Snacks & Appetizers: Mini Hot Dogs

Do you have kids? Or friends? Or family about to descend on your house? Then this recipe is for you. If you need a quick and tasty snack for a large group, try Mini Hot Dogs. They're easy to eat and don't make a mess, and you can even stick each one with a toothpick if you want an easy way to pop them into your mouth.


You can use any hot dog you like. Beef or pork, chicken or turkey, tofu or veggie. Any old hot dog will work in this recipe, so pick whatever you enjoy the most. The ones in the picture are made with a chicken wiener.


Ingredients


1 recipe for Basic White Bread
12 hot dogs, any type
1 egg
1 tbsp water
1 tbsp coarse sea salt (optional)
mustard or other condiments of your choice


Preparation


Make your white bread dough, but stop after the first rise. Divide the dough into 12 equal portions. Take your hot dogs out of the package and dry them off with a paper towel. You don't want them too wet, so don't skip this step. Flatten a portion of dough until it is longer than it is wide. It should be as long as the hot dogs, but not longer. It should also be about three times as wide as the hot dogs.


Place a hot dog on the dough and wrap the dough around the hot dog. You want the hot dog fully encased, except for the ends. The ends you want to leave free. Pinch the dough to seal, then roll the wrapped hot dog on a firm surface a few times. This will help even out the dough and make prettier Mini Hot Dogs.


Now you will slice the hot dog into 4 or 6 portions. If you want something truly bite sized, go with 6 portions, slicing through the dough and hot dog in one motion with a sharp knife. Don't use a serrated knife. Serrated knives will tear the dough instead of cut it. One fluid motion with a sharp  knife will do the trick.


The hot dogs in the picture are actually cut into 4 portions. This is a good size if there are plates available. If you're not putting out places, 6 portions will work better. Regardless of size, they're delicious. Repeat the entire process of wrapping and slicing the hot dogs until you have used all your dough and hot dogs.


Heat the oven to 350°F. Place the portions on a prepared baking sheet. Combine egg with water and beat lightly to make an egg wash. Brush this egg wash over the dough of each little bit sized hot dog. Sprinkle coarse salt over hot dogs, if desired. Bake for 20 minutes, until the dough is lightly browned.


Serve these Mini Hot Dogs with mustard or any other dipping sauces.