Air fryers are magical devices, seemingly being able to cook anything and everything within a short amount of time.
There are not many types of food that can’t be cooked in an air fryer.
Hot Pockets are those nostalgic treats that take us way back to our childhoods whenever we take a bite.
They taste just as good as they used to, if not better!
Whether you’re popping them in the oven, or just putting them in the microwave for a couple of minutes, you can rest assured knowing that you won’t have to wait long to enjoy them.
They’re just as handy to snack on as microwave bagel bites, but even more filling!
What if we told you that there was a quicker and easier way to cook Hot Pockets?
Not only that, but you can cook them in a way that makes the exterior shell firmer and crispier, with even heat disruption throughout.
If you have your own air fryer, we highly recommend that you use it to cook your Hot Pockets. Once you try it once, you won’t be able to turn back!
In this article, we will teach you all you need to know about cooking Hot Pockets in an air fryer. It is so simple and easy, and takes little to no time at all.
So, let’s get started! Here is how to cook Hot Pockets in an air fryer.
What Is A Hot Pocket? And How Do You Cook Them?
Since the late 80s, the American brand of microwaveable turnovers known as Hot Pockets can be found in the freezer aisle in most supermarkets.
These turnovers typically contain cheese, meat, or vegetables.
These snacks may be warmed and utilized as a pizza shell. They are basically a kind of pizza crust folded over.
They become gooey on the interior and firm and crunchy on the exterior when warmed up and cooked.
If you prepare your own hot pockets, they can also be a terrific way to reheat food that you already have in the fridge or freezer.
You can slice and dice leftovers from the freezer and top them with your preferred garnishes.
Making hot pockets is a terrific method to prepare quick, portable lunches.
Additionally, there are a lot of similar style frozen foods to these pocket sandwiches. Take these air fryer frozen empanadas for example, which feature chimichurri and chicken in a flaky pastry crust.
Hot Pockets are typically cooked in the oven or in a microwave oven, and only take a couple of minutes to warm up.
However, there are other seemingly unconventional methods that you can use to heat up a couple of Hot Pockets…
How To Cook Hot Pockets In An Air Fryer?
While most people prefer to cook their Hot Pockets in the microwave or in an oven, there is a quicker and more convenient way to warm those tasty snacks up: using an air fryer.
After all, is there anything an air fryer can’t cook?
Not only can it be easier to cook them in this way, but it will also ensure that the Hot Pockets are crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle, rather than remaining mushy all over.
It is also much easier to clean up after you have cooked.
There are so many benefits to cooking Hot Pockets in an air fryer that, if you ask us, there is no better way of doing it!
Below, we have created a step-by-step guide on how you can warm up some tasty Hot Pockets in your own air fryer.
Step 1: Assembling The Ingredients
If you are using store bought Hot Pockets, they are the only ingredients that you will need.
If you are making your own from scratch, prepare them first, and assemble to create your own homemade Hot Pockets.
Once you have the final product prepared, place them in the air fryer.
Make sure they are separated so that they don’t merge together as they heat up.
Step 2: Set Up The Air Fryer
The next thing you should check is that your air fryer is set up properly.
You must adjust the thermostat to the air fryer setting of 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). If your air fryer only increments in even numbers, then use 380 degrees.
The Hot Pockets should then cook for between ten and fifteen minutes.
Step 3: Cooking Time
Now all you need to do is wait for them to cook!
If you like, you can flip the Hot Pockets halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking throughout.
Once the timer has gone off, you can remove the Hot Pockets from the air fryer. Wait for them to cool down before eating!
Even if the outside temperature seems to be fairly cool, the insides may still be scalding hot, so be cautious when biting into one.
They’re almost as tricky as microwave pizza rolls, which are also made of lava in the middle. Well, at least my tongue says it’s lava!
Final Thoughts
So, there we have it! That is how you can heat up some Hot Pockets in your own air fryer, saving time and energy.
We personally, recommend using this method to cook your Hot Pockets, as it makes all the difference in terms of texture.
The outside becomes so much crispier and firmer, whereas cooking Hot Pockets in the oven or microwave may cause the dough to remain somewhat mushy and soft.
It takes little to no time to prepare some Hot Pockets in an air fryer, and the cleanup afterwards is even easier.
If you’re looking for a quick, easy way to whip up Hot Pockets, you should definitely try out this method.
For another crispy pizza snack, learn how to cook Bagel Bites in the air fryer!
We hope you found this article helpful and useful.
Happy cooking!
Air Fryer Hot Pockets
Equipment
- Tongs or spatula
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F, following manufacturer guidelines
- Remove Hot Pocket from all packaging1 Frozen Hot Pocket
- Place the Hot Pocket in the preheated air fryer basket
- Cook at 375°F for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through using the tongs or spatula
Notes
- Allow 2-3 minutes to cool before eating
- If your air fryer only has even temperatures, use 380°F instead
- You can make up to 2 pockets in an air fryer basket at a time, just allow space between them for even air circulation
- When cooking more than 1 Hot Pocket, add 2-3 minutes to cook time
- Do not use the crisping packages included in the box – those are for microwave use only
Nutrition
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
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