These Wiener Winks are an easy meal that brings back childhood memories and are a must-try!
Hot dogs wrapped in buttery toasted bread and a slice of American cheese are baked to crispy perfection. It’s a classic, budget-friendly dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights, quick lunches, or even a nostalgic snack.
Whether you remember these from school lunches or you’re discovering them for the first time, this Wiener Winks recipe is a crowd-pleaser for both kids and adults. Plus, it only requires a few ingredients and comes together in minutes!
Baking hot dogs in the oven with hot dog buns is another way we enjoy hot dogs at home but sometimes we don’t have buns on hand so making pigs in a blanket with bread, is a fun and delicious way to make them.
See how to make Wiener Winks step by step, along with tips, and the best dipping sauces, like my hot dog chili sauce, to serve them with, so you can enjoy one of these Vintage Hot Dog Recipes from the 1950s too!
Why You’ll Love Wiener Winks
- Kid-Friendly: There’s a reason they serve these hot dog roll-ups in schools. Kids love them because they’re a fun, handheld meal with a crispy, buttery outside and a warm, cheesy hot dog inside.
- Easy Weeknight Dinner Ideas with Hot Dogs: These are ready in under 30 minutes and great for a busy night or even a quick lunch.
- Budget-Friendly: Using inexpensive ingredients makes these an affordable meal idea for the family.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Here’s what you’ll need to make these baked hot dog and cheese sandwiches.
- Hot Dogs: Any type of hot dog will work for this recipe, including all beef, vegetarian, turkey dogs, and more.
- Sandwich Bread: Classic, white, sliced bread is the traditional type of bread used for wiener winks but you can also use doughs such as biscuit dough or even crescent rolls, like I used in the mini pigs in a blanket.
- Butter: I find that spreadable butter works best for this recipe, for spreading but you can use softened stick butter as well for a richer taste.
- Cheese: American cheese is optional but highly recommended to replicate the original wiener wink. You can also use cheddar, pepper jack, Swiss or your favorite shredded cheese.
- Include clear steps with process photos for each stage.
- Explain tips for the best results (e.g., pressing the bread flat to make rolling easier).
- Emphasize the importance of even buttering for a crispy texture.
How To Make Wiener Winks
Begin by preheating the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet (large enough hold the amount of hot dogs you’ll be baking) with parchment paper.
Serving Suggestions & Dipping Sauces
- Great for lunch, snacks, parties, or kid-friendly dinners.
- Popular dips to serve with wiener winks: ketchup, mustard, chipotle aioli, jalapeno ranch, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, cheese dip.
Storing Leftover Wiener Winks
- Store extras in an airtight container, in the refrigerator for 3 days.
- For reheating, it’s best to use the air fryer for crispiness and the microwave for quickness. Or, you can place them back in the oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, covering with foil if the bread is starting to toast too much before they’re heated through.
FAQs
You can, although that’s not the traditional method of making wiener winks. Hawaiian rolls also work for a sweet twist.
You can. Assemble the wiener winks up until the point of baking. Then, place them in an airtight container for a few hours until ready to bake.
Bake wiener winks on wire racks instead of directly on a baking sheet.
What to Serve with Hot Dogs with Bread
Potato chips or French fries are a favorite side dish for hot dogs. You’ll also love these popular side dishes that go well with wiener winks:
Related Recipes
Recipe
Wiener Winks
Video
Equipment
- baking sheet
- toothpicks
Ingredients
- 4 slices white sandwich bread
- 4 hot dogs
- 4 slices American Cheese
- 4 teaspoons butter for spreading
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Take the crust off a slice of sliced white bread, and using a rolling pin, roll the piece of bread, flat.
- Spread butter on one side, enough to cover the slice.
- Place the buttered side down on to the baking sheet.
- Place a piece of sliced cheese on the plain side of the bread.
- Place a hot dog on top of the cheese, diagonally, and roll up, and secure the bread with a toothpick.
- Continue making the amount of wiener winks desired, by repeating the steps.
- Bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until bread is toasted, the cheese is melted and hot dogs are heated through.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Mary M says
My mom used to make these when she had no ideas for dinner! Quick, easy, and tasty!
Jessica says
Yes, absolutely! Such a great, quick, dinner idea!
Jessica says
Such a classic from school. I remember having these wiener winks with apple sauce, corn and a milk!