I always love a quick, easy, and delicious meal for weeknights, so that’s why these pizza hot dogs are one of my favorites! I make mine in the air fryer because it’s even faster, but you can use the oven too. It’s like a mashup of two favorite foods all in one easy under 30 minute meal.
What Are Pizza Hot Dogs?
Pizza hot dogs are a fun, kid-friendly mashup of two comfort food favorites: hot dogs and pizza! They feature a hot dog nestled in a bun, then topped with classic pizza ingredients like pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni (or other pizza toppings).
Hot dogs are already served in 95% of homes in the US so it’s only logical that there are so many creative ways to offer them. I love that this recipe is super customizable, so you could add olives, mushrooms, sausage, peppers, or other favorites to make them your own!
The whole thing is baked, air fried, or broiled until the cheese is melted and bubbly! These loaded hot dogs are perfect for weeknights or last-minute meals since they’re quick and easy to make. Plus, they’re kid friendly and adult approved, making them great for the whole family.
Katie’s tip
If the weather is bad or you don’t feel like firing up the grill, you can always try my recipe for Air Fryer Hot Dogs which is definitely my go-to for a busy weeknight meal!
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Ingredients List
- 4 hot dogs
- 4 hot dog buns
- 2 Tbsp butter, melted
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp dried parsley
- ¼ cup pizza sauce (or marinara sauce)
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup mini pepperoni
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- Any type or brand of hot dogs are fine – use your favorite! I have Hebrew National all beef dogs
- I find that top split hot dog buns are more convenient for this recipe, but you could use side split too and just rotate them
- Instead of mini pepperoni, you can use 3-4 regular pepperoni slices for each dog. However, I find them a little harder to eat so I prefer the minis here. You could also use bacon, ham, or other meats here!
- The shredded mozzarella can be swapped for 1 ½ – 2 slices per dog if preferred
- All seasonings are adjustable to taste, including omission. Onion powder and oregano are other good options!
- Feel free to change up the sauce for different options like pesto, BBQ sauce, or others to create other flavor combinations with your choice of meats and vegetables for topping!
Step By Step Instructions
- Place the hot dogs in your air fryer in a single layer with air space between them
- Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 5-7 minutes, flipping after 3 minutes, until the hot dogs are hot and lightly browned. See my alternatives below for other ways to pre-cook your hot dogs
- Add the cooked hot dogs into the buns. To the top of each dog, evenly add 1 Tbsp pizza sauce, ⅛ tsp Italian seasoning, ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese, and top with 1 Tbsp mini pepperonis
- Melt the butter in the microwave, then stir in the garlic powder and parsley into the melted butter. Use a pastry brush (or similar) to brush the top edges of the hot dog buns with the garlic butter mixture (you may have a little left over – feel free to add after cooking)!
- Place the pizza dogs back into the air fryer in a single layer. Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 2-3 minutes, until the cheese is melted, and the pepperoni and buns are browned to your liking
- Serve immediately with your favorite sides!
Alternative Cooking Methods:
- Broil. Place loaded hot dogs on a baking sheet and broil on high for 2-3 minutes, until cheese is melted and browned
- Bake. Bake dog on a baking sheet in an oven preheated to 375°F for 5-10 minutes, until browned to your liking
- You can also cook the hot dogs by boiling them on the stove for about 5 minutes, grilling for 2-3 minutes, heating in a skillet for 4-5 minutes, or baking at 400°F for 10-15 minutes
Serving Suggestions
Side Dishes
- Garlic Parmesan Fries – Crispy fries tossed with garlic and grated Parmesan add a pizzeria vibe!
- Caesar Salad – A cool, crunchy salad balances out the richness of the pizza dog
- Mozzarella Sticks or Mac and Cheese – Lean into the cheesy theme with a side of gooey, dippable sticks or creamy mac and cheese!
- Roasted Veggies – Lightly roasted zucchini, bell peppers, or broccoli complement the dish without overpowering it
- Potato Wedges or Tater Tots – A fun, familiar option that’s always a hit. Try my Air Fryer Sonic Tater Tots!
Dips & Extras
- Extra Marinara or Ranch – Great for dipping the hot dog or sides!
- Pickles or Pickled Peppers – Add a tangy contrast that cuts through the richness (and I’m a sucker for banana peppers on my pizza anyway)!
Drinks
- Lemonade or Iced Tea – Refreshing and family-friendly (or you could always do a Sweet Tea Vodka Lemonade for the adults)!
- Craft Beer or Hard Seltzer – Also for the adults, these pair well with the savory flavors
- Soda Floats – If you’re going for a retro diner feel!
Recipe FAQs
Can You Also Put Hot Dogs on Pizza?
