Let me introduce you one of my new favorite recipes! Air fryer vegan hot pockets! These babies are portable…they are snackable….they are the perfect grab-and-go treat to bring on a picnic, toss in a cooler, and pack for your kids school lunch. This Italian air fryer vegan hot pockets recipe is also a HUGE crowd pleaser at any party!
Air Fryer Vegan Hot Pockets…aka Italian hand pies, are made with store bought pizza dough (for your convenience) and loaded with vegan pepperoni, zucchini, vegan parmesan AND vegan feta (yes, I needed to include both…delicious), onions, pepperoncini peppers, basil, olives, marinara, and seasoning…and it’s all folded into adorable little pockets and air fried to perfection.
This Air fryer vegan hot pocket recipe is so easy to make and sooooo incredibly delicious! Prep these Italian hand pies ahead of time…and have drool-worthy grab-and-go snacks (or meal) all week long! Or impress your guests at your next gather with a tray of this crowd pleasing finger food!
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Why you will love this air fryer vegan hot pockets recipe
This recipe immediately became one of my favorite easy air fryer recipes…and I’m thinking it might quickly become one of yours. Why? This recipe is…
- EASY TO MAKE – This recipe is so simple to make…thanks to the air fryer and pre-made pizza dough. Even a beginner in the kitchen can handle this air fryer vegan hot pocket recipe. It’s the perfect recipe to make with kids as well!
- LOADED WITH FLAVOR – This recipe has a bit of a list of ingredients…but trust me, the flavor is INCREDIBLE! These air fryer vegan hot pockets are loaded with Italian inspired flavor…they’re basically a killer Italian hoagie, packed into a pocket. They’re savory, slightly spicy, and oh so delicious.
- PERFECT FOR MEAL PREP – You will not only fall in love with the flavor of this air fryer vegan hot pockets recipe…you will also fall in love with convenience of it! You can prep these Italian hand pies in advance, store them in an air tight container in your fridge for up to a week, and enjoy them at your convenience. You can reheat these vegan hot pockets OR just eat them at room temperature!
- EVEN NON VEGANS WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE– Thanks to the super delicious vegan alternatives for meat and cheese that are now available…even meat eaters will love these vegan hot pockets!
- CROWD PLEASING FINGER FOOD FOR PARTIES – Need to feed and impress a crowd…this air fryer hot pockets recipe is perfect for just that! Lay these babies out on the snack table at your next party and watch them disappear.
Ingredients to make Air fryer vegan hot pockets recipe
Gone are the days of tasteless vegan cheese and plant-based meat alternatives that taste like card board. Now there are SO MANY delicious vegan meat and cheese options on the store shelves! Pair vegan pepperoni, vegan feta, and vegan parmesan with fresh zucchini and friends…and you will have yourself a total flavor bomb! Here’s what you need for this Italian vegan hot pockets recipe…
- PRE-MADE PIZZA DOUGH – I went with the brand Jus-Rol. More info below
- VEGAN PEPPERONI – I went with the brand Field Roast. More info below
- VEGAN FETA– I used Follow Your Heart vegan feta crumbles. More info below
- VEGAN PARMESAN– I used Follow Your Heart vegan shredded parmesan. More info below
- MARINARA SAUCE – Any jarred red sauce of your choice. I went with Rao’s Roasted Garlic…soooo good
- ZUCCHINI – can substitute eggplant or mushrooms
- FRESH BASIL
- ONIONS – I went with red onions, but you can substitute any onion
- PEPPERONCINI PEPPERS – use jarred
- OLIVES – can be any olive of your choice
- ITALIAN SEASONING
- ONION POWDER
A little more info for a couple of ingredients…
PRE-MADE PIZZA DOUGH – Part of what makes this air fryer vegan hot pocket recipe so easy to make is the use of pre-made, store bought dough. Of course you can make your own pizza dough from scratch if you want to be a hero about it. But for this recipe, I went with the easy route. For the pre-made pizza dough I went with the brand Jus-Rol. If you have the option to grab this brand, go for it! This pre-made pizza dough is vegan, GMO free, and delicious! The texture it great too!
