Corn dog
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A corn dog is a sausage, typically a hot dog, coated in a thick layer of sweet cornmeal batter and deep-fried to a golden, crispy exterior. The first bite gives way to a satisfying crunch, revealing the juicy, savory sausage inside. Nutritionally, it's a calorie-dense treat, packing a significant amount of fat and refined carbohydrates for its size.
Calorie split: 14% protein · 43% carbs · 43% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love the perfect contrast of textures—the crunchy, slightly sweet cornmeal shell giving way to the salty, savory hot dog inside. It's a beloved staple at fairs, carnivals, and ballparks, representing fun, casual American eating.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The deep-fried batter and processed sausage make it high in saturated fat, sodium, and refined carbs, which can contribute to blood-sugar spikes. To counteract this, pair it with a fiber-rich side like coleslaw or a simple green salad, practice portion control by sharing or choosing a smaller size, and opt for a baked version if available.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from carbohydrates and fat.
- Offers a moderate amount of protein from the sausage core.
- A convenient, handheld meal or snack.
- A nostalgic comfort food for many.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The first patented machine for making corn dogs was invented in the 1920s by a Texas company, but the food's exact origin is debated between several U.S. state fairs.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 50.3 g |
| Energy | 250 kcal |
| Protein | 8.6 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 12.0 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 27.0 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.0 g |
| Total Sugars | 7.5 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 72.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.9 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 17.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 224 mg |
| Potassium, K | 125 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 668 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.85 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.07 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 27.6 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.50 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.14 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.15 mg |
| Niacin | 2.8 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.12 mg |
| Folate, total | 60.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 53.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 7.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 97.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 26.9 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.48 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 48.0 ug |
| Retinol | 47.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 3.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 4.0 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 132 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.60 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.40 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 5.8 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 3.5 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.08 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.6 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.72 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 4.7 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.48 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 4.1 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.07 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.03 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 3.4 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 3.1 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.19 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 44.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Corn dogs, frozen, prepared — USDA does not publish this profile for Corn dog.
| Tryptophan | 0.09 g |
| Threonine | 0.27 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.33 g |
| Leucine | 0.63 g |
| Lysine | 0.45 g |
| Methionine | 0.15 g |
| Cystine | 0.12 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.37 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.23 g |
| Valine | 0.41 g |
| Arginine | 0.39 g |
| Histidine | 0.22 g |
| Alanine | 0.40 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.59 g |
| Glutamic acid | 1.8 g |
| Glycine | 0.41 g |
| Proline | 0.60 g |
| Serine | 0.35 g |
FAQ
What is corn dog batter made of?
The batter is typically a simple mixture of cornmeal, all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, milk or buttermilk, and sometimes egg.
Can you bake corn dogs instead of frying them?
Yes, you can bake them on a rack at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes, flipping once. They won't be as uniformly crispy as deep-fried, but it reduces the fat content.
What is a Korean corn dog (Gamja-hotdog)?
A popular variation where the sausage is often coated first in a layer of diced potato or french fries before being battered and fried, adding an extra crunchy, starchy layer.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 2.50 kcal/g · 14% calories from protein · 1.0 g fiber · 7.5 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 5.34 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.