If you’re looking for a fun, craveable twist on classic comfort food, Air Fryer Pizza Dogs are about to become your new obsession. Imagine this: juicy hot dogs snuggled in toasty buns, layered with zesty pizza sauce, loaded with pepperoni, bubbling mozzarella, and finished with a sprinkle of crisp bacon. In less than 20 minutes, you’ve got a crowd-pleasing mashup that delivers all the best flavors of pizza night and backyard BBQ, conveniently transformed thanks to your trusty air fryer. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, hosting game night, or simply craving something ridiculously delicious, Air Fryer Pizza Dogs never disappoint.

Air Fryer Pizza Dogs Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Everything you need for Air Fryer Pizza Dogs is likely already in your kitchen! Each ingredient serves a deliciously important role, from that ooey-gooey cheese to the smoky, savory bacon—keeping it simple with maximum flavor pay-off.

Wieners: Go with your favorite beef, pork, or chicken dogs for a juicy and savory base.
Pepperoni slices: Layered inside and on top for that classic pizza flavor—feel free to use turkey or spicy versions for a twist!
Hot dog buns: Soft, sturdy buns hold all your toppings and get perfectly golden in the air fryer.
Pizza sauce: Brings a zesty, tomato-rich layer that’s essential for that true pizza taste. Try homemade or your go-to jarred sauce.
Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully, creating a gooey, pizza-like topping on every bite.
Bacon (cooked and chopped): Adds irresistible crunch and smoky depth to every Air Fryer Pizza Dog.

How to Make Air Fryer Pizza Dogs

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Get things started by firing up your air fryer to 380°F. This helps lock in juiciness and ensures a perfectly crisp finish. A few minutes of preheating makes all the difference in creating that classic pizza dog texture—warm, melty, and delicious!

Step 2: Cook the Wieners

Place your wieners directly in the air fryer basket and cook them for 5 minutes. This gives you a plump, juicy base and just the right snap when you bite in. While those are sizzling away, gather the toppings—things move quickly from here!

Step 3: Prep the Buns and Sauce

While the wieners are cooking, gently open up each hot dog bun and spread the inside with plenty of pizza sauce. Don’t be shy! The sauce soaks into the bun as it toasts, infusing every bite with that signature pizza flavor.

Step 4: Add Pepperoni Inside the Buns

Next, take about two-thirds of your pepperoni slices and lay them right down the center of each saucy bun. It’s like building a mini pizza right inside your hot dog bun—totally irresistible!

Step 5: Assemble the Pizza Dogs

Place those freshly cooked wieners directly on top of the pepperoni-lined buns. Now you’ve got a hearty, flavorful base that’s ready for all kinds of cheesy goodness.

Step 6: Add the Cheese

Sprinkle a generous handful of shredded mozzarella over each hot dog. The cheese will bubble up and turn wonderfully gooey in the air fryer—this is where things start to get really exciting!

Step 7: Add Bacon and Top with More Pepperoni

Scatter on your chopped bacon for a salty, smoky crunch, then top with the remaining pepperoni slices. These final layers guarantee every Air Fryer Pizza Dog has that multilayered pizza-meets-hot-dog magic.

Step 8: Air Fry the Assembled Pizza Dogs

Carefully place your assembled pizza dogs back into the air fryer basket. Cook at 380°F for 4 minutes. The cheese will melt and brown, while the buns toast up beautifully—keep an eye out for that classic pizza dog aroma!

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy!

Grab those hot, melty Air Fryer Pizza Dogs right away. They’re best served fresh—oozing cheese, crisp bacon, and all! Get ready for big smiles and requests for seconds.

How to Serve Air Fryer Pizza Dogs

Garnishes

For a finishing touch, add fresh chopped parsley or basil for a pop of color and freshness. A little sprinkle of red pepper flakes or grated Parmesan can also amp up the pizza vibes—just like your favorite pizzeria!

Side Dishes

Pair your Air Fryer Pizza Dogs with crisp oven fries, a fresh garden salad, or crunchy veggie sticks to balance out the richness. For a party, set out a platter with extra marinara for dipping—guests will love dunking every bite.

Creative Ways to Present

Serving Air Fryer Pizza Dogs at a gathering? Slice them into smaller portions for a fun appetizer, load them up in a basket lined with parchment for an easy weeknight meal, or set up a DIY bar where everyone can customize their own with extra toppings!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with extra Air Fryer Pizza Dogs, wrap each one tightly in foil or plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The flavors meld even more overnight, making leftovers just as tempting.

Freezing

For longer storage, assemble your pizza dogs (without air frying the final step), wrap individually, and freeze for up to 1 month. When you’re ready, just thaw in the fridge and air fry as directed—homemade pizza dogs whenever the craving strikes!

Reheating

To reheat, pop the pizza dogs back in the air fryer at 350°F for about 3-4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the buns are heated through. This keeps the bread crisp and revives all that melty, pizza-inspired goodness.

FAQs

Can I use different types of cheese in Air Fryer Pizza Dogs?

Absolutely! While mozzarella is classic, try cheddar, provolone, or a sprinkle of Parmesan on top for added flavor. Mixing cheeses brings a whole new level of cheesy goodness to every bite.

What’s the best way to keep the buns from getting soggy?

Spreading the pizza sauce evenly and not overloading helps, and giving the assembled dogs a quick blast in the air fryer makes the buns crisp up beautifully. For extra insurance, try toasting the buns for 1-2 minutes before assembling.

Can I make Air Fryer Pizza Dogs vegetarian?

Definitely! Opt for veggie dogs, swap out the pepperoni for vegetarian versions, and skip the bacon or use a plant-based alternative. You’ll still get all the bold pizza flavors with a plant-friendly twist.

Do I need to pre-cook the bacon?

Yes, pre-cooked bacon is essential because the quick air frying at the end only melts the cheese and crisps the buns—it’s not enough time to cook raw bacon properly.

How do I serve Air Fryer Pizza Dogs for a party?

Slice the finished pizza dogs into halves or thirds and spear each with a fancy toothpick for easy, hand-held appetizers. Provide a tray of dipping sauces like ranch, extra pizza sauce, or garlic butter to keep your guests coming back for more.

Final Thoughts

Air Fryer Pizza Dogs are a playful, absolutely delicious way to bring two classic favorites together—and they’re so fun and fast to make! I hope you give these a try soon and enjoy watching them disappear as quickly as they come out of the air fryer. Trust me, you’re about to win some serious family dinnertime points!

Air Fryer Pizza Dogs Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 7 reviews

Author: Lila
Total Time: 19 minutes
Yield: 4 pizza dogs 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Upgrade your hot dog game with these delicious and easy Air Fryer Pizza Dogs. Perfect for a quick meal or game day snack, these pizza dogs are sure to be a hit with everyone.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients:

4 wieners
3 oz pepperoni slices
4 hot dog buns
1/2 cup pizza sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 slices bacon, cooked and chopped

Instructions

Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat air fryer to 380F.
Cook Wieners: Place the wieners in the basket of the preheated air fryer. Cook at 380F for 5 minutes.
Prepare Hot Dog Buns: Open up the hot dog buns and spread the insides with pizza sauce.
Add Pepperoni: Place about two-thirds of the pepperoni slices down the center of the buns.
Assemble Pizza Dogs: Once wieners are cooked, place a wiener on top of the pepperoni in each bun. Add shredded mozzarella, chopped bacon, and remaining pepperoni slices.
Cook Pizza Dogs: Place the assembled hot dogs in the air fryer basket. Cook at 380F for 4 minutes.
Serve: Serve hot and enjoy!

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 9 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Air Fry
Cuisine: American