Description
These Homemade Pizza Pockets are a delicious and easy-to-make snack or main course that features a crispy golden crust filled with classic pizza ingredients like melted mozzarella, pepperoni, and pizza sauce. Perfect for a kid-friendly lunch or freezer meal, they bake up quickly and can be customized with optional fillings such as sausage, mushrooms, or bell peppers.
Ingredients
Scale
Basic Ingredients
- 1 pound pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup mini pepperoni slices or chopped pepperoni
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Optional Fillings
- Cooked sausage
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Diced bell peppers
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the pizza pockets from sticking and to ensure easy cleanup.
- Prepare Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. This thin layer ensures a crisp crust that bakes evenly.
- Cut Dough: Cut the dough into 6 equal rectangles or circles depending on your preferred pocket shape, which will help with portion control and even cooking.
- Add Sauce & Fillings: Spread a spoonful of pizza sauce in the center of each dough piece, leaving a border around the edges to seal. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and any optional fillings like cooked sausage, mushrooms, or bell peppers for extra flavor.
- Seal Pockets: Fold the dough over to enclose the filling completely and press the edges firmly to seal. Use a fork to crimp the edges for a decorative and secure seal that prevents leakage.
- Prepare for Baking: Place the sealed pockets on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder and dried Italian seasoning to enhance flavor and promote browning.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15–18 minutes until the pizza pockets are golden brown and crisp, indicating that the dough is fully cooked and the fillings are hot.
- Cool and Serve: Let the pizza pockets cool slightly before serving to avoid burning and to allow the filling to set, making them easier and safer to eat.
Notes
- These pizza pockets freeze well—cool completely, wrap individually, and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheat frozen pockets in the oven or air fryer for best texture and flavor.
- Swap pepperoni for vegetables or use dairy-free cheese to make a vegetarian or vegan version suitable for different dietary needs.
- Use cooked sausage or other proteins to customize the filling to your preference.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Snack, Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
