If you’re looking for a fun, easy, and absolutely adorable snack to whip up for Halloween or just a playful meal, I’ve got you covered with this Air Fryer Mummy Hot Dogs Recipe. I absolutely love how these little mummies come out golden, crispy, and just the right amount of spooky with those candy eyes staring back at you. Trust me, once you try this, your family and friends will be begging you to make them again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This recipe comes together in about 10 minutes, perfect for last-minute party prep or a fun snack.
- Kid-Friendly Fun: The little candy eyes make these hot dogs irresistibly cute and super fun for kids to help assemble.
- Minimal Ingredients: You only need three simple ingredients, which makes shopping and prep a breeze.
- Perfectly Crispy: The air fryer gives these mummies a crispy dough finish without being greasy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together beautifully to create that classic mummy look that’s festive and tasty. Make sure to get crescent dough that’s refrigerated and fresh for the best wrapping experience.
- Hot dogs: I use regular-sized hot dogs because they fit perfectly with the crescent dough strips—pat them dry first to help the dough stick better.
- Refrigerated crescent dough sheet: This is your “bandages,” so choose the classic dough sheet rather than pre-cut triangles to get more evenly sized strips.
- Candy eyes: You can find these at most grocery stores around Halloween or order online—don’t skip these, they bring the mummies to life!
Variations
I love how versatile this Air Fryer Mummy Hot Dogs Recipe is—you can really get creative with it depending on what you have in the kitchen or dietary preferences. Here are a few tweaks I’ve tried that you might enjoy too.
- Variation: I once swapped regular hot dogs for turkey sausages to make a lighter option, and my family barely noticed the difference in flavor.
- Variation: Use crescent dough made with whole wheat for a little extra nutrition and nutty flavor that pairs surprisingly well.
- Variation: For a little extra cheese pull, add a thin strip of string cheese underneath the dough bandages before wrapping the hot dog.
- Variation: If you want to make it spicy, sprinkle some smoked paprika or chili powder on the dough before air frying for a subtle kick.
How to Make Air Fryer Mummy Hot Dogs Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Hot Dogs and Dough
Start by opening your hot dogs package and patting the hot dogs dry with a paper towel. This little trick helps the dough stick better when you wrap them. Then, unroll the crescent dough onto a clean cutting board. Cut the dough into four squares, and then each square into 10 narrow strips lengthwise—these will be your mummy bandages!
Step 2: Wrap Your Mummies
Now for the fun part: wrap each hot dog with about 4 strips of dough. Stretch the dough slightly as you go so it hugs the hot dog snugly, creating that iconic mummy look. Leave a small area at the top exposed so you can stick on your candy eyes later. I like to wrap the strips loosely to keep it playful and let the dough puff up during cooking.
Step 3: Air Fry to Crispy Perfection
Place your wrapped hot dogs in the air fryer basket, making sure to leave some space between each mummy so the hot air can circulate nicely. Don’t overcrowd! Depending on your air fryer size, you might need to cook them in batches. Set the temperature to 330°F and air fry for 7-8 minutes, or until the crescent dough turns a gorgeous golden brown. Heads up: the first batch may take the full time, but subsequent ones usually cook a bit faster since the air fryer is already hot.
Step 4: Add the Eyes and Serve
Once your mummy hot dogs are out of the air fryer and still warm, gently press two candy eyes onto each one. The warmth helps the eyes stick without extra glue or frosting. Then, it’s time to serve and watch the happy faces light up around the table!
Pro Tips for Making Air Fryer Mummy Hot Dogs Recipe
- Stretch the Dough Strips: I discovered this trick when I first tried wrapping the dough too tightly—it prevents tearing and helps the dough puff up nicely.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Giving each mummy some breathing room lets the air fryer do its job evenly, avoiding soggy spots.
- Use Candy Eyes for Easy Decorating: If you don’t have candy eyes, tiny dots of mustard or ketchup work as cute and tasty alternatives.
- Watch the Cooking Time Closely: Air fryer models vary, so keep an eye on your mummies toward the end to get that perfect golden-brown color without burning.
How to Serve Air Fryer Mummy Hot Dogs Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping these with a little squiggle of ketchup or mustard to add flavor and some extra “ooohs” from my guests. Sometimes, I even sprinkle a pinch of chopped fresh parsley over the plate for a pop of color and freshness that balances the richness of the dough and hot dog.
