Cleo's Summer Comfort: Tips for Making Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs on your Grill or Stovetop

From Cleo Coyle: During the height of New York City’s pandemic lockdown, my husband Marc and I noticed that quick and easy comfort foods were continually out of stock at our local markets. Boxed mac & cheese and frozen pizzas became as scarce as pearls in oysters, and hamburger and hot dog buns were nearly impossible to find. 

True, we're not out of the Covid woods yet, but at least the buns are back in stock. (Gotta be grateful for the small stuff. :)) And one of the first things we did to celebrate the return of the buns was make some comfort food favorites: big fat burgers and danger dogs. 

"What are danger dogs?" 

I'm glad you asked because the answer is the subject of this recipe post!

Behold two "Danger Dogs,"

deep-fried, bacon-wrapped hot dogs. 
Frighteningly delicious.

Marc and I first heard about the "Danger Dog" via a friend in Los Angeles, where the recipe has made its way north from the street food of Tijuana, Mexico. 

Esquire magazine actually put the "bacon-wrapped hot dog" on its list of "Sixty Things Worth Shortening Your Life For." What number was the bacon dog? Hard to believe it but #1. (To see the entire list, click here.)

Where the Danger Dogs Roam

• Down Mexico way, the original Danger Dog (aka Tijuana Bacon Dog) is topped with grilled onions and hot chili. North of the border, this same barker is often topped with mayonnaise, and in Los Angeles, California, it’s known as a street dog.
  
• The Jersey Breakfast Dog is a bacon-wrapped hot dog that is deep fried until it’s curled or falling apart. Also called rippers, they're served with fried or scrambled eggs.
  
• A Chicago variation is the Francheezie, a jumbo hot dog split and stuffed with cheddar or Velveeta cheese before it’s wrapped in bacon and (oh, yes) fried.

The truth is, when my dear Marc fries up these babies (and he doesn't do it often, thank goodness), he always prepares one for me. It may be disgusting, but it’s also to die for—an unfortunate phrase since too many of these puppies would ensure it, as Esquire pointed out!

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☕ A Recipe Note from Cleo


Because we don’t own a deep fryer, my husband was forced to adapt and overcome—to borrow a motto from the Marines, a few of whom would probably enjoy this recipe, too, with a few good beers. And since summer and hot dogs go together so well, you can make these on your grill or your stovetop...

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Cleo Coyle's 
Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs

*Optional Grilling instructions below...

Makes 6 servings 

6 hot dogs 
6 slices bacon 
1 cup vegetable oil (we use canola oil) 
6 hot dog buns 
12 wooden toothpicks 

(Additional optional topping suggestions: grilled or raw onions, mayo, mustard, relish, chopped tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, etc.) 

Step 1—Slice the hot dogs (important): Slit each dog lengthwise. Don’t split the dogs in two, simply cut a deep slice. This cut will help the hot dog cook at the same fast pace as the bacon. It also will prevent the dog from bursting when it hits the hot oil.

Step 2—Wrap with bacon: Take one slice of bacon, regular or thick cut, and tuck the end of the slice into the cut at the tip of the hot dog. Wrap the bacon around the hot dog, being careful to completely cover the hot dog with the bacon. When finished wrapping, tuck the opposite end of the bacon into the hot dog's slit. Secure both ends with dry toothpicks. See my photos below.

(If grilling over charcoal, gas, or an open flame, be sure to soak the toothpicks in water for at least an hour before inserting into the dogs. This will prevent the toothpicks from burning. See more grilling notes below.)

Step 3—Fry the dogs (*see grilling option below): Place about one inch of oil at the bottom of a skillet and heat at medium until the oil is shimmering and ready to smoke, about five minutes. (If using a deep fryer, set to 375° F.) When the oil is hot enough, quickly place 2 to 4 hot dogs into the oil. For best results, do not fry too many at one time. If pan frying, cook about three minutes on one side, then turn and fry for an additional four minutes. If using a deep fryer cook the hot dogs for about seven minutes. Remove from heat and drain on a paper towel. Serve warm on a bun and add your favorite condiments.

*GRILLING OPTION: To grill bacon-wrapped hot dogs, keep these notes in mind: (1) Soak the toothpicks in water for a good hour before inserting or they may burn up on your grill. Or use metal skewers instead of toothpicks and you won't have to worry. (2) The cooking time will be longer on the grill, about 6 to 8 minutes per side. You're watching for the bacon to cook through without burning.

F o o d i e

P h o t o s

Click for free recipe PDF.

Eat with comfort and joy!

~ Cleo Coyle

New York Times bestselling author
of The Coffeehouse Mysteries &
Haunted Bookshop Mysteries

This is us >> Alice and Marc.

Together we write as Cleo Coyle. 

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