These Sweet & Spicy Hot Dog Burnt Ends are an unexpectedly delicious and surprisingly easy appetizer or snack! They’re a fun and flavorful twist on traditional burnt ends, using budget-friendly hot dogs instead of brisket. I love how the hot dogs get caramelized and crispy in the oven, and the combination of mustard, brown sugar, spices, and BBQ sauce creates a sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavor explosion. They’re perfect for game day, potlucks, or any casual gathering. Get ready to surprise your taste buds!
Why You’ll Love These Hot Dog Burnt Ends
- Unexpectedly Delicious: Don’t let the hot dogs fool you – these burnt ends are packed with flavor and have a surprisingly satisfying texture.
- Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.
- Budget-Friendly: Hot dogs are a very affordable protein option.
- Crowd-Pleaser: These burnt ends are always a hit at parties and gatherings.
- Fun and Unique: A fun and unexpected twist on a classic barbecue dish.
Ingredients for Hot Dog Burnt Ends
Here’s what you’ll need to make this unique appetizer. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Main Ingredients
- Beef hot dogs
- Yellow mustard (Condiment)
- Brown sugar (Sweetener)
- Cayenne pepper (Spice)
- Onion powder (Spice)
- Freshly ground black pepper (Spice)
- BBQ sauce (Condiment)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love these Hot Dog Burnt Ends as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:
- Different Hot Dogs: Try using different types of hot dogs, like all-beef, turkey, or even plant-based hot dogs.
- Adjust the Heat: Use more or less cayenne pepper to control the spice level.
- Different BBQ Sauce: Experiment with different flavors of BBQ sauce, like honey BBQ, smoky BBQ, or spicy BBQ.
- Add Liquid Smoke: Add a few drops of liquid smoke to the BBQ sauce for a more intense smoky flavor.
- Wrap with bacon
How to Make Hot Dog Burnt Ends
Let me show you how easy it is to make these Sweet & Spicy Hot Dog Burnt Ends:
Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet
- I preheat my oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- I line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
Season Hot Dogs
- I combine the hot dogs, yellow mustard, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, onion powder, and black pepper in a large resealable bag.
- I shake the bag so the hot dogs are well coated with the mustard and spice mixture.
Bake (First Time)
- I spread out the seasoned hot dogs onto the prepared baking sheet.
- I bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour.
Cut and Sauce
- I remove the hot dogs from the oven and let them cool slightly.
- I cut them into thirds.
- I increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Combine with BBQ Sauce
- I combine the hot dog pieces and BBQ sauce in a bowl and mix until the hot dogs are completely coated with the sauce.
Bake (Second Time)
- I return the sauced hot dog pieces to the baking sheet.
- I bake in the preheated oven for an additional 10 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly and slightly caramelized.
Serve
- Serve
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Burnt Ends
Here are my secrets for making these burnt ends truly amazing:
- Use Good Quality Hot Dogs: Choose your favorite brand of beef hot dogs for the best flavor.
- Don’t Skip the First Bake: The first, longer bake at a lower temperature helps to render some of the fat and create a nice texture.
- Cut into Thirds: Cutting the hot dogs into thirds creates more surface area for the sauce to cling to.
- Watch Carefully During the Second Bake: Keep an eye on the hot dogs during the second bake to prevent the BBQ sauce from burning.
How to Serve
These Hot Dog Burnt Ends are perfect for:
- Game Day: A fun and flavorful snack for watching the game.
- Parties: A crowd-pleasing appetizer for any gathering.
- Potlucks: Easy to transport and serve at potlucks.
- Appetizers: A unique and delicious starter for any meal.
Make Ahead and Storage
You can prepare the seasoned hot dogs and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Leftover burnt ends can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven, microwave, or a skillet.
FAQs about Hot Dog Burnt Ends
- Can I use a different type of sauce?
- Yes, you can use any type of BBQ sauce you like, or even a different sauce altogether, like teriyaki sauce or a honey-garlic sauce.
- Can I grill these instead of baking them?
- Yes, you can.
- Can I make these ahead of time?
- Yes, you can.
Enjoy these surprisingly delicious and easy-to-make Sweet & Spicy Hot Dog Burnt Ends! They’re a fun and flavorful twist on a classic that’s sure to be a hit.
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Hot Dog Burnt Ends
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Hot Dog Burnt Ends are a fun, easy, and surprisingly delicious appetizer or snack. Beef hot dogs are coated in a mustard and spice mixture, baked until caramelized, then tossed in BBQ sauce and baked again for a sticky, sweet, and smoky treat.
Ingredients
- 2 (14-16 ounce) packages beef hot dogs (see notes)
- 1 cup yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Prepare Hot Dogs: Open the packages of hot dogs. Do not slice or cut the hot dogs at this stage.
- Combine Ingredients in Bag: In a large resealable plastic bag (gallon-sized), combine the whole hot dogs, yellow mustard, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, onion powder, and black pepper.
- Coat Hot Dogs: Seal the bag tightly, removing as much air as possible. Shake and massage the bag to ensure the hot dogs are thoroughly and evenly coated with the mustard and spice mixture.
- Bake (First Bake): Spread the coated hot dogs in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour.
- Cut Hot Dogs: Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Carefully transfer the hot dogs to a cutting board. Let them cool slightly, then cut each hot dog into thirds.
- Increase Oven Temperature: Increase the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C).
- Coat with BBQ Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the cut hot dog pieces with the BBQ sauce. Toss gently to coat them evenly.
- Bake (Second Bake): Return the BBQ sauce-coated hot dog pieces to the baking sheet, spreading them in a single layer.
- Bake Again: Bake in the preheated oven for an additional 10 minutes, or until the BBQ sauce is bubbly and slightly caramelized.
- Serve
Notes
- Hot Dogs: Use all-beef hot dogs for the best flavor. You can use any size hot dogs, but standard-size hot dogs work best. Do not use pre-cooked/smoked sausages.
- Mustard: Yellow mustard provides the best flavor and tang for this recipe.
- Brown Sugar: You can use light or dark brown sugar.
- Cayenne Pepper: Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to your preferred level of spiciness.
- BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite BBQ sauce. A sweet and smoky BBQ sauce works well with this recipe.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve these hot dog burnt ends as an appetizer or snack. They’re great with toothpicks for easy serving. You can also serve them on slider buns or with other BBQ sides.