Healthy Homemade Pizza Pockets – an easy recipe for making easy and simple homemade hot pockets. No fake ingredients, just real food, like my homemade pizza sauce!
Transport yourself back to the good old days when you’d sink your teeth into a piping-hot pizza pocket with this amazing recipe. However, these hot pockets are a bit different from the original ones.
These hot pockets are the homemade version, which means they’re free of all the artificial ingredients and preservatives we aren’t nostalgic for.
But the good news is that these easy homemade pizza pockets taste even better than store-bought and will be a quick hit with the whole family!
WHY WE LOVE HOMEMADE PIZZA POCKETS
There are several bonuses to these delicious pizza pockets first of all because you know EXACTLY what they’re made of! Homemade Dough, Homemade Sauce, and all your favorite toppings. This makes them SO MUCH healthier than the version with the silly jingle.
You can customize them to your favorite flavor. You can use all kinds of meat, from steak & cheddar, ham & Swiss, turkey & provolone, Carnitas & pepper jack. Or, go meatless with mushrooms and Swiss fajita flavors like peppers, onions & tomatoes.
They can be made in different sizes, too. Big ones for the big kids, smaller ones for smaller hands.
Plus If you’re already making pizza for dinner one night, there’s no real extra work. Simply double your dough, and make pizza pockets for the freezer! Even if you’re not making pizza, they’re still REALLY easy to make.
POCKET PIZZA INGREDIENTS
- Pizza dough: water + yeast + sugar + flour + salt
- Pizza sauce: tomatoes + basil + salt + pepper
- Favorite Pizza Toppings: fresh mozzarella cheese, pepperoni slices, bacon, Parmesan cheese, ham & Swiss cheese, turkey & cheddar, mini-meatballs, green pepper, and onion, Italian Seasoning, oregano, etc.
A NOTE ON PIZZA POCKET INGREDIENTS
My pizza dough recipe is SUPER easy to follow. I always make a 3 or 4x batch and freeze extras for quick pizza nights later on. My family LOVE homemade pepperoni pizza!
We also make our own sauce. I use my high-powered blender to make the best sauce ever. I’ll also make this in big batches and freeze portions for pizza night.
Depending on your preferred toppings, you could omit the pizza sauce and use olive oil, Pesto, or Alfredo Sauce!
Fresh mozzarella cheese is a must in our house. Shredded mozzarella or any other type of cheese works too!
Some recipes call for an egg wash on top. I don’t find that it is necessary.
PIZZA POCKET RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Preheat oven to 450F.
Step 2: On a lightly floured surface, divide the pizza dough into two portions. Then divide one portion into two equal portions. Again, divide each portion into two equal portions. Repeat with the remaining halves so that there are 16 equal pieces from the single pizza dough batch.
Step 3: Working with one small piece of dough at a time, use a rolling pin or pat out into a rectangle that’s approximately 3″x6″. (The measurement doesn’t have to be exact. Adjust to fit the size of the hands that will be holding it.)
Step 4: Measure 2-3 Tbsp of sauce onto one side of the rectangle and spread around with a spoon, leaving a ¾“ gap around the edges.
Step 5: Place 1-2 slices of cheese on top. Add remaining toppings, taking care not to overfill.
Step 6: Gently fold over the empty dough over the toppings and pinch the top and bottom together to form a seal.
Step 7: Cut a small slit on the top or use fork poke holes to allow air to escape during baking.
Step 8: Repeat with the remaining pieces of dough.
Step 9: Bake on a pizza stone, or on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for 17-22 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
Step 10: Allow to cool slightly before enjoying.
Don’t skip the cooling part! The sauce gets very hot in the middle.
STORING HOMEMADE HOT POCKETS
After the pizza pockets have cooled, wrap them individually with aluminum foil and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To prevent them from getting lost in the freezer, label the flavor of each hot pocket with a permanent marker, and store all the hot pockets in a gallon freezer bag or airtight container.
Let thaw completely before reheating in an oven or toaster oven.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought pizza dough for homemade pizza pockets?
Absolutely! If you’re short on time or prefer convenience, pre-made pizza dough works perfectly for making pizza pockets. Just make sure to let it come to room temperature before working with it. And remember to get pizza dough, not pizza crust.
Can I use marinara sauce instead of pizza sauce?
Yes! You can use a Homemade Marinara Sauce or buy store-bought. Just check the ingredients if you’re trying to find sauce without added sugar.
Can I make hot pockets in an air fryer?
Yes! If you have an air fryer or a pie iron, you can make hot pockets without using an oven. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly, following the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific appliance.
