Corn Dogs (and Belly Buttons)
To read my post on how I celebrated finishing my second book, please click here.
My daughter’s librarian is brilliant. Katy Rose is in first grade, a HUGE grade for developing a love of reading. While most schools try to entice kids with points for reading a certain list of books that have been deemed worthy of the points system (which I know works well for some), my Daughter’s librarian has truly lit a fire in them all to not only read books, but to write them as well!
At their school, anytime a child writes a book and gives it to the librarian, she makes a barcode sticker to put on it, enters it into the computer, and puts it in a special section where all of the students are allowed to check it out. This has gotten them so excited. Katy Rose has written three books so far and every time another classmate writes a book all of the kids scramble to check it out. I’ve never seen her so excited. “Mama you have GOT to read Lindsay’s book! I was the first to get it, it is so funny!” Or “Guess whose book I have today? I read it during lunch because I couldn’t wait!” Then I hear “Mama, guess who checked out my book today?”
After writing her last book, I told Katy rose “See? You might be an author someday!” She said “Mama, I already AM an author, and all of my friends are, too!” I have never seen kids so inspired, having so much fun reading. The books truly are wonderful and I have found myself just as excited as Katy is to see what they write next.
The other day, Katy Rose brought home a book that her friend Hannah, had written back in kindergarten. She couldn’t control her giggles as se pulled it out of her backpack and said “Oh Mama, just wait til you read this. It is the funniest book ever.”
So I opened it to read. It was a story about a fat cat and a fat dog, who both had belly buttons. The randomness of pointing out they had belly buttons was priceless. I won’t go into the details of the book because I truly believe this one needs to be published one day, but during the course of the book some crazy antics ensue and it is drawn to a close with the last line:
“But they still had their belly buttons.”
I think there is a big moral in that story…and I shared the tale with my friend Jyl. Now, whenever life gets a little crazy or we find ourselves at the end of one of those days where we are not quite sure how we managed to survie it, I’ll say “BUT, we still have our belly buttons!”
Don’t you just love brilliant librarians and young authors?
Now lets get cooking with my daughter, the author 
You know, corn dogs are actually one of those things that most kids don’t realize you even can make at home, which makes it easy for you to win coolness points as a parent by making them.
And lets face it, we all secretly live for those moments when our kids give us that “Wow, you’re actually kind of cool” look.
Before we start, you’re gonna need a deep fryer, filled with oil, and turned on so it can be heating up.
You’re also going to need Baking Powder and Baking Soda, flour, milk, plain corn meal, an egg, and sugar.
I know this seems like a lot but it mixes up really fast. I wanted to use plain corn meal and plain flour everyone would be able to make them because I know some places don’t have self rising meal and flour in the abundance that we do where I live.
You’re also gonna need a package of weenies and some sticks, skewers, or popsicle sticks to go in them.
I got these sticks on the kid’s craft aisle at Wal Mart.
Katy is holding two packages of weenies but you only need one…
Dump your plain flour into a shallow bowl.
This is a Corelle pasta bowl in a rare yellow pattern from the eighties called “Citrus”.
Stick skewers or sticks into each weenie and lay them on a paper towel lined plate.
The paper towel helps to absorb excess moisture off of them.
This is a current Corelle pattern called “Cafe Red” that I love . I know, me and my fine china…
Roll each weenie in flour and shake off the excess.
This will help our corn dog batter stick to the weenies and we really need this step because once I forgot to do it and my batter kept sliding off in spots. By dipping them in flour first, it sticks perfectly.
See Katy’s little hand and her little hot pink fingernail? Awwwww.
I usually call her Karo in my posts and eventually in this post I will slip into using her nickname and someone will inevitably leave a comment or send me an email saying “Seriously? You named your daughter after corn syrup?” Eventually I’m gonna email back and say “Yes, and her big brother, Tabasco, thought it was a grand name!”
I’ve never known a single Southerner who did not have a nickname. We talked about that a while back on this post.
Here is Karo finishing up the weenies…
Tabasco was busy on his computer and could not be bothered to make corn dogs…but he requested we bother him once they were done.
(My son’s name is really not Tabasco, it’s Brady…)
Now we assemble our corn dog batter ingredients.
This is a pretty straight forward batter for corn dogs and you can easily spice it up a bit if you like.
If my kids weren’t eating these, I’d add a little bit of onion powder.
In a bowl, place flour, plain yellow corn meal, salt, baking soda and powder, and a little bit of salt.
Stir that up while sticking your tongue out.
