Hot Dog Focaccia - Quick Easy Recipe

I had to try this hot dog focaccia the second I saw it pop up on Pillsbury’s Instagram. It’s originally their recipe, and the concept is just too fun not to make. But of course, I had to tweak it a little and make it my own.

This hot dog focaccia is simple, nostalgic, and honestly perfect for game day, backyard hangs, or an easy weeknight dinner. And once you add crispy mozzarella edges, you’ll never go back.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This hot dog focaccia is one of those recipes that looks impressive but couldn’t be easier. It uses store-bought French bread dough, which keeps things simple and reliable.

It’s also incredibly customizable. You can load it up with classic hot dog toppings or keep it plain and let everyone build their own slice.

And the crispy cheese edges. That alone makes this hot dog focaccia worth the extra few minutes in the oven.

Originally From Pillsbury

Pilsbury's version calls for baking 18–20 minutes at 400°F. In my experience, though, it took closer to 30–35 minutes.

That’s likely because I added shredded mozzarella around the edges, which creates a crispy, golden cheese crust that needs a little more time to fully cook. Trust me, that upgrade is absolutely worth it.

Ingredients and Tools

For this hot dog focaccia, you’ll need two tubes of French bread dough. I used Pillsbury, but any similar 13.8 oz dough will work.

You’ll also need olive oil, Italian seasoning, flaky salt, shredded mozzarella cheese, and 8 hot dogs. Then just grab your favorite toppings like ketchup, mustard, chopped onions, and relish for serving.

A 13x9-inch baking dish works perfectly for this recipe.

How To Make Hot Dog Focaccia

Prep

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. Coat your 13x9-inch baking dish with ¼ cup of olive oil, making sure the bottom and sides are well covered.

Unroll both tubes of French bread dough and press them into the dish. Push the dough all the way to the edges and firmly pinch the seams together so there are no gaps.

Dimple the dough all over with your fingertips. Let it rest in the pan for about 30 minutes so it can relax and puff slightly.

Season and Assemble

After the dough has rested, dimple it again. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle evenly with Italian seasoning and flaky salt.

Now for the upgrade. Line the outer edges of the dough with shredded mozzarella cheese. As this hot dog focaccia bakes, that cheese melts into the olive oil and crisps up against the pan, creating those golden, crispy edges.

Nestle the 8 hot dogs into the dough in two rows of four. Gently press them down so they sit snugly in place.

Bake

Place the pan into your 400°F oven. Pillsbury notes 18–20 minutes for their version of hot dog focaccia, but mine took closer to 30–35 minutes.

Bake until the top is golden brown and the dough is fully cooked through. Cooking times can vary slightly depending on your oven, especially with the added cheese around the edges.

If the top is browning too quickly, you can loosely tent it with foil toward the end.

Serve

Let the hot dog focaccia cool for about 5 minutes before slicing. This helps everything set up a bit and makes for cleaner cuts.

Slice into squares or strips, then top with ketchup, mustard, chopped onions, and relish. Serve warm and watch it disappear.

Serving Tips and Variations

You can swap regular hot dogs for all-beef, turkey, or even cheddar-filled dogs. This hot dog focaccia works with whatever you like.

If you want to take it further, brush the crust with garlic butter when it comes out of the oven. Or sprinkle a little extra cheese over the top during the last few minutes of baking.

You could even turn this into a chili cheese version by spooning chili over the sliced pieces and adding shredded cheddar on top.

Pro Tips

Make sure you really press and seal the seams of the dough. Any gaps can cause uneven baking.

Don’t skip the second round of dimpling after the dough rests. That step helps keep the texture light and gives it that classic focaccia look.

And if you’re debating whether the extra bake time for the crispy mozzarella edges is worth it, it is. That cheesy crust takes this hot dog focaccia from fun to unforgettable.

Wrap Up

This hot dog focaccia is one of those recipes that feels playful but still totally satisfying. It’s easy, crowd-friendly, and built on a solid idea from Pillsbury that’s fun to riff on.

With the crispy cheese upgrade and a little extra bake time, this version brings even more flavor and texture to the table.

If you make this hot dog focaccia, let me know how you top yours. I’m always looking for new ways to level it up.