If you want to enjoy all the flavors of Thanksgiving any time of year, then these Thanksgiving hot dogs are for you! They’re also great for using leftovers, and perfect for 1-2 people for the holiday. I make my franks in the air fryer for a quick and easy meal!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fun Twist on Tradition: They’re a playful way to bring Thanksgiving flavors to a weeknight meal, combining the nostalgia of hot dogs with holiday-inspired toppings like stuffing, cranberry sauce, or gravy!
- Easy & Less Stressful: They’re much simpler and faster to prepare than a full turkey dinner—perfect for small gatherings, Friendsgiving, last minute plans, or busy weeknights around the holiday when you want festive yet low stress
- Kid & Crowd Friendly: Everyone loves hot dogs, so it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that appeals to both kids and adults!
- Customizable & Creative: You can top them with all your favorite Thanksgiving leftovers or seasonal sides, making them a fun, personalized way to enjoy those classic flavors in a new format!
Check out all of my favorite Air Fryer Thanksgiving Recipes for more options including sides, desserts, and main courses that are perfect for the season!
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Ingredients List
- 4 turkey dogs
- 4 hot dog buns
- â…“ cup prepared stuffing
- 2 Tbsp cranberry sauce (warmed slightly)
- 2 Tbsp french fried onions (like the one on your green bean casserole)
- ¼ cup gravy
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- While turkey dogs are the most true to the season (I use Oscar Mayer, which have a nice smokey flavor), you can substitute any hot dogs, tofurkey dogs, or small sausages you’d like
- All toppings are adjustable to taste and based on what you have on hand! Other great options include: corn, corn casserole, mashed potatoes, jalapenos, or goat cheese. I don’t recommend really sweet options like sweet potato casserole or pies
- If you make my easy Microwave Cranberry Sauce for Thanksgiving, it’s a perfect homemade alternative to use as a topping!
- I serve my gravy on the side for dipping, but you could drizzle it on top as well (I just find it makes the buns too soggy for my preferences). Maple can add a little extra sweetness if you’d like, Dijon mustard can add a little tang, or add some sriracha for heat!
Step By Step Instructions
- Place your turkey dogs in the air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer with air space between each one. You could also grill or pan fry your franks on the stove top if preferred
- Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 4 minutes, then check and add additional time in 1-minute increments if needed, until hot, sizzling, and the edges are browned
- Add the hot dogs to the buns, then top evenly with the stuffing. If you want to toast your buns and stuffing, you can add them back into the air fryer and cook an additional 2-3 minutes
- Drizzle on the cranberry sauce, then top with crispy fried onions
- Serve with gravy on the side for dipping. Enjoy!
Pairing Suggestions
Side Dishes
- Sweet potato fries or wedges with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar
- Roasted Brussels sprouts or green beans. Try my Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts With Bacon!
- A crisp apple slaw or simple fall salad with pecans and cranberries
- Mini stuffing muffins or cornbread
Drinks
- Hard apple cider (my Caramel Apple Hard Cider is a great choice), a pumpkin ale, or a glass of pinot noir
- For a non-alcoholic option, try sparkling apple cider or a cranberry spritzer
Desserts
- Pumpkin bars, apple crisp, or mini pecan pies to finish off the Thanksgiving theme! My Air Fryer Apple Crisp recipe makes it easy!
Recipe FAQs
What Stuffing Is Best?
For Thanksgiving hot dogs, a classic savory bread stuffing with herbs like sage and thyme works wonderfully. Cornbread stuffing adds a touch of sweetness, while sausage stuffing gives extra richness.
Ultimately, use your favorite, just make sure it’s not too wet so it holds up well on the hot dog!
How Long Is Leftover Stuffing Good For?
Leftover stuffing is typically good for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, stored in an airtight container. If you’d like to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to 1 month, then thaw in the fridge before reheating.
Can This Recipe Be Made Vegan?
