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Cookbook of the Month Recipe – Corn Dogs
Filed under Cookbook of the Month, Main Dishes - BeefJul 17
While a lot of people tend to turn towards lighter foods – like salad – during the summertime, I tend to want fried foods. Maybe it’s because of the feeling of the State Fair in the air, but nothing says summer to me like a corn dog!When I came across this recipe in this month’s Cookbook of the Month, I knew I wanted to try it. The recipe comes from Alton Brown – and although he is definitely one of my favorite tv cooking personalities, I can’t think of a single recipe of his that I have tried. Such a shame!
My biggest complaint with this recipe is that the batter didn’t stick to the dogs as much as I think that it should have. You can tell in my picture – you can see a bit of the hot dog sticking through. I wish I would have coated them, fried slightly, and then added another coating. The batter also ended up a bit crispy, which was unexpected – but then again, this probably would have been changed by double “dipping” them.
Would I make them again? They were delicious, but they are a bit of work. I do want to try them again to see if I can perfect this recipe, and I think it would be even easier to do mini corn dogs without the sticks. I’m sure once my little girl gets older, these would be a real treat for a special occasion!
Recipe Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Corn Dogs
adapted from Food Network FavoritesMakes 8 corn dogs
Peanut oil, for frying
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 8.5-ounce can cream-style corn
1/3 cup grated onion
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
4 tablespoons cornstarch – for dredging
8 beef hot dogs8 sets wooden chopsticks, not separated*
Pour oil into a deep fryer or large heavy pot and heat to 375F.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda and cayenne pepper. In a separate bowl, combine the corn, onion and buttermilk. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients all at once and stir only enough to bring the batter together; there should be lumps. Set batter aside and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
Scatter cornstarch in a dry pie pan. Roll each hot dog in the cornstarch and tap well to remove any excess.
Transfer enough batter to almost fill a large drinking glass. Refill the glass as needed. Skewer each hot dog on a pair of chopsticks and quickly dip in and out of the batter in the drinking glass. Immediately and carefully place each hot dog into the oil and cook until the coating is golden brown, about 4 to 5 minutes. With tongs, remove to cooling rack and allow to drain for 3 to 5 minutes.
* I separated the chopsticks, since I didn’t have enough. I think they were plenty sturdy, but there was a bit of an issue with splinters!
21 Responses to “Cookbook of the Month Recipe – Corn Dogs”
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Sophie said on July 17th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
I've always wanted to make corndogs at home but have also wondered if the batter sticking is a problem. They look crispy and delicious, I've been craving these for awhile now
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Ryley said on July 17th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
State Fair corndogs are the best!!!!
The other night I really wanted a corn dog and I experimented making corndog muffins. Made a corn dog batter and cut up hot dogs and baked them in a mini muffin pan. They were sooo good and definitly fit for the craving. AND.. since they werent fried they were slightly healthier.. right??? [Reply]
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Frieda said on July 17th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
I made corn dogs once and couldn't keep the batter on, even after patting the hot dogs dry. I'm surprised that Alton didn't post any tips to prevent this!
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Rosa's Yummy Yums said on July 17th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Those look wonderful! A speciality I still have to try!
Cheers,
Rosa
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Kristi said on July 17th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
I just wanted to comment on your blog as a whole – I love it! I recently stumbled upon it and am really enjoying myself. I love your idea of a cookbook of the month.
Keep up the fabulous work.
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♥Rosie♥ said on July 17th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Oh, Debs your corn dogs look great! I have never tried one of these babies before and it looks that I should rectify this!!
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Susan said on July 17th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Came here from a link on Tastespotting
I have not tried these but have wanted to. I remember watching him make these on an episode of Good Eats. I know the episode had more about keeping the batter on than it states in the recipe. That always seems to be the best way to work with his recipes. The information on the show really helps. It's actually that way with all of the Food Network shows.
It's good to hear the taste is good on these. I have had a lot of success with Alton's recipes overall.
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Grace said on July 17th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
when don't i crave fried foods? the only time i can think of is at the end of a day at the fair at which i've ingested funnel cakes, corn dogs, and any number of deep fried oreos.
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Abby said on July 17th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
Fun! I eat a corndog every year at the fair, but I've never attempted them at home!
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R Thomas said on July 18th, 2009 at 12:22 am
You should have given it a shot! I've made these dogs before and the key to making the batter stick is to (gulp) fry them twice. I promise once you go for it you'll find that the batter coats evenly and even tends to stick on to the very end instead of falling off mid dog. Now I've given you an excuse to fry up another batch the next time you get the craving.
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Chocolate Shavings said on July 18th, 2009 at 1:02 am
That picture is great, it makes me want a corn dog right this second!
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oneordinaryday said on July 18th, 2009 at 1:42 am
What a great photo. I love Alton Brown and I betcha he makes a mean corn dog.
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Esi said on July 18th, 2009 at 2:15 am
I know what you mean about craving fried foods. I just had fried fish tonight. These corndogs look great, hope you find a way to perfect the recipe.
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Not a soccer mom said on July 18th, 2009 at 3:49 am
I cannot help with getting the batter to stick better to the dogs. however, my daughter taught me how to remove splinters. if you rub the chopsticks together after breaking apart, (rub one up and down the other twist and rub until smooth then rub the opposite stick) it will rub them smooth
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Sadie said on July 18th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Yum! I really enjoy your blog. I left you something on my foodblog. http://www.sadieskitchen.blogspot.com
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Indigo said on July 18th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
I've never even had a corndog… I think I need to educate myself in the ways of American food. (What baffles me most is those sweet potato casseroles with marshmallow on the top. Just, what on earth?!) I just know I'd like them though, heh.
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Claire said on July 19th, 2009 at 1:38 am
I make a cornmeal tempura batter that's similar to this (Texas-Japanese fusion!) and it sticks great. Try replacing half of the white flour with cornstarch. Then, when you get tired of making corn dogs you can use the batter for chili rellenos or yam strips to roll up in sushi.
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eatme_delicious said on July 20th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
I love Alton Brown too! And I love the idea of corn dogs. Too bad the batter didn't stay on the dogs very well.
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Molly Jean said on July 21st, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Corndogs?! This is sooo Iowa State Fair! I definitely want to try these at home. Too fun!
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glamah16 said on July 23rd, 2009 at 4:09 pm
You know those look really good. I have never liked corn dogs based on one bad experince, but those look so tasty. Im definatkey trying that!
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I prefer fried food to rabbit food anyday! Do love corn dogs, wish they were more accessible here! I’ll have to make them for myself then, thanks for sharing this recipe!
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