Kamil Perry
Ham and cheese hot pockets are a convenient snack that can be cooked in a microwave or oven. The cooking instructions vary depending on the number of sandwiches and the cooking appliance used. For example, cooking two sandwiches in an air fryer requires a higher temperature and longer cooking time than cooking one sandwich in a microwave. It is important to follow the cooking instructions to ensure food safety and quality, allowing the product to reach an internal temperature of 165°. Additionally, it is recommended to let the hot pocket cool down before consuming it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking method | Microwave, air fryer, or conventional oven |
| Cooking time | 2 minutes in the microwave, 13-16 minutes in the air fryer, or 15-20 minutes in the oven |
| Cooking temperature | 360° F in the air fryer or 205° F in the oven |
| Number of sandwiches | 1 or 2 |
| Ingredients | Enriched flour, water, fully cooked ham, reduced-fat cheddar cheese, margarine, palm oil, soybean oil, sugar, salt, etc. |
| Type of dough | Pizza dough or puff pastry |
| Additional toppings | Butter, garlic, black pepper, parsley, Italian seasoning, coarse salt |
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What You'll Learn
Oven or microwave
To cook a ham and cheese hot pocket in the oven, first prepare the dough by combining yeast and warm water in a large mixing bowl. After five minutes, add flour, sugar, olive oil, and salt. You can mix by hand or with a dough hook on low speed for one minute. If the dough is too wet, add a little more flour. The dough should be smooth and elastic. Poke it with your finger, and if it slowly bounces back, it's ready to rise. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased mixing bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise for about an hour in a warm environment.
Once the dough has risen, cut it into eight pieces and flatten each into a rectangle. Place the ham and cheese on one side of the rectangle, and fold the other side over to enclose the filling. Seal the edges by pinching them together and using a fork to crimp them shut. Brush the tops and sides of the pocket with egg wash and cut 2-3 slits in the top for air vents.
Place the hot pocket on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (177°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Rotate the baking sheet once or twice during the bake. When the hot pocket is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool on the pan until it's ready to be handled and served.
You can also make ham and cheese hot pockets ahead of time and freeze them. After they've cooled, wrap the pockets individually in aluminum foil and freeze. To reheat, bake the frozen pockets at 350°F (177°C) for 20 minutes.
If you prefer to use a microwave, unwrap the frozen pocket and place it on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave for 2-3 minutes on high.
For a microwaved hot pocket that's not frozen, the cooking time is shorter. 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 two minutes to complete cooking before enjoying.
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Ingredients
Ham and cheese hot pockets are a delicious, hearty snack, perfect for when you're on the go. They are a good source of protein and can be made with a variety of ingredients.
The main ingredients you will need are ham and cheese. For the ham, you can use fully cooked hickory ham, or sliced deli ham—perhaps honey or black forest ham. For the cheese, cheddar is a popular choice, and you can use shredded or sliced cheese. If you want to be extra indulgent, you could add some grated cheese to the middle of your hot pocket, as well as ham and cheese.
To make the pastry, you will need flour, which can be enriched with wheat flour and malted barley flour, and you can add niacin, iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, and folic acid. You will also need water, and some fat to bind your pastry—butter or margarine are good options. You could also add some Italian seasoning, garlic, and parsley to your pastry for extra flavour.
To assemble your hot pockets, you will need an egg, which you can whisk to create an egg wash to seal your pastry and brush over the top of your hot pockets for a golden finish.
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Preparation
To prepare a ham and cheese hot pocket, you will need a ham and cheese hot pocket sandwich, a microwave or an oven, and a microwave-safe plate.
First, remove the ham and cheese hot pocket sandwich from its wrapper and insert it into the crisping sleeve. Place the sandwich on a microwave-safe plate. If you are cooking two sandwiches, place them separately on the plate. Microwave the sandwich on high for 2 minutes if cooking one sandwich, or 3-4 minutes for two sandwiches. Use a potholder to rotate the sandwich halfway through cooking. After removing the sandwich from the microwave, let it sit for 1-2 minutes to complete the cooking process.
Alternatively, you can cook the ham and cheese hot pocket in an air fryer. Unwrap the sandwich and place it in the bottom of the air fryer, without the crisping sleeve. Set the air fryer to 360°F and cook for 13 minutes for one sandwich or 15-16 minutes for two sandwiches. Again, let the sandwich sit for 2 minutes after cooking to complete the cooking process.
If you want to make your own ham and cheese hot pocket from scratch, you will need pizza dough or puff pastry, sliced ham, grated cheddar cheese, and an egg. Lay out your pizza dough or puff pastry and add the grated cheese and diced ham to the middle. Lay another layer of dough or pastry on top and seal the edges with your fingers or a fork. Pierce the pocket with a fork to let steam escape, then brush with egg wash. Bake in an oven at 205°C for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
Note that the cooking times may vary depending on the size and model of your microwave, air fryer, or oven, so you may need to adjust the timing accordingly. Always read the cooking instructions on the package and ensure that your hot pocket reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure food safety.
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Cooking time
Ham and cheese hot pockets can be cooked in the microwave or conventional oven. The cooking time will vary depending on the method chosen and the number of sandwiches being cooked.
To cook a single ham and cheese hot pocket in the microwave, first, unwrap the sandwich and insert it into the crisping sleeve. Place the sandwich on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high for 2 minutes. Using a potholder, rotate the sandwich halfway through cooking. After removing the sandwich from the microwave, let it sit for 1 minute before enjoying.
For two ham and cheese hot pockets in the microwave, follow the same instructions but microwave for 3-4 minutes.
If you are using an air fryer, set the temperature to 360°F. For one sandwich, cook for 13 minutes, and for two sandwiches, cook for 15-16 minutes. Place the sandwiches separately in the air fryer and adjust the cooking time as needed, as air fryer sizes may vary.
When cooking in a conventional oven, preheat the oven to 205°F. The cooking time will vary depending on the number of sandwiches being cooked and the desired level of browning. For a single sandwich, bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
It is important to note that the hot pockets will be very hot after cooking, so it is recommended to let them cool down before enjoying. Additionally, ensure that the product reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety and quality.
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After cooking
Once your ham and cheese hot pocket is cooked, it's important to let it cool down before digging in. The product will be hot, so it's best to give it a couple of minutes to cool slightly—this will also give it time to finish cooking.
You should always follow the cooking instructions for food safety and quality, ensuring the product reaches an internal temperature of 165°. It's important to cook the hot pocket thoroughly before eating, and never consume it frozen or thawed without cooking.
Finally, enjoy your ham and cheese hot pocket!
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Frequently asked questions
Unwrap the sandwich and place it in the crisping sleeve. Microwave on high for 2 minutes for 1 sandwich, and 3-4 minutes for 2 sandwiches. Rotate the sandwich halfway through cooking. Once cooked, let it sit for 2 minutes before eating.
Unwrap the sandwiches and place them in the air fryer. Do not use the crisping sleeve. Set the air fryer to 360°F and cook for 13 minutes for 1 sandwich, and 15-16 minutes for 2 sandwiches. Cooking times may need to be adjusted depending on the size of your air fryer.
You will need pizza dough, ham, cheese, and a large egg. Cut the dough into squares and fill with ham and cheese. Seal the edges with your fingers or a fork, and brush with egg wash. Bake in the oven at 205°C for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
