Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs are my recipe contribution to 4th of July celebrations. Even though I’m in Australia, I’ll be having a BBQ to celebrate!
It doesn’t take much for me to get enthused about get togethers with my fabulous friends. Even last Friday when I was out with the girls and we were talking about our annual Christmas party (yes – 6 months out), I instantly raised my hand and chirped “I’ll do the food!”.
Whether it’s a game, a birthday, baby shower, hen’s night or out of town visitor, I’ll jump on any opportunity to host a get together. 🙂
4th of July is one such get together. Born in Japan, raised in Australia, I’ve travelled throughout the US a handful of times and have very fond memories. From NYC to Washington, Miami to LA, San Fran, Texas and New Orleans, I had so so much fun (and food) everywhere I visited.
So I’ve celebrated 4th of July almost every year since I first visited the US and this year is no exception. It is actually winter in Sydney, but our winter is very mild. We will grill outdoors and I’ll be making hot dogs, ribs, potato salad, corn on the cob and I guess I have to provide a green salad too.
Not just any old hot dogs though – these Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs! Smothered with the most awesome ever cheese sauce (that stays gorgeously creamy even when it’s cool and it’s NOT made with plastic cheese!).
Oh! Before I forget – few photos of how to roll the hot dogs up in bacon. Super simple – just place the hot dog on the bacon on an angle, then roll it and secure the top and bottom with toothpicks that have been soaked in water. If you are cooking them on the outdoor grill, then the toothpicks won’t get in the way of browning the bacon all over because they kind of poke down in between the slats.
But if you are cooking this on the flat plate side of the BBQ or on the stove, then use scissors to trim the toothpicks so they don’t poke out. Makes it much easier to evenly brown the bacon all over. 🙂
And a little close up of the cheese sauce for you…it’s SO good. It’s based on the Nachos Cheese Dip and Sauce that I shared previously. It’s special because it’s not made with plastic cheese and yet it stays creamy even when it cools down. Here’s a picture of it when it’s at room temperature. See how it’s nice and creamy still? Almost like the consistency of mayonnaise. So it’s perfect for using as a dolloping sauce for these hot dogs. 🙂
In reality, I dollop a LOT more cheese sauce on these hot dogs. If I used as much as I normally do, you wouldn’t be able to see anything else – including (probably) the bun!!! So for the purposes of the photos only, I used restraint. Extreme restraint.
– Nagi x
PS You know what happened two seconds after I snapped the photo, don’t you? Yes, I grabbed one of those hot dogs, piled on more cheese sauce. And grinned happily as I savoured every single bite. Can’t wait to make these for my friends next weekend!!
Anything Bacon Wrapped is a GOOD THING!
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Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs with Cheese Sauce
Ingredients
Cheese Sauce
- 2½ cups grated cheddar or tasty cheese , or any other good melting cheese
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (corn flour)
- 1 can evaporated milk (375g / 12oz)
- ½ tsp onion powder (optional - adds extra flavour)
- ½ tsp garlic powder (optional - adds extra flavour)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 to 2 tbsp milk
Hot dogs
- 6 hot dogs (American style - Note 1)
- 6 strips of streaky bacon , long enough to wrap each hot dog
- 12 to othpicks , soaked in water for 30 minutes
- 4 brown onions , peeled and sliced
- 1 tbsp oil
- 6 soft hot dog buns
Bacon for Garnish
- 1/4 cup bacon , diced
Instructions
Cheese Sauce
- Toss together the cheese and cornstarch in a small saucepan.
- Add the remaining ingredients EXCEPT the milk and cook over medium heat, whisking occasionally for the first couple of minutes then frequently as the cheese melts. Whisk until the Cheese Sauce is smooth (about 5 minutes).
- Remove from the stove and let it cool to room temperature. Whisk vigorously every 5 minutes or so to blend the "skin" that forms on the surface into the Cheese Sauce.
- Once it is at room temperature, use the milk to make the consistency suitable for dolloping onto the hot dogs.
Hot Dogs
- Trim the edges of the bacon so they wrap neatly without overlapping.
- Lay a strip of bacon on a work surface. Place a hot dog on the bacon on the diagonal. Then roll up the hot dog in bacon. Use a toothpick to secure each end. (See photo below)
- If you are cooking the hot dogs on the stove or flat iron side of the BBQ, use scissors to trim the toothpicks so they aren't sticking out. (Note 2)
- Brush the grill side with oil and drizzle the remaining oil on the flat iron side of the BBQ. Then heat on medium high (or do this in a frypan over medium high on the stove).
- On the flat iron side, add the onion and cook until dark golden brown. Cook the extra Bacon for Garnish at the same time (if using).
- On the grill side, cook the hot dogs, turning until nicely browned all over.
- Partially cut the hot dog buns. Place a bacon wrapped hot dog in the bun, top with onion, a generous amount of Cheese Sauce and Bacon for Garnish (if using).
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Why oh why have I never done this?!?! Nagi – my eyes and tastebuds and belly are hopping around in anticipation (your photos are so good, they don’t realize this is 2-dimensional) – but The Brain knows better!!! 🙂
I think I need to hop a plane and come to Sydney to do July 4th with you!
YES YOU DO!! 🙂
Ha! Ha! Plastic cheese. I avoid plastic cheese like the plaque and have no clue as to why it is so popular. Glad these lovelies use real cheese.
And let’s talk about these hot dogs, shall we? These are the most divine hot dogs I have ever laid my eyes on. They surely would add an air of gourmet to any backyard Fourth of July party.
I don’t get it either! I mean, it actually DOES look like plastic!!
I’m having trouble with the cheese not melting. What brand do you recommend?
I usually use cheddar/tasty, I find all brands I’ve used melt fine – I’m usually using a bock from Harris Farm.
Oh my god! Nagi that looks delicious! plus bacon wrapped makes it even better! 😀 My second time celebrating 4th of July over here… so definitely going to be having some hot dogs that weekend!
I bet YOUR hot dogs are AWESOME!!! 🙂
Hi Nagi! I made bacon wrapped dogs just last week! I did them in the oven at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes. I toasted the buns and topped them with chopped sweet onion and yellow mustard. I made horseradish potato salad from a recipe posted by David at Spiced. Talk about good!!
NO WAY!! We are totally in sync!! Oooh, I forgot that you can make these in the oven, I better update the recipe. Thanks for the reminder!! 🙂
Wow, so delicious Nagi! These will definitely be a winner at any 4th of July party! I’m getting very hungry now 🙂 The sauce sounds interesting, I’m sure it is the perfect addition, need to try it !
Thanks Mira!! Yep, the sauce is the BEST!! I am dangerously addicted to it!! 🙂
Yum x about 100!
I’m surprised you had any of these left over for the photo shoot!
I’m interested in that cheese sauce recipe. Although it usually tastes good, I can’t stand the thought of that plastic luke warm version they serve at the cinema with nachos.
Happy 4th July BBQ (a bit early, I know)! Oh, to be able to have a BBQ in the winter (you lucky thing!)
Don’t worry Helen! You’ll be having BBQ’s all year round when you come back!! 🙂
Oh my goodness!!!!
These sound not be allowed!!! They sound so bad and yet so good. I can’t wait to try them!!!! 😀
I’m not having a mild winter it was 2ºC last night. Brrrrrrrrrr
2 degrees?? OMG! FREEZING!!! (Make these inside with the heater ON!!)