The Best Way to Broil Hot Dogs in a Convection Oven

Convection ovens heat foods with hot air circulation, which promotes even and speedy cooking. The broiling feature applies heat from above, mimicking the cooking process of an upside down grill.

Broiling hot dogs in a convection oven crisps them while retaining their juices for results unmatched by a microwave or boiling. Here are the four main steps.

• Move the oven rack about 6 inches from the broiler to prevent burning the hot dogs.
• Place an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet on the oven rack, directly below the broiler. Alternately, use a greased baking sheet without aluminum foil, although this does increase fat content.
• Turn on the broiler and prop the oven's door open with a wooden spoon to prevent the oven from turning off automatically when the broiler registers hot.
• Allow the broiler to preheat while you ready the hot dogs.

• Remove the hot dogs from their package and blot them with paper towels to absorb moisture. Dry hot dogs cook faster and have a crispier exterior.
• Make three diagonal cuts on the top of each hot dog using a sharp, smooth-blade knife. This allows air to escape, promotes even cooking and prevents the hot dogs from splitting.

• The broiler of your convection oven functions with high temperatures, so work carefully. Transfer the hot dogs to the baking sheet with a pair of tongs.
• Position them with the cut side facing up.
• Prop the door open about 1 inch with the wooden spoon and allow the hot dogs to broil for 4 to 5 minutes.
• When done, they'll have a crisped and slightly darkened exterior. The hot surface of the baking sheet combined with the convection oven's quick cooking negates the need to flip them.
• Allow the hot dogs to cool on a plate for 3 minutes and serve them while warm.
• While the hot dogs cool, turn off the broiler and use oven mitts to transfer the baking sheet to a heat-resistant surface.

• Within one hour of removing them from the broiler, refrigerate leftover hot dogs in an airtight container. Use them within four days.
• Alternately, freeze the hot dogs and use them within three months.
• Allow frozen hot dogs to thaw in the refrigerator for 24 to 48 hours before reheating them.
• To maintain crispiness, reheat leftover hot dogs in a skillet over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes.