A quick, cheesy snack or meal that’s perfect for pizza lovers on the go!
These Homemade Easy Cheesy Pizza Pockets are the perfect combination of convenience and flavor! With just a few simple ingredients like crescent roll dough (or pizza dough), mozzarella cheese, and your favorite pizza toppings, you can make these pockets in no time. Whether you’re looking for a snack, appetizer, or a quick meal, these cheesy, golden pockets are guaranteed to please.
These pizza pockets are customizable, so you can make them with your favorite fillings and enjoy them fresh out of the oven with a side of pizza sauce for dipping.
Ingredients:
- 1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough (or pizza dough)
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices (or your favorite toppings like mushrooms, bell peppers, sausage, olives, etc.)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Olive oil or melted butter, for brushing
- Parmesan cheese, for sprinkling (optional, for extra flavor)
Directions:
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to make cleanup easier and prevent sticking. If you don’t have parchment paper, a silicone baking mat or a lightly greased baking sheet will work as well.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough
- Crescent Roll Dough: If you’re using crescent roll dough, open the can and separate the dough into triangles. Press the perforations together if there are any gaps.
- Pizza Dough: If you prefer using pizza dough, roll it out on a lightly floured surface. Then, cut it into 8 even rectangles (or more if you want smaller pockets).
Tip: If you’re using pizza dough, you can also let it rest for a few minutes to make it easier to work with.
Step 3: Add the Filling
- On each piece of dough, spread a small amount of pizza sauce (about 1 tablespoon). Avoid adding too much sauce, as this can cause the pockets to become soggy.
- Add a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese—about 2 tablespoons per pocket.
- Add your toppings! Place a few pepperoni slices or other toppings like chopped mushrooms, bell peppers, or cooked sausage.
Pro Tip: For an extra cheesy pocket, you can add a sprinkle of parmesan cheese along with the mozzarella!
Step 4: Season and Fold
- Sprinkle garlic powder and Italian seasoning evenly over the filling for extra flavor.
- Carefully fold the dough over the filling to form a pocket. Make sure to leave no gaps where the filling could spill out.
- Seal the edges by pressing them together with a fork. This not only helps keep the filling inside but also gives the pockets a beautiful, crimped edge.
Tip: If the dough edges don’t stick together well, dampen the edges with a little water before pressing them with the fork.
Step 5: Brush and Bake
- Brush each pizza pocket with olive oil or melted butter to ensure a golden, crispy crust. This also gives the pizza pockets a lovely shine when they come out of the oven.
- For extra flavor, sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese over the tops of the pockets before baking.
- Place the pockets on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and the cheese inside is fully melted. Keep an eye on them as baking times may vary slightly depending on your oven and dough thickness.
Tip: If you prefer an even crispier crust, you can broil them for the last 1-2 minutes of baking, but be sure to watch closely so they don’t burn.
Step 6: Serve
Once the pizza pockets are golden brown, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. Serve them with extra pizza sauce on the side for dipping.
Quick Facts:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Calories: Approx. 220 per pizza pocket
- Servings: Makes 8 pizza pockets
Variations and Customizations:
- Meat Lover’s Pizza Pockets: Add cooked sausage, bacon bits, or ground beef in place of or alongside the pepperoni.
- Veggie Pizza Pockets: Skip the meat and load up on veggies like mushrooms, spinach, olives, and bell peppers for a lighter option.
- Cheesy Garlic Bread Pockets: Brush the dough with garlic butter before filling with mozzarella and Parmesan for a garlicky twist.
- Dessert Pizza Pockets: Swap the pizza sauce for Nutella, sprinkle in mini chocolate chips, and bake for a sweet treat.
Tips for Success:
- Don’t Overfill: Avoid overstuffing the pizza pockets with too many toppings, as this could cause them to burst open while baking.
- Freezing for Later: You can assemble the pizza pockets ahead of time and freeze them. Place the filled pockets on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer bag or container for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen at 375°F for about 15-20 minutes.
These Homemade Easy Cheesy Pizza Pockets are guaranteed to be a hit, whether you’re feeding the kids, serving them at a party, or enjoying them as a quick lunch. They’re crispy, cheesy, and packed with all the flavors you love about pizza!