Pour in milk
and add eggs.
This is Katy’s favorite part. When I first started letting her crack eggs they were like little grenades…
She’s gotten much better.
Stir all of that up really well until it’s all smooth and well combined.
NOW is our trick…
Spoon your batter into a tall drinking glass.
Dip each weenie into the glass until covered.
As your batter in the glass gets lower, spoon more in.
VOILA! C’est Corn Dog!
or in my native Alabamian “Well looky thar! It’s a corn dawg! You done gone and done it, Karo!”
Here is an up close shot in case you wanna see it.
Please do not allow kids to help with the following:
Immediately place these in deep fryer, one at a time, and fry until golden brown. They’ll take about five minutes or so to cook and you can cook more than one at a time, just make sure you get them in one at a time and give them a few seconds to start cooking before putting the next one in, taking care not to overcrowd your deep fryer.
I like mine with lots of mustard…
And NOW Big brother could be bothered to come out of his room
Just like a man ~winks and grins~
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 c all purpose flour
- 1 c plain cornmeal
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 egg
- 1 1/3 c milk
- 8 weenies
- 8 wooden sticks
Instructions
- Fill deep fryer with vegetable oil and heat to 375 degrees.
- In a medium bowl, add 1 cup flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together and mix until well combined. Add in milk and egg and stir well until smooth and well blended. Set aside.
- Place 1/2 cup flour in a shallow dish or pie plate. Skewer each weenie on a wooden stick, then roll in flour, gently shaking off the excess.
- Fill a tall drinking glass with corn dog batter.
- Dip each weenie into glass of batter while holding the stick, until completely submerged, slowly pull out of batter and carefully lower into hot oil. Fry until golden brown.
- Drain on paper towels.
Print This Recipe
“Our days are happier when we give a piece of our heart
rather than a piece of our mind.”
~Unknown
Submitted by Tammy Bish. Submit your quote by clicking here.
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Posted by Christy Jordan
on Apr 16 2012. Filed under Main Course, Quick&Easy, Southern Plate Kids.
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I am a retired high school librarian and LOVE this activity. What a wonderful way to encourage kids. Katy will always remember writing these books. On another note, I have no belly button, so I loved this story!
Oh and they just keep on encouraging each other, too! It’s brilliant, seriously! lol Katy’s first book was short but she came home and said “Mama, I have GOT to write a chapter book because all of my friends are writing chapter books!” and it keeps growing from there!
No belly button! WHEW! Don’t wanna mess with you! lol
My daughter is in 1st grade and I sure wish they did that at her school. She would love it! And your corn dogs look yummy! My son loves them so I will have to give it a try! Thank you so much for all your wonderful stories and recipes you share with us. You are a great person!
Oh Christy, thank YOU so much, you are so sweet and just brightened my day !
CHRISTY, I GREW UP IN HUNTSVILLE AND AS KIDS WE ATE AT THE ZESTO IN THE 5 POPINTS AREA. THEY WERE FAMOUS FOR THEIR
“DIPPED DOGS”. THE RESTAURANT IS GONE NOW. LATER, WHEN I MADE THESE FOR MY LITTLE BOYS, I DIPPED MY DOGS IN A TALL GLASS, TOO. WOULD YOU BELIEVE MY LITTLE BOYS TURNS 37 AND 40 THIS YEAR? TIME SURE DOES FLY!
‘
Oh my goodness, time sure does fly!! I grew up on Zesto’s, too! Nothing like it. You know the big to-do was that whenever Brooks and Dunn came through Huntsville they’d make a beeline with their tour bus to Zestos. I miss the Zesto burger (thinking about doing a tutorial on it).
I had Zesto dip dogs the day I got my driver’s license….way back in the “day”!
Pamela, we ate at Zeato’s, too! We know the owners and still love them even though they disposed of one of Huntsville’s favorite eating spots. I made corn dogs for my boys, now 42 & 36, in a tall drinking glass, too. Guess it’s time to do the same for my grandchildren.
Librarians rule! Kudos to Katy’s librarian. Want an awesome way to get kids reading and writing!
We’ll have to bring you copies of her books next time we visit
And I bet I can get you a copy of the Fat Cat and the Fat Dog, too! hehehe
Love all your posts. Have been with you for years and love you dearly! Please print OR read us these darling books, if possible!! What fun! Go Karo!!! We knew you when…
~giggles~ I will have to see what I can do Betty!
my grandkids will love these. Thanks
Thank you Linda! have a great day!
