Spook your guests with these hilariously gross yet delicious Severed Finger Hot Dogs! Shaped like creepy fingers, complete with “fingernails” and “bloody” ketchup, these hot dogs are sure to be the highlight of your Halloween party. They may look gruesome, but they taste just as good as any classic hot dog!
Key Information:
- Preparation time: 10 minutes
- Cooking time: 5-7 minutes
- Total time: 15-17 minutes
- Number of servings: 8
- Serving size: 1 hot dog
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Protein: 7 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fat: 16 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
Ingredients:
- 8 hot dogs
- 8 hot dog buns
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) ketchup
- 8 sliced almonds (for fingernails)
Method of Preparation:
- Boil the hot dogs: Bring a pot of water to a boil, then add the hot dogs. Boil for 5-7 minutes, until fully heated through. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- Shape the hot dogs: Cut a small, shallow notch at one end of each hot dog to resemble the base of a fingernail. Gently press a sliced almond into this notch to serve as the "fingernail."
- Create knuckles: Using a small paring knife, make two or three shallow horizontal slits across the middle of the hot dog to mimic the appearance of knuckles. You can also lightly score vertical lines above and below the knuckles for added realism.
- Prepare the buns: Place each hot dog inside a bun. Drizzle a generous amount of ketchup on one end of the bun to look like “blood” dripping from the severed end of the “finger.”
- Serve: Arrange the severed finger hot dogs on a serving tray, with extra ketchup available on the side for dipping. Watch your guests’ reactions as they take a bite of these creepy yet tasty creations!
Tips for Culinary Success:
- Keep it realistic: To make the fingers look more lifelike, make sure your cuts for the knuckles and fingernail are shallow but precise. You can also lightly toast the hot dogs on a grill or skillet for added texture.
- Perfect presentation: Arrange the hot dogs slightly askew in the buns with the fingernails sticking out for a more eerie presentation.
- Use natural ketchup: For a more convincing "bloody" effect, use a ketchup that has a deeper red color to better resemble blood.
- Get creative with the fingernails: If you want to switch it up, try using small pieces of bell pepper or onions instead of almonds for a different look.
- Add flavor to the buns: Lightly toast the buns with garlic butter before serving to enhance the flavor without taking away from the fun presentation.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use another type of sausage? Yes! Feel free to use bratwursts, vegetarian sausages, or chicken sausages for this recipe. Just make sure they’re the right size for finger-like proportions.
- How do I make these hot dogs less gross but still festive? Skip the "fingernail" and "severed" cuts if you want a less creepy look. Instead, you can simply decorate the hot dog buns with ketchup or mustard spider webs!
- Can I grill the hot dogs instead of boiling them? Absolutely! Grilling the hot dogs adds a nice smoky flavor. Just make the cuts after grilling so the fingers maintain their shape.
- What if my guests are allergic to nuts? Replace the sliced almonds with small pieces of bell pepper or onion to mimic the fingernail without using nuts.
- How do I keep the hot dogs warm if serving later? Keep the hot dogs warm in a slow cooker set to low, then assemble just before serving. Alternatively, you can keep them in the oven at a low temperature (around 200°F/95°C).
These Severed Finger Hot Dogs are the perfect blend of fun and fright for your next Halloween bash! While they may look disturbing, they’re incredibly easy to make and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re feeding kids or adults, these gory treats will be a highlight at any spooky event. Serve them with extra "blood" (ketchup), and watch your guests dive in with equal parts laughter and delight.