Gluten Free Corn Dogs

5 from 18 votes

Prep Time : 25

Cook Time : 10

These gluten free corn dogs are the classic street or carnival food, with crisp and tender corn batter fried to perfection around a gf hot dog in the center—all on a stick. Use the leftover batter to fry up some gf corn fritters, too!

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Gluten free corn dogs are carnival or state fair food, but it's hard to come by them at the actual event. So let's make them ourselves!

White plate with corn dogs arranged on top of brown paper and white stick in foreground

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What makes these gluten free corn dogs special?

Making corn dogs at home is a bit of a messy enterprise, but they're the sort of food that make everyone cheer. Well, everyone who likes hot dogs even a little will cheer.

Part of the reason I prefer baking to cooking is that baking is seen as a gift, since it's not essential. Your family would likely only notice if you didn't cook dinner. But everyone takes notice when you bake something.

Deep fried corn dogs are in a middle ground. They're food, not sweets, but they're special and memorable.

Hand holding stick of corn dog to dip it in small bowl of mustard

Secrets to making gluten free corn dogs successfully

Making corn dogs isn't difficult, but like all recipes that use a technique that isn't done in everyday cooking and baking, there are secrets to success. These are the things I remind myself of every time I make corn dogs.

If you only remember one thing, it's to follow all the recipe instructions literally. I'm not saying I never make a mistake, but the published mistakes I make on this blog are typos or a turn of phrase.

Especially since you can literally watch me make these recipes in the hundreds of how-to videos on this website (unless you're using an ad blocker, which will hide the videos so quit it!), you know that the recipe works when made as written. So if it didn't work, please don't tell me you “followed the recipe to a T.” If you do, it works. I promise.

Prepare the hot dogs properly

One of the biggest challenges in making corn dogs is getting the batter to stick to the hot dogs. The instructions below tell you to dry the hot dogs. Do that!

Then, coat them in the gum-free flour. The batter is thick, but still slippery when you're trying to coat a smooth surface.

Prepare and apply the batter properly

The batter should be thick, very well-combined, and chilled. Watch the video to see the consistency you're seeking.

To ensure a nice, thick layer of batter on each hot dog, dip it, let it drip off, then dip it again and twirl it on the stick. Then, gently place it in the hot oil.

If your batter makes the corn dog stick to the bottom surface of your frying container, it's okay. Just gently free it when you're ready to flip. If there's a bald spot, you'll only see a nicely fried hot dog poking out.

Be mindful when you insert the sticks

When you insert the stick in each hot dog, try holding the hot dog horizontally. That will help you visualize inserting the stick at the same horizontal angle, so the stick doesn't pop out of the hot dog skin at an angle.

Oh, and if you have any trouble finding bamboo skewers in the grocery store, check by the meat counter. They're usually not far from there – and either way, the butcher will always know where they keep them!

I like the look of lollipop sticks, and I happen to have a bag of them made by Wilton. They're available at most craft stores, and of course also available online.

Don't use an air fryer

If you were to make this batter thick enough to lay down the raw corn dogs on a rack or in an air fryer basket, the batter would be too thick to get particularly crisp. If you were to use an air fryer with the batter as it is in the recipe now, it would slip off and pool around the bottom.

Remember that an air fryer is a misnomer. It's not frying food. It's just a high-powered confection oven.

Five fritters frying in oil in frying basket overhead image — Make good use of any leftover batter.

How to make gluten free corn fritters from the same gf corn dog batter

Whenever I go through the trouble of deep-frying anything, I want to keep using that oil. This recipe for gluten free corn dogs quickly becomes a two-for-one when you thicken any remaining batter and make instant corn fritters.

This is more of an art than a science, though, since there's no way of knowing precisely how much corn dog batter will be left over. I usually just double the batter recipe, even if I don't plan to make double the corn dogs, just so I can make fritters.

The rule of thumb is to add 1 tablespoon (about 9 grams) of additional corn flour or gum-free gluten free flour for each 1/4 cup of leftover batter. You want to thicken the batter just enough that it pulls away from the side of the container when it's fully mixed.

If you'd like to make sweeter fritters, add some granulated sugar to the batter first, then add the appropriate amount of corn flour or basic gf flour. They're delicious with a light dusting of confectioners' sugar.

closeup of irregularly shaped fritters on white paper towel

Gluten free corn dogs ingredients and substitution suggestions

Gluten free dairy free corn dogs

There's a bit of milk in the batter, and I use cow's milk. If you're dairy-free, use your favorite non-dairy milk.

Can you make gluten free corn dogs without an egg?

The egg in the batter is essential to creating a coating that clings to the hot dog and has structure during frying. Even though it's only one egg, I'm reluctant to recommend trying an egg replacement.

What sort of cornmeal/corn flour to use

I had always made this recipe with coarsely ground yellow cornmeal. I like the texture in the corn dogs.

Lately, I've made the batter with a combination of half corn flour (which is just more finely ground cornmeal, at least that's what we call it in the U.S.) and half coarsely ground yellow cornmeal. That way, I have the texture I like, and the batter clings to the hot dogs even better.

You cannot make these corn dogs … without corn. That would require a completely different recipe!

About the gluten free hot dogs

Most commercial hot dogs are gluten free, but please check your labels and make phone calls to companies if you're unsure. Some companies use wheat-based fillers in their hot dogs.

We often buy Applegate Farms brand, but Hebrew National is also great. If you don't eat meat, and you have a vegan gluten free “hot dog” you like, use that if it's strong enough to endure the indignities of this recipe.

FAQs

Why are corn dogs not gluten free?

Although corn dogs are made with cornmeal, they're also made with wheat flour, which is gluten-containing. If you're using a gluten free recipe like this one, which calls for all gluten free ingredients, including flour, your corn dogs will be safe for celiacs and anyone with a gluten intolerance or wheat allergy.

Can I make these corn dogs in an air fryer?

You can try making them in an air fryer by placing a small piece of parchment paper below each corn dog in the air fryer, and making them at about 400°F. However, the batter will probably pool at the bottom, where the corn dog is touching the air fryer basket.

Does corn contain gluten?

Corn has its own form of protein, sometimes referred to as “corn gluten,” but when we say “gluten free,” we are referring to the protein found in wheat, barley, and rye—not corn gluten.

Are hot dogs gluten free?

Yes, unless they contain wheat or gluten-based fillers like even wheat flour itself, most hot dogs are gluten free. For example, I really like gluten free Boar's Head, Hebrew National, and most Nathan's hot dogs.

Gluten free corn dogs recipe, with corn fritters, too

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Gluten Free Corn Dogs

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 25

Cook Time: 10

Yield: 12 corn dogs

Author: Nicole Hunn

Equipment

Deep fry/candy thermometer
12 bamboo skewers/lollipop sticks

Ingredients

For the corn dogs

6 gluten free hot dogs
½ cup (70 g) gluten free corn flour or cornmeal (See Recipe Notes)
½ cup (70 g) gum-free gluten free flour blend plus more for sprinkling (See Recipe Notes)
1 tablespoon (12 g) granulated sugar (optional)
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 (50 g (weighed out of shell)) egg at room temperature, beaten
½ cup (4 fluid ounces) milk at room temperature
Oil for deep frying (I like a mix of equal parts shortening and vegetable oil)
12 lollipop sticks or bamboo skewers

For fritters

Additional corn flour or gum-free gluten free flour by the tablespoonful See Recipe Notes
Confectioners’ sugar for dusting (optional)

Instructions

To make corn dogs

In a small bowl, place the cornmeal or corn flour, flour blend, optional sugar, baking powder, and salt, and whisk to combine well. Add the egg and milk, and whisk until very smooth.
Place the mixture in a tall, narrow glass or mason jar, and then in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the other ingredients.
Remove the hot dogs from the package and pat them dry. Cut each hot dog in half by cross-section to create two evenly-sized short pieces.
Place a stick or skewer in the cut end of each hot dog piece, pressing it about halfway up the hot dog. Be careful to insert the stick parallel to the hot dog or the stick will poke out of the hot dog skin.
Toss the hot dogs in enough of the gum-free gluten free flour blend to create a thin coating all the way round, including the cut end. Set the hot dogs aside.
Line a large plate or platter with disposable paper towels, and set it aside.
Place the frying oil in a medium-sized heavy-bottom saucepan, with a candy thermometer on the side (make sure the probe is in the liquid, and not resting on the bottom of the pan, or you will not get an accurate reading).
Bring the oil to 350°F over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat enough to maintain the temperature of the oil without allowing it to increase.
Remove the cornmeal mixture from the refrigerator, and whisk to ensure it’s still well-combined and loosened.
Holding onto the stick, slowly immerse the prepared hot dogs, one at a time, in the batter and remove it slowly to allow the batter to adhere to the hot dog.
Allow the excess batter to drip off, and immerse it again in the batter. Remove it slowly from the mixture, and twirl it slowly to help the batter stay on the hot dog without dripping off.
Place the coated hot dog in the frying oil gently. It should float, but if it doesn’t, shake the pan a bit to help prevent it from adhering to the bottom of the pot or frying basket.
Fry for about 2 minutes, and then rotate it, so it cooks evenly on all sides. If the batter has stuck to anything, pry it loose gently before you attempt to rotate it.
Allow the hot dog to finish frying until the coating is uniformly deep golden brown. Remove the hot dog from the frying oil, and place on the prepared paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Repeat with the remaining hot dogs.
Serve immediately, or, crisp in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes before serving.

To make corn fritters with any leftover batter.

Add about an additional 1 tablespoon of corn flour to each 1/4-cup of remaining batter to thicken it to a scoopable consistency.
Using a small spring-loaded ice cream scoop (a #50 works well), place mounds of the thickened batter into the frying oil and fry, turning once, until uniformly golden brown (about 4 minutes total).
Remove from the oil and place on paper towel-lined plates to drain. Sprinkle lightly with confectioners’ sugar and serve warm.

Notes

For the corn flour or cornmeal.
If you’d like a more prominent cornmeal taste, with the slight crunchiness of coarsely-ground cornmeal, use all cornmeal. You can also use a combination of both corn flour and cornmeal.

I rarely buy finely ground corn flour. Instead, I grind coarsely ground yellow cornmeal in a blender until it’s a fine powder.

For the gum-free gluten free flour blend.

My plain gum-free gluten free flour blend is made from 66% superfine white rice flour + 22% potato starch + 12% tapioca starch/flour.

For 1/2 cup (70 g), you’d use 46 grams superfine white rice flour + 15 grams potato starch + 9 grams tapioca starch/flour.

Originally published on the blog in 2013. In 2021, video, photos, extras all new. Core recipe unchanged.