Healthy Hot Dog Pizza Alternative

Ever wondered what happens when you combine two of America’s favorite comfort foods into one dish? I found myself facing this exact dilemma during a Friday night dinner when my kids couldn’t decide between pizza and hot dogs. After some kitchen experimenting, this hot dog pizza was born – and it’s been a regular request in our house ever since.

If you’re looking for a fun twist on regular pizza night that’ll make both kids and adults happy, this recipe hits the spot. It’s quick to put together, uses ingredients you probably already have, and brings a smile to everyone’s face when it lands on the dinner table.

What Kind of Hot Dogs Should I Use?

While this recipe calls for Hebrew National 97% fat-free hot dogs, you can use any brand or variety that you prefer. All-beef hot dogs typically offer the best flavor and have a more substantial texture that holds up well when sliced for pizza toppings. If you’re watching your calories, there are several lean options available from brands like Hebrew National, Oscar Mayer, or Applegate – just look for varieties labeled “fat-free” or “light.” Just keep in mind that regular hot dogs will release a bit more grease as they cook, so you might want to pat them dry with a paper towel before adding them to your pizza.

Options for Substitutions

This fun pizza recipe can be customized with several easy swaps:

• Cut da Carb Flatbread: You can use any low-carb flatbread, regular pizza crust, pita bread, or even a cauliflower crust as your base. Just keep in mind that cooking times might need to be adjusted depending on the thickness of your substitute.
• Hebrew 97% fat-free hot dogs: Any brand of hot dogs will work here – turkey dogs, chicken dogs, or regular beef hot dogs. You could even try plant-based hot dogs if you’re going for a vegetarian version.
• Cheese blend: Feel free to use any cheese you have on hand. Regular mozzarella works fine instead of lite, and you can replace the three-cheese mix with cheddar, provolone, or more mozzarella.
• Onions: You can use all red or all white onions instead of both types. If you’re not big on raw onions, try sautéing them first for a sweeter taste.
• Condiments: Regular ketchup can replace sugar-free, and you can skip the mayo if you prefer. For the mustard, any type works – Dijon, spicy brown, or honey mustard can add different flavor profiles.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest challenge when making hot dog pizza is preventing a soggy crust, so make sure to pre-cook your flatbread for 3-4 minutes before adding toppings – this creates a sturdy base that won’t collapse under the weight of the ingredients.

A common error is adding raw onions directly to the pizza, which can release too much moisture during cooking; instead, try sautéing them for 2-3 minutes first to develop a sweeter flavor and remove excess water.

To avoid a messy sauce situation, mix your ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise together before spreading it on the crust, and don’t overdo it – a thin layer works better than a thick one.

For the perfect cheese melt, place your pizza on the middle rack of your oven and watch it closely in the final minutes of cooking – you want the cheese to be bubbly and slightly golden, not burnt or rubbery.

What to Serve With Hot Dog Pizza?

This fun mashup of two classic favorites calls for some casual, crowd-pleasing sides that’ll make you feel like you’re at a ballpark or pizzeria! A simple coleslaw adds a nice crunch and coolness that balances out the savory pizza toppings. Since this dish already combines two comfort foods, keep the sides light with a mixed green salad tossed in a simple vinaigrette, or some crispy pickle spears on the side. If you’re feeding a hungry crowd, a batch of baked sweet potato fries would fit right in with the playful theme of this meal.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This hot dog pizza is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, place them in an airtight container and pop them in the fridge for up to 2 days. The flatbread might soften a bit, but it’s still good!

Make Ahead: You can prep the toppings in advance and store them separately in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, just assemble and bake your pizza. This makes for a super quick meal when you’re short on time.

Warm Up: To bring back that fresh-from-the-oven taste, warm up leftover slices in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese starts to bubble again. I’d skip the microwave since it can make the flatbread chewy.

Preparation Time	15-20 minutes
Cooking Time	15-20 minutes
Total Time	30-40 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 400-450
• Protein: 30-35 g
• Fat: 20-25 g
• Carbohydrates: 30-35 g

Ingredients

• 1 cut da carb flatbread
• 2 hebrew 97% fat-free hot dogs
• 1/2 cup shredded lite mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup shredded three-cheese mix
• 1/2 cup diced onions
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 2 tablespoons sugar-free ketchup
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard (such as french’s)
• 1/2 tablespoon light mayonnaise

Step 1: Preheat Oven and Caramelize Onions

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C).

While the oven is heating up, caramelize your chopped onions in a small frying pan.

Heat the pan over high heat, and as the onions start to brown, add a little bit of water to deglaze the pan.

Stir frequently and repeat this process until the onions are all golden brown.

Step 2: Prepare and Pre-bake the Flatbread

Place your flatbread on a lightly sprayed cookie sheet, using a cooking spray like Pam for ease.

Lightly spray the top of the flatbread as well.

Once your oven has reached the desired temperature, bake the flatbread at 375°F for 2 minutes.

Flip it over and bake for an additional 1 minute to ensure both sides are slightly crispy.

Step 3: Prepare Toppings

While the flatbread is in the oven, slice up your hot dogs and chop your red onion.

Mix your choice of condiments together to create the base sauce you’ll spread over the flatbread once it’s ready.

Step 4: Assemble the Flatbread

Remove the flatbread from the oven and spread your prepared condiment sauce all over the surface.

Sprinkle your favorite cheese evenly on top, followed by the sliced hot dogs, caramelized onions, and chopped red onion.

Step 5: Bake and Finish

Return the assembled flatbread to the oven and bake for another 11 minutes.

Keep an eye on it to achieve your desired level of browning and melted cheese perfection.

Once done, carefully take it out of the oven.

Step 6: Add Final Touches and Serve

While the flatbread is still hot, drizzle ketchup and mustard on top for added flavor.

Slice and serve immediately.

Enjoy your delicious and hearty flatbread creation!