Contents
- 1 Do Hot Pockets Expire?
- 2 Can You Eat Hot Pockets After They Expire?
- 3 What Happens To Hot Pockets After They Expire?
- 4 Do Hot Pockets Have To Stay Frozen?
- 5 Can You Keep Hot Pockets In The Fridge?
- 6 How Long Do Hot Pockets Last In The Fridge?
- 7 How Do You Thaw Hot Pockets?
- 8 Can You Microwave Hot Pockets?
- 9 Can You Cook A Hot Pocket In An Air Fryer?
- 10 Extra Information About expiration date on hot pockets That You May Find Interested
- 11 Do Hot Pockets Expire? – Foods Guy
- 12 How to read hot pocket expiration date? – Daily Delish
- 13 Do Hot Pockets Expire? – Project Perfect Home
- 14 Do HOT POCKETS EXPIRE If Frozen | Eat or Throw Away
- 15 If You Have This Beloved Snack at Home, Throw It Away …
- 16 How Long Do Hot Pockets Last in the Freezer?
- 17 Can Hot Pockets Go Bad? – The Whole Portion
- 18 Frequently Asked Questions About expiration date on hot pockets
- 19 Video About expiration date on hot pockets
Below is information and knowledge on the topic expiration date on hot pockets gather and compiled by the monanngon.net team. Along with other related topics like: How long are Hot Pockets good for in the fridge, Do Hot Pockets expire if frozen, How long are Hot Pockets good for frozen, Expired Hot Pocket, Hot Pocket batch code lookup, Hot pocket EST 7721a, How long do hot Pockets go in microwave, How long are Hot Pockets good for after expiration date.
ckets Expire? – Foods Guy
*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure to learn more.
If you’re looking for a quick and easy meal or snack that’s hot, gooey, salty, and delicious nothing really beats a Hot Pocket!
These little inside-out pizzas (they’re kind of like mini calzones!) are guaranteed to fill you up and satisfy your savory cravings.
But what happens if there was a sale on Hot Pockets and you bought a bunch of boxes. Or what if you bought some and found them in the freezer months later.
Are your Hot Pockets still safe to eat? Do they have an expiry date? And if so, what happens after they pass that date?
We’ve done the research for you to discover whether you have to throw those Hot Pockets away or if they can live to be eaten another day.
So, do Hot Pockets expire? Technically, all Hot Pockets come with an expiry date. However, as long as they have stayed frozen the entire time, they are usually still safe to eat even if expired. They may be a little freezer burnt, but they won’t make you sick. Just look out for mold or a slimy texture.
Keep reading to learn more about whether Hot Pockets expire, if you can still eat them after they expire, what happens to them after they expire, and more!
Do Hot Pockets Expire?
One of the rules of manufacturing and selling foods is that companies are legally required to put expiry dates on their products in order to protect consumers. As such, Hot Pockets technically have expiry dates printed on them.
The expiration date is typically 14 months after the date of manufacturing, and they cannot legally be sold if they have passed this expiration date.
However, as long as you keep your Hot Pockets in the freezer they should still be edible long after the expiry date.
Can You Eat Hot Pockets After They Expire?
If you’ve looked in your freezer and found a box of Hot Pockets only to find they have expired, don’t despair!
As long as your Hot Pockets have remained frozen (not thawed then refrozen) then they are probably perfectly safe to eat even if they have expired.
Since they are in the freezer, bacteria can’t really grow on the Hot Pocket (it’s too cold!), so they don’t spoil the same way something spoils at room temperature or even in the fridge.
A few things to look out for to make sure your Hot Pocket hasn’t spoiled include:
- A slimy or sticky texture on the outside
- Flecks of white, blue, green, or black mold
- A weird smell
If your Hot Pocket has any of the above, you should definitely throw it away to make sure you don’t get food poisoning.
Aside from those few issues, the main thing that happens after your Hot Pocket expires is that the taste, texture, and quality may decline.
So your Hot Pocket might not taste as great, but it won’t make you sick and will still hit the spot if you’re in a pinch and looking for a quick meal or snack.
What Happens To Hot Pockets After They Expire?
When you freeze food as a preservation method, the cold temperatures prevent bacteria from growing on the food and causing it to spoil.
