Air fryer hot pockets are perfectly crispy and golden brown on the outside, warm and gooey on the inside, and a delightful treat for all.
Serves: 2 Time: 10-12 minutes Cookbook: Hot Pockets Online
Hot pockets are a classic staple in most homes, and they certainly were part of my childhood. Now, as an adult, I’m not afraid to say I indulge in pizza pockets or a breakfast hot pocket from time to time. But cooking them in the microwave has always left something lacking. The pocket would never crisp up enough, or it would cook on the ends and be lukewarm in the center. Thankfully, a new cooking method solves those irritations.
The air fryer is quickly becoming a favorite kitchen appliance, and we pull it out all the time. We’re able to create easy meals in less time than it takes to decide what to make each night. The hot air cooking process also cooks everything we throw at it to perfection. No more cold centers, soggy exteriors, or not-quite-cooked-perfectly food.
Now, let’s pull out that childhood classic hot pocket, and we’ll go from frozen to done in a few simple steps with easy step-by-step instructions.
Jump Ahead:
- ❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 🌯 Ingredients Needed to Make Hot Pockets in the Air Fryer
- 🍴 Equipment You’ll Need in the Kitchen
- 🥄 How to Make Air Fryer Hot Pockets
- ❓ Hot Pockets in the Air Fryer: Tips, Tricks, and FAQs
- ♾️ More Air Fryer Recipes
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Fast: Whether you need a quick lunch for yourself or your kids, you can beat a gooey hot pocket from time to time. And with the air fryer, you’ll sit down to enjoy your pocket full of melty mozzarella cheese and savory pizza sauce in no time.
Easy: Frozen hot pockets in the air fryer is about the easiest thing you can make when you’re in a hurry, pressed for time, or just plain out of dinner ideas. Take it out of the freezer, unwrap, air fry, and done.
Ingredients Needed to Make Hot Pockets in the Air Fryer
- Frozen Hot Pockets: This recipe works with any kind of hot pockets including homemade hot pockets or those from the grocery store. While we got our instructions from the original Hot Pocket makers, this works regardless of the specific brands you might have in the freezer.
Equipment Needed In the Kitchen
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Instant Read Thermometer (w/ extendable probe)
Buy Now →- Air Fryer: This recipe will work with any brand of air fryer. We have the Ninja Foodi and absolutely love it. The inserts are dishwasher safe and non-stick, and the unit can dehydrate, roast, and bake, in addition to air frying.
- Tongs: You’ll want a good pair of tongs to pull the hot pockets out of your air fryer. Silicon is ideal to keep from scratching the inside of your unit.
- Instant Read Thermometer: An instant-read thermometer is needed to check the internal temperature. We have the one featured here and use it regularly with air frying. The extendable probe wire is coated in silicon so you can leave the probe in your food with the drawer closed or the lid shut.
How to Make Air Fryer Hot Pockets
Making an air fryer hot pocket uses less time than the microwave and produces a perfectly browned, crispy exterior and a steaming hot filling. You can’t get much better than that!
Preheat your air fryer
First up, preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F. You’ll want to program your cook time for a total of 10-12 minutes.
While the air fryer gets hot, remove the hot pockets from any packaging, including the crisper sleeve.
When your air fryer is fully preheated and ready, place the hot pockets in a single layer in the air fryer basket for the best results. This allows the hot air to circulate evenly around the pockets and perfectly cook them.
Note: When using the air fryer method, you do not need to spray cooking spray on the basket or lay down parchment paper. Hot pockets shouldn’t stick to the tray at all.
Air fry the hot pockets
Start the cooking time and allow it to cook for 9-10 minutes. While air frying, the hot pockets will transition from pale, to slightly brown, to a delicious golden crispy hot pocket when done.
To confirm whether your perfect hot pocket is cooked through, check the internal temperature with an instant read thermometer. When the interior is 165 degrees F, the hot pocket is fully cooked and ready to eat!
If it’s not quite up to temperature, or you want an extra crispy crust, give it another minute and recheck.
Let sit for several minutes before serving. The inside of the hot pocket will be incredibly hot.
Note: The cook times for hot pockets are fairly standard, however different air fryers might require an altered amount of time. Go by the internal temperature to determine when your pocket is ready to pull.
Hot Pockets in the Air Fryer: Tips, Tricks, and FAQs
You can! Follow the steps above, but reduce the cooking time by half. Then, check to make sure the internal temperature is 165 degrees F and you’re good to go.
The air fryer can cook up each batch (around 4 pockets) in 10 minutes or so. However, the oven can do the job for about 24 pockets at the same time when placed on two baking sheets. If you have more than two batches to do, the oven is probably your best bet.
Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for a day or two. If you’re not going to consume them within a few days, pop them back into the freezer and plan on enjoying your delicious hot pockets at a later time.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
Whether you’re looking for a quick snack or a full meal, these go-to meals are perfect.
- Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Strips: This is a simple recipe for frozen-to-done chicken strips served in three ways
- Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks: Everyone’s favorite appetizer, serve them for snack or just because with the air fryer.
- Air Fryer Egg Rolls: Another fan-favorite appetizer, these whip up in minutes so you can feed your hungry crowd.
- Frozen Pot Pie in Air Fryer: Delicious pot pie is just minutes away thanks to the wonderful air fryer!
Perfect Hot Pockets in the Air Fryer
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: 2 Hot Pockets 1x
Description
Air fryer hot pockets are perfectly crispy and golden brown on the outside, warm and gooey on the inside, and a delightful treat for all.
Ingredients
2 Frozen Hot Pockets
Dipping sauces and condiments (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your air fryer
- First up, preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F. You’ll want to program your cook time for a total of 10-12 minutes.
- While the air fryer gets hot, remove the hot pockets from any packaging, including the crisper sleeve.
- When your air fryer is fully preheated and ready, place the hot pockets in a single layer in the air fryer basket for the best results. This allows the hot air to circulate evenly around the pockets and perfectly cook them.
Air fry the hot pockets
- Start the cooking time and allow it to cook for 9-10 minutes. While air frying, the hot pockets will transition from pale, to slightly brown, to a delicious golden crispy hot pocket when done.
- To confirm whether your perfect hot pocket is cooked through, check the internal temperature with an instant read thermometer. When the interior is 165 degrees F, the hot pocket is fully cooked and ready to eat!
- If it’s not quite up to temperature, or you want an extra crispy crust, give it another minute and recheck.
- Let sit for several minutes before serving. The inside of the hot pocket will be incredibly hot.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauces and condiments.
Notes
When using the air fryer method, you do not need to spray cooking spray on the basket or lay down parchment paper. Hot pockets shouldn’t stick to the tray at all.
The cook times for hot pockets are fairly standard, however different air fryers might require an altered amount of time. Go by the internal temperature to determine when your pocket is ready to pull.
- Prep Time: 2
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Everyday Cooking
- Method: Air FRy
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: air fryer frozen hot pockets, air fryer hot pockets, hot pockets in air fryer
