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How to Make Hot Pockets Crispy in Microwave – Best Way

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Do you know that you can make hot pockets crispy in microwave? There is not doubt that microwaving hot pocket is the easiest meal to quickly solve your hunger. 

Due to inside filling contains moisture, heating up hot pockets typically result in a soggy crust with uneven temperature for every bite.

How do you make hot pockets crispy in the microwave? Unwrap the hot pocket, disregard the crisping sleeve and place the turnover on a preheated microwave crisper pan. Use a 1100 watt microwave on high setting for 2 minutes for 1 hot pocket and 4 minutes for 2 hot pockets. 

For lower wattage microwave, nuke 1 hot pocket for 3 minutes. 

From cheesy to savor pizza flavors and health-friendly cheddar, chicken and broccoli combinations, there are countless flavors to satisfy your craving. 

Despite their convenient way of cooking, there are still unanswered questions about how to prepare hot pockets to make it crispy. 

So, what’s the secret to perfectly cooked and crispy hot pockets? This article answers all the frequently asked questions in regards to microwaving crispy hot pockets, read through to learn more!

Can you microwave hot pockets?

Yes, you can microwave hot pockets. The frozen turnover comes with different flavors such as cheese, ham, pepperoni pizza fillings and more that are designed for microwave cooking.

These ingredients are already pre-cooked, so make hot pockets are easy to heat up in the microwave. 

However, pay attention to the prescribed microwaving time to ensure they properly cook through. Whether you like soft or crispy hot pockets, make sure to have internal temperature reaches 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Due to meat and various ingredients in the fillings, do not consume hot pockets that haven’t reached a safe internal temperature. 

Is it safe to microwave hot pockets?

Yes, it’s completely safe to microwave hot pockets. The ingredients that make up hot pockets are easy to heat up, and only require to microwave them for a few minutes, then they’re ready to eat. 

When heating, don’t microwave plastic since this can lead to potentially hazardous conditions due to melting the plastic and possibly leaching harmful chemicals into the food.

Instead, go for ceramic or glass dish ware that is microwave friendly. Again, ensure to use a big plate that can comfortably move around the microwave. 

Additionally, having a cover or lid will help to avoid splattering fat or avoiding mess from exploding hot pockets.

Why is my hot pocket soggy?

Even though you followed the microwaving guidelines, most likely your hot pockets will turn out soggy no matter what. 

The main reason that hot pocket become soggy when microwaved it due to crisp sleeves may frozen and still had ice particles surrounding it. Once you slide the hot pocket into the sleeve and microwave, the water molecules are trapped inside the sleeve and moisture clings to the hot pocket to make the crust soggy and chewy.

Instead os using crisping sleeve, place your hot pockets upside-down on a preheated microwave crisper pan. This helps to make hot pocket brown and add a crunch to the crust.

Furthermore, it helps to reduce cooking time. In addition, it has a lid that minimizes the splattering of fat or exploded hot pockets. 

Why is the middle of a hot pocket cold?

This has to do with the fact that water molecules are heated at different intensity rates in a microwave due to uneven heating. When molecules are frozen, the heating inconsistency is more apparent.

This is why your crust is extra hot, but the middle of the hot pocket is still frozen.

In order to avoid the uneven heat of middle and edges, simply reduce the recommended heating time to 75% of the total. Then, take out the hot pocket from the microwave, hold on both ends and a shake couple of time horizontally to evenly mix the filling on the inside. 

After mixing, place the hot pocket back in the microwave and cook for the remaining time. As a result, the heat should be even dispersed throughout the inside of the turner, and the either hot pocket should be fully reheated.

How do you microwave hot pockets to make them crispy?

It’s not easy to microwave hot pockets to make them crispy and crunchy on the outside with a juicy inside. Just following the microwave heating instructions will not achieve a crispy texture.

First, prepare hot pockets by unwrapping them and placing them on a preheated microwave crisper pan. Cover with lid to prevent from splattering or making a mess when side of hot pockets explode. 

If you’re using an 1100-watt microwave, cook on high for around 2 minutes. But if microwave has lower wattage, then an extra minute will be required to fully heat. 