VEGAN PEPPERONI – Yes! There is such a thing as vegan pepperoni…and it is delicious! For this air fryer vegan hot pocket recipe, I went will the brand Field Roast. The flavor and texture of this plant-based pepperoni alternative are spot on! If you can’t find vegan pepperoni or want to skip it, you can substitute vegan Italian sausage or any vegan meat alternative of choice. Don’t want to use vegan meat? Substitute tofu, chickpeas, or mushrooms instead!
VEGAN FETA AND PARMESAN CHEESE – For this air fryer vegan hot pocket recipe I went with vegan Follow Your Heart brand of feta AND vegan parmesan. Why? Because they each bring a unique taste and texture to the dish. Don’t want to be so extra about it? Just go with any vegan cheese of your choosing!
JARRED MARINARA SAUCE – To make this air fryer vegan hot pocket recipe extra easy, I went with a jarred marinara sauce. Of course, homemade sauce it great…but there are actually so many amazing options on the shelves, if you don’t feel like putting the extra time in the kitchen, they are an excellent options. One of my favorite brands is Rao’s. For this air fryer vegan hot pocket recipe I went with Rao’s Roasted Garlic Marinara sauce. SOOOOO GOOD!
Ways to Adjust this recipe
This recipe is delicious as is, but there are many ways to adjust this recipe if desired!
- USE LESS INGREDIENTS – Yes, the ingredient list is a bit lengthy. Every ingredient is very purposeful to make a delicious blend of flavor…BUT, if you want to shorten the list, these air fryer vegan hot pockets will still be delicious! You will definitely need the pizza dough, but pretty much everything else can be exchanged or changed if needed. You can swap out the choice of veggies, vegan cheese, and vegan pepperoni for any substitutes you desire.
- ADJUST THE SPICE LEVEL– This Air fryer vegan hot pockets recipe SLIGHTLY spicy because of the vegan pepperoni and pepperoncini peppers. Don’t like spice? Leave these peppers out and trade the vegan pepperoni for mild vegan Italian sausage. Want it more spicy? Add crushed red pepper flakes!
How to make Italian air fryer vegan hot pockets
As mentioned many times already…this air fryer vegan hot pockets recipe is DELISH and very easy to make! Here’s how…
Begin by preheating the oven to 400ºF. If your air fryer does not have a preheat button, simply turn your empty air fryer on and let it heat up for 5 minutes before use.
Prepare the Italian filling
As your air fryer preheats, it’s time to prepare the Italian filling. To do this, chop up the following ingredients into small pieces. 1 green zucchini, 2 tbsp of sweet onion, 6 olives, and 2.5 oz (half package) of vegan pepperoni.
Place in an even layer on the air fryer tray. Place in preheated oven and cook for 10 minutes at 400ºF. Mix at the half way mark to allow ingredients to cook more evenly.
Once the ingredients have cooked for 10 minutes in the air fryer, remove from oven and transfer them to a bowl. Combine with 2 tbsp of jarred marinara sauce, 1/4 cup of fresh basil (chopped), 2 tbsp vegan feta cheese, 2 tbsp vegan parmesan cheese, 2 tbsp pepperoncini peppers (chopped), 1 tsp Italian seasoning, and 1/4 tsp onion powder. Mix until evenly combined.
Assemble your vegan hot pockets
Now it’s time to assemble the Italian vegan hot pockets!
Lay out the pizza dough on a flat surface. I cut my pizza dough into two batches of 8 pieces (16 pieces total). Feel free to change the size if desired, you may just have to adjust the cooking time.
Then scoop 1/16th of the Italian filling onto one edge of the cut pizza dough. About 1 tbsp of filling per piece.
