Name: Homemade Cheesy Pizza Pockets Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: PT-490153H29M52S
Total time: PT-490153H29M52S
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough or pizza dough; ½ cup pizza sauce, plus extra for dipping; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; ½ cup pepperoni slices; Optional add-ins: mushrooms, bell peppers, or sausage; ¼ teaspoon garlic powder; ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning; Olive oil or melted butter for brushing; Grated Parmesan cheese for sprinkling

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Introduction

Homemade cheesy pizza pockets are a fun and tasty snack that’s perfect for any time of day. Crispy on the outside and gooey with melted cheese inside, these pockets bring all the best flavors of pizza in a convenient handheld treat.

The image shows a close-up of four square pizza pockets stacked on a white plate, placed on a white marbled surface. Each pocket has a golden-brown, bubbly melted cheese layer on top with small dark green herb flakes sprinkled over it. The edges of the pockets are sealed and slightly crisp, revealing a light golden crust beneath the cheese. The cheese covers the entire top surface, giving a smooth texture with some browned spots from baking. The pockets are arranged with one on top, two side by side under it, and the fourth one slightly behind. The overall look is warm and inviting, with soft lighting highlighting the melted cheese texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough or pizza dough
½ cup pizza sauce, plus extra for dipping
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup pepperoni slices
Optional add-ins: mushrooms, bell peppers, or sausage
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Olive oil or melted butter for brushing
Grated Parmesan cheese for sprinkling

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Step 2: Roll out your dough on a lightly floured surface. If using crescent roll dough, separate it into triangles. For pizza dough, cut it into 8 even rectangles.
Step 3: Spread a little pizza sauce onto each piece of dough, then add mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices. Be careful not to overfill to avoid bursting.
Step 4: Sprinkle garlic powder and Italian seasoning over the filling. Fold the dough over to form a pocket and press the edges firmly with a fork to seal.
Step 5: Brush each pocket with olive oil or melted butter, then sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown and the cheese inside is melted.
Step 7: Allow the pockets to cool for a few minutes before serving with extra pizza sauce for dipping.

Tips & Variations

Try adding sautéed mushrooms, chopped bell peppers, or cooked sausage for extra flavor and texture.
Brush the pockets with garlic butter before baking for a richer taste.
If using pizza dough, prick the dough slightly before folding to prevent bubbles.

Storage

Store leftover pizza pockets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes or until heated through to keep the crust crisp. Avoid microwaving if you want to preserve the texture.

How to Serve

The image shows a stack of five square-shaped, baked pastries on a white plate. Each pastry has golden brown edges with a textured crimped border from being sealed. The top layer of each pastry is covered with melted, bubbly cheese that has light to medium golden spots, sprinkled with dried green herbs. The pastries have a slightly glossy finish from the melted cheese and baked crust. The plate rests on a white marbled surface, and there is a blurred fabric with black spots in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I freeze pizza pockets?

Yes, you can freeze unbaked pizza pockets by placing them on a baking sheet until firm, then transferring to a freezer-safe container. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

What can I use instead of pepperoni?

You can substitute pepperoni with cooked sausage, ham, cooked bacon, or keep it vegetarian with extra veggies like mushrooms and bell peppers.