Ah, hot pockets. If you immediately thought of your childhood, you’re not alone.

These popular after-school snacks made the perfect meal before softball practice or hanging out at the mall with friends. However, hot pockets aren’t just for kids.

For adults on the go, we’re always looking for a quick lunch we can make in a hurry, which is why hot pockets are still an optimal choice.

However, there’s a thin line between cooking your Hot Pocket to the perfect temperature and heating it up so much that it burns the roof of your mouth (honestly, we’ve all been there).

This is why knowing the perfect Hot Pocket cook time is so important. Not only will the correct cook time make sure everything inside is evenly cooked, but it will help keep the flaky outside layer crispy.

Whether you’re making them for yourself to bring to work or making them for your kids before they go to practice or as an afternoon snack, here’s everything you need to know about how long to cook Hot Pocket in the oven.

Is It Safe to Microwave Hot Pockets?

Yes, it is. The package Hot Pockets come in with cooking instructions for both a toaster oven and the microwave.

Because of how efficient these tasty snacks are, the microwave is usually the preferred method of cooking them since they’ll be ready to enjoy in just a few short minutes.

Can You Microwave Hot Pockets?

Yes, you can! All of the ingredients stuffed inside of a Hot Pocket are already pre-cooked, so all you’re doing is just reheating them.

Microwaving Hot Pockets is easy; just refer to the cooking time listed on the back of the package.

Just keep in mind that different microwaves may come with different cooking times. For example, the cooking time may be longer the lower your microwave’s wattage is.

Remember to take them out of the plastic before microwaving, as failing to do is a fire hazard.

Also, each Hot Pocket comes with specific instructions you must adhere to achieve optimal internal temperature (usually of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit). One such rule is to slide each Hot Pocket in the microwavable sleeve to achieve the desired level of toastiness.

How Do You Microwave Hot Pockets?

To microwave Hot Pockets, all you have to do is flip the box over and look at the instructions.

However, you’ve come to the right place because we’re going to walk you through the process in case you’re like me and accidentally throw out the box right after opening them.

Cooking time may vary depending on the type of Hot Pocket you have, but for this example, we will go with the pepperoni and sausage pizza flavor. Here’s how to cook Hot Pockets in the microwave:

1. Unwrap your sandwich and throw away plastic wrap (remember, this is a fire risk).
2. Insert your Hot Pockets in the crisping sleeve provided in the box.
3. Put your sleeved Hot Pockets onto a microwave-safe plate (wear oven mitts when removing this to avoid burns).
4. If you’re using a standard 1100 watt microwave, cook both sandwiches on high for 3 minutes, 30 seconds. If you’re only cooking one sandwich, cook on high for 2 minutes.

How Long to Cook a Hot Pocket in Microwave?

How long do you put Hot Pockets in the microwave? As noted above, the average microwave cooking time for a Hot Pocket is 3 minutes and 30 seconds for two sandwiches.

However, this cooking time will vary depending on the type of Hot Pocket you have and your microwave’s wattage.

For example, the Cheddar Cheeseburger Hot Pocket can be cooked on high for 3 minutes, 30 seconds (for two), and 2 minutes and 10 seconds if you’re only cooking one.

The Chicken Pot Pie version, on the other hand, can be cooked one sandwich in 2 minutes and two sandwiches in 3 minutes.

Here’s a brief list of the most popular Hot Pockets and their associated cooking times:

• Philly Steak & Cheese: 3 minutes, 30 seconds (two sandwiches), 2 minutes, 10 seconds (one sandwich)
• Steak, Egg, & Cheese: 3 minutes, 30 seconds (two sandwiches), 2 minutes (one sandwich)
• Italian Style Sub: 3 minutes, 15 seconds (two sandwiches), 2 minutes, 15 seconds (one sandwich)
• Beef Taco: 3 minutes, 45 seconds (two sandwiches), 2 minutes, 15 seconds (one sandwich)
• Four Cheese Pizza: 3 minutes, 30 seconds (two sandwiches), 2 minutes (one sandwich)

Regardless of whether you’re looking for the ham cheese Hot Pocket cook time or how to get the flaky crust on your Philly Steak & Cheese to be extra crispy, just remember that cooking times will vary depending on what kind of kitchen appliance you’re using.

Tips to Microwave Hot Pocket

While it’d be easy for me to tell you to just follow the instructions on the back of the box, I want to share a few insider tips and secrets to making the best Hot Pocket sandwich available.

Oftentimes, because of how much moisture is inside the filling, Hot Pockets can get a little soggy.

However, you can prevent this by forgoing the crisping sleeve instead of cooking your Hot Pockets upside down on a microwave-safe crisper pan. This will give them a little bit of extra crunch.

Another tip for cooking your Hot Pocket is to shake it. This helps break apart the stuffing inside to make sure it cooks more evenly.

To successfully use this Hot Pocket hack, cook it for 75% of the recommended time on the box, remove it from the microwave and shake it.

Once shaken, put it back in the microwave for the remaining time it’s supposed to cook. You’ll have an evenly cooked Hot Pocket every time. No more biting into a brick of ice!

Best Ways to Microwave Hot Pockets

If you type into Google, “Hot Pocket cook time microwave,” you’ll come across hundreds of results recommending the best ways to cook them. This includes everything from the hack we mentioned above to reasons why cooking them in the microwave is the preferred method.

Ultimately, the best way to microwave Hot Pockets is to make sure that the outside layer is getting crispy instead of soggy and that the insides are being cooked evenly.

Far too often, people bite into the end of a Hot Pocket only for it to burn their mouths and later find out that the center of it is completely frozen.

By utilizing the tips we mentioned above, such as shaking them to spread out the filling and putting them upside down to cook, you can make the best-tasting Hot Pockets each and every time.

Are Hot Pockets Better in the Oven?

It depends on who you ask. For us 90s babies, nothing beats a melty Hot Pocket cooked in the microwave. However, in terms of levels of toastiness, nothing beats a Hot Pocket cooked in the oven.

When it comes to cooking Hot Pockets in the oven, they tend to be heated more evenly on the first go-around. The outside, flaky layer is much more crispy, as well.

How Long Do You Bake a Hot Pocket in the Oven?

While baking your Hot Pocket in the oven will achieve better levels of crispiness, it will also take longer.

Whereas you can microwave and enjoy a Hot Pocket in less than four minutes, in the oven, you’ll have to wait approximately 28 minutes.

Here’s how to cook Hot Pockets in the oven:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Unwrap your sandwiches and place them on a baking sheet. Do not put crisping sleeves in the oven.
3. Bake for 28 minutes. Then, remove them from the oven with an oven mitt for protection.

Can You Air Fry Hot Pockets?

Absolutely! Air fryers are a great alternative to cooking your favorite meals but with fewer calories.

To air fry, your Hot Pockets, place them in the air fryer. If you’re only cooking two, place them side by side. However, if you’re making multiple, you’ll want to evenly spread them out across the bottom of the basket.

Next, set your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for about 10 minutes. If you feel like they need to be cooked a little longer, put them back in for another minute or two.