Jalapeño Cheddar Corn Dogs Recipe
These Jalapeño Cheddar Corn Dogs are a spicy twist on the classic fairground treat. Featuring juicy hot dogs stuffed with creamy cheddar cheese and fiery jalapeños, all encased in a crispy, golden cornmeal batter, they make for a perfect snack or party appetizer. The combination of creamy cheese and spicy peppers inside a crunchy exterior delivers a delicious balance of flavors and textures that everyone will love.
- Author: Clara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 corn dogs 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Deep Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Batter
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Filling
- 8 hot dogs
- 4 ounces cheddar cheese, cut into small sticks
- 2 jalapeños, finely chopped
- 8 wooden skewers
For Frying
- Prepare the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined to form your batter’s dry base.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, lightly beat the buttermilk, eggs, and vegetable oil until smooth and homogenous.
- Combine wet and dry: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. The batter should be thick but cohesive—avoid overmixing to keep it light.
- Stuff the hot dogs: Pat the hot dogs dry with paper towels. Make a lengthwise slit down each hot dog. Insert a stick of cheddar cheese and a sprinkle of finely chopped jalapeños inside the slit to create a spicy, cheesy filling.
- Insert skewers: Carefully push wooden skewers through the center of each stuffed hot dog, making sure enough of the skewer sticks out for a comfortable grip while frying and eating.
- Prepare for dipping: Pour the thick batter into a tall glass or container. This makes it easier to evenly coat the hot dogs when dipping.
- Heat the oil: Preheat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large heavy pot to 350°F (175°C), ensuring it’s deep enough to submerge the corn dogs for even frying.
- Coat the hot dogs: Dip each skewered hot dog into the batter, coating thoroughly. Allow any excess batter to drip back into the glass to avoid clumps.
- Fry the corn dogs: Gently lower the coated hot dogs into the hot oil. Fry for 3-4 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy, turning carefully if needed. Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding and temperature drops.
- Drain and rest: Using tongs, remove the corn dogs from the oil and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil and stay crisp.
- Serve: Serve the jalapeño cheddar corn dogs hot with your favorite dipping sauces such as mustard, ketchup, or spicy mayo for a tantalizing treat.
Notes
- For less heat, deseed the jalapeños before chopping.
- Use extra-sharp cheddar for more pronounced cheese flavor.
- Make sure oil temperature is between 350°F and 360°F for best frying results to avoid greasy corn dogs.
- Try substituting hot dogs with chicken or turkey dogs for a leaner option.
- Leftover corn dogs can be reheated in an oven to maintain crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 corn dog
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: jalapeño corn dogs, cheddar corn dogs, spicy corn dogs, deep fried snacks, fair food recipe