Need help to microwave hot dog without exploding it? The quickest and easiest way to cook hotdogs without exploding is in the microwave.
Hotdogs are a classic food item that are super simple to prepare and appease almost everybody’s craving. In just a minute or two, the meal prep will be hot and ready to serve.
How do you microwave hot dogs? Using a fork or small knife, pierce the hot dog to let the juice escape from the casing so it doesn’t explode. Wrap with a damp paper towel, or place on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a wet paper towel.
Microwave on high for 45 seconds for 1 hot dog. When cooking more than one hot dog, add an additional 20 seconds so that it reheats thoroughly.
Check to see if it is heated up throughout by using a meat thermometer to see if the internal temperature reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit or 74 degrees Celsius.
If needed, flip on the other side and repeat microwaving for another 30 seconds. Carefully remove it from microwave, then serve with a fluffy bun and delicious toppings to enjoy.
Whether you are using paper towel or microwaving hotdogs in water, it’s important to follow a few precautions to prevent from drying out or exploding. To further speed up the cooking process, we recommend to defrost hot dogs prior to microwaving for even heating.
So, is it safe to microwave hot dogs? What are some of the microwave tips and tricks to follow when preparing hot dogs? In this article, we go over all the frequently asked questions regarding microwaving hot dogs the best way.
Can you microwave hot dogs?
Yes, you can microwave hot dogs. Matter of fact, microwaving hotdogs is the easiest and quickest way to get the job done in under a minute. They are fully cooked, but it is still important to reheat to an internal temperature of 74℃ or 165℉ before serving.
Hotdogs are generally precooked, therefore you don’t need to worry about cooking them, only reheating to the proper temp so it is safe to eat.
Remember, when heating, use a microwave-safe plate instead of plastic ones that may not be microwave safe. Unsafe plastics chemicals can leach harmful chemicals into the food when heated, and these chemicals are responsible for causing certain cancers and other serious ailments.
Is it safe to microwave hot dogs?
Yes, microwaving hot dogs is safe. As long as the microwaved hotdogs reach an internal temperature of 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit then they are considered safe to eat.
It is important to mention that if not adequately microwaved, it can be dangerous due to the listeria bacteria thriving in the undercooked meat. These bacteria can make you sick, especially if you’re pregnant, elderly, or have a compromised immune system.
To prevent this from happening, it’s vital to microwave hot dogs long enough until they’re fully heated throughout to kill the bacteria.
Also, microwaving hot dogs doesn’t alter their texture or taste when not overcooked. Overcooked tends to make it dry and tough to chew on, which completely changes the tenderness.
How long do you microwave hot dogs?
Microwaving hot dogs should take roughly a minute. However, this is dependent on the wattage of the microwave and the number of hot dogs being heated at one time.
For microwaves with a wattage of about 800-1000, one hot dog should take for about 40 seconds. However, if the microwave has a higher wattage, then use shorter cooking times.
The following cooking times should be followed when cooking more than one hot dog:
- 2 hotdogs: 1 minute 15 seconds
- 3-4 hotdogs: 2 minutes
- 5-6 hotdogs: 3 minutes
- 7-8 hotdogs: 4 minutes
- 9-10 hotdogs: 5 minutes
Tips to microwave hot dog
Microwaving hotdogs is a quick and east way to cook them instead of firing up the grill. With the proper technique, you can avoid burning, drying out, and exploding, there is more than just a press of a button when microwaving hotdogs.
Here are important microwave tips to consider when cooking hotdogs:
- Cover them with a paper towel before nuking on high heat. Wrapping them in a wet paper towel ensures that all the juices and steam is retained inside for a juicy, plump and delicious hotdog.
- Do not exceed the microwave intervals more than 30 seconds at a time as this may cause it to explode, burn or even harden. Also, turn on the other side and rotate to ensure they cook evenly.
- Pierce the casing of the hotdogs with a fork or knife tip before microwaving. This lets the delicious juices flow to prevent the steam from being trapped inside leading to an explosion.
- Use a damp paper towel to keep the hot dog moist and tender.
- If paper towel is not available to wrap, simply cover the dish with a microwave cover or microwave safe plastic wrap to trap the steam and keep them juicy.
Best way to microwave hotdogs
The best way to microwave hotdogs is to let them cook on high heat for at least 30 seconds on a covered microwave-safe plate. Remember, to adjust the cooking time depending on the number of hot dogs and the wattage of the appliance.
It’s also essential to keep checking them after 15 to 30 seconds to ensure they don’t explode or dry out. For even better results, be sure to wrap them with a wetted paper towel to ensure that they retain moist and tasty.
For best result, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit for them to be safe to consume. If the hot dogs are still cold, flip to the other side and continue the heating process.
Make sure to defrost any frozen hot dogs before microwaving. This will help to prevent from uneven heat whereas the center will be still ice cold and the edges will start crisp up, dry out and burn.
Additionally, microwave hot dog buns to make them warm and complete the meal prep. Top with mustard, relish and onion, then enjoy while it’s hot and fluffy.
Microwaving Hotdogs: Conclusion
Cooking hot dogs in a microwave is pretty simple and straightforward, especially if it is for single or double serving. It will cook in about a minute to fulfill your hunger with juicy and meaty frank in every bite.
Start by poking holes with a fork and small knife tip to let the steam vent out of the casing so it doesn’t explode.
Individually wrap the hotdog with a water or chicken broth dampened paper towel, or you can cover the plate with the paper towel when heating more than one sausage.
Set the microwave on high and run for 30 to 45 seconds. When cooking more than one hot dog, increase the cooking time by 20 seconds more per hot dog to ensure that it fully heats thorough.
When does correctly, microwaving hot dogs doesn’t interfere with their texture or taste. Do check on them from time to time to ensure they do not overcook.
The next time you want to make a quick bite to eat, you know that microwaving hotdogs is on your go-to list! Pair with a warm bun and your favorite toppings for a quick and easy meal.