Air Fryer Hot Pocket: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Cooking a hot pocket in an air fryer is a straightforward process that requires little prep. The air fryer should be preheated to a temperature between 350°F and 375°F, and the hot pockets should be placed in the basket with space between them. The cooking time varies depending on the air fryer model, but it generally takes between 4 and 15 minutes.

Preheat the air fryer to 350-375°F

Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in ensuring your hot pockets cook evenly and thoroughly. Depending on the make and model of your air fryer, the preheating time may vary, but as a general rule, you'll want to preheat your air fryer to somewhere between 350°F and 375°F. This temperature range is ideal for cooking hot pockets, as it will ensure they get crispy on the outside without becoming dry or overcooked on the inside.

To preheat your air fryer to 350°F, simply turn on your air fryer and set the temperature to 350°F. Most air fryers will have a preheat function, but if yours doesn't, you can simply set the temperature and wait a few minutes for it to heat up. Once the air fryer has reached the desired temperature, you can proceed with the next steps of cooking your hot pockets.

If you're using a different air fryer model or prefer a higher temperature, you can also preheat your air fryer to 375°F. The process is the same as preheating to 350°F, but you'll want to adjust the temperature setting accordingly. Preheating to a slightly higher temperature can be beneficial if you're cooking multiple hot pockets at once or if you prefer a crispier texture.

Regardless of the temperature you choose, it's important to give your air fryer adequate time to preheat. This ensures that the cooking environment is consistent and that your hot pockets will cook evenly. Depending on your air fryer's wattage and the ambient temperature, preheating to 350-375°F should take around 3-5 minutes. Once your air fryer has preheated, you can move on to the next steps of preparing and cooking your hot pockets.

Place hot pockets in the air fryer basket

Some recipes suggest lightly spraying the air fryer basket with oil before placing the hot pockets inside. However, other recipes say that this is not necessary.

Cook for 10-15 minutes

Cooking hot pockets in an air fryer is a straightforward process that requires little preparation. To begin, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (or 360°F or 375°F, depending on your preference). This should take around 3-5 minutes. Once preheated, lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Place 1 to 2 hot pockets in the basket, ensuring they are not touching and are in a single layer. If using more than one hot pocket, leave space between them. You can then lightly spray the tops of the hot pockets with oil.

Return the basket to the air fryer and cook for 10-15 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer and the desired level of doneness. For example, some recipes suggest cooking for 11-13 minutes, while others recommend 13-15 minutes. Keep an eye on your hot pockets and adjust the cooking time as needed.

Once the hot pockets are golden brown and crispy on the outside, carefully remove them from the air fryer using a spatula. Set them aside to cool for at least 5 minutes before enjoying. Serve with your favourite dipping sauce if desired.

Flip the hot pockets over

After cooking the hot pockets for four minutes, carefully remove the basket and use a spatula to flip the hot pockets over. Return the basket to the air fryer and cook for one to two minutes more, until your desired doneness is reached.

When flipping the hot pockets, it's important to be careful and use a spatula to avoid any potential mess or burning. You should also ensure that the hot pockets are not touching each other in the air fryer basket, as this will ensure even cooking and browning.

If you are cooking more than one hot pocket, it's a good idea to leave some space between them and keep them in a single layer. This will help ensure that they cook evenly and don't stick together.

Once you've flipped the hot pockets, return them to the air fryer and continue cooking until they reach your desired level of doneness. This could be anywhere from one to two minutes, depending on your preference and the power of your air fryer.

Some recipes suggest cooking the hot pockets for a longer period without flipping them. However, flipping the hot pockets over ensures that they cook evenly on both sides and helps to achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior.

Serve with dipping sauces

Once your hot pockets are cooked, you can serve them with your favourite dipping sauces. You can either buy these or make your own. If you want to make your own, you could try a simple cheese sauce, a spicy salsa, or a cool and refreshing yoghurt dip.

To make a cheese sauce, you'll need butter, flour, milk and cheese. Start by melting the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat. Next, add the flour and stir until it forms a paste. Gradually add the milk, stirring continuously, until the sauce thickens. Finally, add the cheese and stir until it has melted.

For a spicy salsa, you'll need tomatoes, onions, garlic, chillies, and lime juice. Finely chop all the ingredients and mix them together in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

To make a yoghurt dip, simply mix plain yoghurt with your choice of herbs, spices, and/or chopped vegetables. For example, you could try mint and cucumber for a refreshing dip, or garlic and paprika for something with a bit more kick.

Remember to allow your hot pockets to cool slightly before serving, and adjust the cooking time according to your air fryer. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions