Description
These Homemade Easy Cheesy Pizza Pockets are a delightful and convenient snack or meal option, featuring a crispy golden crust filled with gooey mozzarella, tangy marinara, Parmesan, and your choice of savory toppings. Perfectly baked or air fried to a cheesy, melty perfection, they make an ideal treat for pizza lovers of all ages.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Dough
- 1 package refrigerated pizza dough (or crescent roll dough for flakier pockets)
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)
Finishing
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Dried oregano or garlic powder (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F or your air fryer to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper if baking in the oven.
- Roll and Cut Dough: On a floured surface, roll out the pizza dough. Cut the dough into 4×6-inch rectangles or circles, ensuring each piece is large enough to fold over the filling comfortably.
- Add the Filling: Spoon about 1 tablespoon of marinara sauce onto the center of each dough piece. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the sauce. Add any optional toppings such as mini pepperoni, cooked sausage, chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, or olives. Sprinkle Italian seasoning and a pinch of red pepper flakes if using.
- Seal the Pockets: Fold the dough over the filling to create a pocket. Press the edges firmly with a fork to seal them completely, preventing filling from leaking out during cooking.
- Bake or Air Fry:
- Oven Method: Brush the top of each sealed pocket with beaten egg wash and sprinkle with dried oregano or garlic powder. Arrange on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Air Fryer Method: Brush each pocket with egg wash and sprinkle with oregano or garlic powder. Air fry at 375°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the pockets are crispy and golden.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the pizza pockets to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with extra marinara sauce for dipping to enjoy a warm, cheesy delight.
Notes
- You can customize fillings with any pizza toppings you enjoy.
- Using crescent roll dough will result in a flakier pocket texture.
- For a vegetarian version, omit any meat toppings and load up on veggies.
- Ensure the pockets are sealed tightly to prevent leakage during cooking.
- Let the pockets cool slightly before eating to avoid burning from hot cheese.
