Antoni’s Fancy Queer Eye Hot Dogs Made Vegan
When Queer Eye‘s food and wine expert Antoni Porowski took the basic hot dog and made it “special” for Season 1, Episode 8’s fundraiser, I knew I’d have to try these unique topping options. Of course, hot dogs and each of these toppings are pretty far from vegan. That could only mean one thing—I would have to take Antoni’s fancy Queer Eye hot dogs and make them vegan!
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All rights belong to their respective parties—my recipe is inspired by Antoni’s but I lay no claim to the original, nor to related materials and images.
Jump to RecipeAntoni’s Fancy Queer Eye Hot Dogs
In Episode 8 of the Netflix series, the Queer Eye team joins forces with their firefighter friend Jeremy to raise funds for his fire station through a community fundraiser. To maximize profits, they decide to sell high-end hotdogs at a premium price, creating two unique and elevated versions of the classic dish that are easy and inexpensive to prepare, making them perfect for a summer cookout.
These hot dogs are topped with a variety of unique and delicious ingredients that add a gourmet touch to the classic dish. In particular, Antoni creates two flavor combinations: one that is sweet and sour and another that is spicy and crunchy. One of these fancy hot dogs features honey mustard and pickled carrots, while the second showcases chipotle mayo and crushed potato chips.
Antoni’s Hot Dog Grilling Technique
It’s important to note that Antoni opts for a particular strategy when grilling the hot dogs for this fundraiser: a butterfly cut.
The butterfly cut is a technique used to prepare hot dogs or other foods for grilling or cooking. The cut is made by slicing a hot dog lengthwise without cutting all the way through so that it opens up like a butterfly or accordion. This allows the hot dog to cook more evenly and can also make it easier to add toppings or condiments. When the hot dog is cooked, it will puff up, creating a pocket in the middle of the hot dog to hold your toppings. Additionally, it increases the surface area of the hot dog, so you get more crispy edges and a more flavorful bite.
Vegan Hot Dog Options
Vegan hot dogs are a popular alternative to traditional meat-based hot dogs, and they can be made from a variety of plant-based ingredients. Some common options include:
- Plant-based meat hot dogs: There are some companies that produce vegan hot dogs that are made from plant-based meats such as pea protein, wheat gluten, and soy protein concentrate. They are available in most supermarkets and health food stores.
- Carrot hot dogs: These are made from whole carrots that are peeled, boiled, and seasoned. They are often used as an alternative for those who are looking for a low-fat and low-calorie vegan hot dog option.
All of these options can be used in place of traditional meat-based hot dogs in recipes and can be topped with a variety of vegan condiments such as vegan mayo, ketchup, mustard, relish, and sauerkraut.
Antoni’s Hot Dogs Made Vegan
I’ve only tried these with Aldi’s Earth Grown veggie dogs so far (sorry, Antoni), but I’m sure the fancy Queer Eye hot dogs’ toppings would be delicious on carrot dogs or a similar substitute, too. Is topping a marinated carrot with pickled carrots an excess of said vegetable? Maybe, but, in my book, there’s no such thing as too much carrot!
Put your hot dogs on the grill for a vegan barbecue or simply heat them up indoors for a delicious lunch or dinner option.
Create your veggie dogs from scratch or buy them in a premade pack. Pick up your carrots pre-pickled, go all-out with your own pickling, or use a quick pickle like the one I use below, based on a recipe from The Minimalist Baker. Make your own aquafaba mayo or buy a jar of your favourite vegan brand and add chipotle. Make whatever accommodations you need to (especially if you’re low on spoons), but be sure to try these veggie dogs.
Inspired-by-Antoni Veggie Dogs with Quick-Pickled Carrots and Sweet Dijon
Ingredients
- 4 veggie dogs premade meat substitute or plant-based option of choice (like carrot dogs!)
- 4 buns gluten-free or otherwise (optional)
Quick-Pickled Carrots
- 1 cup carrots cut small
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 tsp sea salt or salt substitute
- 2 tsp sugar or sugar substitute
Sweet Dijon
- 3 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp agave
Instructions
Quick-Pickled Carrots (make ahead)
- Combine all ingredients but carrots in a saucepan and simmer until sugar and salt are dissolved.
- Pour hot brine over carrots. Add additional water or vinegar as needed to cover them completely.
- Seal the lid tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, optimally 24 or more.
Sweet Dijon
- Mix together dijon and agave until thoroughly combined.
Top your veggie dogs!
- Cook veggie dogs as required/preferred, using an optional butterfly cut to help contain toppings.
- If using bun or bread, drizzle with sweetened dijon before adding veggie dog.
- Top cooked veggie dogs with pickled carrots, then drizzle with [more] sweet dijon to taste.
- Serve & enjoy!
Notes
Inspired-by-Antoni Veggie Dogs with Potato Chips and Chipotle Mayo
Ingredients
- 4 veggie dogs premade meat substitute or plant-based option of choice (like carrot dogs!)
- 4 buns gluten-free if preferred optional
- 1/2-1 cup potato chips, crushed make your own or use your go-to vegan-friendly brand.
Chipotle Mayo
- 1 tbsp adobe sauce adjust to taste
- 1/4 cup vegan mayo use a store-bought brand or make your own (like aquafaba mayo)
Instructions
- Prepare vegan mayo if necessary, and stir in adobo sauce until well-combined.
- Cook your veggie dogs as instructed/preferred, using an optional butterfly cut to help hold your toppings.
- If using a bun, spread with a bit of chipotle mayo before placing your cooked veggie dog.
- Add [more] chipotle mayo to taste, then top with crumbled potato chips.
- Serve & enjoy!
Notes
I hope to make my vegan version of Antoni’s fancy Queer Eye hot dogs again soon, giving carrot dogs and some other veggie options a try and getting some more/higher-quality photos for this post. And, of course, I’m just plain looking forward to enjoying these Antoni-inspired veggie dogs once again!
Queer Eye Season 6 is currently filming and anticipated to premiere in fall 2021. Seasons 1-5 can be viewed on Netflix. Follow Antoni on Instagram for food, his cute pup, Neon, and plenty of the model-actor-chef himself, or pick up a copy of his cookbook, Antoni in the Kitchen.