Yes, you can put hot dogs on pizza, too! Sliced or chopped hot dogs make a fun and kid-friendly topping, often paired with cheese and tomato sauce for a twist on classic pizza flavors.
What Is the Best Method for Cooking the Hot Dogs?
The best method depends on your preferences and available appliances. Grilling gives hot dogs a smoky, charred flavor; boiling is quick and keeps them juicy; and pan-frying or air frying adds crispiness.
Is Baking Hot Dogs Good?
Yes, baking hot dogs is a great method—especially for recipes like pizza hot dogs. It evenly heats the dogs, toasts the bun if included, and melts cheese or other toppings. It’s also a hands-off cooking method that’s perfect for preparing a batch at once!
Tips For the Best Pizza Dogs
- I press my cheese into the sauce slightly to keep it from blowing off in the air fryer. If any of the pepperoni falls off, just pick it up from the basket and add it back on!
- This recipe was made in my Ninja Dual Zone air fryer. As shown, I cooked my hot dogs for 6 minutes, and did an additional 3 minutes to melt the cheese. Other air fryers can vary slightly, so you may need to adjust by a few minutes for your specific model
- While you can cook the hot dogs in advance, I recommend reheating them slightly if they are cold before adding the toppings. The last few minutes are just meant to melt the cheese and brown the pepperoni – it won’t reheat a cold dog!
Storage and Reheating Tips
Storage Tips
- Refrigerator: Store leftover pizza hot dogs in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in foil or plastic wrap. They’ll keep well in the fridge for up to 3–4 days!
- Freezer: For longer storage, wrap each hot dog individually in foil and place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating
Reheating Tips
- Oven or Toaster Oven: Reheat at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes until heated through and the bun is slightly crisp
- Air Fryer: Heat at 350°F for 5–7 minutes for a crispy, quick reheat!
- Microwave: Wrap in a damp paper towel and heat in 30-second bursts until warmed through (less crisp, but fast)!
Final Thoughts
These easy pizza hot dogs are loaded with gooey cheese, crispy pepperoni, and a garlic butter crust for the perfect mashup of two classics. Best of all, they’re quick to make thanks to your air fryer, for a weeknight dinner in under 30 minutes.
I love the fact that this meal is kid-friendly and adult approved, so it pleases everyone! You can also customize the toppings exactly to your liking, so feel free to add other favorite pizza toppings so everyone can have it just the way they want.
Katie’s tip
Looking for more creative recipes to try? Check out all of my tasty Air Fryer Hot Dog Recipes for some inspiration. They’re the perfect option for game day, summertime, parties, and more!
Pizza Hot Dogs (Air Fryer or Oven)
Equipment
- Pastry brush (or similar)
Ingredients
- 4 hot dogs
- 4 hot dog buns
- 2 Tbsp butter (melted)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp dried parsley
- ¼ cup pizza sauce (or marinara)
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup mini pepperoni
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Place the hot dogs in your air fryer in a single layer with air space between them. Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 5-7 minutes, flipping after 3 minutes, until the hot dogs are hot and lightly browned. *See notes for alternative hot dog cooking options4 hot dogs
- Add the cooked hot dogs into the buns. To the top of each dog, evenly add 1 Tbsp pizza sauce, ⅛ tsp Italian seasoning, ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese, and top with 1 Tbsp mini pepperonis4 hot dog buns, ¼ cup pizza sauce, ½ tsp Italian seasoning, ¼ cup mini pepperoni, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Melt the butter in a small bowl in the microwave (about 30 seconds on high), then stir in the garlic powder and parsley into the melted butter. Use a pastry brush (or similar) to brush the top edges of the hot dog buns with the garlic butter mixture (you may have a little left over – feel free to add after cooking)!2 Tbsp butter, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp dried parsley
- Place the pizza dogs back into the air fryer in a single layer. Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 2-3 minutes, until the cheese is melted, and the pepperoni and buns are browned to your liking
- Serve immediately with your favorite sides!
Oven Directions
- Place topped hot dogs on a baking sheet and broil on high for 2-3 minutes, or bake at 375°F for 5-10 minutes, until cheese is melted and browned
Notes
- You can also cook the hot dogs by boiling them on the stove for about 5 minutes, grilling for 2-3 minutes, heating in a skillet for 4-5 minutes, or baking at 400°F for 10-15 minutes
- Any type or brand of hot dogs are fine – use your favorite!
- I find that top split hot dog buns are more convenient for this recipe, but you could use side split too and just rotate them
- Instead of mini pepperoni, you can use 3-4 regular pepperoni slices for each dog. You could also use bacon, ham, or other pizza meats here!
- The shredded mozzarella can be swapped for 1 – 2 slices of cheese per dog if preferred
- All seasonings are adjustable to taste, including omission
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
