Corndogs are THE great American classic.
Whether you prefer to make your own, or the convenience of buying the frozen ones and heating them yourself, either in the microwave or oven, there’s no denying the charm these tasty treats offer.
Heck, they are so popular that their yummy-licious-ness has spread out to other cultures and countries as well, the most popular being the Korean version.
So, if you are on the lookout for a quick and easy-to-make snack, that can be done in a jiffy in your microwave, then look no further!
Frozen corndogs are the perfect solution for you, the real question is how long do you cook a corndog in the microwave to get a perfectly crunchy and golden exterior. Keep on reading ahead as we reveal some MIND-BLOWING SECRETS to help you achieve your corndog dreams.
How long should you microwave a frozen corndog?
Just 40 to 50 seconds, then let rest for 1 minute before biting in.
BUT!! That’s not the best way to reheat a corndog.
As with all food items that are batter-coated, using a microwave alone will not help restore the crispness that you are looking for.
You will need to either give it a quick dip in hot oil or broil/bake it in the oven.
HOWEVER, there is another unsuspecting tool that everyone already has in their kitchens and can be used in addition to a microwave to bring back frozen corndogs to life.
From limp and soggy corndogs to crisp and crunchy in a matter of minutes, all without the hassle of heating the oven or frying truckloads of oil. Sign me up matey!!
The SECRET tool you already have to make crunchy corndogs!
No, it’s not your microwave. We already discussed how that can make your corndogs soggy.
It’s your TOASTER!!
Yup, you read it right. A good old toaster that you are sure to find in every house. A microwave and toaster together make a dream team for making perfectly crunchy corndogs.
Can’t I just use one or the other for cooking frozen corndogs?
No. They are a team for a reason.
Use the microwave to initially thaw out the corndog from the center outwards by heating it for 40- 50 seconds, and then placing it on a toaster to crisp out the exterior makes sure that your corndog is cooked perfectly from both inside and out.
How to get crispy corndogs using the microwave?
Follow these step-by-step instructions to get crispy corndogs every time using your microwave AND toaster.
- Place your frozen corndogs on a microwave-safe plate and heat on high for 40-50 seconds, flipping once midway through the cooking. This will thaw out your corndog sufficiently.
- Next, set your toaster to the highest setting and press the slider down.
- As soon as the toaster begins to glow, place your corndog horizontally on top, not inside, but on the top opening of the toaster.
- After 20-25 seconds, give the corndog a quarter of a turn. The side which was down should now have a golden hue to it and be crisp. If it still hasn’t reached that stage, give it a few more seconds.
- Repeat the process turning after every 20-25 seconds till the entire corndog is crunchy and golden-brown.
And that’s it, now you can ENJOY your delicious corndog.
How to keep corn dogs from getting soggy for longer periods?
If your kids are anything like mine, they probably want to take corndogs to school for lunch as well.
But as we learned above, the secret to a good corndog is to make sure the outer coating can stay crunchy as long as possible, because once it cools down it’s going to get soggy.
To keep corndogs warm until lunchtime, it’s a good idea to do the following:
- Place them in an insulated bag. Add something else hot into the bag like a hot water bottle
- Make sure that the bag and the hot corndog stay closed until it’s lunchtime.
Are frozen corn dogs already precooked?
Yes, frozen corn dogs are fully cooked and already deep-fried. You just need to reheat them to make them ready to eat.
How to make your corndogs taste better?
Corndogs are a pretty amazing food invention, just ask any kid or grownup. It’s equally liked across the board.
But what about those days when you want to mix it up at your parties, and instead of the usual corndogs served with a slick of mustard and ketchup, amp things up?
Try serving corndogs with these “OUT OF THIS WORLD” sauces as the centerpiece for your next get-together. Just set out a tray of these dips and let your guests go to town.
- Dip & roll Honey Sesame: Simply dip the corndog in honey and roll in toasted sesame seeds. No premixing is required.
- Fire breathing Sour Cream: Mix sour cream and pickled chopped jalapenos for a kick of tangy and fiery goodness.
- Seeing Red: Marinara Sauce + Red Pepper Flakes. Try this combo of simple marinara and spicy red pepper flakes instead of regular ketchup.
- Magic sauce (the sauce version of Magic Mike): Mayo + Ketchup + Minced Garlic, that’s all you need. Mix and see the magic happen.
- Atomic BBQ: Mix equal portions of BBQ sauce + mayonnaise
- InterGalactic Ranch: 1 cup Ranch dressing + 1tsp crushed red pepper + 1 tsp granulated garlic. Mix and serve.
- Meteorite Honey Mustard: ¼ cup honey + ¼ cup mayonnaise + ¼ cup Dijon mustard + 1 small chopped jalapeno pepper + 1 tsp distilled vinegar. Mix and serve.
FAQs
Why did my corndog shell split when I microwaved it?
Sometimes when you cook a corndog on a very high heat setting in the microwave, it can cause the outer shell to split.
This can be avoided by cooking it at a lower power level for about 1½ minutes instead of the prescribed 40-50 seconds.
Depending on your microwave wattage, you will have to play with this step and find the best time and settings to get the corn dog hot but not split.
Can I use a stovetop open flame to crisp out the corndog shell?
Yes, that might work as well.
But you have to be extra careful so as not to burn your fingers.
How did the corn dog get its name?
Well, that’s not a FAQ I usually get, but since I was curious myself, I took the liberty of researching it.
It is said that the name comes from the fact that the fried batter looks like an ear of corn, thereby giving the concoction this name.
Wrap up
So, whether you are a college student or a busy mom, now you don’t need to wait to go to a state fair just to enjoy a crispy crunchy corn dog.
Make them for yourself at home, but without the hassle of starting from scratch. Replicate the carnivalesque crunch but with a batch of frozen pre-made corn dogs, just by following my method of using both the microwave and the toaster to enjoy your perfect corndog each time.