We love a good cookout as much as anyone, but can we all agree that the price of meat feels astrological these days!? The one exception to that might be the humble hot dog. Personally, I have always been a big hot dog fan (especially if it’s a Chicago dog!) and if you have anything bad to say about them then you can keep that to yourself. If you’re a fellow hot dog fan and looking to take your hot dog game to the next level, look no further than these irresistible Hot Dog Burnt Ends. These saucy bites are super simple to make and pack a punch of flavor with every bite.

Start this out with three hefty 32 oz packages of hot dogs. Yup, this dish can feed a crowd! Slice the hot dogs into thirds or quarters, depending on their size, and arrange them in a large baking dish. Drizzle the dogs with a layer of BBQ sauce, yellow mustard, and a hint of liquid smoke, then toss to coat all those dogs evenly.

Next up… the spices! In a small dish, combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and ¼ cup of the brown sugar, reserving the rest for later. Sprinkle this dry seasoning mix over the hot dogs then pop the dish into the oven and bake for an hour at 300 degrees, giving it a good toss halfway through to ensure even cooking. We’re going for low and slow here!

When the hour is up, take the dish out and crank up the oven to 400 degrees. Sprinkle the remaining brown sugar over the hot dogs and return them to the oven for another 10-15 minutes, or until they start to caramelize and brown. This final touch adds a perfect hint of sweetness and a bit of crunch to these smoky bites. Serve these Hot Dog Burnt Ends hot outta the oven, alongside your favorite deli salads for a meal that’s bound to be a big hit!