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These air fryer unsloppy joes biscuit pockets are everything you love about classic sloppy joes, just easier to eat. Each biscuit is filled with a savory, sweet and tangy beef mixture, then sealed and air fried until golden and crisp. Brushed with butter and sprinkled with sesame seeds, they’re handheld, hearty and completely fuss-free. Perfect for weeknight dinners, lunches or game-day snacks, this recipe transforms a messy classic into a tidy, satisfying bite.
Air fryer unsloppy joes biscuit pockets are filled with tangy beef, sealed in biscuits, and then air fried until perfectly golden, buttery and crisp.
You might also enjoy sloppy joe sliders, cowboy meatloaf and potato casserole or one of these easy sloppy joe recipes.
Why You’ll Love It
Kid-friendly: These are fun to eat and easy for little hands to hold.
No mess: All the filling is sealed inside for grab-and-go eating.
Quick and easy: Uses refrigerated biscuit dough and simple pantry staples.
Perfect for parties: Great for serving a crowd with minimal effort.
Baked Sloppy Joes Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Ground beef: The hearty, flavorful base for the filling.
Ketchup: Adds sweetness and tang to the meat mixture.
Brown sugar: Balances the savory elements with a touch of caramelized sweetness.
White onion: Adds texture and mild sharpness to the beef.
Spices and seasonings: Salt, black pepper, paprika, and minced dried onion round out the flavor.
Tomato paste: Deepens the richness and adds concentrated tomato flavor.
Worcestershire sauce: Provides umami and a savory kick.
Mustard: Stone-ground mustard adds tang and depth to the mix.
Biscuits: Store-bought biscuit dough creates a crisp, fluffy exterior.
Unsalted butter: Brushed on top for richness and browning.
Sesame seeds: Add a crunchy finish.
How to Make Air Fryer Unsloppy Joes Biscuit Pockets
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Cook the beef: Brown the meat, drain it and sauté with onions.
Simmer the filling: Add ketchup, seasonings, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard.
Prepare the dough: Flatten biscuit rounds on a floured board.
Fill and seal: Spoon beef mixture into the center, fold and pinch to close.
Air fry: Cook seam-side down until the biscuits are golden and puffed.
Finish and serve: Brush with butter, sprinkle with sesame seeds and cool briefly.
Substitutions and Variations
Swap the meat: Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
Make it spicy: Add hot sauce or diced jalapeños to the filling.
Cheesy option: Add a cube of cheddar or shredded cheese inside each pocket.
Add veggies: Add finely chopped bell peppers or mushrooms to the filling if you like. Sauté these with the beef to tenderize them.
Add smokiness: A dash of liquid smoke adds a great flavor to the filling. A little goes a long way so only add a few drops if you’re using it.
Serving Suggestions
With a salad: Enjoy an iceberg wedge salad or Olivier salad on the side.
With hot sides: Pair your biscuit pockets with homemade onion rings, sweet potato tater tots or even voodoo fries.
How to Store Unsloppy Joes Biscuit Pockets
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 3 days.
Freeze: You can freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Defrost it in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat: You can warm it back up in the oven or air fryer, or in the microwave.
Top Tips
Don’t overfill: Use just 2 to 3 tablespoons of filling to prevent leaks.
Seal well: Pinch the edges firmly so the pockets don’t open during cooking.
Leave space in the basket: Air flow helps the biscuits cook evenly.
Biscuit Pockets with Sloppy Joes FAQs
Yes, just roll it out and cut rounds to the same thickness.
Yes, but be sure to seal the edges well as crescent dough is softer.
Yes, reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes to crisp them up again.
Air Fryer Unsloppy Joes Biscuit Pockets Recipe
Air Fryer Unsloppy Joes Biscuit Pockets
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Pound ground beef
- 1/2 Cup ketchup
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 white onion, diced
- 1 Teaspoon salt
- 1/2 Teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 Teaspoon ground paprika
- 1 Teaspoon dried onion, minced
- 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire
- 1/2 Tablespoon mustard, stone-ground
- 2 Cans biscuits, I used Pillsbury Grands
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/2 Tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium high heat
- Add ground beef to the hot pan. Brown and drain the beef. Add the ground beef back to the hot pan with the diced onions and sauté for 2 minutes.
- Lower the heat, then stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, salt, pepper, paprika, minced dried onion, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and stone ground mustard. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees for 5 minutes
- Lightly flour a wooden cutting board. Place biscuits onto the cutting board and gently flatten to 1/4-inch thick.
- Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of the sloppy joe mix to the center of the biscuits. Pull the edges over the sloppy Joe mix and gather in the center. Pinch the edges together to seal.
- Brush biscuits with melted butter and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or nonstick cooking spray and place the biscuits inside seam side down, leaving at least a half inch space in between.
- Cook for 7 minutes then remove and let cool for 2 minutes before serving.
Notes
Seal well: Pinch the edges firmly so the pockets don’t open during cooking.
Leave space in the basket: Air flow helps the biscuits cook evenly.
Nutrition
Air fryer unsloppy joes biscuit pockets bring all the classic flavor of a sloppy Joe into a crispy, sealed biscuit you can eat with your hands. The filling is savory, sweet and tangy, while the biscuit bakes up golden and buttery in the air fryer. With simple ingredients and minimal cleanup, these are great for busy evenings or weekend bites. Whether served as a snack, dinner or party food, this recipe is sure to be a new favorite.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
I get a kick out of making this dish, and eating it afterward is the cherry on top.
I’m so happy I tried this recipe! So delicious! 😋
What a wonderful easy recipe this one was to make
These were amazing. I wasn’t expecting much but honestly this is way more impressive than simple comfort food… but still easy to make.
These look delicious! I am making them tomorrow!