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Camping Hot Dogs

Campfire hot dogs made for outdoor cooking—hot dogs roasting on sticks over open flames until heated through and slightly charred, with optional toppings. This easy camping classic finishes with toasted buns (optional) and classic condiments like ketchup, mustard, and relish.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Hot dogs
  • 8 hot dogs
Buns and classics
  • 8 hot dog buns
  • 1 ketchup
  • 1 mustard
  • 1 relish
Optional toppings
  • 1 shredded cheese
  • 1 diced onions
  • 1 chili
  • 1 sauerkraut
  • 1 jalapeños

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Roast the hot dogs
  1. Skewer each hot dog lengthwise on a roasting stick or long fork. Keep the hot dog centered so it roasts evenly over the coals.
  2. Hold the hot dogs over campfire flames or coals, rotating frequently, for 8-10 minutes until heated through and slightly charred. Look for charred spots and a hot, steamy interior.
Toast buns (optional)
  1. Toast buns briefly over the fire if desired. Stop as soon as the cut sides look lightly toasted and warm.
Assemble and serve
  1. Place hot dogs in buns and add desired condiments and toppings. Arrange toppings so they melt or warm from the hot dog heat.
  2. Serve immediately while hot. The best bites come right after roasting when the char is fresh.

Notes

Pro tip: rotate the hot dogs often and keep them a steady distance from direct flames to avoid burning the casing before the centers heat through. Store leftovers refrigerated up to 3 days, but note roasted texture won’t fully return when reheated; freezing is not recommended. For a dietary swap, use turkey or plant-based hot dogs to keep the same roasting method.