Hot pockets are a popular frozen convenience food that provide a quick and easy meal or snack. They come pre-filled with ingredients like cheese, meat, or vegetables and only require a short time in the oven or microwave to heat through. With the rise in popularity of air fryers in recent years, many people wonder if you can use this trendy kitchen appliance to cook frozen hot pockets.
Air fryers work by circulating hot air at high speeds to produce a crispy, fried texture without submerging foods in oil. This makes them a healthier cooking option compared to deep frying. But is an air fryer able to cook frozen hot pockets? Let’s take a look at whether or not air frying is an option for heating up frozen hot pockets and if there are any benefits or drawbacks to this cooking method.
Can You Cook Frozen Hot Pockets in an Air Fryer?
The short answer is yes, you can cook frozen hot pockets in an air fryer. The hot circulating air will heat up and crisp the dough exterior just like a traditional oven would. Air frying frozen hot pockets produces a nice crispy outer layer without drying them out.
Many people who have tried cooking hot pockets in an air fryer report that they come out tasty and cooked through without getting soggy. Air frying keeps the interior filling hot and melty while the outside gets golden brown and crispy.
So air frying appears to be a valid method for cooking frozen hot pockets! However, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure they turn out well when cooked this way.
Tips for Air Frying Frozen Hot Pockets
Follow these tips for the best results when air frying frozen hot pockets:
1. Partially Thaw First
Do not put completely frozen hot pockets directly into the air fryer. It’s best to let them thaw slightly first. Thawing for 15-30 minutes on the counter will make sure they heat through properly and cook more evenly.
2. Use Air Fryer Cooking Liners
Lining the air fryer basket with parchment paper or a silicone mat will prevent any filling leaks. The liners catch any oozing cheese or sauce and make clean-up much easier.
3. Adjust Cooking Time and Temperature
Since air fryers cook much faster than conventional ovens, frozen hot pockets will need less time to fully heat and brown. Refer to the air fryer manual but you typically need to reduce the cooking time by several minutes. Also use a slightly lower temperature around 300°F to prevent over-browning.
4. Flip Halfway Through
For even cooking, open the air fryer basket halfway through and flip each hot pocket over using tongs. This allows both sides to crisp up nicely.
5. Let Stand Before Eating
After air frying, let the hot pockets rest for 2-3 minutes before eating. The filling will be extremely hot right out of the fryer. Letting them stand helps prevent burning your mouth.
Benefits of Air Frying Frozen Hot Pockets
Cooking frozen hot pockets in an air fryer has several advantages:
Quick and Convenient
Air frying is significantly faster than baking in a conventional oven. It takes just 6-8 minutes to cook a frozen hot pocket in an air fryer compared to 18-22 minutes in the oven. This makes air frying the fastest preparation method.
Crispy Texture
The intense circulation of hot air produces a crispy outer crust on both sides of the hot pocket. This adds more textural appeal compared to the softer consistency from oven baking.
Less Greasy
With no need for added cooking oils, air frying results in a much less greasy and oily final product. The fryer’s convection heat evenly crisps and browns without making hot pockets soaked and dripping in grease.
Doesn’t Heat Up Kitchen
Since air fryers are small countertop appliances, they don’t spread heat throughout the kitchen like an oven does. Air frying frozen foods keeps the kitchen cooler, especially during hot summer months.
Healthier
Air frying uses little to no added fat or oil, reducing the calorie and fat content of the cooked hot pockets. This makes it a bit healthier than deep frying or even baking hot pockets which requires fatty oils on the pan or tray.
Downsides of Air Frying Frozen Hot Pockets
While air frying hot pockets has its perks, there are a few potential drawbacks to consider:
Smaller Capacity
Most air fryers only hold 2-4 hot pockets at a time. This means you’ll need to work in smaller batches compared to oven baking which can fit 6 or more.
Potential Leaking
Air frying can cause some leakage of filling since the dough exterior warms up and softens so quickly. Using liners and checking frequently helps minimize leaks.
