Pizza Pockets

Homemade pizza pockets take the yummy flavors of homemade pizza and make it handheld! Simple dough, flavorful sauce, and your favorite toppings combine for a better version of hot pockets.

Remember back in college when you’d pop open a package, microwave a hot pocket pizza, and try not to burn your tongue on that piping-hot pizza filling?

Transport yourself back to the good old days with this amazing homemade hot pocket recipe!

These pizza pockets are a bit different from the original ones. They’re free of all the artificial ingredients and preservatives we aren’t nostalgic for. Instead, homemade pizza pockets taste even better than store-bought, and they’re a hit with the whole family!

WHY WE LOVE HOMEMADE PIZZA POCKETS

Easy homemade pizza pockets are the way to go. I love them because they’re:

• Made with simple ingredients. Homemade Dough, Homemade Sauce, and all your favorite toppings. This makes them SO MUCH better than the version with the silly jingle.
• Customizable flavors. Choose your favorite hot pocket flavors. You can use all kinds of meat, from steak and cheese hot pockets to ham cheese hot pockets, from turkey and provolone to Carnitas with pepper jack. Or go vegetarian with mushrooms, Swiss cheese, and fajita veggies – even pineapple!
• Different sizes. Big ones for the big kids, smaller ones for smaller hands. You choose how big or small to make them!
• Freezer-friendly. 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 flavors, they’re still REALLY easy to make.

PIZZA POCKET RECIPE INGREDIENTS

This pizza pocket recipe has 3 parts: the dough, the sauce, and the toppings. I’ve included the ingredients for my easy homemade versions below, but feel free to use your favorites from the store.

• Pizza Crust: water + yeast + sugar + flour + salt
  • Make it in bulk: 3 or 4x batches and freeze extras for quick pizza nights or pizza pockets later on!
• Pizza Sauce: tomatoes + basil + salt + pepper
  • I use my high-powered blender to make pizza sauce in a big batch and freeze portions for pizza night, too!
  • Or try a pizza sauce alternative: olive oil, pesto, or Alfredo Sauce!
• Favorite Pizza Toppings: fresh mozzarella cheese, pepperoni slices, bacon, Parmesan cheese, ham and Swiss cheese, turkey and cheddar, mini-meatballs, green peppers, onions, Italian Seasoning, oregano, etc.

Some pizza pocket recipes call for an egg wash on top, but I don’t find that it is necessary. It will make the top crust slightly more golden brown.

PIZZA POCKETS 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 half 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 Tablespoons of sauce onto one side of the rectangle and spread around with a spoon, leaving a ¾“ gap around the edges of the dough.

Step 5: Place 1-2 slices of cheese or sprinkle on top. Add remaining toppings, taking care not to overfill.

Step 6: Gently fold 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 a fork to 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. Serve with extra sauce for dipping if desired.

Don’t skip the cooling part! The sauce gets very hot in the middle.

STORING RECIPE PIZZA 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 an airtight container.

Let thaw completely in the fridge before reheating in an oven or toaster oven. (You can also microwave them, but I prefer the crispy toasted version to the slightly chewy microwaved version.)

HOMEMADE HOT POCKET PIZZA VARIATIONS

Store-bought hot pockets come in all sorts of flavors, and you can easily recreate your favorite pizza pockets recipes at home!

• Ham & Cheese Hot Pockets: Cubed ham and sliced cheddar cheese are your main components here. Brush the dough with melted butter or drizzle with a bit of olive oil instead of sauce.
• Cheese Steak Hot Pocket: Thinly sliced steak, onions, and green peppers topped with mozzarella or provolone. Yes please!
• Barbecue Hot Pocket: Use leftover Instant Pot BBQ Chicken plus mozzarella cheese for a yummy, savory homemade hot pocket.
• Chicken Bacon Ranch: Use ranch dressing for the sauce, then top with cooked chicken, bacon, and mozzarella cheese. Drizzle with a bit of hot sauce for an extra kick!
• Breakfast Hot Pockets: If the breakfast version is your favorite, scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, and cheddar cheese melt together for a breakfast pocket.
• Meat Lovers Pocket Pizza: Classic pizza sauce, pepperoni, Italian sausage, bacon, ham…whatever meats you want! Top with mozzarella for a melty, cheesy, protein-packed pizza pocket.

CAN A REAL FOODIE EAT HOT POCKETS?

Can a real foodie eat hot pockets? You can with these homemade hot pockets!

We’ve already made them better by using simple, real food ingredients to make the dough, sauce, and toppings.

If you’re working toward specific food goals and tracking your macros, the next step is to understand what you’re eating here.

Pizza pockets are mostly carbohydrates from the pizza dough, along with fat from the cheese. Any protein will come from your toppings, although the amount used in one pizza pocket will probably not be enough for a full meal.

So yes, enjoy a pizza pocket, but round out your plate with lean protein and produce to keep your macros on track.

PIZZA POCKETS RECIPE FAQS

MORE TASTY PIZZA RECIPES

• Pizza Bagels
• French Bread Pizza
• Buffalo Chicken Pizza
• Einkorn Pizza Dough
• How to Freeze Pizza Dough

WATCH HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY HOMEMADE PIZZA POCKETS