Bite-size smoked sausages are skewered and then dipped in a cornmeal breading before being quickly fried to a crisp golden brown to make Miniature Homemade Corn Dogs.
What’s not to love? Unless you are not a fan of sausage, in which case, maybe I can tempt you with Beer Battered Mushrooms? Or if you are in the mood for a less-fried option, Caprese Skewers with Balsamic and Olive Oil are sure to be a win.
Do I even need to tell you that my kids flip out over these each time I make these Miniature Corn Dogs? There were actual cheers at the table as my boys were eating these for the first time. I was lucky to snag a handful of them for myself before they were all gone.
Miniature Homemade Corn Dogs
Ingredients
- 2-4 cups oil for frying
- 14 ounce package of mini smoked sausages beef or pork
- 1 cup masa harina regular corn meal is fine as well
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour*
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 egg
- 1½ cups buttermilk
- Dipping sauces of your choice: mustard, ketchup, spicy barbecue sauce
*Gluten-Free Alternative
- ½ cup brown rice flour
- ¼ cup tapioca flour
Instructions
- Pour the oil into a saucepan to a depth of about 2 inches. Heat the oil to 350 degrees. I use a fairly small pan, so that it requires less oil. Rinse and then blot dry the mini sausages. Spear the mini sausages with toothpicks or cocktail skewers, set aside.
- Whisk together the dry ingredients. Whisk the egg into the buttermilk and pour into the dry ingredients. Whisk to combine. If the batter is too thick for dipping, add more buttermilk, a tablespoon or so at a time. (I did not need to add any additional milk to the GF version of this recipe.)
- Dip the sausages, 2-3 at a time, into the batter. Swirl them around and then tap off the excess coating. Drop the coated sausages into the hot oil, stick and all. Fry a few at a time, stirring gently with a metal spoon or tongs to ensure they are browning evenly. It should take about 2 minutes for them to turn golden brown.
- As they finish cooking, set them on a cooling rack over a metal tray (to catch any drips). Serve with the dipping sauces of your choice. Enjoy!
Notes
{originally published 2-28-13 – recipe notes and photos updated 7-15-15}
ONE YEAR AGO: {Kid-Friendly} Salad Snack On A Stick
TWO YEARS AGO: Strawberry Chicken Salad with Warm Orange Vinaigrette
THREE YEARS AGO: Chocolate Chip Pecan Blondies
FOUR YEARS AGO: Spicy Italian Stuffed Bell Peppers
Joanne says
I need to try these with vegetarian sausage! They sound like the tastiest bites!
Jenn says
I'm going to send Chris to your house…he would go crazy over these just like your kids!!
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) says
Loving this idea. I can't imagine anyone not going crazy over these. Love the photo with those pickles. Makes me want to dig right in.
Tricia @ saving room for dessert says
As your boys grow, I think you'll need to get your plate first – or go hungry! I bet they loved these – they look perfectly cooked. Hope everybody is feeling better today 🙂
Sue/the view from great island says
You're killing me!!! Now I need to make these again. I love these little guys, and I bet your kids had fun with them.
Pam says
How fun & tasty. My kids would love these!!
Big Dude says
I can easily believe your kids were really into these.
Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking says
These are so cute!!
Julia says
Corn dogs were my go-to favorite food when I was younger and they'd be so much fun to make at home! This plate of mini corn dogs looks delicious and your girkins are making my mouth water too!
Chris says
I'm working on a trio of mini corn dogs right now, Italian sausage, chorizo, and brat but since the meat is raw, I have to cook it first and then do the batter dip and fry later. You have some great ideas here.
Amanda @ I Am Baker says
So fun!
Dawn Yucuis says
I love corn dogs. These look so cute and yummy!
Isabelle says
Hello!
I do need Gluten free, can I substitute the brown rice flour and the tapioca flour whit all purpose gluten free flour ?
Mary Younkin says
If you have a favorite GF flour blend, it should work nicely in this recipe, Isabelle.
Helena Guzman says
i found this recipe and told my younger sister, and she freaked lol. She LOVES mini corn dogs, ill have to try it out soon!
Mary Younkin says
Please do, and let me know what she thinks, Helena.