Back in high school when I lost 75 pounds, turkey hot dogs were a staple in my diet. As were baked Cheetoes and diet Crush soda…and toastada shells smothered in fat-free refried beans. I had my go-to foods because they were low-calorie and filling and tasted good, not necessarily because they were healthy.
Now that I’m a dietitian I know a lot more about food, how we process food, and what I chose to put into my body and for what reasons. For the record, I still love Cheetos, turkey dogs, and diet Crush soda.
I’ve talked a lot about nitrates and nitrites on the blog in the past, and I’ve eliminated them completely from our stock at home. Nitrate-free meats are more expensive, but to me, it’s worth the cost. Mr. Prevention — well, he’s not entirely on board, but I stand my ground on this one. I am the dietitian in the relationship, after all. 
I saw these Turkey Corn Dog Muffins on Estela’s blog months ago when she made them for her daughter — I knew I, too, had to have them! Corn dogs in muffin form? Yes, please!
These are the ultimate kid food, and probably pretty man-friendly, too. They’ve been transformed to have some nutritional value through the use of whole wheat pastry flour, nitrate-free turkey hot dogs, and omega 3-rich canola oil.
These are perfect for game days (March Madness is right around the corner!), the upcoming Super Bowl, or to serve with a steamy bowl of soup or chili. You’re never too old to let your inner child shine through 
Turkey Corn Dog Muffins adapted from Allrecipes, as seen on Weekly Bite
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
1/4 cup canola oil
1 cup fat-free milk
4 uncured turkey hotdogs
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 F. Spray your muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray, or line with baking liners.
In a large bowl combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl mix your egg, canola oil, and milk. Add your wet ingredients to your dry ingredients. Mix until all ingredients are combined.
Cut hot dogs into 1-inch pieces.
Spoon batter into the bottom of 12 muffin wells, just enough to cover the bottom. Add hotdogs and spoon remaining batter over the hotdogs to cover. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Yield: 12 corn dog muffins.
Nutrition Information (per muffin): 174 calories; 7.2 g. fat; 28 mg. cholesterol; 504 mg. sodium; 22.4 g. carbohydrate; 1.9 g. fiber; 5.1 g. protein
Result: Simple to make and lots of fun to eat! These are sure to be a hit! Enjoy!
TGIF! Happy (almost) weekend!
P.S. Check out the fun little “Pin It” button to the left for Pinterest! Please pin what looks good to your boards to save & share!
Be well,
Those look delicious!
I’m a fan of corn bread and turkey so this is perfect. 
These are awesome! While I’ve never had a hot dog in my life (!), my husband would absolutely LOVE these. How fun!
I try to avoid all nitrites/nitrates too! It’s important to me AND my husband that we take this step toward our health! These look so fun too! I love that the breading is not just a box mix!
I think it’s kinda funny that “kid” food and “man” food are eerily similar, don’t you?
Happy Friday!
Hahaha…Ryan would LOVE these. Happy weekend!!
This is brilliant, Nicole! I love how they’re so much more nutritional but probably taste just as good (or better!) than the original. They’d be so much fun for a kid’s birthday party too!
These are just adorable! I love them!
I will say corn dogs are my weakness at carnivals and fairs. YUM!!
Yum!! I love Pinterest – I’m so addicted!
These definitely look man friendly (and I think I would love them too). Maybe I should start carrying them around in my purse in hopes that I will attract one that way.
These look delicious Nicole. OK…true confession here. I’ve NEVER tried a corn dog. Not sure why…but I’ve never had one. Have a great almost weekend day too!!!!
Love this idea Nicole! I love corn bread – Heaven on Seven in Chicago has the best jalapeno corn bread, so I may add chopped jalapenos to mine when I make it. Happy Friday!
I love diet Crush. I used to drink that stuff ALL THE TIME, and in fact, if I remember correctly, I also drank the regular Crush (non-diet). So delicious.
I agree, nitrates and nitrites and no bueno, and it’s worth it to me to pay the extra for the nitrate-free foods. To be honest, I don’t think Nick even has a clue!
Great recipe, by the way. I have not had a corn dog in ages. Or a corn dog muffin…
What a delicious twist on corn dogs! And I don’t think anyone would ever expect a hot dog when biting into a muffin…fun idea!
Corn dogs are one of my guilty pleasures. These looks great and they’re so cute.
Looks delicious! I can’t find wheat pastry flour at my supermarket though, would you recommend white whole wheat, white cake flour, or AP flour instead?
Ana: white whole wheat would be perfect!
Thanks Nicole! I already have that in my pantry, so I’ll make them ASAP.
I have a recipe much like this that my nephew loves! I buy kosher hot dogs assuming they were nitrate free, but you’ve inspired me to look at the package and I’m disappointed that they aren’t. I’ll have to do better next time!
They are so sneaky with nitrates, it’s scary! Good for you for checking!
Something went wrong…..I made these last night and it wasn’t good. The batter was EXTREMELY thick, like paste. So the muffins themselves were beyond dry. I’m trying to search my brain, I have this feeling I used a half cup of milk instead of a whole cup. IDK. I’m afraid to try again.
Tiana: I’m sorry to hear that. The muffins are dryer, like cornbread, but nothing dryer. I hope you give it another shot…sorry attempt #1 was a flop