Gluten Free Corn Dogs

In a small bowl, place the cornmeal or corn flour, flour blend, optional sugar, baking powder, and salt, and whisk to combine well. Add the egg and milk, and whisk until very smooth.

Place the mixture in a tall, narrow glass or mason jar, and then in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the other ingredients.

Remove the hot dogs from the package and pat them dry. Cut each hot dog in half by cross-section to create two evenly-sized short pieces.

Place a stick or skewer in the cut end of each hot dog piece, pressing it about halfway up the hot dog. Be careful to insert the stick parallel to the hot dog or the stick will poke out of the hot dog skin.

Toss the hot dogs in enough of the gum-free gluten free flour blend to create a thin coating all the way round, including the cut end. Set the hot dogs aside.

Line a large plate or platter with disposable paper towels, and set it aside.

Place the frying oil in a medium-sized heavy-bottom saucepan, with a candy thermometer on the side (make sure the probe is in the liquid, and not resting on the bottom of the pan, or you will not get an accurate reading).

Bring the oil to 350°F over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat enough to maintain the temperature of the oil without allowing it to increase.

Remove the cornmeal mixture from the refrigerator, and whisk to ensure it’s still well-combined and loosened.

Holding onto the stick, slowly immerse the prepared hot dogs, one at a time, in the batter and remove it slowly to allow the batter to adhere to the hot dog.

Allow the excess batter to drip off, and immerse it again in the batter. Remove it slowly from the mixture, and twirl it slowly to help the batter stay on the hot dog without dripping off.

Place the coated hot dog in the frying oil gently. It should float, but if it doesn’t, shake the pan a bit to help prevent it from adhering to the bottom of the pot or frying basket.

Fry for about 2 minutes, and then rotate it, so it cooks evenly on all sides. If the batter has stuck to anything, pry it loose gently before you attempt to rotate it.

Allow the hot dog to finish frying until the coating is uniformly deep golden brown. Remove the hot dog from the frying oil, and place on the prepared paper towel-lined plate to drain.

Repeat with the remaining hot dogs.

Serve immediately, or, crisp in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes before serving.

Add about an additional 1 tablespoon of corn flour to each 1/4-cup of remaining batter to thicken it to a scoopable consistency.

Using a small spring-loaded ice cream scoop (a #50 works well), place mounds of the thickened batter into the frying oil and fry, turning once, until uniformly golden brown (about 4 minutes total).

Remove from the oil and place on paper towel-lined plates to drain. Sprinkle lightly with confectioners’ sugar and serve warm.