Ingredients:
Dry:
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet:
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup milk (buttermilk adds extra richness)
- 1/4 cup melted butter (or vegetable oil)
Fillings:
- 8-10 quality hot dogs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- Optional: 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl
- Medium mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Mini muffin tin
- Cooking spray
- Toothpicks (optional)
Instructions:
Prep:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Grease your mini muffin tin very well with cooking spray.
- Cut the hot dogs into 1-inch pieces.
Combine dry ingredients:
- In the large mixing bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Combine wet ingredients:
- In the medium bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, and melted butter until well combined.
Make the batter:
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing gently until just combined (don’t overmix).
Fill the muffin tin:
- Fill each muffin cup about halfway with batter.
- If using cheese: Add a small sprinkle of cheese on top of the batter.
- Gently press a piece of hot dog into the center of each muffin cup. If it’s difficult to stand them up, use a toothpick for support.
Bake:
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the muffin (not the hot dog) comes out clean.
Cool and serve:
- Let the muffins cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before carefully removing them.
- Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces like ketchup, mustard, or honey mustard.
Tips:
- Don’t overmix!: Overmixing the batter will make the muffins tough.
- Experiment with hotdogs: Try different hot dog flavors like cheese-filled, turkey dogs, or spicy dogs.
- Buttermilk substitute: If you don’t have buttermilk, add a teaspoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to regular milk and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Make-ahead option: Prepare the batter and fill the muffin tins the night before. Store covered in the refrigerator and bake in the morning.
Enjoy your delicious and fun Mini Corn Dog Muffins!
