Air Fryer Pizza Pockets: How Long To Fry?

Pizza pockets are a quick and easy snack, perfect for those short on time. But how long do they need in the air fryer? The answer depends on the brand of pizza pocket and the power of your air fryer. However, on average, it takes between 10 and 15 minutes to cook pizza pockets in an air fryer. For an extra crispy crust, brush or spray the pockets with cooking oil before cooking. And remember, the filling will be very hot, so let them cool for a few minutes before serving.

How to get the perfect crispy crust

Getting a perfect crispy crust on your pizza pockets is easy with an air fryer. Here are some tips to ensure you get the best results:

Preheat Your Air Fryer

Preheating your air fryer for a few minutes before adding the pizza pockets is essential for even cooking and achieving that sought-after crispy crust. Most air fryers only need a short preheat time of around 2 to 5 minutes.

Use Cooking Spray or Oil

Lightly spraying the exterior of the pizza pockets with cooking spray or brushing them with oil is an optional step, but it can significantly enhance the crispiness of the crust. This step helps the dough crisp up more quickly and gives it a deep-fried taste.

Don't Overcrowd the Basket

Always arrange the pizza pockets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't touch or overlap. Overcrowding the basket can lead to uneven cooking, so it's best to cook in batches if you have multiple pizza pockets.

Flip Them Halfway Through

Flipping the pizza pockets halfway through the cooking process ensures that both sides of the crust brown evenly. This step helps prevent a soggy bottom and gives you a uniformly crispy crust.

Experiment with Seasonings

Adding seasonings or herbs to the pizza pockets before air frying can boost flavour and crispiness. Try sprinkling garlic powder, onion powder, or Italian seasoning on top for a delicious twist.

Let Them Rest

Allow the pizza pockets to rest for a minute or two after cooking. The fillings can be extremely hot, and this short resting period helps prevent burns when you take a bite.

By following these simple tips, you'll be able to enjoy perfectly crispy pizza pockets straight from your air fryer!

How to make pizza pockets from scratch

Pizza pockets are a fun and easy snack to make, and they can be made in big batches to be frozen and reheated later. They are also highly customisable, so you can fill them with whatever you like. Here is a simple recipe for pizza pockets made from scratch.

Ingredients:

• Pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
• Fillings of your choice (e.g. pizza sauce, pepperoni, sausage, cheese, vegetables, meat)
• Olive oil
• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Flour
• Butter
• Eggs
• Milk

Steps:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. If you are using an oven, preheat to 425°F or 450°F.
• Prepare your pizza dough by rolling it out into a thin, large square or rectangle. You can use a tube of refrigerated pizza crust, or make your own dough from scratch by combining flour, parmesan cheese, salt, baking powder, Italian seasoning, eggs, milk, and butter.
• Cut the dough into squares.
• Place your desired fillings in the centre of each square. Be careful not to overstuff, and keep the fillings away from the edges.
• Fold the corners of the squares towards the centre, forming triangles, and seal the edges by pressing them together with your fingers or a fork.
• Brush the tops of the pizza pockets with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder and Italian seasoning. You can also brush with an egg wash (a mixture of whisked egg and water) for a darker, shinier colour.
• Place the pizza pockets in the air fryer in a single layer, or on a greased cookie sheet or baking tray if using an oven. Make sure they are not overlapping.
• Cook for 10-15 minutes in the air fryer, or 10-15 minutes in the oven, until the dough is golden brown and firm, and the fillings are hot.
• Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.

Tips:

• If you are making your own dough, add eggs to the mixture to make the dough softer and fluffier.
• You can freeze any leftover pizza pockets and reheat them in the air fryer or oven for a quick and easy snack or meal.
• Experiment with different fillings to find your favourite combinations!

