Description
Delicious homemade hot pockets blend comfort and creativity in a handheld meal perfect for busy families. Crispy golden pastry wraps around savory fillings, offering a satisfying twist on classic convenience food you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt
Filling Ingredients:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup quartered pepperoni (or diced ham)
- 3/4 cup pizza sauce
Optional Finishing Ingredients:
- Extra flour for dusting
Instructions
- Activate the yeast by whisking warm water, sugar, and yeast together in a mixing bowl. Allow the mixture to bloom for 5 minutes until foamy and fragrant.
- Incorporate olive oil, flour, and salt into the yeast mixture, stirring until a cohesive, slightly tacky dough emerges.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead vigorously for 5-7 minutes, gradually adding extra flour if the dough remains too sticky.
- Place the kneaded dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm location for approximately 30 minutes until it doubles in volume.
- Heat the oven to 450°F and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper for even cooking and easy cleanup.
- Divide the risen dough into equal portions, then roll each section into a circular shape approximately hand-sized.
- Spread pizza sauce across each dough circle, leaving a small border around the edges for sealing. Distribute pepperoni, mozzarella, and cheddar cheese evenly.
- Carefully fold the dough over the fillings, creating a half-moon shape. Firmly crimp and press the edges to create a tight seal, preventing filling from leaking during baking.
- Arrange the assembled pockets on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the exterior turns golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from the oven and allow the hot pockets to rest for 3-5 minutes. Serve immediately or store for convenient meal preparation.
Notes
- Customize fillings by swapping pepperoni with ham, chicken, or vegetarian alternatives like roasted vegetables for diverse flavor profiles.
- Ensure yeast activation by using water at precise 110°F temperature, which helps dough rise perfectly without killing active yeast.
- Brush pocket edges with egg wash before baking to create golden, shiny exterior and help seal filling inside securely.
- Make freezer-friendly versions by cooling completely, wrapping individually in plastic wrap, and storing in freezer bags for convenient grab-and-go meals.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg