Are you ready for some footballllll food?!
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re probably aware that the Super Bowl is this Sunday. Although earlier this week I made the epic make the mistake of asking Ben what day of the week it was being played on. I regretted the question before I even finished asking it.
Anyway, always up for a good theme week, I thought I’d share a few nibbles and bites over the next couple of days that are not only perfect for the big game on SUNDAY but would be a hit at any party or get-together during the year. Even if you don’t enjoy football, a good appetizer recipe is always good to have in your back pocket, no?
Watch How to Make Them!
I’m kicking things off (pun intended) with a sweet & savory bite that’s sure to score big points with any crowd – Mini Corn Dog Muffins. I am smashing my one corn dog a year rule to smithereens for these babies!
These sweet and poppable cornbread bites with hot dog studded centers taste exactly like a hot and yummy corn dog you’d get at the state fair…minus the suffocating heat and smothering crowds. You know what we call that? An UPGRADE!
Start by making the cornbread batter (you could also use a store-bought mix – I like Krusteaz Gluten-Free Cornbread.) Whisk together melted butter and sugar, then incorporate a couple eggs.
Next, pour in the secret ingredient that makes this cornbread ultra moist and yummy – buttermilk.
After the wet ingredients are combined, stir together the dry ingredients, including cornmeal, flour (either all-purpose or a gluten-free baking blend,) baking soda and salt. Then, whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients in two batches, whisking well between each batch.
Spray a mini muffin tin very well with non-stick spray then spoon 1 Tablespoon batter into each mini cup.
Next, cut up the hot dog centers. I used 100% beef Hebrew National Hot Dogs. You could use turkey dogs, if that’s your preference!
Hebrew National’s are longer, thinner hot dogs, so I cut each one into 6 pieces. You’ll want each piece to be about 1″ long.
Finally, place a hot dog piece into the center of each muffin tin.
And bake.
These piping hot, sweet and savory mini corn dog muffins are the perfect game-day food!
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Mini Corn Dog Muffins
Description
The original Mini Corn Dog Muffins! A fun and unique snack recipe for any special or ordinary occasion!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup certified gluten-free cornmeal
- 1 cup gluten-free baking blend or all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 8-10 all-beef hot dogs, cut into 1" bites
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine butter and sugar in a bowl then whisk to combine. Add eggs then whisk to incorporate, and then add buttermilk and whisk to incorporate.
- In a separate bowl, combine baking soda, cornmeal, flour, and salt then stir to combine. Whisk into wet ingredients in two batches.
- Spray a mini muffin tin very well with non-stick spray then spoon 1 Tablespoon batter into each mini muffin cup. Place one hot dog bite into the middle of each cup.
- Bake for 8-12 minutes or until cornbread is golden brown. Cool in mini muffin tin for 5 minutes before serving. Store leftovers in the refrigerator then re-heat for 20-30 seconds before serving.
Notes
- Feel free to use your favorite store-bought cornbread mix instead of making your own. I like Krusteaz Gluten Free Corn Bread!
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Video
A dip in cold ketchup really sends the corn dog flavor over the top. I can’t get over how insane these are. I literally had to pry Ben’s fingers from the mini muffin tin. Once he popped, he could not stop!
These are amazing served straight out of the oven, but can be made ahead of time, stored in the refrigerator, and microwaved for 30 seconds or so when it’s kickoff time. They taste just as good reheated. Not that I nuked five today and would know or anything.
Molly 03.11.2024
I love this idea! I am going to try to make a breakfast version with pancake batter and breakfast sausage :)
Kristin 03.15.2024
Love it, Molly!! Enjoy!
Julie 01.01.2024
Very easy to make and turned out perfectly – however far too sweet. I actually don’t see why you would need to add sugar at all let alone half a cup, totally unnecessary.
Kristin 01.02.2024
Thanks for your feedback, Julie! Is it possible the sugar was mismeasured? I haven’t received this feedback before.
Julie 01.03.2024
No it was definitely measured correctly, I also note AngeC referred to a ‘ghastly amount of sugar.’ I have since made another batch and omitted the sugar altogether and they were so much nicer. To be honest I don’t see why you need to add any sugar at all? We are Australian and I think our tastes may be not as sweet as yours perhaps? In any case your recipe turned out perfectly and I will definitely make again – minus the sugar!
Kristin 01.04.2024
Oh geez – I see hers now! I live in the Midwest where the cornbread is typically sweet (I talk a little about that here: https://iowagirleats.com/gluten-free-cornbread/). You can absolutely adjust to your preferred level of sweetness or use a cornbread recipe that like in place of the one provided.
Trish 12.16.2023
I LOVE making these, but always ran into the same problem…my cups would be too full and the muffins would stick no matter how much I sprayed. I found a fix!!!Step 1) Spray the bejeezus out of the pan. It should be uncomfortable, honestly. Step 2) when they are done baking, wait a minute after removing them from the oven, then bang the pan on the counter a few times. They released like a charm!!!
Kristin 12.18.2023
A silicone mini muffin tin works really well for these too!!
R 03.25.2023
My son cannot have dairy milk so I substituted soy milk and used Imperial in place of the butter. I also quartered the Hotdogs length wise and then cut them up and mixed them into the batter. Couldn’t tell that soy milk was used, these were very good.
Laura 02.09.2023
If using a packaged mix, do I follow their baking directions or yours. Sorry if this was asked before.
Kristin 02.09.2023
No problem! Follow the directions on the package in terms of what to add (eggs, oil, milk, etc) then bake according to package directions as well. :)
Marie 08.15.2022
Can I make the corn dogs muffins in a regular muffin tin? If fo what oven temperature?
Kristin 08.16.2022
Hi Marie! I haven’t tried that before, but I’m sure it would work!
Deb 06.30.2022
Gf hot dogs always gf..Hebrew Nation. This would be fun with gf Polish sausage too
Thanks!
Kristin 07.02.2022
Oh yeah – that would be awesome!!
Terrilyn 05.28.2022
How long will these keep?
Kristin 05.31.2022
3-4 days in the fridge! :)
AngeC 03.25.2022
Hi, you’re right! Taste is EXACTLY spot on, regardless of ghastly amount of sugar. The soft inner texture was perfect ( though I used 1 tablespoon of apple vinegar in a cup of whole milk, not having buttermilk).I greased the pans heavily and did a baker’s five on higher temp before lowering to recipe’s 375* to accomplish the tougher coating, but that didn’t quite work out. Maybe longer than 5 next time.Still, a fun gnosh! Corn dogs are associated with my family’s beach vacations when I was a child, so it’s always a great memory food. These beat the frozen ones hands down. A great fresh tasting corn dog!Thanks!
Kristin 03.28.2022
So glad you loved these, Ange!! You can use any cornbread batter that you love! :)
Alicia D 05.06.2021
Loved these!! But my muffins didn’t stay together for some reason. They separated at the hotdog. I used the Jiff box of cornbread so not sure if that’s why but I would love to know what I did wrong to perfect them. I also added shredded Mexican blend cheese on top before cooking and it was sooo good!!
Kristin 05.07.2021
Love the cheese addition, Alicia! Hmm, it’s hard to say what could have caused the separation. I haven’t experienced that nor received similar feedback.
Jess 08.16.2023
I had the same problem with keeping them together. I wonder if my hot dog was too thick. They kind of separated and crumbled (also used a jiffy box)
pamela j palmer 02.01.2021
fun quick n easy can use a box muffin mix like jiffy as well!!!
Ann C 08.27.2020
Weird question, but can you freeze these? My son went back to school and I’m trying to be more creative then a sandwich everyday! But I meal prep everything, so ?♀️
Kristin 09.03.2020
Yes, these freeze very well!