Hot Pocket Perfection: Air Fryer Style

Hot Pockets are a popular snack, but the traditional cooking methods of oven-baking or microwaving can often result in an unevenly cooked snack – burnt corners, soggy undersides, and lava-temperature cheese. However, cooking them in an air fryer seems to be a game-changer.

Air fryers promise to deliver a Hot Pocket with a crispy crust and an evenly heated filling, without the risk of deflation. The air fryer method is also quicker, taking only 10-15 minutes, and it doesn't require any oil, making it a healthier option.

To cook Hot Pockets in an air fryer, preheat the appliance to around 350-375°F, and cook for 10-15 minutes, depending on the number of Hot Pockets and the size of your air fryer. There's no need to flip them over, but keep an eye on them to ensure they don't burn.

So, if you're looking for a quick, easy, and crispy snack, making Hot Pockets in an air fryer could be the perfect solution.

Preheat the air fryer to 350-375°F

Preheating your air fryer is a good idea if you want to achieve a crispy and crunchy texture with fried or breaded foods. It's also a good idea if you want to reduce the overall cooking time. To preheat your air fryer to 350-375°F, follow these steps:

• Set the air fryer's temperature to 350-375°F.
• Leave the basket in the air fryer so that it can get nice and hot.
• Press the start or preheat button.
• Let the air fryer warm up to the desired temperature for a few minutes. This will usually take around 3-4 minutes, but smaller air fryers may preheat faster.
• Once the air fryer has reached the desired temperature, you can add your food and start cooking!

It's important to note that not all air fryers are the same, and cooking times may vary. So, be sure to keep an eye on your food to ensure it doesn't overcook or burn. Additionally, when cooking Hot Pockets, it's recommended to cook them in a single layer to ensure even cooking and extra crispiness.

Place the frozen hot pockets inside

To make hot pockets in an air fryer, you'll first want to preheat your air fryer to around 350-375°F. Then, it's time to place the frozen hot pockets inside.

Now, it's time to cook your hot pockets. For most air fryers, this will take around 10-13 minutes at 350-375°F. However, you may need to adjust the temperature and timing depending on your air fryer model. Check the internal temperature of your hot pockets with an instant-read thermometer—they should be at least 165°F. If you start to see the cheese bursting out, you'll know they're done!

Once they're golden brown and crispy, remove the hot pockets from the air fryer and let them cool for at least a minute before serving. Enjoy!

Cook for 10-15 minutes

Once you've preheated your air fryer and placed your Hot Pockets inside, it's time to cook them! Depending on the air fryer model and the number of Hot Pockets, the cooking time may vary between 10 and 15 minutes. For example, if you're cooking two Hot Pockets, you'll need to cook them for 10-12 minutes at 375°F. However, if you're cooking larger Big and Bold Hot Pockets, increase the cooking time to 13-15 minutes.

It's important to note that not all air fryers cook the same way, so keep an eye on your Hot Pockets to avoid overcooking or burning them. There's no need to flip them halfway through cooking, but do check to ensure even cooking on both sides.

If you're using a microwave to heat up your Hot Pockets before placing them in the air fryer, cook them for 60 seconds in the microwave, and then for 3-4 minutes in the air fryer at its highest setting.

The cooking time may also depend on your desired level of crispiness. For a super crispy crust, cook your Hot Pockets for 11-13 minutes at 350°F. If you're short on time, you can still achieve a nice crispy crust by cooking them for about 10 minutes at the same temperature.

Once the Hot Pockets are cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool down. They will be very hot on the inside, so it's important to let them cool for at least 5 minutes before enjoying them.

Now you know how to cook Hot Pockets in your air fryer! Enjoy your crispy and delicious treat.

Remove and let cool for 5 minutes

Once the hot pockets are cooked, they need to be removed from the air fryer and left to cool for five minutes. This is an important step as the hot pockets will be extremely hot, and the insides will be very hot and could burn your mouth. The hot pockets will still be hot after cooling, but this will make them a safer temperature to eat.

During the cooling time, you could prepare some extra toppings or sauces to go with your hot pockets. Some suggestions include:

• Ranch
• Italian dressing with mustard
• Pizza sauce
• Jalapeno cheese sauce
• Ketchup
• Extra cheese
• Herbs or spices
• Olive oil
• Sesame or poppy seeds
• Ranch or blue cheese for dipping
• Garlic powder
• Parmesan

Serve with a dipping sauce

There are many different sauces that you can serve with your air-fried hot pocket. Here are some ideas:

Dipping Sauces

If you want to dip your hot pocket, you could try queso dip, tomato marinara, ranch, Italian dressing with mustard, jalapeno cheese sauce, or honey mustard. You could also add some extra pizza sauce on the side.

Toppings

If you would rather top your hot pocket, you could sprinkle some extra cheese on top, such as parmesan or mozzarella, or add some herbs or spices to the crust. You could also drizzle a little olive oil on top for a shiny finish, or sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds for some crunch.

Frequently asked questions