Description

Quick, customizable baked pizza pockets that are crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside, and sturdy enough for lunchboxes. Ready in under 20 minutes with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale

1 tube (13.8 oz) refrigerated pizza dough
2–3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for dusting)
1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
Sesame seeds or everything bagel seasoning (optional, for topping)
1.5 cups low-moisture shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup marinara sauce
1/2 cup pepperoni slices, halved
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Red pepper flakes (for serving, optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
Remove pizza dough from package and let sit on the counter for 10-15 minutes to warm up slightly.
Dust a work surface with flour. Roll the dough out into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick.
Cut the dough into 4-inch squares (yields about 8-10 squares).
Microwave marinara sauce for 10 seconds to warm it slightly.
Place 1 teaspoon of warm marinara sauce in the center of each dough square.
Top with 1 tablespoon shredded mozzarella and desired fillings (e.g., pepperoni, oregano). Do not overfill.
Fold the dough over the filling to create a triangle or square. Press edges firmly with fingers to seal.
Crimp the edges firmly with a fork to ensure a tight seal.
Brush tops with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds or seasoning if desired.
Bake for 12-15 minutes until crust is golden brown and puffy.
Cool on the pan for 2-3 minutes before serving to prevent burns and help cheese set.

Notes

Use low-moisture mozzarella to prevent soggy pockets. Seal edges tightly with a fork to prevent cheese leakage. Can be frozen unbaked for up to 3 months; bake from frozen adding 3-5 minutes to cook time. Reheat in oven or air fryer for best texture.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Snack
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 pocket
Calories: 200
Sugar: 2
Sodium: 350
Fat: 8
Saturated Fat: 4
Carbohydrates: 22
Fiber: 1
Protein: 8

Keywords: pizza pockets, mozzarella, back-to-school lunch, quick dinner, freezer friendly, kid-friendly, baked snacks, easy recipes