuum package, as they’ll plump up and return to normal appearance as they cook
Cooking times were tested in a Ninja Dual Zone air fryer. Other sizes and brands of air fryers may vary slightly
Store leftover cocktail franks in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. They may also be frozen for up to 2 months, but shouldn’t be frozen more than once
Reheat cocktail franks in a preheated air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 350°F, or microwave for 30 seconds on high
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
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I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
