Cooking Steak And Cheese Hot Pockets: Timing Perfection

Hot Pockets are a convenient, tasty, and quick meal option. The Philly Steak and Cheese Hot Pocket is a good source of protein and is made with 100% real cheese. The cooking time for a Hot Pocket will vary depending on the cooking method and the desired level of doneness. If you're using a microwave, the cooking time will be around 1 minute and 50 seconds for one sandwich and 3 minutes and 30 seconds for two sandwiches. For a well-done Hot Pocket, you can cook it for about 4-5 minutes per side, and for a rare Hot Pocket, cook it for 2-3 minutes per side. When using an air fryer, set the temperature to 360°F and cook for 15 minutes for one sandwich and 16 minutes for two.

Cooking in an air fryer

To cook a Protein Hot Pocket Steak and Cheese in an air fryer, first preheat your air fryer to 350-380°F. Remove the Hot Pocket from its packaging and place it in the air fryer basket. Make sure it is lying flat and not overlapping with any other Hot Pockets. You don't need to use cooking spray or oil.

Air fry the Hot Pocket for 10-15 minutes. Flip it halfway through the cooking time. The Hot Pocket is done when it is golden brown and crispy on the outside. The filling should be hot and fully cooked. To check this, you can use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the filling is at least 165°F.

Let the Hot Pocket cool for a minute or two before serving, as the filling can be very hot. You can serve it with your favourite dipping sauces, such as marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or ketchup.

Cooking in a microwave

Hot Pockets are branded as microwaveable turnovers and can be cooked by simply pressing a few buttons. The overall cooking time depends on the number of sandwiches and the type of crust.

Prep Instructions

Unwrap the sandwich and place it on a microwave-safe plate. If you want to use the crisping sleeve, unwrap the sandwich, insert it into the sleeve, and place it on a microwave-safe plate.

Cooking Time on High (1100 Watt Oven)

For one sandwich, cook for 1 minute and 50 seconds. For two sandwiches, cook for 3 minutes and 30 seconds.

Cooking Time on High (Lower Wattage/Compact Microwave)

For one sandwich, cook for 2 minutes and 50 seconds. For two sandwiches, cook one at a time for the best results.

Let the hot pocket sit for 2 minutes to complete the cooking process. The product will be hot, so be careful not to burn yourself.

Ovens vary, so cooking times may need to be adjusted. For food safety and quality, read and follow the cooking instructions to ensure the product reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Cook thoroughly before eating.

Cooking in a conventional oven

Hot Pockets are a convenient snack that can be heated quickly in the microwave, but cooking them in the oven will give you a crispier crust and a gooier, hotter filling. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving that perfect oven-baked Hot Pocket.

Preheat the Oven

Firstly, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). It is important that you wait for the oven to reach the desired temperature before placing your Hot Pockets inside.

Prepare the Baking Sheet

While the oven is heating up, line a baking sheet or an oven-safe tray with parchment paper. This will prevent the Hot Pockets from sticking to the surface.

Unwrap and Place

Take your desired flavour of Hot Pocket out of its packaging and unwrap it completely. Place it on the prepared baking sheet, leaving enough space between each Hot Pocket to allow for proper heat circulation.

Bake

Carefully slide the baking sheet with the Hot Pockets into the preheated oven. Let them cook for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the fillings are heated through. The exact cooking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them towards the end. For the best results, always follow the cooking instructions provided on the Hot Pockets packaging.

Remove and Let Cool

Once the cooking time is up, use oven mitts to carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Allow the Hot Pockets to cool for a few minutes before enjoying. The filling can become extremely hot, so be cautious when biting into them.

Serve and Enjoy

Finally, serve your delicious oven-baked Hot Pockets with your favourite condiments, or enjoy them as they are. These warm and satisfying treats make for a fantastic snack or meal option.

Alternative Cooking Times and Temperatures

Depending on the size and flavour of your Hot Pocket, cooking times and temperatures may vary. For the 30 x 4 oz Philly Steak and Cheese Hot Pockets, the recommended cooking time is 24 minutes at 350°F. For the 12 x 8 oz size, the cooking time is 34 minutes at the same temperature.

Cooking time for one sandwich

The cooking time for a Philly Steak & Cheese Hot Pocket sandwich varies depending on the cooking method and the desired level of doneness.

Air Fryer

To cook a Hot Pocket in an air fryer, set the temperature to 360°F. Place the sandwich in the air fryer basket, ensuring it is not inside the crisping sleeve, and cook for 13 minutes. This timing may vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer.

Microwave

The cooking time for a Hot Pocket in the microwave depends on the wattage of your oven and whether you are cooking one or two sandwiches.

High Wattage Microwave (1100 Watts)

For a high wattage microwave, the cooking instructions are as follows:

• Unwrap the sandwich and place it on a microwave-safe plate.
• Cook on high for 1 minute and 50 seconds for one sandwich or 3 minutes and 30 seconds for two sandwiches.
• Let the sandwich sit for 2 minutes to complete the cooking process.

Lower Wattage Microwave

For a lower wattage microwave, it is recommended to cook one sandwich at a time.

• Unwrap the sandwich and place it on a microwave-safe plate.
• Cook on high for 2 minutes and 50 seconds for one sandwich.
• Let the sandwich sit for 2 minutes to complete the cooking process.

Conventional Oven

To cook a Hot Pocket in a conventional oven, preheat your oven to 350°F.

• Remove the wrapper from the sandwich.
• Place the sandwich on a baking sheet or foil and bake for 24-34 minutes.
• The cooking time may need to be adjusted depending on your oven.

Pan-Frying

For a pan-fried Hot Pocket, cook for 4-5 minutes on each side for a well-done sandwich or 2-3 minutes on each side for a rare sandwich. Ensure that the cheese is melted before serving.

Regardless of the cooking method, always allow the Hot Pocket to cool down slightly before consuming it, as it will be very hot.

Cooking time for two sandwiches

The cooking time for two sandwiches varies depending on the method of cooking and the wattage of your oven or microwave. Here are the instructions for cooking two Philly Steak & Cheese Hot Pockets:

Air Fryer Instructions

Set your air fryer to 360°F. Remove the sandwiches from the box, over-wrap, and cardboard. Place them separately in the air fryer and cook for 15 minutes.

Microwave Instructions

Prep Instructions Sleeveless

Unwrap the sandwiches and place them on a microwave-safe plate.

Cooking Time on High

• 1100 Watt Oven: 3 minutes, 30 seconds.
• Lower Wattage/Compact Microwave: For best results, cook one sandwich at a time.

Cooking Time on High with Sleeve

• 1100 Watt Oven: 3 minutes, 30 seconds.
• Lower Wattage/Compact Microwave: For best results, cook one sandwich at a time.

Let the sandwiches sit for 2 minutes to complete the cooking process.

Conventional Oven Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Remove the wrappers from the sandwiches and place them on a baking sheet or foil. Bake for 24-34 minutes.

Please note that cooking times may vary depending on your oven or microwave, so adjust accordingly. Also, remember to let the sandwiches cool down a bit before enjoying them, as they will be very hot!

Frequently asked questions