Description
These Homemade Cheesy Pizza Pockets are a delicious and easy-to-make snack or meal option featuring a buttery homemade dough filled with classic pizza ingredients like tomato sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and pepperoni. Baked to golden perfection, they make a perfect handheld treat for any pizza lover.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder
- 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, chilled and diced
- 3/4 cup of milk
Filling Ingredients
- 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup of tomato sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon of dried basil
- 1/2 cup of pepperoni slices or any preferred pizza toppings
Topping
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the pizza pockets.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder. Mix well to ensure all dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Incorporate Butter: Gradually add the diced butter into the flour mixture. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, which helps create a flaky dough.
- Add Milk and Form Dough: Pour in the milk and stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until a cohesive dough forms.
- Knead Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently for about 2 minutes until the dough is smooth and pliable.
- Roll Dough: Roll out the dough to about 1/8 inch thickness using a rolling pin, preparing it for cutting into shapes.
- Cut Dough Circles: Using a cookie cutter or a large glass, cut the dough into circles roughly 3-4 inches in diameter.
- Prepare Sauce Mixture: In a small bowl, mix together the tomato sauce, dried oregano, and dried basil to flavor the pizza pockets.
- Add Filling: Place a small spoonful of the sauce mixture in the center of each dough circle.
- Top Filling: Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the sauce, then add a few slices of pepperoni or your preferred toppings.
- Fold and Seal: Carefully fold the dough circle in half over the fillings to create a crescent shape, then crimp the edges with a fork to seal the pockets and prevent filling leakage.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the filled pizza pockets on the prepared baking sheet, spaced apart to allow for expansion.
- Apply Egg Wash: Brush each pizza pocket lightly with the beaten egg to give them a beautiful golden and shiny crust once baked.
- Bake: Bake the pockets in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until they are golden brown and puffy.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pizza pockets from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving to avoid burns and allow flavors to settle.
Notes
- You can substitute pepperoni with other pizza toppings such as cooked sausage, vegetables, or olives based on your preference.
- If you prefer a crispier crust, bake for the full 20 minutes and consider placing the baking sheet in the middle rack of the oven.
- Use cold butter for best results in achieving a flaky and tender dough texture.
- Egg wash gives the pockets a nice golden color, but you can omit it for a more rustic look or for dietary preferences.
- Leftover pizza pockets can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or toaster oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: pizza pockets, cheesy pizza pockets, homemade pizza pockets, easy snack recipe, baked pizza pockets, pizza dough pockets
