Air Fryer Magic: Perfect Hot Pockets, Every Time

Hot Pockets are a quick and easy snack that can be made in an air fryer. The air fryer is the best way to get a crispy, crunchy, flaky hot pocket with a gooey, molten centre. The air fryer method is faster than a conventional oven and delivers a more even cook than a microwave.

To make Hot Pockets in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 350-375°F. Place the frozen hot pockets in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them. Spray the hot pockets with oil or cooking spray, then cook for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown.

Preheat the air fryer to 350-375°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in ensuring your hot pocket cooks evenly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, preheat it to between 350°F and 375°F. This should take around 3-5 minutes.

While your air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your hot pockets. Take them out of the freezer and remove the crisper sleeve. Place the frozen hot pockets, top side up, in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not touching.

Once the air fryer has preheated, place the basket inside and set a timer for 10-15 minutes. Check your hot pockets regularly to ensure they don't overcook. You'll know they're done when the cheese starts to burst out of the sides or when they turn a beautiful golden brown.

When the timer goes off, use an instant-read thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the hot pockets has reached at least 165°F. This is important to ensure the filling is heated through.

Finally, remove the hot pockets from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before enjoying. Be careful, as the inside of the hot pocket will be very hot!

Place frozen hot pockets in the air fryer

To make hot pockets in an air fryer, start by preheating your air fryer to 350-375°F for about 5 minutes. Then, place the frozen hot pockets in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded and are in a single layer. It is not necessary to spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray as the hot pockets will not stick. However, you can spray the tops of the hot pockets with oil to make them extra crispy. Set the air fryer temperature to 360-375°F and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the hot pockets are golden brown and crispy.

Let the hot pockets cool for at least 5 minutes before serving as the inside will be very hot. You can also place them inside the crisper sleeves to enjoy. The internal temperature of the hot pockets should reach at least 165°F to ensure the filling is heated through.

You can experiment with different types and flavors of hot pockets and get creative with additional toppings and sauces. For example, try sprinkling some extra cheese on top for a gooey finish, or add some herbs or spices to the crust before air frying for extra flavor.

No need for cooking spray

How to Make Hot Pockets in an Air Fryer Without Cooking Spray

Hot Pockets are a quick and easy snack that can be made in an air fryer without the need for cooking spray. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer

Firstly, you will need to preheat your air fryer. Set the temperature to 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit and preheat for about 3-5 minutes. This step is important as it ensures even cooking and a crispy crust.

Step 2: Prepare the Hot Pockets

Take the desired number of Hot Pockets out of their packaging and place them in the air fryer basket. Make sure to leave space between each Hot Pocket and avoid overcrowding the basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.

Step 3: Cook the Hot Pockets

Cook the Hot Pockets at the preheated temperature of 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes. There is no need to flip them over halfway through the cooking time. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don't overcook.

Step 4: Check for Doneness

Your Hot Pockets are done when they are golden brown and crispy on the outside. The fillings should be hot and fully cooked. If you want to be extra sure, you can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the filling. It should be at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Carefully remove the Hot Pockets from the air fryer and let them cool down for a minute or two before serving. The fillings can be very hot, so this step is important to prevent burns. Serve your air fryer Hot Pockets with your favorite dipping sauces, such as marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or ketchup.

Tips for Making Hot Pockets in an Air Fryer Without Cooking Spray:

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the Hot Pockets in a single layer to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• Preheat your air fryer to ensure the best results.
• Keep an eye on the Hot Pockets towards the end of the cooking time to prevent overcooking or burning.
• Let the Hot Pockets cool down slightly before serving to avoid burning your mouth.

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 you're cooking, you'll need to adjust the cooking time and temperature slightly.

For one Hot Pocket, set your air fryer to 360°F and cook for 13 minutes. For two Hot Pockets, keep the temperature the same but increase the cooking time to 15 minutes. Make sure the Hot Pockets are placed separately and not touching each other.

If you're cooking two Hot Pockets in a compact air fryer, you might need to increase the cooking time to 16 minutes. It's also worth noting that different flavours of Hot Pockets may have slightly different cooking instructions, so always check the box before cooking.

While cooking, keep an eye on your Hot Pockets. If you start to see the cheese bursting out, it's definitely done! You might want to stop just before that happens to avoid a mess.

Once the Hot Pockets are golden brown on the outside and have reached an internal temperature of at least 165°F, they're ready! Let them cool slightly before serving and enjoying.

Let cool before serving

Letting your hot pockets cool before serving is an important step in the cooking process. This is because the inside of the hot pocket can be extremely hot, and you risk burning your mouth if you don't wait. The hot pockets will still be hot and crispy after cooling for a few minutes, so it's definitely worth the wait!

The exact amount of time you should let your hot pockets cool will depend on the recipe you've followed and your air fryer. Some recipes suggest letting the hot pockets cool for at least 5 minutes, while others recommend waiting just a few minutes. It's important to use your judgement and be careful not to burn yourself.

While you're waiting for your hot pockets to cool, you could prepare some dipping sauces or sides. Some popular dipping sauces include ranch, Italian dressing with mustard, pizza sauce, jalapeno cheese sauce, and ketchup. You could also serve your hot pockets with a side salad, chips, air fryer waffle fries, or fruit for a more balanced meal.

If you're short on time, you can speed up the cooling process by transferring your hot pockets to a wire rack. This will allow air to circulate around them, helping them to cool down faster. However, it's important not to rush the cooling process too much, as you don't want to ruin your enjoyment of your hot pockets by burning your mouth.

Once your hot pockets have cooled slightly, it's time to serve and enjoy! Take a bite and savour the crispy crust and gooey, hot filling. Just be careful not to burn your mouth, as the filling can be very hot even after cooling.

Frequently asked questions