Air Frying Hot Pockets: Is It Possible?

Hot Pockets are a popular snack, but the microwave and oven cooking methods can often lead to disappointing results, with soggy, oily, or unevenly cooked pockets. Air fryers offer a solution to this problem, providing a quick, easy, and convenient way to cook Hot Pockets with a crisp, flaky, and golden crust.

How to make hot pockets in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• 1 can crescent roll dough
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup ham
• 1 egg
• Water

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F for 5 minutes.
• Open the crescent roll tube and unroll the pastry. Separate the 4 perforated rectangles and pinch together the triangle seams in the centre of each one to create 4 rectangles of crescent pastry dough.
• Place 1/4 cup of cheese and 1/4 cup of ham down the centre of each piece.
• Stretch the edges of the dough out, ensuring there is no ham or cheese near the edges. Then, fold over each rectangle (long side to long side) and use a fork to press the edges together.
• Line the bottom of the air fryer with parchment paper and spray it with oil.
• Brush both sides of each pocket with the beaten egg/water mixture.
• Place as many pockets as will fit with space between them. It is best to cook no more than two at a time as they are easier to flip and ensure the bottom side cooks properly.
• Bake for 5 minutes at 350°F. Flip them and bake for another 5 minutes.
• Be sure to leave space between your hot pockets in the air fryer. The crust will puff up slightly, and you want the hot air to touch the dough so it can get flaky and golden.
• Every air fryer cooks a little differently, so keep an eye on your hot pockets as they cook. Watch for the dough to turn a perfect golden brown colour. If they start to look overcooked, remove them from the air fryer.

Tips:

• The parchment paper helps to ensure the hot pockets do not stick to the bottom of the air fryer basket. If you don’t have any, spray the basket well and try to lift them off the bottom a few times throughout the cooking process.
• If you want to make one big hot pocket, you can press two pieces of dough together and fill it with twice the ingredients.
• You can customise your hot pockets by using turkey and Swiss cheese, chicken and ricotta, or even pizza toppings like pizza sauce, pepperoni, and mozzarella. You can also add vegetables, but it is a good idea to pre-cook them first.
• You can dip your hot pockets in almost anything! For ham and cheese hot pockets, we love to dip them in ranch dressing. You can also use mustard, salsa, pizza sauce, or even BBQ sauce depending on your filling.
• You don't need to use the egg wash if you prefer not to, but your hot pockets may be less golden in colour.

Reheating and storing hot pockets

Hot pockets are a convenient and tasty snack, perfect for a quick bite. While they can be reheated in a microwave, using an air fryer will give them a crispier texture.

To reheat hot pockets in an air fryer, first preheat your air fryer to 350-360 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, place the frozen hot pockets inside the air fryer without the crisper sleeve. You don't need to flip them over halfway. Air fry for 10-15 minutes, depending on the number of hot pockets and the air fryer model. For example, one hot pocket may take 11-13 minutes, while two hot pockets may take 16-18 minutes.

If you're short on time, you can cook the hot pocket in the microwave for 60 seconds and then finish it off in the air fryer at its highest setting for 3-4 minutes.

Once the hot pockets are done, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for at least 5 minutes before consuming. They will be very hot on the inside.

Hot pockets can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in the air fryer at 350-360 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes, or until they are crispy and warm throughout.

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Hot Pockets:

• Preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking and a higher cooking temperature.
• Only cook as many hot pockets as can fit in a single layer to allow for even cooking and extra crispiness.
• Let the hot pocket cool for at least 5 minutes before eating to avoid burning your mouth.
• For added flavor, dip your hot pockets in ranch, Italian dressing, mustard, pizza sauce, or jalapeno cheese sauce.

How to get the best results

Preheat Your Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F or 360°F for 5 minutes. This will ensure your hot pocket cooks at the highest temperature for the longest time.

Prepare the Hot Pocket

Remove the hot pocket from its crisper pouch. You don't need to use the crisper sleeve when cooking in the air fryer. Place the hot pocket in the air fryer basket, top side up. You can brush the hot pocket with butter or spray with oil, but this is not necessary as it will turn out great without.

Cook the Hot Pocket

Air fry for 10-15 minutes, depending on how many hot pockets you are cooking. If cooking two hot pockets, place them separately and cook for 15 minutes. There is no need to flip the hot pocket over halfway through. The hot pocket is ready when the crust is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Let the Hot Pocket Cool

Let the hot pocket cool for at least 5 minutes before eating. The inside will be very hot, so this step is important to avoid burning your mouth.

Experiment with Flavours and Toppings

Hot pockets are typically served as a complete meal, but you can serve them with a side salad, chips, air fryer waffle fries, or fruit. Experiment with different types and flavours of hot pockets, and get creative with toppings and sauces. You can sprinkle extra cheese on top for a gooey finish, or add herbs, spices, olive oil, sesame seeds, or poppy seeds. For dipping, try ranch, blue cheese, pizza sauce, salsa, mustard, or BBQ sauce.

Customising your hot pockets

Hot pockets are a convenient and tasty snack, and customising them to your taste is a fun and creative process. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Fillings

You can fill your hot pockets with a variety of ingredients, such as:

• Turkey and Swiss cheese
• Chicken and ricotta cheese
• Pizza toppings like sauce, pepperoni, and mozzarella
• Vegetables (pre-cooked)
• BBQ beef and onion
• Creamy garlic mushrooms
• Spinach and ricotta
• Pesto chicken
• Sausage and egg

Dips

You can dip your hot pockets in a variety of sauces, such as:

• Ranch dressing
• Mustard
• Salsa
• Pizza sauce
• BBQ sauce

Vegetarian options

To make vegetarian hot pockets, check the ingredients on your dough packaging to ensure they are vegetarian-friendly. Fill with tomato sauce and vegetables like peppers, mushrooms, or broccoli. Pre-cook the vegetables and remove any visible water before placing them inside the dough.

Gluten-free options

Use gluten-free pizza dough and gluten-free pepperoni for a gluten-free option.

Dipping suggestions

There are many different sauces and dips that can accompany your air-fried hot pocket. Here are some suggestions:

• Ranch dressing
• Mustard
• Salsa
• Pizza sauce
• BBQ sauce
• Marinara sauce
• Ketchup
• Honey mustard
• Cheese sauce
• Chili flakes
• Ranch or blue cheese
• Parmesan
• Garlic powder
• Sesame or poppy seeds

You can also add toppings to your hot pocket, such as:

• Extra cheese
• Herbs
• Olive oil
• Butter
• Garlic powder
• Parmesan or mozzarella cheese

Frequently asked questions