Can you eat a thawed Hot Pocket? (3 Ways to cook)
In this brief guide, we will answer the question, can you eat a thawed Hot Pocket? We will discuss the right way to thaw Hot Pockets and how to cook them respectively in the microwave, oven, and toaster. We will also discuss some features of Hot Pockets.
Can you eat a thawed Hot Pocket?
You can eat a thawed Hot Pocket when you thaw it in the fridge or at room temperature. Hot Pockets are sold frozen and then cooked without thawing them. Hot Pockets are usually precooked, and eating them without cooking will not cause any harm to health.
Hot pockets were introduced, by Nestle which came with a stuffing of meat and cheese. The struggle which comes with hot pockets is that they either burst or cook unevenly.
If you decide to thaw Hot pockets, they must not be left out of the fridge for more than four hours. In the refrigerator, you can keep the Hot Pockets for around a day.
How to thaw hot pockets?
It is optional for you to leave the hot pocket to thaw, which takes around 1-2 hours, assuming that you put it at room temperature. If you put the Hot Pocket in the fridge to thaw, it will take around 3 hours.
The safest way to thaw hot pockets is to let them sit in the fridge. Thawing in the refrigerator discourages bacterial growth, hence, makes your meat-based item safe for long.
If you are on a time crunch, you can heat the Hot Pocket in the microwave for a couple of minutes, but be sure to eat it immediately after. If you thaw your meat or any other food in the microwave, it becomes a food safety hazard if you do not consume it immediately.
To defrost or thaw Hot Pockets in the microwave, you need to cook at low power or press the defrost button. Cooking at low power will make sure that the hot pockets cook evenly as the heat can penetrate and does not burn the outsides.
When you heat the Hot Pocket in the microwave, consume it within an hour. The meat and cheeses are quick to spoil but causing a temperature shock can speed up the process. Meat and Cheeses are prone to spoilage, especially if they are left sitting for long.
How to cook hot pockets in the microwave?
Follow the method below, which is a great way to ensure that Hot Pockets cook evenly. When you cook the Hot Pocket in the microwave, be sure to use the crisping sleeve.
- Adjust the microwave to a low setting.
- Microwave by ¾ of the time labeled on the package.
- Take the hot pocket out, hold the edges and give it a shake. The contents mix and distributes the heat.
- Continue to microwave for the rest of the time.
How to cook Hot Pocket in the oven?
TO cook hot pockets in the oven, grease a pan, and place your Hot Pockets. Let the oven preheat at a high temperature of around 350 Fahrenheits. You will need to bake for around 20 to 30 minutes until the hot pockets are cooked completely.
It will take longer to cook Hot Pockets in the oven compared to any other method, but if you prefer crispy and golden Hot Pockets, then this method will work best for you.
How to toast Hot Pockets?
To toast hot pockets, unwrap and place them on a toaster oven baking sheet. DO not use the crisping sleeve when you cook the Hot Pocket in the toaster.
Some common flavors of Hot Pockets include Philly Cheese, Chicken Bacon Ranch, Croissant Crust Hickory Ham & Cheddar, Double Pepperoni Pizza, Four Meat & Four Cheese Pizza, Garlic Buttery Crust Pepperoni Pizza, and Ham, Egg & Cheese.
There is even a range of Hot Pockets categorized as Breakfast, Protein, Big and Bold, and Drive-Thru. The breakfast range includes options such as bacon, eggs, and cheese, while high-proteins feature one or more kinds of meat. Big and Bold has unconventional flavors to offer, such as Chicken Bacon Ranch.
Altogether 50 varieties are catering to different mealtimes of the day. Even the crust of hot pockets ranges from Garlic Buttery, Crispy, Croissant, Crispy Buttery, Flaky, Garlic and Herb, Seasoned, Biscuit, Pancake, and Flavor Blasted.
Enjoying Hot Pockets as a treat or occasional snack will work for you. However, it must not be a regular part of your diet because it carries calories, trans fats, and sodium which can be detrimental in the long run.
In this brief guide, we answered the question, can you eat a thawed Hot Pocket? We discussed the right way to thaw Hot Pockets and how to cook them respectively in the microwave, oven, and toaster. We also discussed some features of Hot Pockets.
