This is a very old Classic East Coast Hot Dog recipe with bread, that are called Winkies. These Hot Dogs are served on bread that is folded over to act as the bun. Winky Hot Dogs are traditionally cooked in the oven until toasted to your liking, with a tooth pick to hold the bread together. But another way is to do them on the Stove top, much like a Grilled Cheese Hot Dog, with a slice of Cheddar Cheese. A trick (wink) to avoid the bread breaking, is to either steam or place them into the microwave to soften and make it more pliable so it doesn’t break or split when folding over.

Winkies Ingredients

Winkies are made with just buttered white bread and hot dogs. You can add Cheese and top them off with anything, just the same as hot dogs.

White Bread

Just regular white bread is used. Although most time than not, the bread will be too dry to fold over without splitting. A trick for that is to pop the bread into the microwave for about 20–30 seconds. You could also steam them, but the microwave is much faster. This ensures the bread is pliable and won’t break when folding over.

There are a few benefits to using a loaf of bread for hot dog buns instead of hot dog buns.

• Price: You get more bang for your buck using bread as hot dog buns. Since sliced bread will usually contain about 3x times as much for about the same price as hot dog buns.
• Versatility: Sliced Bread can be used not only for Hot Dogs. But Hamburger Buns, Grilled Cheese, Garlic Bread and more. Whereas, Hot Dog buns are pretty much used for just Hot Dogs or Sausages.
• Less Bready: Hot Dog buns are more bready than sliced bread used for Winkies. This is why those straight cut hot dog buns were so popular. They were less bready and could be toasted. But now you can’t find them anywhere.

Winky Spread

Use Mayo or Butter on the side that will face outwards. This allows it to toast up nicely, whether in the oven or stove top. Stack the bread on a plate, buttered side down.

Garlic Butter or Garlic Sauce can also be used and especially good as a Pizza Dog. To make this, brush the bread with Garlic Butter and soften so it is pliable. Slather on Pizza Sauce, Pepperoni, Hot Dog and top with cheese. Transfer to the oven to bake with a toothpick inserted into each Pizza Winky so they stay together as they bake.

Hot Dogs

Any kind of Hot Dogs you like. If you’re making oven Winkies, then add the hotdogs to a small pan with some fat and place into the oven at 450 F until done to your liking. Fry them in the frying pan over medium heat with a bit of fat, if making Winkies stove top. If using Prime Angus, remove the skin before cooking.

Once your hot dogs are fried up. Soften your bread, and you’re ready to assemble your Winkies.

Toppings

The Topping are separated into two categories; those that are cooked and those that are placed on afterward.

Cooked Toppings

Cooked toppings include items like Cheese, Bacon Bits, Onions. The inside can be slathered with Cheese Whiz, a Cheese Slice or shredded cheese before placing the cooked hot dogs on. Other cooked toppings may include, seared Mushrooms, Jalapeños, diced Peppers, Meat fillings like Sloppys or Chili, Ham Slices or other deli meats.

Condiments

The uncooked toppings or cold condiments include your Ketchup & Mustard. Although sometimes I do include Ketchup or Mustard as a cooked topping or condiment. Other condiments include Mayo, Sriracha, or Relish. Including our very own Relish that uses Homemade Pickled Cucumbers and comes in three different styles; Red, White & Yellow.

Oven Winkies

For Oven Winkies, place the Bread on a baking sheet with the mayo or buttered side facing down. Optionally place cheese on the topside before placing the cooked hot dog in. Fold over the bread and hold it in place with a toothpick. Bake until toasted to your liking.

Panini Hot Dogs

You can also just grill them in a panini press to your liking. Cook the Hot Dogs first, and place them in the bread to transfer back to the Panini Press to cook until toasted to your liking.

Stove Top Winkies

For Stove Top Winkies, place the Hot Dog on a slice of bread and transfer to a skillet over medium heat or just a tad below. Place them into the pan and fold over one side to cook like a grilled cheese hot dog. Just a few minutes until toasted to your liking. Flip it over to toast the other side.

With a pair of Tongs, you can stand each one up after both side have been toasted to toast the bottom and help it sit flat.