Looks so yummy! I really enjoy a good corn dog.
Truly inspired!
Your posts just make me laugh! I love the “sticking your tongue out” bit. Of course, my wee one would be a wee bit upset when she tried to lick the bowl and it tastes like, well, not cake batter… Keep ‘em comin’! Love it!
LOL, that would be a disappointment!!
That looks like fun! I haven’t had a corndog in years and just had my first at a festival yesterday.
Oh Yummy!!!
I wanna be a cool mom, too, so I’ll be making these this week. Thanks! Oh btw I have the cafe red fine corelle china, too!
I hope yall like them Dana!! Don’t you just love those plate. They are my favorite!!
What a precious child you have!! I am a librarian in a public library, love the idea of writing books. I have a grand child who is 6 and reads 3rd grade level. I started writing her books when she was 3. Usually to do with something in her life. She has the best imagination, and I want it to continue to grow forever.
She gets pulled out of free time to read with 3rd graders. Her daddy asked her how that was going. She said: Unfortunately she doesn’t get her free time. She thinks the most sensible thing would be for the kids that have a harder time reading, they should stay in for there free time and study reading. Geez you really can’t argue with that!!
She has a point! Very smart indeed!
Christy,
Your kids are so cute! I think it’s wonderful that you’ve got your kids involved in helping you cook. I’d really like to try the corn dogs…even though my 3 year old wouldn’t eat them (picky eater), I would LOVE them! Thanks for all you do and for inspiring folks every day!
Carrie, Katy is a very picky eater as well. Now that she has started helping more in the kitchen she is open to trying new things. Thank goodness!
Glad to see someone ” sticking their tongue out ” while working. My Mom use to tell me all the time that I was going to bite my tongue off by accident ! I must admit, I still find myself “sticking my tongue out ” while either baking or sewing, and when I realize it…..I just laugh. Thanks for the memory.
I thought it was a requirement!!! I find myself doing the same thing LOL
I have been retired from teaching for 4 years now, but one of the activities we did each year was to write and “publish” books for display in the classroom. The book that my 4th graders wrote in 1986-87 was by far the most checked out, even years after they wrote it. It was a collection of tales from our small town based on Kathyrn Tucker Windam’s ghost stories. I even sent her a copy and she loved it. I’m glad Katy Rose enjoyed writing her book and reading those written by others. This is a great way to encourage reading and writing!
Also, thanks for the corn dog recipe! My grand kids will love to help me with these the next time they visit.
That is so neat Betty!!!
Next time y’all are Texas way you must bring Karo and Tabasco for a visit. I know that my little M&M’s would love to meet them.
They would love it as well!!
so eas;y to do–when my kids were little I used this same batter for cheesballs, deep fried cauliflower too–(for cheese balls be sure you chunk velveeta cheese)
Oh my goodness, cheeseballs sound so good about right now!!
MMMMM….corn dogs! Don’t have ‘em often, but LOVE ‘em when I do! Thanks for the recipe and the great tips! Also loved the pic of Karo and Tabasco!
~giggles~ Thank you Debbie, they send HUGS!!!!
My grandson, Mannie, loves corn dogs. We usually just buy the frozen ones and for a snack, grandson will take one out of the freezer. My hubby tried to make them a long time ago w/o much success…think he forgot to dust the weenies with flour first. Will have to print your recipe. Like the tip about putting the batter into a tall glass. I think the next batch he makes will turn out grrreat! Your children are precious. Thanks for the pics.
I hope you like them Beverly! You will have to let me know how they turn out this time. We really like them!!
Christy, I do love this story. I hope you don’t mind that I am gonna use that “belly button” analogy in my life. Also, I love Miss Karo’s hairband – cute as a button!!
So glad you are back! I’ve missed you! I’m going to have to make these corn dogs with my daughter. She will love this! By the way, I noticed the Friendship pattern Pyrex bowl. I recently bought a red bowl (1 or 1 1/2 qt size) with a milky white lid and the Friendship pattern on top the lid. It matches my kitchen perfectly! When I placed this bowl on the shelf in my kitchen, I knew this is the pattern I want to collect. I still love the old Pyrex dishes, but the Friendship pattern is my favorite! I’m excited about looking for this pattern when I shop the antique malls. I’m hoping I can find the mixing bowl set. That would just put a smile on my face every time I use it! Glad your back and I pray you & your family have a blessed week!
