Exploring Six Frozen Corn Dog Brands: An Unexpected Favorite Emerges

Corn dogs hold a special place in the hearts of many, delivering the perfect fusion of savory and sweet with a crunchy cornbread exterior wrapped around a flavorful hot dog. Growing up on these delightful treats, I recently embarked on a journey to determine which brand should earn a spot in my freezer for a quick and delicious snack.

Here's my personal ranking of six different corn dog brands, from least favorite to top choice.

Disappointment with State Fair Corn Dogs

Having fond childhood memories associated with State Fair corn dogs, I hoped they would taste as wonderful as I recalled. However, they fell short of expectations. Priced at $5.70 for a pack of six, these dogs feature a combination of turkey, chicken, and pork.

Upon tasting, I found an unwelcome bitter taste that resembled caraway spice, which lingered unpleasantly. While the cornbread exterior had a decent crunch, it was disappointingly thin. The inclusion of real honey in the batter was a redeeming quality.

Market Pantry's Honey-Flavored Corn Dogs Lack Depth

Similarly to the State Fair variety, Market Pantry's offering uses real honey in its cornmeal batter. At $7 for a box of 16, it provides an economical choice, featuring chicken, pork, and beef blends.

While the hot dog had a mild smokiness, it lacked complexity. Also, the discolored, gray meat was off-putting. The cornmeal coating was not as honey-flavored as others but had a nice crunch. Ultimately, it needed more robust flavors.

Crav'n Flavor Classic Corn Dogs: Familiar Yet Unremarkable

Crav'n Flavor corn dogs come at $11 for a pack of 16, roughly $0.70 each. They combine chicken franks with a sweet honey batter.

This option bore a striking resemblance to Market Pantry's version in appearance and texture, leading me to suspect a similar origin. The hot dog inside was less smoky and overall, the experience was underwhelming.

A Textural Delight with Applegate Naturals' Gluten-Free Option

Applegate Naturals offers a unique gluten-free corn dog with turkey franks, costing $8.90 for four. This choice boasts a distinctively enjoyable texture in its cornmeal coating.

Even before realizing it was gluten-free, I appreciated the slightly grainy coating, despite its high saltiness. While the inside was juicy, the premium price makes it an occasional indulgence.

Delight in Aldi's Bremer Corn Dogs

Surprisingly, Aldi's Bremer-brand corn dogs became a favorite. Priced at $3.58 for six, or about $0.60 each, these chicken franks feature a 'honey-flavored, crunchy batter.'

Despite typically providing budget alternatives, Aldi outperformed my expectations with this offering. The juicy franks and slightly mealier breading with a pleasant crunch made them stand out.

MorningStar Farms: The Plant-Based Revelation

Veering away from traditional meats, MorningStar Farms presents a plant-based corn dog. Designed to mimic meat's taste and feel, they are available at $4.60 for four pieces.

To my surprise, this vegan option emerged as my top pick. The vivid red 'meat' was impressively juicy and smoky, complemented by a sweet, substantial cornmeal coat. Among all, MorningStar Farms captivated me the most, making it a choice I would eagerly revisit.