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Home » Recipes » Halloween

Halloween Hot Dog Fingers

Published: Oct 2, 2022 · Modified: Feb 26, 2025 by Debra Clark · 6 Comments

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Halloween Hot Dog Fingers - Super scary and perfect spooky "finger" food for your party! Severed finger hot dogs are fun food for your ghosts and goblins to gobble up before heading out for trick or treating!

Halloween hot dogs in buns on platter.
Spooky and fun Halloween Hotdogs are perfect party food!

Love these? You don't have to wait for Halloween to enjoy the Crescent Rolls Hot Dog Recipe. The kids will love these as well!

Jump to:
  • ☠️ Why these are the BEST hot dog fingers
  • 👻 Spooky ingredients you'll need
  • 🎃 Instructions: carve a hot dog to look like a finger
  • Steps to cook the dogs
  • Essential tools for this recipe
  • 🦇 Severed Finger Hot Dogs Video
  • Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)
  • ⚰️ More fun Halloween food and treats!
  • Halloween Severed Fingers Recipe
  • 🕸️ Recipe backstory

☠️ Why these are the BEST hot dog fingers

Super fun, you won't have any problems getting the littles to eat a filling meal before trick or treating! The hot dog fingers are really simple to make as well. Decorating with ketchup makes them ghoul-worthy!

Kids just love fun food, so whether you serve hot dogs or Halloween tacos, your meal will be a huge success!

Close of up of Hot dog carved to look like fingers in bun with ketchup .
Do you like a great dog? These are super fun for Halloween!

👻 Spooky ingredients you'll need

  • regular hotdogs - whatever your favorite brand is; Ballpark Franks, turkey dogs, classic hot dogs.
  • hotdog buns
  • catsup, mustard and any other toppings you enjoy on hot dogs!
Franks cut to look like fingers - great Halloween Party Food!
Pile the dogs high so everyone can make their own to suit their taste!

🎃 Instructions: carve a hot dog to look like a finger

It's really quite easy to make this extra creepy effect! Let me walk thru the steps:

  1. To make the fingernails, place the hotdog on a cutting board. Score the two sides of the fingernail, then straight across the top and bottom. Use the tip of the paring knife to peel the patch off to make the bottom nail bed.
  2. To make the knuckles or finger joints, simple score the three to four slices for each "knuckle" being careful not to slice completely through the hot dog.
  3. Tear off the end of each hot dog to give them a "severed" look.

Steps to cook the dogs

  1. I like grilling them because they blister and get great grill marks, plus we enjoy the taste of a grilled dog,
  2. Microwave the dogs. Wrap them in the paper towels and microwave for 30 second intervals until heated through.
  3. Air Fryer Hot Dogs (another personal favorite!) Perfect for a rainy day or when you don't want to grill.
  4. Boil the hot dog fingers for 5-6 minutes - though the hotdogs themselves look good, I think it boils the flavor out. (my two cents!)

Essential tools for this recipe

The following are affiliate links. We are participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.   

You'll really only need a good pairing knife to make this fun kid-friendly recipe!

🦇 Severed Finger Hot Dogs Video

Click on the image to watch this fun video and see me make this recipe from start to finish with extra tips! (Video opens in a new tab).

Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)

🕷️ How do you cook the Halloween Hot Dog Fingers?

They can be grilled, cooked in the microwave or air fryer. You can even boil them!

Does it make a difference which brand you use?

It doesn't matter at all. You can use all-beef franks, (I like Ballpark franks), turkey dogs even vegetarian dogs. The key is the dogs have a skin so you can remove the thinnest layer to make a fingernail.

How can I tell if my hot dogs are bad?

They are bad if they are discolored or moldy - obviously, right? Also, check the smell. They should have a savory, smokey smell. If they are sour at all, discard.

⚰️ More fun Halloween food and treats!

Mummy Meatloaf, caramel apples and mummy meatballs - yes I have a lot of fun Halloween food on the blog. In my world, this is a holiday for laughing and giggling. Make the most of the day for a fun time for the kids!

  • Mummy Pot Pies - who wouldn't want to grab their spoon and dig in this super savory pot pie? It's a beef based savory mixture with carrots, peas with a meat gravy.
  • Warm up your littles after Trick-or-Treating with this Crock Pot Hot Chocolate - it simmers in your slow cooker while you're out painting the town with the kids! Top it with Halloween sprinkles for a fun festive party!
  • Halloween Rice Krispie Treat - super sweet and fun, these are delicious treats and an easy Halloween recipe!
  • Halloween Stuffed Peppers - the centerpiece of your meal for loads of spooky fun!
  • THESE little Mummy jalapeños poppers are adorable and tasty! Perfect finger food for your party!
  • Hot Dog Mummies are super fun! Crescent dough wrapped hot dogs, yum! You could even make them with little smokies!
  • For more serving suggestions check out what to serve with brats and hotdogs - this post is loaded with great ideas and recipes!

Isn't this the perfect Halloween meal? Another super scary fun meal is this recipe for Mummy Meatloaf along with mummy dogs - simple to make but your kids BIG and small will get a kick and enjoyment out of this meal!