Mixed Results
Some types and brands of hot pockets seem to air fry better than others. You may get inconsistent outcomes depending on the size, shape and filling of the hot pocket.
Loss of Microwavable Convenience
Obviously microwaving is the fastest and simplest preparation for frozen hot pockets. Air frying takes slightly longer so you lose a bit of the instant convenience that microwaving offers.
Need to Flip
Having to manually flip each hot pocket midway through air frying adds an extra step compared to just popping them in the microwave or oven.
Ideal Air Fryer Settings
Based on most recommendations, here are the best temperature and timer settings to use when air frying frozen hot pockets:
Temperature
– 300°F to 320°F
This temperature range allows the hot pockets to heat through fully while producing a crispy browned crust. Any hotter may over-brown the outside before the inside filling is hot.
Time
– Standard hot pockets – 6 to 7 minutes
– Mini hot pockets – 4 to 5 minutes
Reduce air fryer cooking times since they cook quicker than ovens. For any larger or extra filled hot pockets, you may need to add 1-2 minutes.
Flipping
– Flip hot pockets halfway through the cooking time. This ensures even browning and heating.
Standing
– Let hot pockets rest in the air fryer basket for 2-3 minutes before removing and eating.
Do Air Fried Hot Pockets Come Out the Same?
Overall, air fried hot pockets will come out with a very similar taste and texture as those cooked in a microwave or oven. The filling will be piping hot and melty while the dough cooks up crispy on the outside.
However, the level of crispiness and browning of the crust can vary depending on the specific air fryer model and settings used. Some trial and error with cook times may be needed to achieve your ideal texture.
While not identical, air fried hot pockets match up very closely with oven-baked results and provide the same satisfying, flavorful meal. The air fryer simply cuts down on the cooking time significantly.
Best Practices for Air Frying
To get picture-perfect results every time you air fry frozen hot pockets, follow these best practices:
– Always preheat air fryer fully – this helps ensure even cooking.
– Use cooking liners to contain any filling leaks. Parchment paper or silicone mats work great.
– Brush air fryer basket lightly with oil for optimal browning.
– Arrange hot pockets in a single layer, not stacked, for proper air flow.
– Flip hot pockets midway through cooking for evenly crisped crust.
– Let air fried hot pockets rest before eating so filling sets up.
– Adjust cook times based on type of hot pocket, size, and doneness preference.
– For food safety, eat hot pockets promptly or store leftovers in fridge.
Following these simple tips will take your air fried hot pockets from average to extraordinary in terms of taste and texture!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about making hot pockets in an air fryer:
What Temperature is Best for Air Frying Hot Pockets?
The ideal air fryer temperature range for hot pockets is 300°F to 325°F. This allows the dough to bake up crispy and golden brown without overcooking.
How Long Does it Take to Cook Hot Pockets in an Air Fryer?
On average, frozen hot pockets take 6-8 minutes in an air fryer set at 300°F to 325°F. Mini hot pockets may only need 4-5 minutes. Always check for doneness halfway through cooking.
Can You Put a Completely Frozen Hot Pocket in the Air Fryer?
It’s not recommended. Partially thawing hot pockets for 10-15 minutes first allows them to heat through properly in the air fryer and prevents a cold center.
Do You Have to Flip Hot Pockets When Air Frying?
Yes, flipping halfway through the cook time is highly recommended. Flipping ensures both sides get evenly crisp and browned as hot air circulates around the hot pockets.
Do Air Fried Hot Pockets Come Out Soggy?
Air frying should not make hot pockets soggy. The intense hot air produces a crispy outer crust while heating the insides hot and melty. Be careful not to overfill air fryer basket which can block airflow.
Conclusion
Air frying provides a quick and tasty way to cook frozen hot pockets with less mess and added fat than other cooking methods. While not exactly the same as oven-baked, air fried hot pockets achieve a crispy crust with piping hot innards in mere minutes.
By following the recommended guidelines for temperature, cook times, and flipping, you can achieve deliciously browned and crispy hot pockets every time using your air fryer. Air frying makes enjoying these grab-and-go snacks even more convenient.