Americans don’t just like hot dogs—they love them. Every year, people in the US eat around 20 billion of them. While many enjoy the classic version in a bun with mustard, ketchup, onions, and relish, plenty would pick a corn dog instead. In a 2014 survey, nearly half of Americans said their favorite type of hot dog was a corn dog. And in recent years, the crispy, carnival treat has only grown in popularity—especially with the rise of Korean corn dogs on TikTok, where videos of the cheesy, deep-fried snack rack up hundreds of thousands of views.
Corn dogs are a popular street or carnival food, but they are also surprisingly easy to make from scratch—and you can do it all with plant-based ingredients. Learn how to make some of our favorite vegan corn dog recipes below.
What is the difference between a corn dog and a Korean corn dog?
Corn dogs emerged in the US in the first half of the 20th century, although it is unclear exactly who invented them for the first time. Research does suggest, however, that a patent was first issued for the recipe in 1929, to New York resident Stanley S. Jenkins. The first corn dogs weren’t sold until the 1940s, when they were produced by a Portland, OR company called Pronto Pup Co. The type of corn dog you’ll find at fairs, carnivals, and on the streets now is pretty much the same as it was then. It’s a hot dog coated in a cornmeal batter, served on a stick. Like regular hot dogs, they’re usually topped with mustard and ketchup.
Korean corn dogs are very similar. Inspired by the American version, they also consist of a hot dog on a stick coated in batter. But while the standard corn dog is smooth, Korean corn dogs, which are made with wheat batter and are often rolled in breadcrumbs or potatoes, are crispier, fluffier, and crunchier. Unlike American corn dogs, Korean corn dogs are sometimes also filled with other ingredients, like cheese or fish cakes. They also have a touch of sweetness to them, as they are often rolled in sugar before serving.
What’s in a vegan corn dog?
A vegan corn dog is very similar to a regular corn dog, only instead of a traditional pork-based sausage, they’re made with a plant-based version instead. Some recipes opt for vegan meat, for example, while others choose whole food alternatives, like carrots or tofu. Other than that, vegan corn dogs are very similar to the original version. They’re just as crunchy, satisfying, and tasty as their meat-based counterparts.
How to make a vegan corn dog: 5 recipes to try
Want to give a vegan corn dog a try for yourself? Check out the mouthwatering recipes below.
BECOME A VEGNEWS VIP: Get exclusive product deals, freebies, and perks galore!
Zucker & Jagdwurst
1Meatless Corn Dogs
In this recipe, German vegan recipe blog Zucker & Jagdwurst recreate a smooth and meaty version of a classic American corn dog with simple ingredients like store-bought vegan sausages, dough made with vegan egg replacer, and white flour. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, says recipe developer Julia Jagdwurst, and one you’ll want to make again and again. “Since this snack doesn’t really exist in Germany, I searched through the internet for the best recipe and stuck with this one until today and probably forever,” she writes.
Get the recipe
Mary’s Test Kitchen
2Korean Corn Dogs With Cheese
If you’re craving a meaty, cheesy, crunchy treat, you can’t go wrong with these vegan Korean corn dogs from Mary’s Test Kitchen. The incredibly indulgent deep-fried savory snack is made with ingredients like frozen hashbrowns, vegan cheese, and plant-based frankfurters. “My favorite hot dogs to use right now are FieldRoast’s Classic Frankfurters,” says recipe developer Mary Lin. “To me, they taste like classic hot dogs and they provide a wonderfully tender and savory sensation to contrast the crunchy and slightly sweet fried corn dog batter.”
Get the recipe
Rabbit & Wolves
3Hand-Dipped Corn Dogs
These vegan corn dogs from Rabbit & Wolves are modeled after the kind you’ll find at Disney World. They’re hand-dipped in a simple batter, and the result is smooth, crunchy, crispy goodness. “I’m not a huge corn dog lover, but in the summer, I really want these vegan hand-dipped corn dogs,” writes Lauren Hartmann. “They are so easy to make, and they are salty and crunchy and a little bit sweet. I promise one bite will hook you.”
Get the recipe
Very Vegan Val
4Korean Corn Dogs With Carrot Sausage
Corn dogs are not inherently a healthy treat, but if you want to add some nutrition, consider using carrots over a vegan meat option. According to recipe developer Valerie Zemba of Very Vegan Val, they’re still mouthwateringly tasty. “Crispy, salty, savory, smoky, and sweet, each bite is a little explosion of flavor and texture in your mouth,” she says.
Get the recipe
Beextravegant
5Korean Corn Dogs With French Fry Coating
Korean corn dogs can be coated with many different ingredients to achieve the perfect crispy coating. In this recipe, Anjali Harikumar of Beextravegant opts for cornmeal, Japanese panko breadcrumbs, and homemade French fries for deliciously crunchy results. Harikumar says these corn dogs are the “perfect combination of fluffy dough, savory vegan sausages, and a satisfyingly crunchy fermented cornmeal coating.”
Get the recipe
For more plant-based stories like this, read:
JUMP TO ... Latest News | Recipes | Guides | Health | Subscribe
Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