How to store and reheat pizza pockets

Pizza pockets are a convenient snack or meal, and can be easily cooked in an air fryer. If you have any pizza pockets left over, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Reheating Pizza Pockets

To reheat pizza pockets, preheat your air fryer to 350°F and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until warmed through and crispy. You can also reheat pizza pockets in the microwave for 60 seconds, and then finish them off in the air fryer at its highest setting for 3 to 4 minutes.

Cooking Pizza Pockets from Frozen

If you are cooking frozen pizza pockets, there is no need to thaw them first. Simply preheat your air fryer to 350°F and cook for 11-13 minutes. There is no need to flip them over halfway through.

Tips for Cooking Pizza Pockets in an Air Fryer

• Preheat your air fryer for a few minutes to ensure even cooking and a crispy crust.
• Use cooking spray for a crispier crust.
• Arrange pizza pockets in a single layer in the air fryer basket to avoid overcrowding and ensure even cooking.
• Let the pizza pockets rest for a minute or two after cooking to prevent burns, as the filling can be very hot.
• Experiment with seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, or Italian seasoning to add extra flavor.

How to get the perfect gooey centre

Pizza pockets are a great snack, and cooking them in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a crispy crust and a gooey centre. Here are some tips to help you achieve the perfect gooey centre every time.

Pre-heat your air fryer

Although some recipes suggest cooking pizza pockets from cold, most recommend pre-heating your air fryer to around 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes. This will help to ensure your pizza pockets cook evenly.

Don't overcrowd the basket

Arrange your pizza pockets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't touch or overlap. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking, so you may need to cook in batches.

Lightly spray with oil

Lightly spraying your pizza pockets with cooking oil will help the dough to crisp up and give a deep-fried taste. However, this step is optional.

Cooking time

Cooking times vary depending on the brand and size of your air fryer, but on average, pizza pockets will take between 10 and 15 minutes to cook. Check the pockets after 10 minutes and adjust the cooking time as needed. Remember that the filling will be very hot, so allow the pockets to cool for a few minutes before serving.

Check the internal temperature

To ensure your pizza pockets are cooked safely, use an instant-read thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the filling is 165°F or above.

Let them rest

Allow your pizza pockets to rest for a minute or two after cooking. This will give the fillings a chance to cool down slightly and prevent burns.

Experiment with toppings

While you might automatically reach for the pepperoni, why not try something different? You can add extra cheese, herbs, or seasonings to your pizza pockets before cooking. How about trying some chopped pepperoni, crumbled sausage, veggies, bacon, or even pineapple and ham?

How to cook pizza pockets without an air fryer

Pizza pockets can be cooked in an air fryer in around 11-15 minutes, but what if you don't have an air fryer? Here are some alternative methods to cook pizza pockets without an air fryer:

Oven

Pizza pockets can be cooked in the oven, but this method can take up to 30 minutes, which is significantly longer than using an air fryer. To cook pizza pockets in the oven, follow these steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Place the pizza pockets on a baking sheet or tray.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and crispy.
• Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Microwave

The microwave is the quickest way to cook pizza pockets, taking just 60 seconds. However, the results may not be as crispy as the air fryer or oven methods. To cook pizza pockets in the microwave:

• Place one pizza pocket on a microwave-safe plate.
• Microwave on high for 60 seconds.
• Carefully remove from the microwave, as the filling will be very hot.
• Let cool for a minute or two before serving.

Stovetop

Pizza pockets can also be cooked on the stovetop using a pan or skillet. This method allows you to get a crispy crust without an air fryer. Here's how to do it:

• Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat.
• Place one pizza pocket in the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the crust is golden brown and crispy.
• Remove from the pan and let cool slightly before serving.

Combination Methods

For a crispier crust, you can combine the microwave and stovetop methods. Simply microwave the pizza pocket for 30 seconds to thaw it slightly, then cook it in a pan on the stovetop for a few minutes until the crust is crispy.

Alternatively, you can also partially cook the pizza pocket in the microwave (about 45 seconds), then finish it off in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes. This combination method results in a crispy crust and melted cheese filling.

Frequently asked questions