Description
These homemade easy cheesy pizza pockets are a delicious and convenient snack or meal, featuring a crispy baked dough filled with gooey mozzarella, savory pepperoni, and flavorful Italian seasoning. Perfectly portioned and customizable with optional fillings like sausage, mushrooms, or bell peppers, they’re great fresh or reheated from frozen.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough and Base
- 1 package refrigerated pizza dough (or homemade)
- Flour for dusting
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
Fillings
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup mini pepperoni or chopped regular pepperoni
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Optional: cooked sausage, mushrooms, bell peppers, or olives
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Prepare Dough: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the pizza dough into a large rectangle approximately ¼ inch thick to create the base for your pockets.
- Cut Dough: Cut the dough into 6 to 8 equal rectangles or squares, which will become individual pizza pockets.
- Add Fillings: On one half of each rectangle, spread a spoonful of pizza sauce, then layer with shredded mozzarella, pepperoni, and any additional optional fillings. Sprinkle Italian seasoning evenly on top for added flavor.
- Seal Pockets: Fold the dough over the filling to form a pocket and firmly press the edges together with a fork to seal and prevent leaking during baking.
- Prepare for Baking: Place the sealed pockets onto the prepared baking sheet. In a small bowl, whisk the egg with 1 tablespoon water to create an egg wash. Brush the tops of each pocket with the egg wash, then lightly brush with olive oil for extra color and crispiness.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15–18 minutes, or until the pockets are golden brown and the cheese inside is bubbly and melted.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and let the pizza pockets cool slightly before serving to prevent burns and allow flavors to settle.
Notes
- These pizza pockets can be frozen before or after baking for convenient future meals.
- Reheat baked pockets in the oven or air fryer to maintain a crispy texture.
- For variety, swap pepperoni with chopped veggies or cooked chicken.
- Serve with extra marinara sauce or ranch dressing for dipping.