Can I make hot pockets with a different type of dough?
Yes, you can experiment with different types of dough. Crescent roll pizza sounds delicious! Homemade Bread Dough, puff pastry, or Pita Pockets can be used as alternatives to traditional pizza crusts for a unique twist on your hot pockets.
What are the ingredients in pizza pockets?
The basic ingredients in a pizza pocket are pizza dough, sauce, and cheese. Beyond that, you can add whatever toppings you love to a pizza pocket.
HOMEMADE PIZZA POCKETS RECIPE
No matter whether you’re trying to relive your college days or need tastier after-school snack ideas, this great recipe is for you! With simple ingredients like Homemade Pizza Dough, Pizza Sauce, melted cheese, and a crispy crust, this recipe will satisfy your pizza cravings with every gooey bite. If you tried this recipe, let me know in the comments!
MORE TASTY PIZZA RECIPES
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Pizza Pockets
Healthy Homemade Pizza Pockets – an easy recipe for making easy and simple homemade hot pockets. No fake ingredients, just real food, like my homemade pizza sauce!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 16 1x
- Category: Main Meals
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 batch homemade pizza dough
- 1 batch homemade pizza sauce
- Toppings: fresh mozzarella and pepperoni, ham & Swiss cheese, turkey & cheddar, mini-meatballs, etc.**
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450F.
- Divide the pizza dough into two portions. Then divide one portion into two equal portions. Again, divide each portion into two equal portions. Repeat with the remaining halves so that there are 16 equal pieces altogether from the single batch of pizza dough.
- Working with one small piece of dough at a time, roll or pat it out into a rectangle that’s approximately 3″x6″. (The measurement doesn’t have to be exact. Adjust to fit the size of the hands that will be holding it.)
- Measure 2-3 Tbsp of sauce onto one side of the rectangle, leaving a ¾” gap around the edges.
- Place 1-2 slices of cheese on top.
- Add remaining toppings, taking care not to overfill.
- Gently fold over the empty dough over the toppings and pinch the top and bottom together to form a seal.
- Cut a small slit on the top to allow air to escape during baking.
- Repeat with the remaining pieces of dough.
- Bake on a pizza stone, or on a cookie sheet for 17-22 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
- Allow to cool slightly before enjoying.
Notes
- You’ll need just a small portion of toppings for each hot pocket, so feel free to mix and match with what you have in the house. As an estimate, each 3″x6″ hot pocket will use 1 slice of fresh mozzarella and 2-3 pepperonis quartered.
Pizza Pockets
Healthy Homemade Pizza Pockets - an easy recipe for making easy and simple homemade hot pockets. No fake ingredients, just real food, like my homemade pizza sauce!
Type: Main Meals
Cuisine: American
Keywords: pizza pockets
Recipe Yield: 16
Preparation Time: 0020
Cooking Time: 0022
Total Time: 0042
Recipe Ingredients:
- pizza dough
- pizza sauce
- mozzarella
- pepperoni
- ham
- swiss cheese
Recipe Instructions: 1. Preheat oven to 450F. 2. Divide the pizza dough into two portions. Then divide one portion into two equal portions. Again, divide each portion into two equal portions. Repeat with the remaining halves so that there are 16 equal pieces altogether from the single batch of pizza dough. 3. Working with one small piece of dough at a time, roll or pat it out into a rectangle that's approximately 3"x6". (The measurement doesn't have to be exact. Adjust to fit the size of the hands that will be holding it.) 4. Measure 2-3 Tbsp of sauce onto one side of the rectangle, leaving a ¾" gap around the edges. 5. Place 1-2 slices of cheese on top. 6. Add remaining toppings, taking care not to overfill. 7. Gently fold over the empty dough over the toppings and pinch the top and bottom together to form a seal. 8. Cut a small slit on the top to allow air to escape during baking. 9. Repeat with the remaining pieces of dough. 10. Bake on a pizza stone, or on a cookie sheet for 17-22 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown. 11. Allow to cool slightly before enjoying.
5
I made it today. The crust is very thick and tough.
My dough is risen perfectly . is it handling ? any suggestions?
It could be handling Madu. Remember that this is a pizza dough recipe, not a pastry recipe, so it won’t necessarily be the flaky crust you might be expecting. Our dough though is never thick and tough!
Have you ever seen the Jim Gaffigan segment about Hot Pockets? It’s hysterical! Every once in awhile I’ll get a craving something hot and different for lunch, so I’ll make my version (below) of Hot Pockets for me and the kids. Then we watch that segment on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-i9GXbptog) while we eat them and are glad we’re not eating REAL Hot Pockets!
