Description
Cheesy pizza pockets are a kid-friendly, homemade snack featuring gooey mozzarella, savory pepperoni, and tangy tomato sauce wrapped in golden, pillowy dough. Perfect for parties, lunchboxes, or anytime you crave classic pizza flavor in a fun, portable form.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 1 teaspoon instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup diced pepperoni (optional)
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup diced bell peppers (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped black olives (optional)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs or oregano
- 1 large egg, beaten
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt.
- Add warm water and olive oil. Mix until a rough dough forms.
- Knead by hand on a floured surface for 5-7 minutes until smooth and slightly springy. Add extra flour if needed.
- Cover with a kitchen towel and let rest for 15 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix together mozzarella, pepperoni, parmesan, and any optional veggies. Set aside pizza sauce.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Divide dough into 8 equal balls. Roll each ball into a 4-5 inch circle.
- Spread 1 tablespoon pizza sauce in the center of each dough round.
- Add about 2 tablespoons of cheese mixture to each, without overfilling.
- Fold dough over filling to create a half-moon shape. Press edges together firmly.
- Crimp edges with a fork and brush with beaten egg.
- Mix melted butter, garlic powder, and herbs. Brush tops of pockets lightly.
- Place pockets on baking sheet, spaced 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes until golden brown and bubbly, rotating pan halfway.
- Let pockets cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For gluten-free pockets, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. For vegan, use dairy-free cheese and butter, and seal edges with water instead of egg wash. Do not overfill pockets to prevent leaks. Freeze unbaked pockets for future snacks. Chill filling for 10 minutes before assembling for less leakage.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pizza pocket
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 8
Keywords: pizza pockets, cheesy snack, kid-friendly, homemade pizza, easy snack, party food, lunchbox, mozzarella, pepperoni, quick recipe