Homemade hot dogs for children. Healthy recipe from chicken meat, with tricks for a tender texture

For parents seeking a healthier alternative to store-bought hot dogs, a recipe for homemade chicken hot dogs offers a nutritious option for children. These artisanal sausages are prepared without the additives, preservatives, and high salt content often found in commercial products, addressing common parental concerns about processed foods.

The recipe, inspired by platforms like Healthy Little Foodies and Baby Foode, focuses on using simple ingredients. It suggests using boneless chicken thigh or a mix of thigh and breast meat. For children under one year old, no salt is recommended, while older children can have a small amount of salt and tolerated spices, with a doctor's permission.

Preparation involves cubing the chicken and chilling it thoroughly to facilitate blending into a very fine, homogeneous paste. The mixture is then divided and shaped using high-temperature resistant food wrap, baking paper, or natural casings. A key technique for achieving a tender texture, similar to commercial hot dogs, is the use of very cold water or crushed ice during the blending process to help form an emulsion and prevent the mixture from overheating.

The hot dogs are then cooked by simmering in water below 85 degrees Celsius (not boiling) for 20-25 minutes. After cooling, the casings are removed. For older children, they can be lightly browned in a non-stick pan. Homemade chicken hot dogs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days or frozen for up to two months.