When I’m at the mall or on the road, there’s just something irresistible about getting a pretzel dog for a snack. The soft and salty treat is everything I want. Instead of heading out, though, now I just head to the freezer and make a Nathan’s pretzel dog in the air fryer.
Your air fryer does an amazing job of preparing frozen pretzel dogs. You’ll get that warm, doughy wrapping around a perfectly caramelized hot dog. It’s the perfect salty treat to satisfy your cravings.
You can cook your pretzel dogs directly from frozen as well, with no defrosting required. Better yet, they only require about 5 minutes to be perfectly cooked!
This makes it convenient to always have on hand for a quick and easy snack or light meal. Pair them with your favorite hot dog toppings or sides!
What You’ll Need: Ingredients
Nathan’s Famous pretzel dogs
Condiments as desired (optional)
Ingredient Tips and Notes
Nathan’s pretzel dogs are found in the freezer aisle of most grocery stores. They’re typically sold in quantities ranging from 4 all the way to 40 in wholesale stores. A serving size is 1, and you can cook as many as you want at a time so long as they fit in a single layer in your air fryer
This recipe also works with other brands of frozen pretzel dogs, such as Auntie Anne’s, Dutch Country, or Chicago Deli. You can also use mini pretzel dogs!
My favorite topping is yellow mustard, but you can use anything you like!
How to Cook Nathan’s Pretzel Dogs in the Air Fryer:
Preheat your air fryer to 370°F (or 375°F depending on your air fryer’s available settings)
Remove Nathan’s pretzel dogs from all external packaging. Place into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, allowing some air space between
Cook on the air fry setting for 5-8 minutes at 370°F, or until hot dogs reach 165°F internal temperature and desired level of browning is achieved
Serve with your favorite hot dog condiments!
What to Serve With Pretzel Dogs
Mustard
Ketchup
Relish
Chili
Cheese sauce
Coleslaw
Potato salad
Macaroni salad
Corn on the cob
Baked beans
Fruit salad
There are a lot of great toppings and sides to serve with your pretzel dogs for a complete meal! They even make a great addition to your next cookout, pleasing kids and adults alike.
Yes, you can cook frozen pretzel dogs in an air fryer.
They may be cooked directly from frozen and require no defrosting or pre-cooking.
How Long to Cook Frozen Pretzel Dogs in an Air Fryer?
Frozen pretzel dogs should be cooked for about 5-8 minutes in an air fryer. The exact time will depend on your specific air fryer, as well as the desired browning level on both the hot dog and pretzel wrapping.
Hot dogs should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 140°F for food safety, though Nathan’s recommends 165°F for their frozen pretzel dogs.
How Do You Cook Nathan’s Frozen Pretzel Dogs?
You can cook Nathan’s frozen pretzel dogs in the microwave, oven, air fryer, or toaster oven.
The microwave will deliver a soft, squishy pretzel, whereas the other options will give it more of a crust.
Recipe Pro Tips
If you want the pretzel to be crispy around the entire dog, then flip them halfway through cooking. However, they’ll cook just fine without and have a slightly softer underside if you don’t
For a more traditional pretzel feel, apply a little water and sea salt before cooking, or after cooking feel free to brush with melted butter and add sea salt
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover Nathan’s pretzel dogs in the refrigerator and consume within 4 days. Do not refreeze previously cooked frozen pretzel dogs
Reheat in the microwave for 40-60 seconds on high, or in the air fryer for 3 minutes at 350°F, or until warmed through
This Nathan’s pretzel dog air fryer preparation method has to be my favorite way to enjoy them. A perfectly caramelized hot dog in a pretzel crust that’s just a little crunchy on the outside, while being soft and chewy inside.
Your frozen pretzel dog can go straight from freezer to air fryer, and cooks perfectly in under 10 minutes. That makes for a quick and easy snack, or an entire meal when paired with some additional sides.
Plus, you don’t even have to fire up the grill or oven to enjoy them, making these dogs perfect for enjoyment year round!
Nathan’s Pretzel Dogs Air Fryer Cooking Instructions (No Microwave)
Cook tasty Nathan’s frozen pretzel dogs in your air fryer in under 10 minutes! They’re perfect for a snack or meal when paired with sides.
Preheat your air fryer to 370°F (or 375°F depending on your air fryer’s available settings)
Remove Nathan’s pretzel dogs from all external packaging. Place into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, allowing some air space between each one
1 Nathan’s Famous frozen pretzel dog
Cook on the air fry setting for 5-8 minutes at 370°F, or until hot dogs reach 165°F internal temperature and desired level of browning is achieved
Serve alone or with your favorite hot dog condiments
Notes
Nathan’s pretzel dogs are found in the freezer aisle of most grocery stores. They’re typically sold in quantities ranging from 4 all the way to 40 in wholesale stores. A serving size is 1, and you can cook as many as you want at a time so long as they fit in a single layer in your air fryer
This recipe also works with other brands of frozen pretzel dogs, such as Auntie Anne’s, Dutch Country, or Chicago Deli. You can also use mini pretzel dogs!
My favorite topping is yellow mustard, but you can use anything you like!
If you want the pretzel to be crispy around the entire dog, then flip them halfway through cooking. However, they’ll cook just fine without and have a slightly softer underside if you don’t
For a more traditional pretzel feel, apply a little water and sea salt before cooking, or after cooking feel free to brush with melted butter and add sea salt
Store leftover Nathan’s pretzel dogs in the refrigerator and consume within 4 days. Do not refreeze previously cooked frozen pretzel dogs
Reheat in the microwave for 40-60 seconds on high, or in the air fryer for 3 minutes at 350°F, or until warmed through
Exact nutritional values will vary based on flavor 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!