Christy: I love your recipes and appreciate them, but could you add a picture to the print option. I love to see what the recipe is supposed to look like when I’m done. Thanks for all the ones you’ve given me. Nancy
It isn’t only kids that don’t think about making corn dogs at home! I’m all over this recipe, with one minor change. I don’t like store bought corn dogs because the cornbread batter is sweet. Now I can make my own and leave the sugar out entirely! Not to mention my family will think I’m the coolest mom ever!
Such a great idea about the books, too. I’m a huge fan of anything that encourages kids to read and write. When Karo finally gets her book publishing deal, let us know. I’m sure we’ll all want an autographed collection of her 1st grade stories!
Oh, yay! Another super cool idea for getting my first graders to write! Thanks for the tidbit and the recipe, too!
Love you much!
Nicky
Just have to say, Katy Rose’s headband looks like a tiara. Fitting for an author, don’t you think?
Ooooh they look just like the kind you get at fairs but probably taste better!!!
Oh and I wanted to add that the weather looks mighty fine in your neck of the woods judging by how it looks outside of that window. Summer is just around the corner!
Oh Honey I just had to share this with my facebook friends. I think you’re the wisest little mama around!
Loved the recipe and storybook idea. My family teases me and my grandson (4 yrs) about sticking our tongue out when we are really into a project, now I know we are normal….you go Karo!
I, too, remember the Zesto at Five Points in Huntsville and their “dipped dogs” and onion rings. I am so sad the Zesto is gone.
I love the idea of children writing books and checking them out of the library! What a wonderful idea. We may try that at our preschool and kindergarten.
I need a Zesto burger today! I’ve been playing with the thought of doing a tutorial for years on them. Zestos was awesome. There is a neat geocache hidden in that location now
Great timing! My 15 yo son made corn dogs for the first time in our family a few weeks ago and is desperate to do it again. We’ll use your recipe this time! It’s guaranteed to be better! We are both totally wowed by your “dipping glass” too-AMAZING!!! I think tomorrow’s lunch is now planned. : ) Thanks a ton, you are the greatest!
I am having a bad day at work, and reading this post(though that’s probably not what I should be doing!!!) has made me smile a big smile!
Thanks for all your recipes and remarks and pictures of your sweet family!
I remember The Dandy Dog Place in Conway, AR, As a child I considered that “going out to eat” since we were a farm family and money most times was limited. We loved going there. The other day a Facebook friend wrote to remain me that we took her for her first corndog there. This would just be a flash in the pan now to most kiddos but in the 50s, it was a wonderful adventure . When I eat or even smell one it brings back great memories of times past with my Mom and Dad.
What wonderful memories Lou!
I too, remember the Zestos in 5 points! My what awesome corn dogs they served. Was thinking about them just the other day. Wonderful post, Christy, and I LOVE the idea about the kids writing books! What an inspired Librarian!
Love your site, and all of your posts. You are an amazing person.
Oh goodness, you make me blush. Thank you for the kind comments and I hope you enjoy the corn dogs!
So we have TWO published authors in the Jordan family now! Like mother, like daughter.
And that picture of your babies is so cute, Christy.
I’m not a big hot dog fan, but we will make these just to be able to say, “Oh, yes, we make our own corn dogs at our house. Our friend Christy Jordan taught us how.”
~giggles~ I do hope yall will have fun making them Lisa!!
Thanks for the corn dog recipe. My family just loves them and I think it would be something fun to try. I think I’ll have to make them for lunch this weekend. Can’t wait. Go Katie Rose! Kids and books make a great combo.
I hope yall enjoy them Stephanie!!
I am a retired reading teacher. I loved the idea that media specialist had so much that I had my kids with reading problems writing and illustrating their own books when I taught. My students were middle schoolers so we donated the books to a nursery school where i took my students to have them read to the little ones every week. It was a great experience for both the pre-kindergarteners and for my middle schoolers.
What a great thing that had to have been to watch Loretta!
Very sweet & I love corn dogs!! I don’t eat them often but I don’t know why. I guess I just like a good hot dog on a bun so that’s where they go when I buy them!! Katy is growing up so fast Christy – I think she might enjoy cooking a bit when she gets older!
She is growing too fast Mary! I keep threatening bricks on her head to slow her down.
When I read the title of this post I was imagining the ends of the hot dogs cut off and somehow made to resemble belly buttons and then eaten, of course. Hey! I can see it!
~giggles~ I can see that too Kim!
Oh my,, I have been HUNGRY for corn dogs and have some leftover chili cheese dogs from a cookout,, this will be a GREAT way to make them into a NEW dish! lol Thanks for the ideas, as always, I love them!
