When contemplating the ideal duration for air frying a Hot Pocket, one might ponder various factors that could influence the cooking process. Have you considered the specific model of your air fryer? Some appliances may function differently, leading to variations in cooking time. Moreover, should one take into account the thickness and filling of the Hot Pocket? Are certain flavors or combinations of ingredients more prone to uneven heating? As you deliberate on this, do you find it important to ensure that the outer crust achieves that perfect golden-brown crispiness while still guaranteeing the inner filling reaches a safe and delectable temperature? What about the preheating stage? Could this play a pivotal role in ensuring even cooking? With such nuances at play, how does one ascertain the optimum time to air fry a Hot Pocket, balancing efficiency with culinary excellence? In the pursuit of crispy perfection, what benchmarks should one keep in mind?