Can you air fry Hot Pockets? Yes! Get frozen Hot Pocket air fryer instructions here. Learn to make pizza pockets in the air fryer, and nutrition information for different Hot Pocket flavors. Air frying Hot Pockets takes longer than in the microwave, but the results are so much better. Enjoy a melty, cheesy inside and flaky, crispy crust when you make these air fryer Hot Pockets!
TL; DR: Put the Hot Pockets in a single layer and air fry at 375F (190C) for 18 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking time. If you preheat the air fryer first, subtract 3-4 minutes from the cooking time. For more easy air fryer recipes, subscribe to my Weekly Newsletter!
What are Hot Pockets? They are a stuffed pastry filled with cheese, meat, and (maybe) some veggie crumbs. You might think of them as kind of like a savory turnover or perhaps a calzone.
However, unlike the homemade version of these stuffed pastries, cooking Hot Pockets in the air fryer is almost no effort. And that’s truly one of the advantages of frozen foods, isn’t it? They tend to make it fast and easy (as well as inexpensive!) to get a quick bite to eat.
Working on this post was quite nostalgic, but with a modern twist. Like many in the U.S., my family ate loads of Hot Pockets in the early 1990s. And the air fryer, of course, is reminiscent of an 80s Easy Bake Oven.
The bad news is that all this convenience does come at a price (nutritionally). I generally don't recommend eating Hot Pockets every day, and I haven’t had one in about 20 years before writing this post. Be sure to check out the dietitian tips section below to learn more about health and Hot Pockets!
Jump to:
- 📋 Calories, Net Carbs, Protein
- ⭐ Benefits
- 🥘 Ingredients
- 🍽 Equipment
- 🔪 How to Make Hot Pockets in Air Fryer
- ️⏲ Cooking Time and Temperature
- 🤔 How long to microwave Hot Pockets?
- 🌡️ Leftovers
- 🥗 How to Serve
- 💭 Expert Tips from a Dietitian
- FAQs
- 👩🏻🍳 More Air Fryer Frozen Food Recipes
- The Disclaimer…
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
📋 Calories, Net Carbs, Protein
One Air Fryer Hot Pocket has 310 calories, 33 grams net carbs, and 14 grams protein. This nutrition information is for the Hot Pockets High Protein Steak & Cheddar flavor. The exact nutrition information for your Hot Pocket depends on your portion size and the flavor you use.
Here is a table listing the nutrition information for some popular Hot Pockets flavors. Nutrition listed is for one Hot Pocket, though many eat both in the package. The information in this table is subject to change as these products are often reformulated.
| Flavor | Calories | Net Carbs (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot Pockets Pepperoni Pizza (Crispy Crust) | 320 | 35 | 11 |
| Hot Pockets High Protein Four Meat, Four Cheese Pizza | 300 | 31 | 14 |
| Hot Pockets Four Cheese Pizza (Garlic Butter Crust) | 280 | 35 | 10 |
| Hot Pockets Five Cheese Pizza (Crispy Crust) | 290 | 35 | 8 |
| Hot Pockets Chicken, Broccoli, Cheddar (Crispy Buttery Crust) | 270 | 36 | 10 |
| Hot Pockets Big and Bold Buffalo Chicken | 390 | 51 | 18 |
| Hot Pockets Philly Steak and Cheese | 300 | 40 | 9 |
| Hot Pockets Ham and Cheddar | 280 | 37 | 10 |
| Hot Pockets Ham, Egg, & Cheese (Biscuit Crust) | 270 | 37 | 6 |
| Hot Pockets Sausage, Egg & Cheese (Croissant Crust) | 280 | 34 | 10 |
| Hot Pockets Bacon, Egg and Cheese (Croissant Crust) | 290 | 36 | 10 |
Taco Hot Pockets, Hot Pockets pretzel crust, and the Lean Pockets line of Hot Pockets are discontinued. Flavors of Hot Pockets tend to come and go quickly as consumer demand changes.
In Canada, a similar product is the Pillsbury Pizza Pops. Another Canadian option would be making McCain Pizza Pockets in the air fryer. I don’t believe that either of these products are available in the U.S.
