Corn Dogs

From the kitchen of Carly

Grilled hot dogs get a crispy cornmeal crust in this carnival classic. The batter is tender and slightly sweet with just a whisper of cayenne heat. Dip them in mustard, ketchup, relish, whatever you want. These are pure comfort food.

Prep
n/a
Cook
n/a
Total
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Servings
4
Difficulty
medium

Ingredients

4 servings

  • 18 hot dogs
  • 11/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided
  • 1About 8 cups vegetable oil, divided
  • 11 1/2 cups cornmeal
  • 11 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 11 teaspoon sugar
  • 11/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 11/8 teaspoon cayenne
  • 12 large eggs
  • 11 1/4 cups well-shaken buttermilk
  • 1Equipment: a grill pan; 8 wooden ice-pop sticks; a deep-fat thermometer
  • 18 wooden ice-pop sticks
  • 1a deep-fat thermometer
  • 1Accompaniments: ketchup and mustard
  • 1mustard

Instructions

  1. Oil grill pan, then grill hot dogs over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until lightly charred on all sides, about 5 minutes total. Transfer to a plate and cool slightly, then insert a wooden stick into each hot dog. Put 3 tablespoons flour on another plate and roll hot dogs in flour to coat, shaking off excess.

  2. Heat 3 inches oil to 350°F in a deep 3-quart heavy pot over medium-high heat.

  3. Meanwhile, whisk together cornmeal, remaining 1/2 cup flour, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, baking powder, sugar, baking soda, cayenne, and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Add eggs 1 at a time, whisking well after each addition. Whisk in buttermilk.

  4. Transfer some of batter to a tall glass, filling it almost to the top.

  5. Working in batches of 2 or 3, dip hot dogs, 1 at a time, into glass of batter to coat (add more batter to glass if necessary), then fry, turning occasionally, until batter is cooked through and golden-brown all over, about 3 minutes. Transfer corn dogs to paper towels to drain. Return oil to 350°F and refill glass with batter between batches.