This irresistible Loaded Scandi Hot Dog brings together the best of Scandinavian street food right to your kitchen. With spiral-cut franks nestled in toasted brioche rolls and topped with a creamy remoulade-style potato salad, these aren’t your average hot dogs. They’re elevated, flavorful, and guaranteed to impress at your next gathering. Ready in just 35 minutes, they’re perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something special without spending hours in the kitchen!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Show-Stopping Presentation: The spiral-cut technique creates beautiful curly franks that cook perfectly and hold toppings better than regular hot dogs.
Perfect Balance of Flavors: The creamy, tangy potato salad pairs wonderfully with the savory frankfurts and sweet brioche buns, creating a symphony of flavors in every bite.
Crowd-Pleaser: These loaded hot dogs work beautifully for everything from casual family dinners to backyard gatherings where you want to serve something fun yet impressive.
Customizable: The basic framework allows for endless variations to suit different tastes and dietary preferences.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Remoulade-Style Potato Salad:

Potatoes: The foundation of the salad, providing satisfying substance and a neutral canvas for the flavorful dressing.
Whole-egg mayonnaise: Creates a rich, creamy base for the remoulade dressing.
Dijon mustard: Adds a sophisticated sharpness that elevates the humble potato salad.
Brown onion: Provides a pleasant bite and aromatic background note.
Capers: These little flavor bombs add briny, tangy pops throughout the salad.
Gherkin (dill pickle): Contributes crunch and a vinegary tang that cuts through the creaminess.
Fresh chives: Deliver a mild onion flavor and beautiful color.
Curry powder: The secret ingredient that gives authentic Scandinavian remoulade its distinctive warm spice notes.
Lemon juice: Brightens the entire salad with fresh acidity.
Sugar: Just a touch balances the acidity and enhances the other flavors.
Black pepper and sea salt flakes: Season the salad perfectly, bringing all flavors together.

For the Curly Hot Dogs:

Frankfurt sausages: Look for good-quality continental-style franks, not the bright red variety.
Brioche hot dog rolls: Their subtle sweetness and buttery texture make them far superior to regular hot dog buns.
Ketchup and American mustard: Classic condiments that provide familiar comfort.
Brown onion: Adds a sharp, aromatic bite.
Crispy fried shallots: These store-bought gems add incredible texture and flavor contrast.
Fresh chives: A final sprinkle adds color and a fresh onion note.

Variations

Veggie Version: Substitute vegetarian sausages for a meat-free alternative.
Scandinavian Upgrade: Add thin slices of pickled cucumber, dill sprigs, and a dollop of lingonberry jam for a more authentic Nordic experience.
Spicy Twist: Incorporate sliced jalapeños and substitute spicy mustard for American mustard.
Breakfast Dogs: Top with a fried egg and crispy bacon pieces for a morning version.
Pretzel Bun Swap: Use pretzel rolls instead of brioche for a different textural experience.

How to Make Loaded Scandi Hot Dogs

Step 1: Prepare the Potato Salad Base

Boil the potatoes in a large pot of water until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain and cool completely before peeling and cutting into small chunks. For quicker cooling, run the potatoes under cold water.

Step 2: Make the Remoulade Dressing

In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, chopped onion, capers, gherkin, chives, curry powder, lemon juice, sugar, pepper, and salt. Mix thoroughly until well integrated.

Step 3: Create Spiral-Cut Franks

Insert a bamboo skewer lengthwise through each frankfurt. While slowly rotating the skewer, carefully cut a spiral pattern along the sausage using a small knife. Remove the skewers once the spiral is complete.

Step 4: Cook the Franks

Barbecue or pan-fry the spiral-cut franks for 5-7 minutes over high heat, turning occasionally, until fully cooked and crispy at the edges. Alternatively, boil them for about 5 minutes.

Step 5: Toast the Buns

While the sausages cook, toast the brioche rolls on a grill or in a pan until golden and lightly crispy.

Step 6: Assemble the Hot Dogs

Place each spiral-cut frank in a toasted brioche roll. Just before serving, toss the potato chunks with the remoulade dressing, then spoon generously onto each hot dog. Drizzle with ketchup and mustard, then sprinkle with chopped onion, crispy fried shallots, and fresh chives.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Potato Selection: Waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes hold their shape better for potato salad than starchy varieties.
Perfect Spirals: The spiral-cutting technique might take practice. Go slowly and don’t cut too deeply – you want the frankfurts to remain intact.
Dressing Timing: Only combine the potatoes with the remoulade dressing right before serving to maintain the perfect creamy texture.
Toasting Technique: Brush the inside of the brioche buns with a little butter before toasting for extra flavor and to prevent them from drying out.
Strategic Assembly: Build your hot dogs in the right order: bun, frank, potato salad, condiments, then toppings. This prevents soggy buns and ensures structural integrity.

How to Serve

Recommended Pairings

Serve these loaded hot dogs with a crisp green salad or a tangy coleslaw to balance the richness. A cold Scandinavian beer or sparkling water with lemon makes the perfect beverage pairing.

Presentation Ideas

Arrange the assembled hot dogs on a wooden serving board, garnished with extra chives and a small bowl of extra potato salad on the side. For parties, consider creating a build-your-own hot dog bar with all the components laid out for guests.

Complete Meal Suggestion

For a complete Nordic-inspired meal, serve these hot dogs alongside pickled herring, rye bread, and a simple cucumber salad dressed with dill and vinegar.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

The assembled hot dogs are best eaten immediately. Store leftover potato salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. While the dressing will absorb into the potatoes, the salad will still taste delicious.

Make Ahead Tips

Prepare the potatoes and remoulade dressing up to 48 hours ahead of time. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator and combine just before serving. The dressing actually improves in flavor as it sits!

Reheating Suggestions

If you have leftover franks, reheat them in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. Assemble fresh hot dogs with reheated components as needed.

FAQs

Can I use regular hot dog buns instead of brioche rolls?
Absolutely! While brioche adds a wonderful buttery sweetness that complements the savory franks and tangy potato salad, standard hot dog buns will work in a pinch. Try to find fresh, high-quality ones for the best results.

Why do you spiral-cut the frankfurts?
The spiral cut serves multiple purposes – it creates more surface area for caramelization during cooking, provides nooks for toppings to nestle into, and gives the hot dogs a distinctive, eye-catching appearance. Plus, they cook more evenly and are less likely to roll around on the grill.

Can I prepare the potato salad the day before?
Yes! In fact, the remoulade dressing develops better flavor when made ahead. Prepare the dressing and cook/cut the potatoes a day ahead, but store them separately and combine just before serving for the best texture and creaminess.

Is there a way to make this recipe gluten-free?
Definitely! Substitute gluten-free hot dog buns and ensure your frankfurts are gluten-free (many are naturally GF, but always check the packaging). The potato salad component is naturally gluten-free, but verify that your curry powder and mayonnaise are free from gluten ingredients.

Final Thoughts

These Loaded Scandi Hot Dogs represent the perfect intersection of comfort food and culinary creativity. They transform a classic into something special, bringing Scandinavian street food flair to your table with minimal effort. The contrast between the warm, juicy franks, the soft brioche, and the creamy potato salad creates a genuinely satisfying meal that’s sure to become a requested favorite. Whether for a quick family dinner or casual entertaining, these loaded hot dogs prove that sometimes the most delightful dishes come from elevating the familiar into something extraordinary!

Loaded Scandi Hot Dogs Recipe