The only thing I do differently than you is that I use an easy oil pie crust for the dough. Mix flour and salt; whisk together oil and water and stir into the flour. Roll out, slice into sections, add toppings, fold over, crimp edges, bake at 425 for 15 minutes. It gives that flaky texture that I *think * I remember from the original (I hesitate to say “real”) Hot Pocket. I never had very many. 🙂
Also, for all the people who have asked about reheating in the microwave, y’all might just have to try it yourself! Ha ha 🙂 People’s opinions of microwave-reheated bread vary widely, so even if Tiffany liked it you might not, or vice versa. Make a batch and if you end up not liking them in the microwave then you’ve got an easy meal waiting for you one night when you have oven access.
I love all of this – thank you Diana!!
Diana,
I know this was over 2 years ago, but could you please give me your measurements for your oil pie crust? We are trying to break our teen daughter’s dependence on HP’s and she does better when she makes things herself. She is wanting fast though, so using yeast wouldn’t fly.
Hi, did you ever reheat these to find out what the best way is?! (oven or microwave?!) Thanks!
COULD THESE NOT BE EATEN COLD ……. KIDS AT LUNCH DO NOT HAVE A MICROWAVE OR TOASTER OVEN !!!
YES, THEY CAN!
Remembered to try to cook these in the microwave – or at least reheat cooked or frozen ones? lol
Im just going to go out on a limb and assume you could reheat them similarly to the way you reheat a regular hot pocket. I can’t rememver the setting, on high for 3min perhaps? You could always add time. 🙂 going to make these soon, thanks for the recipe!! My kiddos had hot pockets at their grandmas last week and have been begging for us to buy some. I am not a fan of the ingredient list nor the price! 😉 These sound delish!!
Hi, would you happen to have a recipe for healthy poptarts? Thank you! 🙂
Not at the moment Pamela, but I’ll add it to my recipe list! 😉
When you say “whole wheat flour” do you mean hard red, hard white, or soft white wheat? ( I grind my own flour.)
Thanks!
I tend to use hard red wheat at home, but you could use hard white as well. I would not use soft white wheat. 🙂
I used to get these at a pizza place. My favorite was a roast beef with green chilis and mozzarella cheese. Will be making these VERY SOON!!!
Made this in a pinch one bread-baking day for lunch. Used ham and cheese; broccoli and cheese was also a good combo. Even scrambled eggs would be good!
and yes, you can freeze them!
Did you ever get to test these in the microwave? The only time/place I’d eat these is during my break at work, so I’m wondering whether it would be worthwhile to try these. Thanks!
Gah, no! I always forget come pizza night. I’ll write this one down for testing and be sure to update!
Would it be okay to freeze and reheat these after cooking them???I like to keep hot pockets in the freezer at work for lunch
You never updated with the microwave heating instructions! I’m curious about that too!!
Bah! We ended up not making them! It’ll be a few weeks until our next pizza night since a vacation is coming up, but we WILL make these again and test in the microwave. I promise!
I have to mention that I set the toaster oven on fire preparing a hot pocket for lunch during high school. Haven’t had one since!!! I have to try this recipe!
WOOT! I just experimented the other week with using a biscuit-crust pizza dough to make a calzone (yeast intimidates me!) so I may try making biscuit-crust hot pockets too.
Lol, yeast used to intimidate me too Cynthia, but it’s easy once you get over the first time jitters. A biscuit hot pocket sounds good though – let us know how it turns out!
I love love love this recipe. And I love the ingredients comparison. I am a big fan of doing that myself on my own blog. Pinning!
Thank you for sharing Suzy!!
Yes, they do! That price isn’t bad for natural pepperoni at all, especially with the coupon. Thanks for the tip!
Same question as Sarah – how would you reheat these once frozen? My husband and I recently sold everything and moved to Montana – so we no longer have a microwave! Thanks.
Hi Simone! I’ll copy the answer here, just in case you don’t see it. Ideally, an oven or toaster oven would be best. I’ll test out a microwave this weekend and update with the results!
They look so yummy! Fresh mozzarella, basil and tomato, delicious combo. Can’t wait to try it!!
Thanks Shirley! That’s our favorite pizza combo, so it makes it super easy to create the same flavor of hot pockets too with all the ingredients already out. 🙂
What is the best way to heat these up after they have been frozen? Thanks!
Hi Sarah! Ideally, an oven or toaster oven would be best. I’ll test out a microwave this weekend and update with the results!
This link to the pizza dough is broken. :/
Thanks Amanda – fixed!!