When cooking two hot pockets at a time, heat them for about 4 minutes, however for better results, be sure to warm one hot pocket at a time. Before diving in, allow them to sit and cool for at least two minutes to balance out the internal temperature. 

As a result, hot pockets will become crispy on the outside and evenly heated inside to help avoid burning your mouth.

How long do you microwave hot pockets to make it crispy

The cooking time for hot pockets is majorly dependent on the number of hot pockets you are heating at the same time and the wattage of the microwave. In general, it should take around 2 to 4 minutes to fully microwave hot pockets. 

The recommended cooking and crisping time for one hot pocket is 2 minutes. However, if you are microwaving more than one turnover, then the time increases to around 4 minutes. 

Remember, the recommended microwave time is for appliances that are 1100 watts. So make sure to adjust accordingly if you have a lower wattage microwave oven.

Tips to microwave crispy hot pockets

Microwaves vary, and therefore the cooking time also varies depending on the wattage of the appliance. It’s vital to pay attention to the cooking instructions on the hot pockets to ensure quality, safety and maintain the crisp outside of the crust. 

  • Remember, hot pockets are highly perishable and therefore ensure you keep them refrigerated or frozen at all times before cooking. 
  • Cook the hot pockets to an internal temperature of 74°C or 165°F to avoid potential health complications.
  • If you want crispy hot pockets, try cooking for longer than recommended, especially if you do not have a crisper pan. 
  • If you do not own crisper pan, use the crisper sleeve and microwave only 60 seconds and do not overheat inside of crisper sleeve.
  • The filling is usually extremely hot, and you don’t want to get burned. Let it cool for 2 minutes at room temperature before diving in.
  • At the midpoint of microwaving the hot pocket, shake it to mix hot and cold filling on the inside to evenly distribute the internal temperature. Continue to heat in microwave to make inside consistently warm.

Best way to microwave crispy hot pockets

The best way to achieve a crispy hot pocket is first to microwave it on a crisper pan with lid. This will help to make the outside crust crunchy instead of becoming soggy and chewy.

When microwaving, it’s essential to place them upside down without the crisping sleeves on a microwavable crisper pan and nuke for 1 minute and 30 seconds. 

By microwaving for less than the recommended two minutes, your fillings won’t gash out from the sides.

Once microwaving is done, check the internal temperature that reaches above 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit to confirm that it is safe to consume. 

Remember to shake them to eliminate uneven heat on every bite. Also, let them sit for a minute or two to bring down the temperature slightly so it is comfortable to eat instead of burning your mouth.

How to make hot pockets crispy in microwave

Microwaving Crispy Hot Pockets: Conclusion

Hot pockets are easy, fast and perfect for a quick bite to eat to save you from hunger. They come in different flavors, so if you’re choosy, no need to worry. 

However, it is enjoyable when heated correctly with a crispy crunchy crust and hot juicy filling inside. 

It’s essential to check the wattage of a microwave to be sure that the heating time is appropriate. Don’t focus too much on the recommended time on the packaging instructions since sometimes it’s overestimated, especially if your microwave has a higher wattage. 

Because of watt differences between microwave appliances, hot pockets may turn out soggy or the middle part may still be cold.

In order to make hot pockets crispy in the microwave, remove any package materials including crisper sleeve, and instead place the hot pocket on a microwavable crisper pan. Cover with lid, adjust the power on high and nuke for 2 minutes.

Depending on the number of hot pockets and microwave wattage level, the heating time varies. As a result of using a crisper pan, the hot pocket will become golden brown with a crunchy texture that resembles oven baked goodness.

Vic

Thursday 15th of September 2022

The Hot Pockets package NEVER says what to do if the microwave is higher wattage. Mine's 1550 watts. The hot pockets always come out soggy. I think that it's false advertising saying that the 'crisper' will make them crispy.

Joshua

Thursday 15th of September 2022

1550 is a very high wattage microwave. I would recommend using 70% power so that you can microwave for longer without burning the outside crust. As a result, the filling should full reheat, and not be ice cold before the pastry burns.