Skip delivery and enjoy the comfort of gooey, cheesy pizza pockets made at home! These golden, flaky delights are filled with melty mozzarella, savory toppings, and bold Italian seasoning—perfect for snacks, meals, or game nights.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Quick and customizable: Use your favorite toppings—pepperoni, sausages, veggies—for flavor variations.
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Perfect portable treat: Hand-held and kid-friendly, ideal for lunches, parties, or on-the-go snacks.
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Make‑ahead convenience: Prepare ahead and freeze for easy, fast meals whenever needed.
ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
Main Ingredients
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1 package refrigerated pizza dough (or your favorite homemade dough)
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1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
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½ cup pizza sauce
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½ cup diced pepperoni (or preferred toppings such as sausage or vegetables)
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1 tsp Italian seasoning
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1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
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Optional: grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
directions
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Preheat the oven
Preheat to 375 °F (190 °C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it. -
Prepare the dough
On a floured surface, roll out the pizza dough and cut into 6–8 rectangles or circles, depending on the shape you prefer. -
Fill the pockets
Spread a small spoonful of pizza sauce onto each piece of dough, leaving a border around the edges. Top with shredded mozzarella and diced pepperoni (or your choice of toppings). -
Seal the pockets
Fold the dough over the filling to create a pocket. Press the edges firmly together, then crimp with a fork for a secure seal. -
Add the egg wash
Brush the tops with beaten egg for a golden, glossy finish. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and grated Parmesan, if desired. -
Bake
Place the pizza pockets on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15–18 minutes, or until they are golden brown and the cheese has melted. -
Serve hot
Allow the pockets to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them with a side of garlic butter or marinara sauce for dipping.
Servings and timing
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Servings: 6–8 pockets (depending on size)
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Prep time: 10 minutes
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Bake time: 15–18 minutes
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Total time: ~30 minutes
Variations
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Garlic‑butter finish: Brush baked pockets with melted garlic butter before serving.
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Veggie lovers: Use diced bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, or spinach instead of pepperoni.
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Spicy kick: Add red pepper flakes or swap pepperoni for spicy salami.
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Kid-friendly twist: Fill with ham and pineapple for mini Hawaiian pockets.
storage/reheating
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Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
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Freezing: Freeze baked pockets in a single layer, then transfer to freezer bags; keep for up to 2 months.
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Reheating: Warm in a 350 °F oven for 8–10 minutes or in an air-fryer at 350 °F for 4–5 minutes until crisp.
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Microwaving: Not recommended for reheating to avoid sogginess.
FAQs
1. Can I use homemade pizza sauce?
Absolutely! A homemade marinara works great—just ensure it’s thick to avoid soggy dough.
2. Can I prepare these ahead and bake later?
Yes—assemble and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, then bake just before serving.
3. Are these freezer-friendly before baking?
Yes! Assemble on parchment, freeze solid, then transfer to bags. Bake from frozen with an extra 2–3 minutes.
4. What if the pockets leak during baking?
Don’t overfill and press/crimp edges firmly. Brush the edges with egg wash to seal.
5. Can I skip the egg wash?
You can, but the egg wash gives a richer color and glossy finish.
6. How do I reheat to keep them crispy?
Use a toaster oven or air-fryer—avoiding microwaves maintains that crisp crust.
7. Can I make mini appetizers?
Yes—use cookie cutters or scissors to reduce dough size and adjust baking time to around 10–12 minutes.
8. What other cheeses work?
Cheddar, provolone, or a mix of Italian cheeses work well—just ensure they melt nicely.
9. Can I brush butter instead of egg wash?
Sure—melted butter works too, though the finish may be less glossy and slightly softer.
10. Can I add veggies inside or as topping?
Absolutely—onions, peppers, spinach, or olives are great additions to the filling or as garnish.
Conclusion
These Homemade Cheesy Pizza Pockets are a fun, easy, and delicious alternative to delivery. With melty cheese, customizable fillings, and quick prep, they make a satisfying snack, party food, or casual dinner. Make a batch, freeze extras, and enjoy hot, freshly baked pockets whenever cravings strike!
[tasty-recipe id=”19268″]