Homemade Cheesy Pizza Pockets
These homemade cheesy pizza pockets are a quick, easy, and customizable snack or light meal, packed with gooey cheese, pepperoni, and classic pizza flavors in a golden, handheld crust. Ready in just 20 minutes, they’re perfect for busy families, parties, or anytime you crave pizza in a fun, portable form.
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 pizza pockets 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American, Italian-American
Ingredients
- 1 pound (16 oz) store-bought or homemade pizza dough
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce, plus extra for dipping
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter (for brushing)
- Optional: diced bell peppers
- Optional: chopped mushrooms
- Optional: black olives
- Optional: cooked sausage
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- On a floured surface, cut pizza dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, then flatten into a 4-inch circle or oval.
- In a small bowl, combine shredded mozzarella, pepperoni (or other fillings), Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt. Stir gently to mix. Pat veggies dry if using.
- Spoon about 1/2 tablespoon pizza sauce onto each dough round. Top with 2 tablespoons of the cheese filling. Do not overfill.
- Fold each round in half to form a half-moon. Press edges firmly with your fingers, then crimp with a fork. Dab edges with water if needed to seal.
- Place pockets on the prepared baking sheet. Brush tops with olive oil or melted butter. Sprinkle with extra Italian seasoning or garlic powder if desired.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly. For crispier pockets, bake directly on the oven rack for the last 2 minutes.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with extra pizza sauce for dipping.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, omit pepperoni and double up on veggies. Use gluten-free pizza dough for a gluten-free option. Do not overfill pockets to prevent leaks. Seal edges well and poke with a fork to vent steam. Pockets can be assembled ahead and refrigerated or frozen before baking. For extra crispiness, finish baking directly on the oven rack.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pizza pocket
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 9
Keywords: pizza pockets, cheesy pizza pockets, homemade pizza rolls, easy snack, quick pizza snack, pepperoni pockets, mozzarella, after-school snack, freezer-friendly, party food