⭐ Benefits
What are the benefits of Hot Pockets? Hot Pockets certainly wouldn’t be considered a nutrient powerhouse. That said, there are some important advantages to these products that lead people to choose them.
- Fast: You can air fry a Hot Pocket in about 15 minutes. It’s a quick way to get a hot bite to eat when you are hungry. Busy single parent working double shifts with no time for menu planning? You can feed your kids fast with Hot Pockets (and they may be more likely to eat them than “healthier” options).
- Easy: Cooking Hot Pockets is so easy, kids can make them. (Shout out to my fellow former latchkey kids!) The simple heat-and-eat preparation also makes this option accessible to people who have disabilities that make it hard to prepare food.
- Blast from the past: If you were a child of the late 80s and early 90s, Hot Pockets will likely remind you of some simpler times. It can be fun and comforting to enjoy some of our favorite foods from childhood once in a while.
- Inexpensive: Hot Pockets are a cheap source of calories. If you have trouble affording food, Hot Pockets may fit a lot more easily into your grocery budget than some healthier options. (This also contributes to the issue in the U.S. where many struggling to afford healthful food in the U.S. are also overweight.)
- Delicious: Hot Pockets don’t really do it for me in the taste department, but many really like these. One of my family members (who never tried a Hot Pocket before this recipe) thought they were quite tasty.
🥘 Ingredients
You only really need the package of Hot Pockets to make this recipe. You don’t even need cooking oil spray. The Hot Pockets crust contains sufficient added fat to prevent sticking.
If you get pizza pockets, some warm marinara sauce is really nice to have for dipping. Also, I don’t consider Hot Pockets a meal by themselves, so (ideally) you’ll be adding other foods to your plate.
🍽 Equipment
To make air fryer frozen Hot Pockets, I recommend an air fryer and a meat thermometer. Small and large air fryer baskets will work with this recipe. Adjust your batch as needed to get the Hot Pockets in a single layer.
I developed these Hot Pockets directions with a 10-Quart Kalorik Air Fryer Oven. Those using a Ninja Foodi, Philips, Cosori, Pampered Chef Air Fryer, Actifry, Nuwave, Instant Vortex, Cuisinart, Power Air Fryer, etc. may need to make slight adjustments to the cooking time.
🔪 How to Make Hot Pockets in Air Fryer
All you need to do to make air fryer Hot Pockets is put the HotPockets in your air fryer basket or tray. Make sure they are completely unwrapped, and put them in a single layer.
Sometimes Hot Pockets aren’t properly sealed at the factory. If their sides are split, they will leak a bit while cooking. It has nothing to do with the air fryer, and they’ll taste the same either way.
️⏲ Cooking Time and Temperature
How long to air fry Hot Pockets? What temp to make Hot Pockets in an air fryer? Air fry frozen Hot Pockets for a total of 18 minutes at 375F (190C). Flip them halfway through cooking time (use the top rack for air fryer ovens).
If you preheat your air fryer to 375F (190C) for 5 minutes, you can shorten the total cooking time to 14-15 minutes. The Hot Pockets turn out well whether you preheat the air fryer or not.
Hot Pockets recommends on their website to make sure the food reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165F (74C). I recommend checking your Hot Pockets with a meat thermometer to ensure they were cooked thoroughly before eating. Add additional air fryer time if they have not reached a safe temp.
I tested the Four Cheese Pizza Hot Pockets and the High Protein Steak & Cheddar Hot Pockets. These are both regular-size Hot Pocket varieties. The Big & Bold Hot Pockets may need a longer cooking time at a higher cook temp.
After cooking, let your Hot Pockets cool for 2-3 minutes before eating. You don’t want to burn your mouth!
🤔 How long to microwave Hot Pockets?
The Hot Pocket microwave time is 2-3 minutes, depending on the type of Hot Pocket and your microwave. Unwrap the Hot Pocket and place it in the crisper sleeve before placing in the microwave. Let cool for 2 minutes before enjoying.
🌡️ Leftovers
Leftover Hot Pockets can be stored in a covered container in the fridge for 3-4 days. However, for the best texture, I recommend only cooking what you’ll eat and leaving the rest in the freezer.
You can reheat Hot Pockets that have been cooked and refrigerated. Place them on the top rack of the air fryer oven at 400F (200C) and cook for about 3 minutes.