Are you still scratching your head looking for the perfect Halloween costumes? Here are some terrific ideas for fun, homemade costumes!

Click here for a ton of easy halloween recipes! Fun themed food, perfect for your party!

And if it's an adult party, be sure to check out these 25+ Boo-zy Halloween Cocktails. So good, they are scary!

Hotdogs in buns decorated for Halloween
Severed Finger Hot Dogs are a great Halloween dinner idea! What's your favorite party food for the holiday?

Life's too short to take yourself too seriously, right? I hope you enjoy this fun Halloween Hot Dog Fingers Recipe and make them for your Halloween get together!

Hotdog for Halloween carved to look like a finger in bun with catsup.
5 from 7 votes

Halloween Severed Fingers Recipe

Super scary and uber yummy these silly Severed Fingers Recipe will encourage your littles to grab a dog and chomp away before heading out to trick and treat! What a fun halloween lunch or the best dinner!
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Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time6 minutes mins
Total Time21 minutes mins
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 246kcal
Author: Deb Clark
Cost: $8

Ingredients

  • 8 hot dogs
  • 8 hot dog buns
  • ½ cup catsup

Instructions

  • To make the finger nails, score the two sides of the "nail", then a slight curved or crescent slice across the top and bottom, in the shape of a finger nail. Use a sharp knife and remove the thin strips to make a nail bed.
  • Next make the knuckle lines, simply score the three to four slices or small lines for each "knuckle". Be careful not to slice completely thru the hot dog.
  • Tear off the end of each hot dog to make them appear "severed".
  • Grill lengthwise on the grill for about two minutes per side until the dogs are blistered and heated through.
  • Dip the end of the hot dog in ketchup to get the bloody effect and splatter some on the dogs and buns. The goal is to make them look like a bloody finger - eek!
  • Place each dog in a hot dog bun and on a big platter with additional toppings if desired. Enjoy this and have fun with it!

Notes

Cooking the hot dogs on the stovetop:
Boil them for 5-6 minutes.
Cooking the hot dogs in the microwave:
Wrap the dogs in the paper towels and microwave for 30-second intervals until heated thru.
Place piles of your favorite topping right on top of the bun. Serve and enjoy!
Variations 
Wrap your hotdogs in delicious crescent rolls and bake! Allow part of the hot dog, just the tip of the finger peak through the end - how fun is that?!!

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    Nutrition

    Calories: 246kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 656mg | Potassium: 167mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 77IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 3mg

    🕸️ Recipe backstory

    We moved out to the country when I was in the third grade. I'm not gonna lie, it was scary! I didn't know anyone and remember the kids whispering about me at recess.

    Trick or Treating wasn't a whole lot of fun either. We had to walk ½ mile just to get to one house!

    When we lived in town it was great! We'd tromp around with pillowcases filled with piles of candy before we quit for the night!

    Luckily the first year we were out there, my folks made arrangements so my friend Laurie and I could go into town and trick or treat. Laurie's Mom planned to come out and get me and then we'd head back into town.

    Sounds perfect, right?

    Well Dad decided he would scare the girls, so before they got there he made a ghost out of a sheet, sat an old chair at the corner of the house and piped super scary music outside.

    When they finally pulled in and got out of the car, Dad rose up out of the chair (right beside their vehicle).

    Everyone screamed. Laurie peed her pants. I didn't get to go trick or treating that year, or ever again! 🤣

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    About Debra Clark

    Hey I'm Deb Clark, and I'm the owner of Bowl Me Over! We live in the sleepy little town of Scappoose, Oregon. And I admit it... I love food! Join me in this foodie journey (even if you've never cooked before!) I will help you learn to be confident in the kitchen! Want to learn more? Let's stay connected, you can email me at debra@bowl-me-over.com and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

    Comments

      5 from 7 votes (1 rating without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Nikki says

      October 29, 2019 at 3:54 pm

      5 stars
      My nephew loved making these this week! So much fun!

      Reply
    2. Kylee says

      October 28, 2019 at 4:04 pm

      5 stars
      My kids are so excited! I showed them the photos and they were all eewwwwww.... make them immediately! lol

      Reply
    3. Michaela Kenkel says

      October 27, 2019 at 7:36 pm

      5 stars
      My kiddos thought that these were just AWESOME!! such a fun way to celebrate Halloween!

      Reply
    4. Julie Menghini says

      October 27, 2019 at 6:58 pm

      5 stars
      This a perfectly ghoulish dinner before the kiddos go out for trick and treat!

      Reply
    5. Erin Parker says

      October 27, 2019 at 6:15 pm

      5 stars
      Oh, these are so spooky and fun! We're definitely going to be serving them on Thursday for sure.

      Reply
    6. Kathleen says

      October 27, 2019 at 4:35 pm

      5 stars
      Ew and yum all at the same time! Kids would love these!! Thanks for sharing the easy recipe!

      Reply
    Blogger Deb Clark smiling at camera holding a plate filled with a casserole.
    Welcome to Bowl Me Over!

    Hey I'm Deb Clark! I'm the owner of Bowl Me Over. We live in a sleepy little town just north of Portland in the beautiful Pacific Northwest... (read more)

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