Homemade Cheesy Pizza Pockets Recipe

Introduction

These homemade cheesy pizza pockets are a delightful and portable twist on classic pizza. Filled with gooey cheese, savory tomato sauce, and your favorite toppings, they’re perfect for a snack or meal. Easy to make and bake, they’re sure to please the whole family.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, chilled and diced
• 3/4 cup of milk
• 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup of tomato sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon of dried basil
• 1/2 cup of pepperoni slices or any preferred pizza toppings
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder. Mix well to blend the dry ingredients.
3. Step 3: Gradually add the diced butter into the flour mixture. Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Step 4: Pour in the milk and use a wooden spoon or spatula to stir the mixture until a dough forms.
5. Step 5: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently for about 2 minutes until smooth.
6. Step 6: Roll out the dough to about 1/8 inch thickness using a rolling pin.
7. Step 7: Cut the dough into circles using a cookie cutter or a large glass (about 3-4 inches in diameter).
8. Step 8: In a small bowl, mix together the tomato sauce, oregano, and basil.
9. Step 9: Place a small spoonful of this sauce mixture in the center of each dough circle.
10. Step 10: Add a sprinkle of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the sauce, and top with a few slices of pepperoni or your favorite toppings.
11. Step 11: Carefully fold the dough circle in half over the fillings to create a crescent shape, and crimp the edges with a fork to seal them.
12. Step 12: Place the filled pizza pockets on the prepared baking sheet.
13. Step 13: Brush each one with the beaten egg, ensuring a light, even coating.
14. Step 14: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the pockets are golden brown and puffy.
15. Step 15: Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a crispier crust, bake the pockets on a preheated pizza stone if you have one available.
• Swap out pepperoni for cooked sausage, sautéed vegetables, or even pineapple for different flavor combinations.
• Use fresh herbs like basil or oregano if available, adding them to the sauce mixture for a brighter flavor.
• If you prefer a softer crust, cover the baked pockets with a clean kitchen towel as they cool.

Storage

Store leftover pizza pockets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes or until heated through to maintain crispness. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the crust from getting soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough up to a day in advance. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Bring it to room temperature before rolling out.

Can I freeze these pizza pockets?

Absolutely! Arrange the uncooked pockets on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Homemade Cheesy Pizza Pockets Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 73 reviews

• Author: Andria
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 8–10 pizza pockets 1x

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Description

These homemade cheesy pizza pockets are a delightful, handheld treat filled with tomato sauce, melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, and your favorite pizza toppings like pepperoni. Made from scratch with a tender, flaky dough and baked to golden perfection, they are perfect for snacks, lunches, or party appetizers.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, chilled and diced
• 3/4 cup of milk

Filling

• 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup of tomato sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon of dried basil
• 1/2 cup of pepperoni slices or any preferred pizza toppings

Finishing

• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the pizza pockets bake evenly without sticking.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder. Stir thoroughly to blend all dry components.
3. Incorporate Butter: Gradually add the chilled, diced unsalted butter into the flour mixture. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, which helps create a tender dough.
4. Add Milk and Form Dough: Pour in the milk and stir the mixture with a wooden spoon or spatula until a dough begins to come together.
5. Knead Dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently for about 2 minutes until smooth but not overworked to maintain a tender texture.
6. Roll Out Dough: Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out to approximately 1/8 inch thickness, ensuring even thickness for uniform baking.
7. Cut Dough Circles: Cut the rolled dough into circles about 3-4 inches in diameter using a cookie cutter or a large glass.
8. Prepare Sauce Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the tomato sauce with dried oregano and basil to season the filling.
9. Add Filling to Dough: Spoon a small amount of the seasoned tomato sauce mixture into the center of each dough circle.
10. Add Cheese and Toppings: Sprinkle a mixture of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the sauce, then top with pepperoni slices or other preferred pizza toppings.
11. Seal Pockets: Fold each dough circle in half over the fillings to form a crescent shape and crimp the edges firmly with a fork to seal in the ingredients.
12. Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the filled pizza pockets on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
13. Apply Egg Wash: Brush each pocket lightly and evenly with beaten egg to promote browning and shine during baking.
14. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the pizza pockets are golden brown and puffed up.
15. Cool and Serve: Remove the baked pizza pockets from the oven and allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving to avoid burning and to let the filling set.

Notes

• You can customize the fillings with vegetables or other meats as desired.
• Ensure the edges are sealed well to prevent the fillings from leaking out during baking.
• Allow the butter to be chilled for better dough texture.
• If you prefer a crisper crust, bake a few extra minutes but watch carefully to avoid burning.
• Use parchment paper on your baking sheet for easy cleanup and to avoid sticking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: cheesy pizza pockets, homemade pizza pockets, pizza pockets recipe, baked pizza pockets, snack recipe, appetizer