Baked Corn Dogs

As Tate gets older, I find myself experimenting with more and more fun “kid foods”. So today I tried my hand at making baked corn dogs. Not that I am opposed to frying in the right oils (especially lard), but it is just downright messy. So I went surfing the internet and found a few inspiring ideas and came up with this combo. To my surprise, the boys really dug them (especially Tyler, which come to find out, puts corn dogs at the top of his favorite food list! WHO KNEW!!!)

Baked Corn Dogs

1/2 cup rice flour (white or brown)

¼ cup arrowroot powder

¼ cup tapioca flour

¼ tsp xanthan gum

2/3 cup yellow cornmeal (masa harena is best for assimilation, look here to learn what why masa harena http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/what-is-masa-harina.htm)

2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp sugar

½ tsp sea salt

3/4 cup milk (raw, from grass-fed cows is best)

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

2 tsp olive oil

6 to 8 precooked sausages, hot dogs or any other “dog” you want – from range-feed animals preferably!

Ketchup and mustard, for serving

Popsicle sticks- same number as hotdogs

Set oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with slip-mat or parchment paper; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Make a well in center; add milk, eggs, and oil. Mix just until combined. Insert a popsicle stick into one end of each sausage, leaving a 1 1/2-inch handle. Dust hands and hotdog with rice flour. Scoop out ¼ cup of corn mix and shape/mold it around the dog. If your hands become sticky, dust them with more rice flour and keep molding until the whole dog is covered. Place on baking sheet and repeat. You should be able to cover 6 to 8 standard sized dogs, but it will vary depending on size of the dog you choose. Cook for approximately 25 to 30 minutes, flipping them over about half way through to get all sides evenly browned. Serve with ketchup and mustard. Note: if you would prefer to use gluten-container grains, just substitute the flour of your choice in for the rice flour, arrowroot powder, tapioca flour and leave out the xanthan gum)

They aren’t pretty by any stretch of the imagination, but they are tasty and good for the bod!