Freezing is a great way to store food for longer than in the fridge, where the temperature doesn’t drop low enough to completely halt the growth of bacteria.
However, just because bacterial growth is virtually eliminated in frozen foods doesn’t mean that they still can’t spoil in other ways.
Namely, these foods can see a decrease in terms of quality, texture, and flavor the longer they are frozen for.
When Hot Pockets in particular expire, a few things can happen to them:
They May Get Freezer Burn
The longer an item is left in the freezer, the more likely it is to develop freezer burn.
This issue is a result of moisture loss as an item sits in the freezer, which leads to a dried-out and “burnt” texture. Technically, the freezing process draws the moisture out of the food and freezes the outside of it.
The resulting food can end up looking shriveled, covered in ice crystals, tough, and discolored. The amount of air that’s in the packaging of a product contributes to how quickly a product develops freezer burn or not.
While freezer burnt food doesn’t look or taste great, technically it is still safe to eat. If your Hot Pocket has freezer burn, it might not cook as evenly.
If that’s the case you may need to rotate and flip it around a couple of times as it cooks to try to get it to cook as evenly as possible.
So if your hot pockets are freezer burnt, you can eat them, just be aware they likely won’t taste as good as they would prior to their expiry date.
The Ingredients Might Not Taste As Fresh
The longer your Hot Pocket stays in the freezer, the more likely it is that the ingredients inside it may not taste as fresh and delicious as a newer Hot Pocket.
With that in mind, as long as you’re not eating a 3-year old Hot Pocket, the difference in taste and quality is likely going to be pretty small.
The Dough Might Dry Out
If your Hot Pocket doesn’t have freezer burn, the dough on the outside of the pocket can still dry out a bit the longer it is in the freezer.
While this drier texture might not taste as great as a fresh Hot Pocket, it won’t make you sick, so go ahead and eat it up!
Do Hot Pockets Have To Stay Frozen?
In order for your Hot Pockets to last until their expiry date, they should stay frozen until you are ready to eat them.
You especially don’t want to thaw and then refreeze your Hot Pockets since this could increase the bacterial growth and increase the risk of spoilage.
The only time you can thaw your Hot Pocket is right before you plan to eat it. Place it in the fridge overnight or on the countertop for a couple of hours and then cook it right away to prevent it from going bad.
Can You Keep Hot Pockets In The Fridge?
If you want to thaw your Hot Pockets so that they cook faster and more evenly, you can keep them in the fridge for about 3-4 days.
You don’t want to keep them in the fridge longer than that since the meat and cheese inside of the Hot Pocket could start to spoil.
How Long Do Hot Pockets Last In The Fridge?
Having a few Hot Pockets in the fridge that are already thawed can speed up your cooking time and make sure that they cook evenly.
However, hot pockets only last about 3-4 days in the fridge so you won’t want to take out more than you can eat within that time or you risk having them spoil.
Once they spoil, you’ll have to throw them away since spoiled meat and cheese are at a high risk of food poisoning!
How Do You Thaw Hot Pockets?
If you want to thaw your Hot Pockets, the best way to do so is to put them in the fridge overnight and let them thaw.
If you are in more of a hurry, you can set them on the counter for 3-4 hours to thaw instead. You don’t need to remove the Hot Pocket from its plastic wrapping before thawing.
We don’t recommend leaving them on the counter longer than 4 hours since they contain meat and cheese, which can both spoil if left at room temperature for too long.
Can You Microwave Hot Pockets?
If you want to get your Hot Pocket cooked quickly, you can pop it right in the microwave!
Just make sure you flip it over during the cooking process so that it cooks evenly. Cooking your Hot Pocket in the microwave is definitely the fastest method, but it may also come out a little soggy.
Can You Cook A Hot Pocket In An Air Fryer?
If you want to cook your Hot Pocket so that it has a crispy, golden-brown crust, but you don’t want to have to put it in the oven for 20-30 minutes, cooking it in an air fryer is definitely the way to go.
This cooking method is under 10 minutes and gives you the best results!
- Place your Hot Pockets in a single layer in the fryer basket or on the wire rack.
- Set the temperature to 350°F.
- Place the Hot Pockets in the air fryer for about 6-7 minutes. You will likely want to flip them over at around the 3-minute mark for even cooking.