Next, fold over the piece of dough so the corners meet. Then, using a fork, press down around the edges to seal the though.
Repeat process until all of the Italian hot pockets have been assembled.
Air Fry the Italian vegan Hot Pockets
Once your Italian vegan hot pockets have been assembled it’s time to cook them. Place them in a single layer on the air fryer tray.
If you want your dough to be a little more moist and golden brown you can brush the top of each hot pocket with oil. But this step is optional.
Next, place the tray of Italian vegan hot pockets in the preheated air fryer and cook for 10 minutes at 400ºF. Keep an eye on them while cooking, time may vary depending on air fryer. Your Italian vegan hot pockets will be ready when the outside is golden brown, the dough is cooked, and the inside is hot.
When completely cooked, remove from air fryer. Serve with a side of sauce if desired and enjoy!
Tips for making air fryer vegan hot pockets
- Preheat the air fryer – Preheating the air fryer is super important when it comes to successfully making air fryer vegan hot pockets. This allows the oven to heat up so it is actually at the temperature it should be when you place the Italian vegan hot pockets in the air fryer. If you do not have a preheat button on your air fryer, simply turn on the empty air fryer for 5 minutes before use. Never preheat your air fryer with parchment paper in it! It could get sucked up into the heating element and cause a fire!
- Use oil – Now if you are trying to save of fat and calories, you can skip the oil and your air fryer vegan hot pockets will still be great. But for the best results, lightly brush the tops of your Italian vegan hot pockets with oil before cooking. Doing this will result in a golden brown, slightly moist, crispy crust.
- Cook the inside contents separately – As you may have noticed, there are two stages to this cooking process in this air fryer vegan hot pocket recipe. First you will air fry some of the filling…then you will construct the vegan hot pockets and air fry again. Why do you do this? It allows the inside contents to become juicier, crispier, and develops a better roasted flavor, resulting in a vegan hot pocket with the best flavor and texture possible! So when it comes to making the perfect air fryer vegan hot pocket, always air fry you veggies and vegan meats separately before stuffing them into pockets.
- Cook in a single layer – I know it can be tempting to over crowd or stack your air fryer vegan hot pockets so you can cook them all at once…but don’t do this! Always lay your Italian vegan hot pockets out in a single layer and give a little space in between each one. This will allow your air fryer vegan hot pockets to cook evenly.
What to serve with homemade air fryer Italian vegan hot pockets
For this air fryer vegan hot pockets recipe, you have a multiple great ways to serve them! First of all, serving them with a side of extra marinara sauce is always a delicious idea!
You can serve a few per person as a main meal, like a sandwich! If so, serve with a side salad, steamed veggies, or chips.
You can also serve them as a snack or appetizer at a gathering or party! Serve them along side air fryer cheesy vegan crab bites!
I personally love making a big batch of these air fryer vegan hot pockets in the beginning of the week to snack on and pack for school lunches!
Looking for more Italian Inspired snacks to serve along side these Italian vegan hot pockets? Try these recipes…
- AIR FRYER VEGAN ANTIPASTO STUFFED AUBERGINE AND FETA
- AIR FRYER CHEESY VEGAN CRAB BITES AND OLD BAY SRIRACHA AIOLI
- AIR FRYER VEGAN CRAB STUFFED MUSHROOMS
- EASY BALSAMIC BLACK GARLIC KNOTS USING PILLSBURY DOUGH
- MARINARA AND VEGAN MOZZ DIP : WITH MIYOKO’S LIQUID MOZZARELLA
- WARM MARINATED OLIVES FOR CHARCUTERIE BOARD
- ITALIAN HOAGIE SALAD
Prep ahead air fryer Italian vegan hot pocket recipe
Yes! This Italian vegan hot pockets recipe is the perfect candidate for meal prep! If you want to prepare these babies ahead of time simply make the recipe. Then store finished recipe in an air tight container in the fridge for up to a week. When you are ready to eat them simply reheat them in the air fryer or serve at room temperature.