Yes! Use plant-based hot dogs, a vegan-friendly stuffing (made with vegetable broth and dairy-free butter), and skip or use plant-based versions of gravy. Top with vegan cranberry sauce and fried onions for a festive vegan option.
Are Turkey Hot Dogs a Thing?
Yes, turkey hot dogs are widely available in grocery stores, and a great leaner alternative to beef or pork hot dogs. They work especially well in Thanksgiving hot dogs, complementing the holiday flavors beautifully!
Tips For the Best Thanksgiving Hot Dogs
- In the air fryer, your turkey dogs may split slightly during cooking. If you care, you can score them ahead of time to stop this (but I just put it on the bottom and it doesn’t bother me)!
- I find that many turkey dogs are shorter than commercial buns. You can add extra toppings to take up the remaining space, trim the buns, or use 1 ½ hot dogs per bun to compensate
- This recipe was made in my Ninja air fryer. I do not preheat, and 4 minutes was perfect for my turkey dogs. Other brands of both hot dogs and air fryer can vary, so adjust if needed in small increments for your specific setup and preferences
Storage and Reheating
Storage Tips
- Refrigerate: Store leftover Thanksgiving hot dogs (assembled or unassembled; see note below) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days
- Separate Components: If possible, keep the hot dogs, buns, stuffing, and other toppings separate so they don’t get soggy!
Reheating Tips
- Air Fryer or Oven: Reheat assembled hot dogs at 350°F for 5-7 minutes in the oven or 2-4 minutes in the air fryer, until warmed through and slightly crisp
- Microwave: For a quick option, microwave on a plate covered with a damp paper towel for 30-45 seconds, though this tends to make the bun soggy
- Gravy or Sauce: Warm gravy or cranberry sauce separately in the microwave for about 30-45 seconds, and drizzle over before serving to refresh flavors
Final Thoughts
Thanksgiving fans, rejoice! There’s no need to wait for November to enjoy all your favorite Thanksgiving dinner flavors, thanks to this quick and easy Thanksgiving hot dog recipe.
They’re always a huge hit in our household, since these franks are loaded with all the classic toppings, but simple enough for any weeknight, especially since the air fryer cooks the franks in under 5 minutes!
You can definitely make them to use up leftovers from the holiday too, or serve them to guests as a twist on a classic meal, perfect for a smaller group.
Katie’s tip
For more unique options and creative toppings, check out all my amazing Air Fryer Hot Dog Recipes for inspiration!
Thanksgiving Hot Dogs (With Air Fryer Turkey Franks)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 turkey hot dogs
- 4 hot dog buns
- â…“ cup prepared stuffing (I use Stovetop turkey flavor)
- 2 Tbsp cranberry sauce (warmed slightly)
- 2 Tbsp french fried onions (the green bean casserole topping)
- ¼ cup turkey gravy
Instructions
- Place your turkey dogs in the air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer with air space between each one. You could also grill or pan fry your franks if preferred4 turkey hot dogs
- Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 4 minutes, then check and add additional time in 1-minute increments if needed, until hot, sizzling, and the edges are browned
- Add the hot dogs to the buns, then top evenly with the stuffing. If you want to toast your buns and stuffing, you can add them back into the air fryer and cook an additional 2-3 minutes4 hot dog buns, â…“ cup prepared stuffing
- Drizzle on the cranberry sauce, then top with crispy fried onions2 Tbsp cranberry sauce, 2 Tbsp french fried onions
- Serve with gravy on the side for dipping or drizzling. Enjoy!¼ cup turkey gravy
Notes
- While turkey dogs are the most true to the season (I use nice smokey Oscar Mayer turkey franks), you can substitute any hot dogs, tofurkey dogs, or small sausages you’d like instead
- All toppings are adjustable to taste and based on what you have on hand! Other great options include: corn, corn casserole, mashed potatoes, jalapenos, or goat cheese. I don’t recommend very sweet options like sweet potato casserole or pies
- Alternative condiment choices include maple syrup for a little extra sweetness if you’d like, Dijon mustard for a little tang, or add some sriracha for heat!
- 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