🥗 How to Serve
What to serve with Hot Pockets? I don’t consider Hot Pockets a full meal, and recommend adding more protein and non-starchy veggies to your plate. Here are some foods that go with Hot Pockets:
- Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Rib Eye Steak
- Rotisserie Chicken in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Baby Carrots
- Air Fryer Frozen Vegetables
💭 Expert Tips from a Dietitian
This is a level 3 recipe (weight maintenance and active lifestyles). Hot Pockets are what we call an energy-dense food that is ultra-processed. They are designed to be hyperpalatable (easy to overeat). Like many ultra-processed foods, you’d need to break out a magnifying glass to read the ingredients list.
Products like Hot Pockets play on our desires for food that is simultaneously varied and familiar. New fillings and new types of crusts are rolled out continuously so we keep trying “new” things. It’s a “safe” purchase, because we already know that we like Hot Pockets.
Tempting fillings like pepperoni pizza and cheese steak are paired with garlic butter crusts and crispy crusts in combinations that make us want to try them all. Additionally, though the serving size is one Hot Pocket, they are usually packaged in pairs. How many of us go ahead and eat them both in a sitting? (I know I used to do this!)
As if the lunch and dinner infiltration wasn’t enough, now there are breakfast Hot Pockets as well. This addition comes with its own set of tasty variations. You can find pancake crust, biscuit crust, and croissant crust Hot Pockets filled with bacon, sausage and other breakfast foods.
Regardless of flavor, most varieties of Hot Pockets are very similar nutritionally. Each sandwich has around 300 calories, 35 grams of net carbs, and 10 grams of protein.
High Protein Hot Pockets have a bit more protein (and IMO were tastiest). I’d skip the even higher calorie Big & Bold Hot Pockets.
There are currently no Hot Pockets that are keto, low carb, vegan, or gluten free. Most of the special diets exclude many ultra-processed foods. This is one reason people may find it easier to lose weight when adopting one of these eating patterns.
FAQs
Yes, you can deep fry Hot Pockets but they should be thawed in the microwave first. After deep frying, use a meat thermometer to ensure the Hot Pockets reached a minimum safe internal temp of 165F (74C). (P.S. Deep frying is one of the least healthy ways to make Hot Pockets, since you’re adding a lot of oil.)
Yes, air fried Hot Pockets are delish! IMVHO Hot Pockets fixed in the air fryer have the best texture compared to oven baking or microwaving. The best way to get the answer to this question is to try this air fryer recipe yourself and see!
To ensure that the outside of the Hot Pocket gets crispy all over, don’t stack Hot Pockets in the air fryer. You want the moving air to fully circulate around the Hot Pockets for the best results. Cook them in multiple batches if they don’t all fit.
The Hot Pocket packaging should have directions for making Hot Pockets in the oven. In general, bake Hot Pockets in an oven preheated to 350F (175C) for 28 minutes. Big & Bold Hot Pockets should be baked in an oven preheated to 400F (200C) for 35 minutes. Do not use the crisping sleeve when baking Hot Pockets in the oven.
👩🏻🍳 More Air Fryer Frozen Food Recipes
Want more easy air fryer recipes for frozen food? I’m on it!
- Frozen Taquitos in Air Fryer
- Frozen Pot Pie in Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Frozen Pizza Rolls
- Air Fryer Frozen Dumplings
Also, don’t miss the Best Frozen Foods for Air Fryer article!
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The Disclaimer…
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be wildly inaccurate, so please don't sweat the numbers too much.
For more information on how the three recipe levels may help with a weight management goal, refer to my overnight oats no sugar post. Let's get cooking!
📖 Recipe
Hot Pockets in Air Fryer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 package frozen Hot Pockets
- dipping sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Remove all packaging from the Hot Pockets. Place the Hot Pockets in the air fryer in a single layer. (Use the top rack for air fryer ovens.)
- Air fry frozen Hot Pockets for a total of 18 minutes at 375°F (190°C). Flip them halfway through cooking time (i.e., after 9 minutes).
- Use a meat thermometer to make sure the food reached a minimum safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Add more cooking time if needed.
- Let cool 2-3 minutes before serving. (Use a dipping sauce, if desired.)
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