Corn dogs: the epitome of state fair nostalgia. Now, picture these, but with a Korean twist that incorporates French fries and melty cheese. Tempting, right?
What Exactly is a Korean Corn Dog?
While American corn dogs feature a sausage coated in a cornmeal batter and deep-fried, the Korean version steps it up a notch. The most iconic Korean corn dog is a hot dog enveloped in batter, rolled in diced potatoes or french fry pieces, and then fried. And if you’re a cheese lover, there’s a variant that incorporates mozzarella cheese inside, offering a delectable melt-in-the-mouth experience.
Traditionally, these corn dogs are topped with condiments like ketchup and mustard, and for those who love a mix of sweet and salty, a sprinkle of sugar can be a delightful finishing touch.
The Origins of Korean Corn Dogs
The Korean corn dog trend commenced in South Korea during the 1980s as a street food sensation. Unlike American corn dogs that use cornmeal, Korean vendors innovated with a yeasted batter, coating it with panko breadcrumbs before frying. Social media catapulted this dish’s popularity across the globe, and by 2021, Korean corn dog-specific restaurants started emerging across larger U.S. cities.
Make Your Own Korean Corn Dog
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 Tbs. sugar
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- ½ tsp. salt
- 1 cup cold water
- 6 skewers
- 6 hot dogs
- 1½ cups panko bread crumbs
- 1½ cups cubed French fries
- Vegetable oil
Directions:
- Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cold water to create a batter.
- Skewer each hot dog and coat with the batter.
- Roll in panko breadcrumbs and crushed French fries.
- Freeze for 20-30 minutes.
- Heat vegetable oil to 350°F and deep-fry the corn dogs until golden brown (about 4-5 minutes).
- Drain excess oil using paper towels.
- Serve with ketchup, mustard, or your preferred sauce.
Pro-tip:
For a cheesy variant, swap hot dogs with mozzarella cheese sticks. For a delightful combo, use half a hot dog and half a cheese stick on a skewer. Also, experiment with different toppings post frying – potato chips, pretzels, or your favorite seasoning.
Air Fryer Version
If you’re apprehensive about deep-frying, you can make these corn dogs using an air fryer, which offers a crunch with less fat.
Directions:
- Follow steps 1-4 from the above method.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Generously spray the corn dogs with cooking oil.
- Air fry for 10-15 minutes, ensuring to rotate them halfway for even cooking.
Now, with this guide at hand, you’re set to impress everyone on Game Day with these innovative Korean corn dogs!
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