How to Cook Frozen Corn Dogs

Recreate the taste of your local state fair in your own kitchen with frozen corn dogs. Cook them in the oven, microwave or deep fryer.

Many different brands of frozen corn dogs are available at the grocery or warehouse store. In general, you should follow the package instructions when preparing frozen food, notes the University of Minnesota Extension.

Some ways to cook frozen, fried meats are detailed by UGA Extension.

Choose to bake frozen corn dogs in a 350-degree Fahrenheit oven. Preheat the oven, place the dogs on a baking sheet and cook until hot — about 16 to 20 minutes. Do not cover them.

If you're in a hurry, microwave the frozen corn dogs. Do know that microwaving leaves you with a soggy, rather than crunchy, crust. Microwave for 40 to 50 seconds. Allow the dogs to sit 1 minute before biting in, so the juices distribute and the snack heats through completely.

Finally, fry the frozen corn dogs to best replicate the corn dogs you get at a carnival. Heat vegetable oil to 350 F and carefully place the frozen corn dog in the oil.

Do not crowd the dogs, or you'll reduce the temperature of the oil and end up with oil-soaked, uncooked treats. Fry for 8 to 9 minutes, or until heated through. Drain the corn dogs on a paper towel before eating.

Corn dog nutrition information reveals that one dog contains 195 calories and 21 grams of carbohydrates, nearly 6 grams of which are sugar. It also offers almost 7 grams of protein, and 9.38 grams of fat, 2.7 grams of which are the saturated type.

Saturated fat is a type of fat to minimize, explains Medline Plus. Too much saturated fat can cause a build-up of cholesterol in your blood vessels, and raise your risk of heart disease. It's also calorie-dense, and contributes to weight gain.

‌Read more‌: How Much Saturated Fat Should You Have Per Day?

Corn dogs provide you with less than 1 gram of fiber, but do have 521 milligrams of sodium. If you're watching your sodium intake, you should curb your corn dog habit.

The American Heart Association recommends you eat no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day, for good health. Most adults, the organization advises, should aim for 1,500 milligrams, or less, if possible. A corn dog makes up about a third of that goal recommendation.

The nutrition information for a corn dog isn't shockingly unhealthy. Yes, they have a fair amount of sodium, and contribute to your saturated fat intake — but all-in-all, their calorie count and macronutrient content aren't as concerning as many other processed foods.

Corn dogs, however, are a processed meat, which can raise your risk of colon cancer, heart disease, and early death. The ‌Proceedings of the Nutrition Society‌ in August, 2016, published a meta-analysis showing an association across multiple studies of regular processed meat consumption and risk of chronic disease, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some types of cancer. The researchers point out that people with lower red or processed meat consumption tend to have a healthier lifestyle in general.

Another study, published in a 2016 issue of the ‌Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition‌, points out that there is irrefutable evidence that red meat and processed meat consumption are associated with higher incidences of several types of colon cancer. One reason for this contributory factor is the inflammation caused by the consumption of processed meat — it makes your body more vulnerable to the development of malignancy.