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–+ servings
Overhead view of homemade hot pockets, one being pulled apart to show filling.
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4.75 from 20 votes

Homemade Hot Pockets

Homemade hot pockets are a fun alternative to pizza night and they also are a fun surprise in lunch boxes. Get the kids involved in making this easy recipe, too!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Pizza
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8
Author: Rachel Gurk

Ingredients

  • 1 ball (16 ounces) pizza dough, thawed if frozen (store-bought or homemade)
  • ½ cup pizza sauce
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup mini pepperoni (or chopped pepperoni)
  • 1 large egg, beaten

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Divide pizza dough into 8 equal portions.
    1 ball (16 ounces) pizza dough, thawed if frozen
  • Roll one portion into a 4- to 5-inch square or round (note 1). In the center, place 2 teaspoons of sauce, 2 tablespoons cheese, and 1 tablespoon pepperoni. Carefully fold over and press edges together with a fork (see note 2). Place on prepared baking sheet.
    ½ cup pizza sauce, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, ½ cup mini pepperoni
  • Repeat with remaining pizza dough until you have 8 pepperoni pizza pockets.
  • Brush the top of each hot pocket with beaten egg. If desired, sprinkle tops with grated Parmesan cheese, dried Italian seasoning, oregano, garlic salt, or whatever you like.
    1 large egg, beaten
  • Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown.

Notes

  1. Rolling out the dough: Sometimes pizza dough will shrink back after you roll it out because the gluten is too elastic. If this is happening to you, let the dough rest at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes to let the gluten settle down, and then try again.
  2. Pressing the edges: Make sure to press the edges together very well with a fork. The filling does tend to ooze out of the edges a bit when the hot pockets are baked.
  3. Homemade options: If you prefer, make homemade pizza dough (it can be made ahead). Try homemade pizza sauce, too.
  4. Freezing instructions: Bake as directed. Once hot pockets are full cooled, wrap individually in plastic wrap or foil and place in a freezer safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 1 month.
  5. Reheating from frozen (2 methods): Place frozen hot pocket on baking sheet in preheated oven (350ºF ). Bake for 20 minutes. To microwave, wrap frozen hot pocket with damp paper towel; microwave for 1 minute, 20 seconds.
  6. Ham and cheese hot pockets: Omit the pizza sauce. Substitute ½ cup finely diced cooked ham and 1 cup cheddar cheese for the pepperoni and mozzarella.
  7. Breakfast hot pockets: Fill the hot pockets with scrambled eggs, shredded cheddar cheese, and cooked bacon or breakfast sausage.
  8. More flavor ideas: Try red onion, bell peppers, mushrooms, finely chopped broccoli, ground sausage, chicken, or bacon. Meat should be fully cooked before adding to hot pocket. Mushrooms should be sautéed first so they don’t make the hot pockets soggy. See the post above for more flavor ideas.
Recipe revised 8/2023.

Nutrition

Serving: 1hot pocket | Calories: 230kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 691mg | Potassium: 84mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 195IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 2mg

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