Description
These Homemade Cheesy Pizza Pockets are a delicious and easy-to-make snack perfect for lunch or dinner. Featuring a flaky dough filled with melted mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, tomato sauce seasoned with oregano and basil, and savory pepperoni slices, these pockets are baked to golden perfection. Ideal for pizza lovers who want a portable and cheesy treat.
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
For Finishing
- 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 prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder. Stir to blend these dry ingredients uniformly.
- Incorporate Butter: Gradually add the chilled, diced unsalted butter into the flour mixture. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour until it 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 rough dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it for about 2 minutes until smooth and cohesive.
- Roll Out Dough: Using a rolling pin, roll the dough to about 1/8 inch thickness to achieve thin but sturdy pockets.
- Cut Dough Circles: Cut the dough into circles approximately 3 to 4 inches in diameter using a cookie cutter or a large glass.
- Prepare Sauce Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the tomato sauce with dried oregano and basil, mixing well to evenly distribute the herbs.
- Assemble Pizza Pockets: Place a small spoonful of the tomato sauce mixture onto the center of each dough circle.
- Add Cheese and Toppings: Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the sauce, and place a few slices of pepperoni or your desired pizza toppings on top.
- Seal Pockets: Fold each dough circle in half over the filling to create a crescent shape, then crimp the edges with a fork to seal tightly and prevent filling from leaking out.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the filled pizza pockets on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly to allow for expansion.
- Apply Egg Wash: Brush each pocket lightly and evenly with the beaten egg to promote a golden brown, shiny crust during baking.
- Bake: Bake the pizza pockets in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until they are golden brown and puffed up.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes to avoid burning your mouth, then serve warm.
Notes
- For a crispier crust, you can bake the pockets for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Feel free to substitute pepperoni with other toppings like cooked sausage, mushrooms, or bell peppers for variety.
- These pizza pockets can be made ahead and frozen before baking. Bake directly from frozen by adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
- Use whole milk or 2% milk as preferred; milk substitutes like almond milk may affect dough texture slightly.
- If you prefer a richer dough, you can add a tablespoon of sugar or a pinch of garlic powder to the dough mixture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: cheesy pizza pockets, homemade pizza pockets, baked pizza pockets, easy pizza recipe, snack, appetizer, mozzarella, pepperoni
