You know you can’t go wrong with a classic, old fashioned, nostalgic Hot Pocket! Now you don’t even need to pop them in the microwave, instead, learn How to Make Hot Pockets in the Air Fryer and you’ll end up with perfectly crispy, hot and golden brown Hot Pockets every single time.
Ditch the microwave and see just how easy it is to pop these bad boys in the basket or tray of your Air Fryer and crisp and warm them up to perfection.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy enough for kids to make
- Super simple quick lunch or after school snack
- Great way to make sure that they get used instead of getting freezer burnt in the microwave
- No need to wait for them to thaw out either
Ingredients Needed
The ingredient list for this is super short, you really don’t need much for making these:
- simply grab a box of your favorite Hot Pockets
- some cooking spray
- And, of course, your Air Fryer. That’s all you need!
How to Make Hot Pockets in the Air Fryer
Here are the step-by-step instructions to maek the best Hot Pocket Air Fryer recipe.
- First, preheat your Air Fryer to 375F.
- Use a nonstick cooking spray to spray the Air Fryer basket.
- Put the frozen hot pockets in the Air Fryer basket. You may want to lightly spray them with the cooking spray as well.
- Close the basket and set the cooking time for 10 minutes or until the hot pocket is crispy and a nice shade of golden brown on the outside top of the hot pocket. Serve and enjoy.
Storage
Leftover hot pockets should be stored in an airtight container and be kept in the fridge for up to 2 days. Alternatively, you can store your delicious hot pockets in the fridge wrapped in plastic wrap.
To reheat any leftovers, for best results, we recommend popping them right back in the Air Fryer, but instead this time, just cooking them for a few minutes so they’re reheated and warm.
It doesn’t matter what type of hot pocket you are making, they’re best served hot or warmer than room temperature.
Tips
- Always be careful removing the cooked hot pockets from the Air Fryer basket or tray. They may have holes in places that you can’t immediately see and the cooked inside part my leak from the holes and burn you. It will be very hot. Sometimes they’ll be too hot to handle with your bare hands. In order to be on the safe side, the best way to handle the pockets is with tongs.
- We always suggest letting the hot pockets cool for a few minutes before biting into them. Otherwise, prepare yourself for a burnt tongue and the roof of your mouth.
- Be sure to place your Hot Pockets in the tray or basket in a single layer. Avoid overlapping them as they will not cook evenly.
- Always make sure you don’t overcrowd the Air Fryer as it needs room to circulate the hot air around the food inside to cook it properly.
- If you use parchment paper on the bottom of your fryer basket, make sure it has some holes poked in it so the air can circulate around still.
- Check on the box that your hot pocket came in – some even have Hot Pocket air Fryer Instructions on them! Also, depending on which classic hot pocket you picked, it may need to cook until the internal temperature of the inside of the crispy hot pocket reaches a safe, specific temperature.
- If it’s your first time making Air Fryer Hot Pockets, start checking on the color of the tops of the hot pocket earlier and see how your Air Fryer cooks it. Adjust time as necessary to ensure that the inside of the hot pocket reaches the appropriate temperature. Specific brands may require more or less time.
Do you leave the hot pockets in the crisper sleeve when cooking?
When you make this quick snack in the microwave, you can leave the crisping sleeve on. The sleeve is meant to help warm the pocket up and help it get to the best texture on the outside.
However, when we use the Air Fryer to make Hot Pockets, the Air Fryer does all the hard work and gets it nice and toasty inside while crisping up the outer shell nicely.
Can you air fry big and bold hot pockets?
Absolutely! You can use any kind of Hot Pocket with this Air Fryer method. Just be sure they have enough room in the basket. You can even use homemade Hot Pockets made with simple ingredients, pizza pockets, breakfast pockets, and more.
What can I dip my perfect hot pocket in?
The options are endless for this great recipe. Really, it all depends on what kind you make also!
But, in general, these sauces go with many different types of Air Fryer Hot Pockets:
- ranch dressing
- pizza sauce
- ketchup
- bbq sauce
- garlic butter
With all these Air Fryer hacks, like using the Air Fryer to make Pizza Rolls and even your favorite frozen mozzarella sticks, you’ll soon see why an Air Fryer has become one of the most popular kitchen gadgets. With so many different things you can cook in it, like your favorite Hot Pockets, the Air Fryer will become your new favorite kitchen appliance.