Cody Casey
Hot Pockets are a quick and easy snack that can be made even better by using an air fryer. While the microwave is the traditional method for cooking Hot Pockets, using an air fryer can create a super-crispy crust and evenly heated fillings. The air fryer is also faster than the oven and doesn't result in a soggy middle or burnt corners. To cook two Hot Pockets in an air fryer, first preheat the air fryer to 350-360°F. Place the Hot Pockets in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't touch, and cook for 10-18 minutes, flipping halfway through. For an extra crispy Hot Pocket, spray the tops with oil before placing them in the air fryer. Once cooked, remove the Hot Pockets from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
Cooking Two Hot Pockets in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preheat Air Fryer | 350°F for 3 minutes or 5 minutes |
| Oil the Air Fryer Basket | Lightly spray with oil |
| Place Hot Pockets | Top side up, not touching, in a single layer |
| Oil the Hot Pockets | Lightly spray with oil |
| Air Fry Time | 10-18 minutes, flipping halfway through |
| Internal Temperature | At least 165°F |
| Remove and Serve | Let cool slightly before serving |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in ensuring your hot pockets cook evenly and don't end up soggy. The ideal temperature to preheat your air fryer to is 350° Fahrenheit or 360° Fahrenheit. The latter is equivalent to 180° Celsius.
How long you preheat for depends on the desired crispiness of your hot pockets and the model of your air fryer. Most sources recommend preheating for three to five minutes. However, one source suggests preheating for only two minutes, while another recommends eight to ten minutes.
While preheating, you can prepare your hot pockets. First, unbox one to two hot pockets and place them on a piece of parchment paper. You can also lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil, although this is optional.
Once your air fryer is preheated, you can place the hot pockets inside and continue with the cooking process.
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Place the hot pockets in the air fryer
When you're ready to cook your hot pockets, the first thing you'll need to do is preheat your air fryer. Set it to 350°Fahrenheit (or 360°Fahrenheit, according to some sources) and leave it to heat up for three to five minutes.
Now it's time to place the hot pockets in the air fryer. First, lightly spray the air fryer basket with some oil. Then, place one to three hot pockets in the basket, depending on its size. Make sure they lie flat in a single layer and are not stacked, overlapped, or crowded. They should not be touching and need enough room to breathe. You can cook two to three hot pockets at a time, but any more and you'll need to cook in batches.
Some sources suggest spraying the tops of the hot pockets with oil, which will make them extra crispy, but this is optional.
Now you're ready to cook your hot pockets!
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Cook for 10-15 minutes
Once your air fryer is preheated, it's time to cook your hot pockets. Place your hot pockets inside the air fryer basket. Make sure they are lying flat and not overlapping or stacked. You can cook two to three hot pockets at a time, depending on the size of your air fryer. If you are cooking more than two, you will need to do this in batches.
Spraying the tops of the hot pockets with oil is optional but will make them extra crispy. You can also lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil before placing the hot pockets inside. Set your air fryer to 350°F or 360°F and cook for 10 to 15 minutes. Flip the hot pockets halfway through cooking to ensure they cook evenly.
The cooking time may vary depending on the flavour and the number of hot pockets you are cooking, so keep an eye on them to ensure they don't burn. You can use an instant-read thermometer to check that they are cooked through—the internal temperature should reach at least 165°F to ensure the filling is heated through.
When the hot pockets are golden brown and crispy, carefully remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for at least five minutes before serving. They will still be very hot on the inside, so be careful not to burn your mouth.
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Flip halfway through
Flipping your hot pockets halfway through the cooking process is a crucial step in ensuring they cook evenly. This technique helps to prevent the common issue of hot pockets being burnt on the outside and frozen on the inside. By flipping your hot pockets, you achieve a consistent level of doneness on both sides, resulting in a more enjoyable eating experience.
When cooking two hot pockets in an air fryer, it is recommended to set the temperature to 350°F to 360°F and cook them for a total of 10 to 13 minutes. At the halfway point, or around 5 minutes, you should flip the hot pockets. This timing is essential to ensure that your hot pockets don't end up overcooked or burnt.
The flipping process itself is straightforward. Using a spatula or tongs, carefully turn the hot pockets over so that the side that was facing down is now facing up, and vice versa. This simple action ensures that both sides of the hot pockets receive equal exposure to the heat, promoting even cooking.
After flipping your hot pockets, you can return them to the air fryer and continue cooking for the remaining 5 minutes or until they reach your desired level of doneness. Keep in mind that air fryers can vary in terms of cooking time, so it's always a good idea to keep an eye on your hot pockets to prevent overcooking.
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Let them cool before serving
Allowing your hot pockets to cool before serving is an important step for two reasons. Firstly, it ensures that you don't burn your mouth when taking that first bite. The crispy, crunchy, flaky crust of an air-fried hot pocket can be deceiving; the filling inside remains super hot and gooey for several minutes after cooking. Allowing the hot pocket to rest gives the molten cheese and steaming fillings time to cool down, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable eating experience.
Secondly, letting your hot pockets cool slightly before serving helps to ensure the structural integrity of your snack. The hot air circulating in the air fryer creates an irresistible, crispy crust, but this can also make the hot pocket more brittle. Allowing the hot pocket to cool for a few minutes before serving means that it will be less prone to cracking or crumbling when you bite into it. This is especially important if you've achieved a super crispy crust or if your hot pocket has a crunchy exterior.
The exact amount of time you should let your hot pockets cool for depends on the recipe and your air fryer settings. Most recipes recommend waiting for around 5 minutes, but this can vary depending on the fillings and cooking time. For example, a hot pocket cooked at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 11-13 minutes should be allowed to cool for at least 5 minutes, whereas a hot pocket cooked at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes should be allowed to cool for about 5 minutes.
If you're short on time, you can speed up the cooling process by removing the hot pockets from the air fryer basket and placing them on a wire rack or a plate. You can also use a kitchen towel or oven mitt to carefully hold the hot pockets, allowing more of the hot air to escape. However, it's important not to rush the cooling process too much, as this can affect the taste and texture of your hot pockets.
Finally, letting your hot pockets cool before serving gives you the opportunity to add some extra flavour with dipping sauces. Honey mustard sauce, ranch, Italian dressing with mustard, pizza sauce, and jalapeno cheese sauce are all great options to elevate your hot pocket-eating experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Set your air fryer to 350°F to 360°F.
Depending on the type of Hot Pocket, cook for 10 to 18 minutes.
It is recommended to preheat the air fryer for three minutes. Place the Hot Pockets, top side up, in a single layer without overcrowding the basket.
Remove the Hot Pockets from the air fryer and let them cool for about five minutes before serving.
