Easy Cheesy Pizza Pockets Recipe
Easy Cheesy Pizza Pockets are warm, crispy handheld treats filled with melty mozzarella, zesty pizza sauce, and your choice of toppings. Perfect for quick snacks or satisfying meals, these golden pockets bake in minutes and offer customizable fillings to suit any dietary preference.
- Author: Sarah
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Total Time: 22-25 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 pockets
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free dough)
Base Ingredients
- Pizza Dough: 1 ball (store-bought or homemade)
- Flour: for dusting surface
Fillings
- Mozzarella Cheese: 1 1/2 cups freshly shredded
- Pizza Sauce: 1/2 cup
- Pepperoni or toppings: 1/2 cup (or to taste)
Finishing Touches
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon (for brushing)
- Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon
- Prepare Your Dough: Lightly flour your workspace and roll out the pizza dough into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick, ensuring the thickness is even for uniform baking.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Spread an even layer of pizza sauce over one half of the dough, leaving a small border around the edges to allow sealing. Generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the sauce.
- Add Toppings: Place your preferred toppings evenly over the cheese, taking care not to overfill to prevent bursting during baking.
- Seal the Pockets: Fold the dough over the filling to create a semi-circle or rectangle. Press edges firmly and crimp with a fork to seal completely and avoid leaks.
- Brush with Olive Oil and Season: Brush the tops of the pockets with olive oil and sprinkle Italian seasoning or extra cheese to achieve a golden, flavorful crust.
- Bake Until Golden: Place the pockets on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (205°C) for 12-15 minutes until the crust is golden and crispy.
Notes
- Seal Thoroughly: Ensure edges are well sealed to prevent filling leakage during baking.
- Don’t Overfill: Use moderate amounts of cheese and toppings to maintain pocket shape and avoid sogginess.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh cheese and sauce make a noticeable difference in flavor.
- Preheat Oven Properly: A hot oven ensures a crispy, golden crust every time.
- Customize Thickness: Roll dough to your preferred thickness to balance crust crunch with soft filling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pocket
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: pizza pockets, cheesy pockets, easy pizza snack, handheld pizza, quick pizza recipe, gluten-free pizza pockets, kid-friendly snacks, customizable pizza pockets