California dogs are an upgraded version of the classic cook out food with no ketchup or mustard required. These are wrapped in bacon and topped with guacamole for a fresh take on the sandwich.
One of the foods my boys- and pretty much most kids- love is hot dogs.
But for the adults they can get a little tiresome when you just top them with ketchup and mustard.
Ho hum.
Well no more boring hot dogs.
We’re talking bacon wrapped hot dogs topped with guacamole and a sprinkle of cheese.
With the crispy bacon and creamy guac on a fluffy bun, it’s a bonanza of flavors and textures you’ll love.
What is a California style hotdog?
A California style hotdog is just an all beef frank wrapped in bacon.
Fresh (or store bought) guacamole tops it all off.
Ingredients
To make these you’ll need:
- Hot dogs– Go for all beef- our favorite brands to use are Nathan’s or Hebrew National.
- Bacon– Uncured. Use regular cut, NOT thick cut- thick cut will not crisp up & will still be soggy after baking.
- Buns– Your favorite hot dog buns
- Guacamole– Either homemade or store bought
- Cheese– Shredded monterey (mild) or pepper jack (to spice things up a little), depending on your family’s preference.
How to Make
These hot dogs are so easy to make!
To do it, start by wrapping one slice of bacon around each hot dog.
Place the bacon wrapped dogs on wire racks set on a parchment paper lined rimmed baking sheet.
This will allow the grease to drip off as it cooks, creating the crispiest bacon. It also keeps all the mess in the pan, not in your oven.
Once cooled you can just ball up the parchment paper with the cooled grease inside and throw it away. Your baking sheet will still be clean!
Then bake them in a preheated 350 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes.
Place the cooked hot dog in a bun and top with guacamole and generous sprinkle of the shredded pepper jack cheese.
Serve and enjoy!
Storing Leftovers
I don’t recommend making enough to have leftovers. The guacamole will brown if you don’t eat it right away.
Tips and Tricks
- We like to cook bacon wrapped hot dogs on our cooling racks set on top of a baking sheet to catch the grease. This lets them get nice and crisp since they won’t be sitting in bacon grease.
- Add some heat by using spicy guacamole.
- Feel free to load them up with other toppings as well. The sons love to spread a little barbecue sauce on the insides of their buns & diced tomatoes on top are a must for me!
Other Hot Dog Recipes
California dogs give hot dogs a grown up twist. Make them and enjoy!
Looking for other hot dog recipes? Try these:
If you’ve tried these CALIFORNIA DOGS, or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!
California Dogs
Ingredients
- 8 all-beef hot dogs
- 8 Slices uncured bacon
- 8 hot dog buns
- 1 1/2 cups guacamole homemade or store-bought, whichever you prefer
- 3/4 cup Monterey Jack or pepper jack cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Wrap one slice of bacon around each hot dog and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes. We put our hot dogs on our cooling racks, set on top of a baking sheet, to catch the grease, and have the, get crisp since they won’t be sitting in said bacon grease.
- Place the cooked hot dog in a bun and top with guacamole and generous sprinkle of the shredded cheese.
Notes
- We like to cook bacon wrapped hot dogs on our cooling racks set on top of a baking sheet to catch the grease. This lets them get nice and crisp since they won’t be sitting in bacon grease.
- Add some heat by using spicy guacamole.
- Feel free to load them up with other toppings as well. The sons love to spread a little barbecue sauce on the insides of their buns & diced tomatoes on top are a must for me!
Nutrition
recipe originally published September 10, 2015
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
Great ideas! You’ve dressed up this dog!
Mr Fitz says
Never heard of this.. Yet want it for sure!
phdinmeblog.wordpress.com says
Hey! Great to have found your blog! I look forward to trying this recipe! Light and Love, Shona
Quinn Caudill says
Now that is what I call a complete dog… Thanks for sharing with us at Fiesta Friday #86. Happy FF!
Wendy says
Love the gooey goodness of adding guac to these dogs.
4sonsrus says
Yes! I love blending textures in my meals.