Corn dog facts for kids
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| Place of origin | United States |
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| Created by | Disputed (in current form, circa late 1930s – early 1940s) |
| Main ingredients | Wiener, cornmeal batter |
| Variations | 100+ |
| 263 kcal (1101 kJ) | |
A corn dog is a tasty snack from the United States. It's a hot dog sausage covered in a thick layer of cornmeal batter. Then, it's deep-fried until golden brown. The best part? It's usually served on a stick, making it easy to eat! You can often find corn dogs at fairs, carnivals, and fast food places.
Contents
Different Names for Corn Dogs
Corn dogs have different names around the world. It depends on where you are!
Names in North America
- In Canada, people often call them "Pogos." This name comes from a popular brand.
- In the United States, they are usually just called "corn dogs."
Names in Australia
In Australia, corn dogs are popular at shows and carnivals. They have a few fun names:
- Pluto pups might be named after the Disney character, Pluto the dog.
- Dagwood dogs come from a character named Dagwood in the Blondie comic strip.
- They are also sometimes called "dippy dogs."
Names in Other Countries
- In France, they are called beignet de saucisse. This means "sausage donut."
- In Japan, they are known as "American dog" (アメリカンドッグ, amerikan doggu). This name suggests they came from America.
- In New Zealand, people often call them "hot dogs" or "mini hot dogs." This can be a bit confusing!
- In South Africa, a corn dog is sometimes called a "Yankee."
- In South Korea, they are usually called "hot dog" (핫도그).
History of the Corn Dog
The idea of frying food on a stick has been around for a long time.
Early Ideas
Some people believe German immigrants in Texas helped create the corn dog. They were sausage makers. They found a way to make their sausages more popular by covering them in corn batter.
An early patent from 1927 described frying foods on a stick. It mentioned foods like hot dogs, cheese, and fruit dipped in batter.
In 1926, a machine called the "Krusty Korn Dog" baker appeared. It baked 'korn dogs' in corn batter. They looked like ears of corn!
Who Invented It?
Many places claim to have invented or made the corn dog famous:
- Carl and Neil Fletcher started selling their "Corny Dogs" at the State Fair of Texas around 1938 to 1942.
- Pronto Pup in Rockaway Beach, Oregon, says they invented the corn dog in 1939.
- Cozy Dog Drive-in in Springfield, Illinois, claims to be the first to serve corn dogs on sticks. This happened on June 16, 1946.
- Also in 1946, Dave Barham opened Hot Dog on a Stick in Santa Monica, California.
How Corn Dogs Are Made and Eaten
Corn dogs are often sold as street food or fast food.
Freshly Made
For the freshest taste, some vendors dip and fry corn dogs right before they serve them. This makes them hot and crispy!
Frozen Corn Dogs
You can also buy frozen corn dogs at most supermarkets. These are already made. You can heat them up at home in an oven or even a microwave oven. However, heating them in a microwave makes the outside less crispy.
Different Kinds of Corn Dogs
There are many fun twists on the classic corn dog!
Cheesy Corn Dogs
Some corn dogs have melted cheese inside. The cheese can be between the hot dog and the breading. Or, they might use a hot dog that is already filled with cheese.
Cornbrats
A "cornbrat" is like a corn dog, but it uses a bratwurst sausage instead of a hot dog.
Mini Corn Dogs
Smaller corn dogs are called "corn puppies" or "mini corn dogs." They are often found on kids' menus. These are usually served without a stick, so you can eat them with your fingers!
Breakfast Corn Dogs
A breakfast version uses a breakfast sausage instead of a hot dog. It's dipped in pancake batter instead of cornmeal. This is sometimes called a "pancake on a stick."
Meatless Options
You can also find vegetarian corn dogs. These are made with vegetarian hot dogs for people who don't eat meat.
Corn Dogs Around the World
Argentina
In Argentina, a panchuker is a popular hot snack. It's a sausage covered in a waffle-like pastry. It also has a stick, just like a corn dog. Some versions even have cheese inside! You can find them near train stations.
Australia
In Australia, the deep-fried sausage on a stick is called a Dagwood Dog, Pluto Pup, or Dippy Dog. They are very popular at big shows and carnivals, like the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
Canada
In parts of Canada, especially Quebec, Ontario, and New Brunswick, a battered hot dog on a stick is called a "pogo." People often eat it with yellow mustard.
Japan
In Japan, this food is usually called an "American dog" (アメリカンドッグ). The batter is often made with wheat flour. Sometimes, they even use fish sausage. In some areas, they put granulated sugar on top instead of ketchup!
New Zealand
In New Zealand, a "Hot Dog" is usually a deep-fried sausage on a stick. It's often dipped in tomato sauce (ketchup). The sausage is thicker than a frankfurter. If you want a hot dog in a bun, they call that an "American Hot Dog."
South Africa
In South Africa, corn dogs are a popular snack at cafes and fairs. They are often served with a sweet pink sauce. This sauce is made from mayonnaise, tomato sauce, and condensed milk.
South Korea
In South Korea, the corn dog is a very popular street food. It's usually just called "hot dog" (핫도그). A special kind is covered in French fry pieces. This is sometimes called a "Kogo."
National Corn Dog Day
There's even a special day to celebrate corn dogs! National Corndog Day happens every year on the first Saturday of March Madness. It's a day to enjoy corn dogs, tater tots, and American beer.
Gallery
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A corn dog with mustard
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A sailor places corn dogs on a tray to be baked on the USS George Washington
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Corn dogs heating up at a Japanese convenience store
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"Corny dogs" being eaten at the State Fair of Texas
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Tornado corn dogs sold in Korea
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Corn dogs from a Christmas market in Mexico City
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A corn dog served with horseradish sauce in Poznań
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A Korean-style corn dog that is half cheese, half sausage, and coated in sugar
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Corn dogs with vegan cheese (left) and vegan sausage (right) at a German Christmas Market
See also
In Spanish: Corn dog para niños