Side Dishes
Pair your mummy hot dogs with classic autumn sides like crispy sweet potato fries, a crunchy coleslaw, or a vibrant salad with apple slices and walnuts. These add texture and sweetness that play off the savory hot dog perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For Halloween parties, I like to serve these mummies on a platter lined with shredded lettuce or kale to look like a spooky graveyard. Placing little plastic spider rings nearby amps up the fun factor, and kids just love getting involved. You could even offer mini cups of “blood” (ketchup) for dipping!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you ever have leftovers (which rarely happens in my house), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. I find that keeping them on a paper towel helps absorb any extra moisture and keeps the dough from getting too soggy.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these mummies wrapped individually in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer bag. When you want to enjoy them, just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the air fryer at 320°F for 3-4 minutes for that freshly crisp texture. Just remember to add the candy eyes fresh after reheating!
Reheating
Reheating in the air fryer is my top tip to keep the dough crispy—about 3-4 minutes at 320°F does the trick. If you only have a microwave, you can do that but the dough may get a bit soft. Adding fresh candy eyes after reheating keeps your mummies looking their spook-tacular best!
FAQs
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Can I use frozen crescent dough for this Air Fryer Mummy Hot Dogs Recipe?
Yes, just make sure to thaw it completely in the refrigerator before unrolling and cutting the strips. This makes wrapping easier and ensures even cooking in the air fryer.
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What temperature should I set my air fryer at?
I recommend setting your air fryer to around 330°F. This temperature crisps the crescent dough without burning the hot dogs inside. Adjust timing slightly based on your specific air fryer model.
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Can I make these mummies ahead of time for a party?
You can definitely prep and wrap them ahead, then refrigerate. Cook them just before your party to enjoy them warm and crispy. Alternatively, cook ahead and reheat in the air fryer to keep them fresh.
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What if I don’t have candy eyes?
No worries! You can use small dots of mustard, ketchup, or even tiny pieces of black olives as homemade eyes. It’s all about getting creative and having fun.
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Is this recipe kid-safe for handling dough?
Absolutely! This recipe is a great hands-on activity for kids under supervision. Just remind them to handle the hot dogs gently and allow an adult to handle the air fryer cooking.
Final Thoughts
I honestly can’t recommend the Air Fryer Mummy Hot Dogs Recipe enough—it’s fast, adorable, and surprisingly delicious. When I first made these, my kids couldn’t stop giggling and didn’t even realize they were eating something healthy-ish disguised as a Halloween treat. So grab that crescent dough, get the candy eyes ready, and have fun turning an old favorite into a spook-tacular delight that everyone will love. You’re going to crush it, I promise!
Print
Air Fryer Mummy Hot Dogs Recipe
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 mummy hot dogs
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Air Fryer Mummy Hot Dogs are a fun and spooky Halloween snack that’s easy to make with just three ingredients. Wrapped in crescent dough strips to resemble mummies and topped with candy eyes, they come together quickly in the air fryer for a golden, delicious treat perfect for parties or festive gatherings.
Ingredients
Hot Dogs
- 10 hot dogs
Crescent Dough
- 1 tube refrigerated crescent dough sheet
Decorations
- 20 candy eyes
Instructions
- Prepare Hot Dogs: Open the package of hot dogs and pat each one dry with a paper towel to ensure the dough adheres well.
- Cut Dough Strips: Unroll the refrigerated crescent dough sheet onto a clean cutting board. Cut the dough into 4 squares, then slice each square lengthwise into 10 narrow strips to use as the mummy bandages.
- Wrap Hot Dogs: Take 4 strips of dough and stretch each slightly before wrapping around one hot dog, leaving a small spot near the top uncovered for placing the candy eyes later. This creates the mummy bandage effect.
- Arrange in Air Fryer: Place the wrapped hot dogs into the air fryer basket with space between each to allow proper air circulation. You may need to cook them in batches depending on your air fryer’s size.
- Air Fry: Cook at 330°F (165°C) for 7-8 minutes or until the crescent dough is golden brown and fully baked. For subsequent batches, cooking time may be slightly shorter because the air fryer is already heated.
- Add Eyes: Remove the hot dogs from the air fryer and immediately press two candy eyes onto the exposed dough area to complete the mummy look.
Notes
- Use the air fryer for a quick and easy cooking method requiring only 10 minutes total prep and cook time.
- Stretching the dough strips before wrapping helps create a more authentic mummy bandage appearance.
- Allow space between hot dogs in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and browning.
- For a fun party snack, you can double or triple the batch size and keep cooked ones warm in a low oven while finishing others.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mummy dog
- Calories: 136 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 341 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
