Introduction

Hot pockets are a quick and easy meal that you can enjoy anytime. It’s a perfect snack for those who are always on the go. However, cooking hot pockets in a conventional oven can take too long, and you might not have the time to wait. That’s where air fryers come in. Air fryers can cook hot pockets in half the time it takes to cook them in an oven. In this article, we’ll show you how to cook hot pockets in an air fryer and answer the question: “how long do you cook a hot pocket in the air fryer?”

Hot pockets have been around for more than three decades. They were first introduced in 1983 by the food company Chef America Inc. Hot pockets are a variation of a traditional calzone, where the pizza dough is filled with various ingredients such as cheese, meat, and vegetables. Hot pockets come in different flavors, and they are a popular snack for people of all ages.

Preparing the Hot Pocket for Air Frying

Before cooking a hot pocket in an air fryer, there are a few things you need to do to prepare it. First, remove the hot pocket from its packaging and discard any plastic or cardboard materials. Then, prick the hot pocket’s surface with a fork several times. Pricking the hot pocket will prevent it from bursting during the cooking process.

It’s important to note that you should not cook a frozen hot pocket in the air fryer. Thaw the hot pocket first by leaving it at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes. Thawing the hot pocket will ensure that it cooks evenly and prevents any cold spots in the middle.

Setting Up the Air Fryer

To cook a hot pocket in an air fryer, you need to set it up first. Plug in the air fryer and preheat it to 390°F or 200°C. Preheating the air fryer will ensure that the hot pocket cooks evenly and crisps up nicely.

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the hot pocket in the air fryer basket. Make sure that the hot pocket doesn’t touch the sides of the air fryer basket. Touching the sides of the basket may cause the hot pocket to cook unevenly.

Now that the hot pocket is in the air fryer basket, it’s time to set the timer and temperature. The cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the air fryer’s brand and the size of the hot pocket. In the next section, we’ll discuss how long you should cook a hot pocket in the air fryer.

Cooking the Hot Pocket in the Air Fryer

Cooking a hot pocket in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. Once you’ve set the timer and temperature, let the hot pocket cook for 12-15 minutes. It’s important to flip the hot pocket halfway through the cooking process. Flipping the hot pocket will ensure that it cooks evenly on both sides.

If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat function, add an additional 3-5 minutes to the cooking time. Keep an eye on the hot pocket while it’s cooking to make sure that it doesn’t burn. If you notice that the hot pocket is browning too quickly, reduce the temperature by 25°F or 15°C.

Checking the Hot Pocket’s Doneness

To make sure that the hot pocket is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer to check its internal temperature. The internal temperature should be at least 165°F or 74°C. If the hot pocket hasn’t reached this temperature, put it back in the air fryer and cook it for an additional 1-2 minutes.

Another way to check if the hot pocket is cooked is to cut it open. The filling should be hot and steaming, and the dough should be golden brown and crispy. If the dough is still raw or the filling is cold, put the hot pocket back in the air fryer and cook it for an additional 1-2 minutes.

Conclusion

Cooking a hot pocket in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy this delicious snack. In this article, we’ve answered the question, “How long do you cook a hot pocket in the air fryer?” and provided you with a complete guide on how to cook a hot pocket in an air fryer. Remember to thaw the hot pocket first, prick the surface with a fork, and flip it halfway through the cooking process. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the hot pocket is fully cooked, and cut it open to check if the filling is hot and steaming. With these tips, you can enjoy a perfectly cooked hot pocket in your air fryer every time.