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Hot Pocket Cooking Time : All FAQs Answered

• February 8, 2022
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Hot Pockets are microwaveable baked dough pockets filled with hot, savory fillings, such as pizza and chicken. They’re available at most grocery stores. Each Hot Pocket is different based on the specific ingredients used to create it, so be sure to read the label carefully for particular cooking instructions before microwaving your Hot Pocket. The exact Hot pocket cooking time varies, depending on watts of microwave, verity, and size of hot pockets. The maximum cook time is less than 15 minutes.

How Long to Cook Hot Pockets in a Microwave?

Microwaving a frozen hot pocket is far healthier than cooking it in the oven. For example, a microwavable pepperoni hot pocket contains over 450 calories, yet only about 240 when cooked in the microwave oven!

Each hot Pocket is different based on specific ingredients used to create it. In addition, cooking time varies based on the wattage of your microwave.

• For a Philly Steak and Cheese Hot Pocket, cook for three to four minutes on high power.
• A Ham and Cheese Hot Pocket should be cooked for five to six minutes on high power.
• Cook a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Hot Pocket for three to four minutes on medium power.

When microwaving hot pockets, there are a few simple steps you should take to ensure the best results:

• Start with a microwaveable plate or dish so your Hot Pocket doesn’t become soggy from all the condensation it will produce.
• Make sure not to overcook your hot pockets! Most microwaves have a defrost function, so use that if you plan on nuking your Hot Pocket for more than 3 minutes.
• Try not to leave the Hot Pocket in the microwave once it’s done cooking. If you do, be prepared for it to become extra soggy as all the steam escapes out the vents.

Generally, a microwavable hot pocket can be cooked in a microwave oven for about 4 minutes at a time. This will vary depending on the wattage of your microwave oven, though. If you have a lower watt model, it may take as much as 5-6 minutes to get your hot pockets nice and crispy on the outside while remaining warm, gooey, and delicious on the inside.

One last tip! If you are cooking hot pockets in a conventional oven, use aluminum foil to cover them, so they don’t get too crispy on top.

Hot Pocket Cooking Time

Hot Pocket Microwave Time

The following are estimates for cooking times based on a traditional 800-watt microwave:

Small Size: A small size hot pocket (4 inches) will take about 2-3 minutes to cook, while a large size (6 inches) will need around 4-5 minutes. When cooking multiple hot pockets, leave an inch of space between them so that the heat can spread evenly and more efficiently. If you want your hot pockets crispy, try toasting them in the oven for 8-10 minutes at 450 degrees Fahrenheit. If you want your hot pockets even crisper, turn the oven up to 500 degrees and cook them for another 7 minutes.

Large Size: When microwaving larger-sized hot pockets (such as those with a diameter of 6 inches), you may need to cook them longer than the recipes above. If you want to be sure that your hot pockets are cooked all the way through, you can do so by piercing them with a fork and microwaving for another minute.

For Stove Top, Grill, and Oven

If you prefer to use a stovetop or some other method instead of a microwave oven, here is how long it takes to cook hot pockets on some alternate methods before the cheese melts:

• Stove Top (Boiling Water) – 5 minutes on one side, flip over, and boil for another 3 minutes.
• Grill- 6 to 7 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Let cool for 2 minutes before eating.
• Oven (Conventional)- Preheat oven at 450 degrees Fahrenheit, cook for 10 minutes on one side, flip over and bake for another 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.

It takes around 5 minutes to cook a hot pocket in the microwave oven if it is small. Cooking large Hot Pockets can take about 6-7 minutes of microwaving time. Alternatives to microwaving hot pockets include baking and boiling. Cooking Hot Pockets take less than 15 minutes.

FAQs

How to Make Hot Pockets Crispy?

There are many ways to make a hot pocket crispy, and most of them do not require the use of a microwave.

First: However, if you want to cook hot pockets in your microwave oven, we recommend that you preheat your oven for at least 10 minutes before putting the Hot Pocket inside.

When cooking more than one hot Pocket, leave an open space between them as this will help distribute heat evenly.

Second: Another way to make a hot pocket crispy is by toasting it in an oven that has been preheated at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 9 minutes or until the crust turns golden brown.

If you want your hot pockets crispier, turn your oven up to 500 degrees and cook for another 7 minutes.

Third: To make sure that your hot pockets are crispy, you can also cut open the top of the Pocket and put it back in the oven for 2 minutes or until done. If this is not enough, continue to place the hot Pocket in the oven until desired crispiness has been achieved.

Can You Heat a Hot Pocket in the Microwave?

Yes, you can heat a hot pocket in the microwave. However, there are specific procedures to follow when microwaving Hot Pockets.

The pastry part of the hot pockets should be heated for one minute and then left to sit for two minutes before eating.

• This is because microwaves work by penetrating food with microwave energy.
• When a hot pocket is cooked for the initial minute, the microwaves push the molecules in your pastry together, heating them quickly and causing them to steam.
• By letting it sit in the microwave for a full two minutes after the microwaves have done their job, you’re allowing some of the heat to escape and letting your pastry cool down just enough so that it doesn’t burn your mouth.
• While microwaving a hot pocket for three to four minutes, defrost or cook your meat filling using one-minute intervals.

Can You Bake a Hot Pocket in the Oven?

If you attempt to cook a Hot Pocket in the oven, it will likely cause your baked dough to become overcooked and burnt around the edges while remaining raw or undercooked in other areas of the Hot Pockets.

Can You Cook Hot Pockets in Toaster?

Now, this is one of the common questions which gets asked very often. Since hot pockets come in varied flavors, they can be cooked using the best taste. To cook hot pockets in Toaster or on Grills, you need to add some extra ingredients such as garlic, salt, and butter before cooking them; otherwise, it won’t taste good. When cooked in Toaster, these hot pockets turn out crispy and tasty, but when they are grilled, they look dry and unappetizing.

Are Hot Pockets Healthy?

Hot Pockets are one of the less healthy frozen snacks that you can buy. They are high in fat, sodium, and calories, with some varieties containing over 50% of your recommended daily allowance of saturated fat. Although they may be low in sugar, they are still pretty unhealthy to eat multiple times per week. It is best to limit their consumption to an occasional snack once every few weeks or so.

Can Hot Pockets Go Bad?

Because of their perishability, hot pockets must be kept refrigerated. If left out of the refrigerator for more than two hours, they should not be consumed and must be discarded.

Also Read: Does Vanilla extract go bad?

How Long Do Hot Pockets Last?

Unopened boxes will keep fresh for up to six months, so you can stock up and save yourself some effort later.

The length of time that the hot Pocket will stay fresh depends on various factors, including how it is stored, where it is kept, and at what temperature.

Eat Hot Pockets within three months of purchase or before the ‘Best Before’ date for the best quality.