Honey Butter Corn Dog Muffins

Honey Butter Corn Dog Muffins bring all the nostalgic charm of a state fair classic, but in a warm, golden, handheld bite you can make right at home. The sweet cornbread base, made tender with honey and butter, wraps perfectly around a juicy, savory hot dog bite for the ultimate sweet-and-savory pairing.

These muffins aren’t just easy to make—they’re also a fun twist on traditional corn dogs, without the fuss of frying. Simply mix the batter, drop in your hot dog pieces, and bake until golden and fluffy. The result is a bite that’s slightly crisp at the edges, soft in the middle, and packed with flavor in every mouthful.

Corn dogs first rose to popularity at American fairs in the 1940s, becoming a symbol of casual, comforting food. Today, these baked muffins give that same joy with less mess and more convenience. Serve them warm with mustard, ketchup, or your favorite dip, and watch them disappear in minutes.

Recipe Yield: 12 servings

INGREDIENTS

1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 cup whole milk
1 large egg
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 tbsp honey
6 hot dogs, cut into thirds
2 tbsp finely chopped chives (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat and prepare:
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line with paper liners.

2. Mix the dry ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.

3. Whisk the wet ingredients:
In another bowl, whisk milk, egg, melted butter, and honey until smooth and blended.

4. Combine and fold:
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

5. Fill the muffin cups:
Spoon batter into each muffin cup, filling about two-thirds full. Place a piece of hot dog upright in the center of each cup, pressing gently so it sits securely in the batter.

6. Bake until golden:
Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until muffins are puffed, golden, and a toothpick inserted into the batter portion comes out clean.

7. Garnish and serve:
Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Garnish with chopped chives if desired and serve warm with ketchup, mustard, or dipping sauces.

Helpful Tips to Perfect This Recipe

• Choose Quality Hot Dogs: Using high-quality all-beef hot dogs will give these muffins a richer, more authentic fairground flavor.
• Don’t Overmix Batter: Overmixing can make muffins dense. Stir gently just until no dry streaks remain.
• Serve Fresh and Warm: These muffins taste best fresh from the oven, but they can also be reheated in the oven at 300°F for 5–7 minutes.