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Close up of Halloween hot dog fingers with almond fingernails and ketchup served in buns on a dark platter.

Halloween Hot Dog Fingers

These Halloween Hot Dog Fingers are a creepy, fun food made with pan-fried hot dogs carved to look like fingers, complete with almond fingernails and ketchup “blood.” Serve them in hot dog buns for an easy Halloween party food that kids and adults will love.
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Prep Time: 12 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes
Total Time: 19 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Author: Shilpa

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 6 standard-size hot dogs
  • 6 blanched sliced almonds the widest flat slices in the package
  • 6 hot dog buns
  • 1 teaspoon neutral oil for the pan
  • Ketchup for serving

Instructions

  • Place a hot dog on a cutting board. Using a small paring knife, cut a shallow oval about ½ inch long at one end and lift the piece away to create the fingernail bed. Keep the cut about ⅛ inch deep.
  • Score three shallow lines across the middle third of the hot dog for the knuckles, again about ⅛ inch deep, without cutting through. Repeat with the remaining hot dogs.
  • Heat the oil in a skillet over medium. Add the hot dogs and fry, turning every minute or so, until browned all over and the cuts have spread open, 5 to 7 minutes.
  • While the hot dogs are still warm, press a sliced almond flat into each nail bed.
  • Set each hot dog in a bun, add ketchup, and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Cuts deeper than ⅛ inch cause the hot dogs to split in the pan instead of opening into knuckles. Shallow looks wrong raw and correct once cooked.
  • Raw carved hot dogs can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, so the knife work can be done well before a party.
  • Nut-free: peel a shallow layer of casing from the tip instead of using an almond. The exposed area stays pale and reads as a nail.
  • Air fryer: 390°F for 4 to 5 minutes. The cuts open slightly less than in a skillet.
  • Store franks and buns separately for up to 3 days. Assembled ones go soggy.

Nutrition

Calories: 133kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0.5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 0.5mg | Sodium: 217mg | Potassium: 61mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 0.4IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 2mg
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