- Once your Hot Pockets are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer. Let them cool a couple of minutes (that filling is HOT!) and then enjoy!
If you want to make your own hot (pizza) pocket, check out this great video from chef Matty Matheson!
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Jaron
Hey, I’m Jaron and I’m a self-proclaimed food expert and author of this website! I’ll be honest with you, I started this website because someone told me I couldn’t and I needed to prove them wrong. Along my journey, I actually really fell in love with writing about food. I hope you found value from whatever article you read, and if you have any remaining questions, don’t hesitate to contact me!
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Extra Information About expiration date on hot pockets That You May Find Interested
If the information we provide above is not enough, you may find more below here.
Do Hot Pockets Expire? – Foods Guy
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Author: foodsguy.com
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Rating: 3⭐ (771150 rating)
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Highest Rate: 5⭐
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Lowest Rate: 2⭐
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Sumary: In this article, we take a look at hot pockets and find out whether or not these delicious little snacks expire!
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Matching Result: The expiration date is typically 14 months after the date of manufacturing, and they cannot legally be sold if they have passed this expiration date. However, …
- Intro: Do Hot Pockets Expire? – Foods Guy *This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure to learn more. If you’re looking for a quick and easy meal or snack that’s hot, gooey, salty, and delicious nothing really beats a Hot Pocket! These little inside-out pizzas (they’re kind of like mini calzones!) are guaranteed to fill you up and satisfy your savory cravings. But what happens if there was a sale on Hot Pockets and you bought a bunch of boxes. Or what if you bought some and found them in the freezer months later. Are your Hot Pockets…
How to read hot pocket expiration date? – Daily Delish
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Author: dailydelish.us
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Rating: 3⭐ (771150 rating)
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Highest Rate: 5⭐
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Lowest Rate: 2⭐
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Sumary: ..Advertisements.. CONTINUE READING BELOW Do hot pockets have an expiration date? 13, 2020 through Nov. 16, 2020 and shipped to retail locations nationwide, but since Hot Pockets have a shelf life of 14 months, the products could very well still be in consumers’ freezers. And for another popular meal to skip, know that If You … How to read hot pocket expiration date? Read More »
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Matching Result: 13, 2020 through Nov. 16, 2020 and shipped to retail locations nationwide, but since Hot Pockets have a shelf life of 14 months, the products could very well …
- Intro: How to read hot pocket expiration date? ..Advertisements.. CONTINUE READING BELOW Do hot pockets have an expiration date? 13, 2020 through Nov. 16, 2020 and shipped to retail locations nationwide, but since Hot Pockets have a shelf life of 14 months, the products could very well still be in consumers’ freezers. And for another popular meal to skip, know that If You Have These Microwave Meals at Home, Get Rid of Them Now. How do you read coded expiration dates? Read the numbers after the letter as the date of the month and the year in which the item was…
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Source: https://dailydelish.us/how-to/how-to-read-hot-pocket-expiration-date/
Do Hot Pockets Expire? – Project Perfect Home
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Author: projectperfecthome.com
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Rating: 3⭐ (771150 rating)
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Highest Rate: 5⭐
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Lowest Rate: 2⭐
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Sumary: Sometimes nothing is more comforting and nostalgic than good and rich Hot Pockets!
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Matching Result: Hot Pockets have an expiration date, as does most any other food. The expiration date for Hot Pockets is generally 14 months from the date of …
- Intro: Do Hot Pockets Expire? Sometimes nothing is more comforting and nostalgic than good and rich Hot Pockets! You can rely on these tiny calzones to satiate and appease your savory desires anytime. But what’s more comforting is having a whole stack of these goodies in your freezer. However, with loads of something stocked up, comes the inevitable problem, the passage of the expiry date. So are your beloved Hot Pockets also prone to expiring, despite them being kept in the refrigerator? Hot Pockets have an expiration date, as does most any other food. The expiration date for Hot Pockets is…
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Source: https://projectperfecthome.com/do-hot-pockets-expire/
Do HOT POCKETS EXPIRE If Frozen | Eat or Throw Away
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Author: topofy.com
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Rating: 3⭐ (771150 rating)
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Highest Rate: 5⭐
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Lowest Rate: 2⭐
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Sumary: This article will address the question “Do Hot Pockets expire if frozen?” It will provide an in-depth analysis under which conditions Hot Pockets can become spoiled, how long you can keep it in a refrigerator, and what makes Hot Pockets such a tasty treat.
