To celebrate National Hot Dog Day, kick your hot dog game up a notch with these three incredible tricks from Justin Chapple, the test kitchen pro behind Food & Wine's Mad Genius Tips.
Tip 1: Spiral-Cut Hot Dogs
Why: Spiral-cut hot dogs have lots of nooks and crannies that act as a catch-all for fun toppings. Plus, the edges get extra crispy and delicious!
How: Insert a skewer through each hot dog and, with a small knife, cut at an angle while rolling the hot dog away from you. Slide the hot dog off the skewer, stretch out the spirals, then grill.
Tip 2: Braided Hot Dogs
Why: Weaving hot dogs with puffed pastry makes an insanely fun, addictive party snack. You'll want to share this one on Instagram, for sure!
How: Using a sharp knife, cut a quarter sheet of puffed pastry into 1/2-inch-wide strips and then arrange all but 2 of the strips in one direction on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Weave hot dogs through the strips of puffed pastry into a tight lattice, then place the reserved strips on the ends and press to seal. Bake at 425 degrees for about 30 minutes, until the dough is puffed and golden.
Try Sunny Anderson's dressed up hot dogs
Tip 3: Cheesy Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dog
Why: Because there's no better way to make a crowd happy than with a hot dog stuffed with cheese and wrapped in smoky bacon.
How: Using a small knife, make a shallow, lengthwise slit in a hot dog and stuff it with sliced cheese. Wrap the hot dog in bacon and then cook in a skillet or on a grill until the bacon is crisp and the hot dog is heated through.