Step 1

First, prepare all the ingredients needed for today’s recipe. Using measuring cups and spoons will ensure accuracy.

Step 2

Now, let’s prepare the sausages. Pour a suitable amount of water into a pot and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling rapidly, add the Vienna sausages and blanch them for about 30 seconds. This step removes impurities from the sausages and slightly cooks the surface, resulting in a cleaner fry.

Step 3

Gently pat the blanched Vienna sausages dry with a paper towel. Then, insert a skewer into each sausage. This makes them easy for kids to hold and eat, and also simplifies the battering process.

Step 4

In a bowl, combine 3-4 cups of pancake mix with 1 egg and 1/2 cup of milk. Whisk or stir until you have a smooth batter with no lumps. The batter shouldn’t be too thin, as it might slide off during frying, nor too thick, which would result in a thick coating. Aim for a consistency slightly thicker than pancake batter.

Step 5

Pour a generous amount of vegetable oil into a deep pot or pan. Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches about 170℃ (338℉). The correct frying temperature is when a drop of batter immediately bubbles and cooks. You can test this by dropping a tiny bit of batter into the oil; if it sizzles and rises, it’s ready.

Step 6

Once the oil temperature is right, reduce the heat to medium-low. Dip a skewer-mounted sausage into the prepared batter, ensuring it’s fully coated. Rotate the sausage to evenly distribute the batter. Avoid applying an excessively thick layer of batter, as it might prevent the inside from cooking properly. A moderate coating is best.

Step 7

Carefully place the battered sausage into the hot oil, holding the skewer. Gently rotate the hot dog as it fries, ensuring all sides turn a beautiful golden brown and become crispy. It’s ideal if the oil covers at least half of the hot dog. If you don’t have enough oil, turn the hot dog frequently to ensure even cooking. It’s done when the exterior turns a golden brown color.

Step 8

Once golden brown and crispy, lift the hot dogs out of the oil using the skewers and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Congratulations, you’ve made delicious mini hot dogs with a crispy exterior and a moist interior! Drizzle with ketchup as desired, and you have a delightful snack that kids will adore. Enjoy your homemade mini hot dogs made with Vienna sausages!

Step 9