If you want them to taste super fresh and crispy when serve them, make the recipe, but air fry the assembled hot pockets for only 5 minutes. Just enough to make them sturdy. Remove from air fryer and store in an air tight container in the fridge or in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you are ready to serve them, just pop them back in the air fryer for 5-8 minutes, until golden brown on the outside and hot on the inside. If they were frozen, thaw before cooking. Serve and enjoy!
Air Fryer Vegan Hot Pockets Recipe : Italian Hand Pies
Air Fryer Vegan Hot Pockets…aka Italian hand pies, are made with store bought pizza dough (for your convenience) and loaded with vegan pepperoni, zucchini, vegan parmesan AND vegan feta, onions, peppercini peppers, basil, olives, marinara, and seasoning…and it's all folded into adorable little pockets and air fried to perfect.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 people
Equipment
air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 14 oz package Pizza dough I used Jus-Rol brand
- 2.5 oz vegan Pepperoni I used the brand Field Roast (half of the package)
- 1 green zucchini
- 2 tbsp red onion
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 6 olives
- 2 tbsp vegan feta crumbles I used the brand Follow Your Heart
- 2 tbsp vegan parmesan, shredded I used the brand Follow Your Heart
- 2 tbsp marinara sauce I used the brand Rao's Roasted Garlic Marinara Sauce, but you can use any jarred sauce of your choice
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
Optional ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil Optional, used to brush the top of the pockets before cooking
- extra sauce for serving Optional
Instructions
Begin by preheating the oven to 400ºF. If your air fryer does not have a preheat button, simply turn your empty air fryer on and let it heat up for 5 minutes before use
Prepare the air fryer vegan hot pocket Italian filling
Chop up the following ingredients into small pieces. 1 green zucchini, 2 tbsp of red onion, 6 olives, and 2.5 oz of vegan pepperoni
Place in an even layer on the air fryer tray
Place in preheated oven and cook for 10 minutes at 400ºF. Mix at the half way mark to allow ingredients to cook more evenly
Once the ingredients have cooked for 10 minutes in the air fryer, remove from oven and transfer them to a bowl
Chop 1/4 cup of fresh basil and 2 tbsp pepperoncini peppers into small pieces and add to bowl.
Add 2 tbsp of jarred marinara sauce, 2 tbsp vegan feta cheese, 2 tbsp vegan parmesan cheese, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, and 1/4 tsp onion powder to the bowl
Mix until evenly combined
Assemble your vegan hot pockets
Lay out the pizza dough on a flat surface. I cut my pizza dough into two batches of 8 pieces (16 pieces total).
Feel free to change the size if desired, you may just have to adjust the cooking time.
Scoop 1/16th of the Italian filling onto one edge of the cut pizza dough. About 1 tbsp of filling per piece
Fold over the piece of dough so the corners meet. Then, using a fork, press down around the edges to seal the dough
Repeat process until all of the Italian hot pockets have been assembled
Air Fry the Italian vegan Hot Pockets
Place your vegan hot pockets in a single layer on the air fryer tray. Leave space in between so they can cook properly
**If you have a smaller air fryer, you will need to cook in smaller batches
If you want your dough to be a little more moist and golden brown you can brush the top of each hot pocket with oil. But this step is optional, feel free to skip it if you want to save on fat and calories.
Place the tray of Italian vegan hot pockets in the preheated air fryer and cook for 10 minutes at 400ºF.
Keep an eye on them while cooking, time may vary depending on air fryer. Your Italian vegan hot pockets will be ready when the outside is golden brown, the dough is cooked, and the inside is hot.
When completely cooked, remove from air fryer. Serve with a side of sauce if desired and enjoy!
Keyword air-fried, air-fryer, hand pies, hot pocket, italian, plant-based, vegan, vegan Italian starter