Do Hot Pockets expire?
Hot Pockets expire after 14-months. However, they could -
Matching Result: Legally, Hot Pockets cannot be sold after their expiration date has passed. The expiration date does not affect the useability of Hot …
- Intro: Do HOT POCKETS EXPIRE If Frozen | Eat or Throw AwayThis article will address the question “Do Hot Pockets expire if frozen?” It will provide an in-depth analysis under which conditions Hot Pockets can become spoiled, how long you can keep it in a refrigerator, and what makes Hot Pockets such a tasty treat.Do Hot Pockets expire?Hot Pockets expire after 14-months. However, they could still be in the freezers of consumers.Should I eat Hot Pockets after they expired?Hot Pockets are safe to eat as long as they have not expired or are frozen. They must be purchased in frozen packs,…
If You Have This Beloved Snack at Home, Throw It Away …
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Author: bestlifeonline.com
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Rating: 3⭐ (771150 rating)
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Highest Rate: 5⭐
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Lowest Rate: 2⭐
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Sumary: Hundreds of thousands of Hot Pockets snacks are being recalled nationwide by the USDA due to potential glass and plastic contamination.
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Matching Result: 13, 2020 through Nov. 16, 2020 and shipped to retail locations nationwide, but since Hot Pockets have a shelf life of 14 months, the products …
- Intro: If You Have This Beloved Snack at Home, Throw It Away Immediately This American classic is being recalled due to glass and plastic contamination. Serge Vo / Shutterstock In between Zoom meetings and online schooling, it’s hard to find time to prepare a fresh lunch. So if you’ve been defaulting to microwave meals, you’re hardly alone. But there’s one beloved American classic that you may need to stop eating ASAP, and it’s not because of its nutritional value or lack thereof. Nestlé Prepared Foods has recalled approximately 762,615 pounds of Hot Pockets that may be contaminated with pieces of glass…
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Source: https://bestlifeonline.com/news-hot-pockets-recalled/
How Long Do Hot Pockets Last in the Freezer?
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Author: preparedcooks.com
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Rating: 3⭐ (771150 rating)
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Highest Rate: 5⭐
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Lowest Rate: 2⭐
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Sumary: Hot Pockets are a great staple to have in the home, and keeping a box in your freezer is ideal for those days when you don’t want to cook and you’re rushing
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Matching Result: If you do choose to store a Hot Pocket in the fridge, it should last for about three or four days, but shouldn’t be kept for longer. Many Hot …
- Intro: How Long Do Hot Pockets Last in the Freezer? – PreparedCooks.com Hot Pockets are a great staple to have in the home, and keeping a box in your freezer is ideal for those days when you don’t want to cook and you’re rushing to make dinner. However, if you don’t eat them for a while, you might be wondering if they are still okay. How long should a Hot Pocket last in the freezer? How long do Hot Pockets last in the freezer? A Hot Pocket can be frozen almost indefinitely. The products will remain safe to eat, provided that…
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Source: https://preparedcooks.com/how-long-do-hot-pockets-last-in-the-freezer/
Can Hot Pockets Go Bad? – The Whole Portion
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Author: thewholeportion.com
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Rating: 3⭐ (771150 rating)
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Highest Rate: 5⭐
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Lowest Rate: 2⭐
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Sumary: In this short article we will answer the question, “Can hot pockets go bad?” with an in-depth analysis of which type of hot pockets can get bad for
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Matching Result: So legally, they cannot be sold after the expiration date is passed and the expiration date is not related to the usability of the Hot Pockets, …
- Intro: Can Hot Pockets Go Bad? – The Whole PortionIn this short article we will answer the question, “Can hot pockets go bad?” with an in-depth analysis of which type of hot pockets can get bad for consumption, how long can you leave it in a fridge, and What’s wrong with having hot pockets. No, they are safe to intake, as long as they are in a frozen state or not expired. When we have to buy them from a supermarket they are in frozen packs and marked with an expiration date.So legally, they cannot be sold after the expiration date is…
Frequently Asked Questions About expiration date on hot pockets
If you have questions that need to be answered about the topic expiration date on hot pockets, then this section may help you solve it.