Great idea Cassie!!!
I attempted to make these a few months ago, but not with your recipe. How silly of me, right..LOL Tomorrow night I will try it again. I bought crescent rolls to do piggies in a blanket, but corn dogs are what I really am hungry for.
And I would love to have the Friendship bowl that you showed. I have a small one. I found a matching lid, but it’s for the next size up. I won’t give up yard sales, and flea markets till I find an entire set…lol
thanks for all the great stories and recipes.
I hope you like the recipe Beth, let me know how they turn out for you. Yes, definitely keep looking, you never know where they will turn up.
OMG, I have had one of those days today and “I still have my belly button.” Thanks for making laugh on such a cruddy day. I love that librarian, she is a genius.
Whew, so glad you still have yours too Ruth!!
Oh. My. Goodness — I AM IN LOVE with the idea of barcoding those books for check out!! A gem of an idea — she is a treasure for sure. Bravo, bravo!
It has made such a difference in how all of these kids think Dee.
HI Christy!,
I’ve never had a corn dog and neither have my family, so will definitely have to try these.
Love the “names” Tabasco and Karo…lol!
What an inspired librarian, and congratulations to Katy and her friends in getting their books “published”.
Oh wow. You will definitely have to try one Sue. I think you will like them.
I love, love, love this post! ♥ This is going up there with one of my favorites. ♥
Also, thank you for the corn dog recipe. I tried to be a really cool mommy once, and make them. It was going great for me there for a while…then, the batter wouldn’t stick…Well, it more or less stuck to the basket in the deep-fryer. From that point on I assumed I needed some sort of hangy-thingy to make the corn dogs hang in head first….So, I’m grateful to try that there flour-first-trick. I hope that does the trick for me.
Blessings,
Kristine
My girls love a good corn dog, so I’ll try this recipe this weekend. LOVE the librarian! I know my first grader would get into that. She’s competitive about being the best reader in her class (can’t imagine where she gets that) so writing a book would be right up her alley. I think I still have the book I wrote in 5th grade, a biography of our dog, Willy. And my little girls loved Interrupting Chicken. Thanks so much, Christy!
What an inspiring educator! You know my culinary students wanted to know when we can make corn dogs!
I have been wanting corndogs but wouldn’t pay the price stores want for something mediocore. When I saw this yesterday I immediately knew what was for supper. It just so happened I was watching my friends childern too. Everyone loved them and this morning my friend said the kids were still talking about them
Thank you for sharing this recipe and the amazing things the Libranian is doing. I love that idea and I’m so happy the kids are enjoying being authors 
Oh, Christy! I LOVE that the teacher is asking the students to write their own books. GENIUS!
and I just had a corn dog from Sonic today – totally microwaved. BLEH! I can’t wait to try these with my grandkids!
I hope ya’ll like them Kathy!! I am not real fond of microwaved corn dogs either.
WOW These are perfect. So perfect that you don’t even need ketchup or mustard. So flavorful on their own and the thick batter stays on the dog, even my daughter’s Tofu Pups. The only problem is that I have left over batter and no more hotdogs…LOL Thanks again, Beth
Oh my goodness, I would have to run out and get more…LOL!
Meat gives me migraines, so when the fair comes around I always miss out on the fresh corn dogs. Now I can take some of my veggie dogs and make some for me! And the flour idea may help the batter stick to our okra out here in Colorado! Thanks for your easy recipes. I’m watching McLeod’s Daughters (the sad one where Claire has to shoot Scirocco) and planning my meals with your help.
Oh, great idea Belinda!! I bet it helps your okra too.
Christy, my grandkids LOVE corndogs, and look for them when they come to my house…guess we will have to make these together! Funny story: my grandson, Cameron’s 1st corndog, and he wanted to know why they had a stick in them. Well, we were outside on the patio, and I was in a goofy mood, so I said “that’s where they were attached to the corndog tree at the back of the house.” His eyes got big, and he ran to check! He came back and said “there are no corndogs!” So I told him it was because he got the last one. Am I gonna go to H-E double hockeysticks for that one? Thank you for your inspiration and your humor!
LOL, what a cute story Pam!!! I love it!!
Thank you so much for posting the corn dog recipe. Corn dogs are one of the very few things I can get my picky 2 and 3 year olds to eat with no problem! It will be so much fun to make these with my little boys. I think we will do this tomorrow for lunch. Thank you for sharing your life with us. You are truly a blessing
And I can’t WAIT for your new cookbook to come out!