Description
Homemade Easy Cheesy Pizza Pockets are a delicious, convenient snack or meal option featuring gooey mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, savory marinara sauce, and your choice of meats and vegetables wrapped in flaky or soft dough. These pockets bake to golden perfection and are perfect for lunch, dinner, or on-the-go snacking.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Options:
- 1 package refrigerated pizza dough (or crescent roll dough for flakier texture)
- Optional: Homemade pizza dough
Filling:
- 1/2 cup marinara or pizza sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup mini pepperoni or cooked sausage (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, or olives (optional)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Topping:
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Dried oregano or garlic powder (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even cooking.
- Prepare Dough: Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface and cut it into 4×4 inch squares or circles, depending on your preference for shape.
- Add Sauce: Spread a small spoonful of marinara sauce on each dough piece, making sure to leave the edges clear for sealing.
- Add Filling: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and your chosen toppings such as mini pepperoni, cooked sausage, bell peppers, mushrooms, or olives. Then sprinkle each with Italian seasoning and a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired.
- Form Pockets: Fold the dough over the filling to create a pocket and seal the edges firmly using the tines of a fork to prevent filling leakage during baking.
- Apply Egg Wash: Brush the tops of each pocket with the beaten egg to ensure a golden brown crust, then sprinkle with dried oregano or garlic powder for extra flavor.
- Bake: Place the pockets on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12–15 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the pizza pockets to cool slightly before serving. Serve warm with extra marinara sauce for dipping if desired.
Notes
- Crescent dough creates a lighter, flakier pocket—ideal for snack-sized portions.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Freeze extras before baking for quick future meals—just add a few extra minutes to the baking time when baking from frozen.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snack, Dinner
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pocket
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 530mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: pizza pockets, cheesy pizza pockets, homemade pizza pockets, easy pizza recipe, snack, appetizer, Italian-inspired, baked pockets
