If You Have To Make Hot Dogs In The Microwave, Use Paper Towels

Hot dogs are a classic American food. They have been around for over a century and still hold a special place in our hearts and stomachs on national holidays and as a regular snack. 

What makes them so popular is their versatility and simplicity. Whether you're having a classic hot dog with mustard, ketchup, and relish; a Chicago-style hot dog or its vegan variation; or a chili cheese dog, there are a plethora of fun toppings you can use. Even better is the fact that they are quick to make and can be cooked in different ways, including boiling, barbecuing, pan-frying, air frying, baking, or even microwaving (if you're in a hurry). 

However, did you know that when you microwave hot dogs, it's better to do it with paper towels? That sounds odd, right? Well, microwaves heat food unevenly and it often bubbles and splatters as well. Just Microwave It points out that covering food in the microwave with paper towels is actually a safe and common practice that prevents messy splatters. They also trap steam and provide an even heating temperature, which makes them ideal for cooking hot dogs evenly without them bursting or becoming dry and rubbery. Besides keeping hot dogs moist and flavorful, this method also saves you the clean-up; and who doesn't want that?

First, choose a quality hot dog with minimal fillers or artificial flavors, as per Izzy Cooking's tips. Wrap it in a paper towel and cook it in intervals while being mindful of adjusting the time according to its size and the type of microwave. As a general guideline, The Hot Dog.org advises cooking a single hot dog for 40 to 50 seconds and adding around 20 additional seconds for each extra piece. You can even cook an entire package of hot dogs simultaneously (in a single layer) at one-minute intervals until they swell up and feel hot, according to Just Microwave It.

While most paper towels are microwave safe, The Kitchen Knacks recommends checking the manufacturer's safety details and avoiding using recycled ones because they are highly flammable. It also cautions against heating microwave-safe paper towels for too long as they can burn and adds that dampening them and using only one or two (flattened out) at a time can reduce this risk.

Finally, damp paper towels will also keep your hot dogs juicy and tender, as Microwave Meal Prep affirms, and the additional step of rotating them at intervals will help to cook them evenly and will give you plump and succulent microwaved hot dogs every time.