These 4th of July hot dogs, popularly known as firecracker hot dogs or firecracker franks, are fun and super easy to make.
With just a few simple ingredients, you can turn plain hot dogs into a festive snack that’s wrapped in dough, served on sticks, and perfect for both kids and adults. They’re sure to become the star of your Independence Day cookout.
There’s something about the smell of grilled hot dogs in the summer that feels instantly nostalgic. These delightful hot dogs on a stick are fun to share and always bring smiles.
Firecracker hot dogs are a backyard favorite that add a festive, patriotic touch to any 4th of July party. Even without a big crowd, they’re perfect for a small family cookout.
No matter the size of the celebration, these sparkler hot dogs are always a hit. You should try our air fryer hot dogs and Mexican hot dogs too!
Recipe Highlights
- Super easy to make: These beef hot dogs come together fast, making them great for feeding a crowd.
- Fun for all ages: The sparkler-style presentation makes them a hit with kids and adults alike.
- Festive and patriotic: The firecracker hot dog look adds a fun, themed touch to your holiday table.
- Perfect for parties: Serve them as a main or appetizer, either way, they’ll disappear quickly!
Ingredients
- Beef hot dogs: Choose your favorite brand for that classic, juicy bite.
- Puff pastry or crescent dough: This gives the “firecracker” wrapping effect when baked.
- Cheese slices: For the stars.
- Mustard and or ketchup: For dipping.
* Need to print out this recipe? You’ll find a printable recipe card at the end of this post. Enjoy!
Tools for this recipe
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- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Wooden skewers
- Star cutters I used the 1.5 inch cutter from this set.
How to make firecracker hot dogs
I'll show two ways to make these hot dogs.
In the oven
Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet.
Pat hot dogs dry with paper towels. Unroll crescent dough, press seams together, and cut into 8 strips.
Wrap each hot dog with a dough strip, leaving the top end exposed.
Place on baking sheet and bake for 15–20 minutes, until golden.
Cool slightly, then insert skewers into the bottom of each hot dog.
Cut cheese into star shapes with a star cookie cutter
Press onto the exposed skewers. Serve with dips and enjoy!
In the air fryer
Wrap the hot dogs with strips of refrigerated dough, just like you would for baking.
Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd—work in batches if needed.
Air fry at 350°F for 8–10 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and the hot dogs are warmed through.
Carefully insert the skewers once they’re cool enough to handle.
Top with the cheese stars and serve with your favorite dipping sauces.
Serve with
Pair your sparkler hot dogs with other classic 4th of July favorites like:
- Potato salad or macaroni salad
- Corn on the cob
- Grilled veggies or chips
- Fresh Fruit salad or fruit skewers. This watermelon blueberry salad is perfect for the occasion.
- Desserts: patriotic cake balls, 4th of July Oreos, red, white and blue strawberries
Storing and reheating leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Remove the skewers with the cheese before reheating. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 8–10 minutes to crisp the dough back up. These aren’t ideal for the microwave, as the dough can get soggy.
Helpful Tips
- Don’t wrap too tightly. Leave room for the dough to puff as it bakes.
- Use skewers for serving. It makes them look like festive sparklers and keeps fingers clean
- For food safety, wear gloves when skewering the dogs.
FAQs
Yes! You can assemble the wrapped hot dogs a few hours ahead of time and refrigerate them until ready to bake.
Not at all! However, the skewers add fun, and help with a spot to insert the stars which is the whole point of these sparkler hot dogs.
Absolutely. Turkey or veggie hot dogs work well too, though beef hot dogs give that classic flavor.
These 4th of July hot dogs are as fun to eat as they are to make. Whether you call them firecracker franks, sparkler hot dogs, or just easy party snacks, they’re sure to bring patriotic vibes to your celebration.
Keep things simple, festive, and delicious with this go-to holiday recipe.
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Firecracker hot dogs
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Wooden skewers
- Star cookie cutter
Ingredients
- 8 hot dogs
- 1 can Refrigerated Crescent roll dough
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Dry the hot dogs using a paper towel. This helps the dough stick and keeps things from getting soggy.
- Prepare the dough by unrolling the crescent sheet and pressing the seams together to form a single, even rectangle.
- Slice the dough into 8 thin strips using a sharp knife or pizza cutter.
- Wrap each hot dog with one strip of dough in a spiral pattern, leaving the top end uncovered for the cheese star.
- Arrange on the baking sheet, spacing them apart so the dough has room to puff up as it bakes.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the dough turns golden brown and is cooked through.
- Let them cool slightly, then insert a skewer into the bottom of each one to create the sparkler handle.
- Cut cheese stars using a small star-shaped cookie cutter and press one onto the top of each skewered hot dog.
Notes
- Use crescent dough sheets (not rolls) for easier wrapping and fewer seams to pinch.
- Don’t skip drying the hot dogs—moisture will keep the dough from sticking well.
- Cut cheese stars before assembling. It’s much easier to get clean, sharp shapes when the cheese is cold and flat. Chill slices briefly if they’re too soft.
- Cheddar, American, or Colby Jack cheese slices work best for clean star shapes.
- Skewers go in easier once the hot dogs have cooled slightly. Avoid inserting them right out of the oven so you don't get burned.
- For air fryer instructions, reduce cooking time to about 6–8 minutes at 350°F.
