If you’re looking for a quick meal that satisfies those cheesy, saucy pizza cravings, these Easy Pizza Pockets are about to become your new go-to! Packed with flavor, endlessly customizable, and requiring just a handful of ingredients and hardly any cleanup, you’ll want these in your weekly rotation—trust me!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in 30 Minutes: From craving to enjoying, these Easy Pizza Pockets are quick enough for any busy weeknight or last-minute lunch.
- Kid-Approved Fun: Their hand-held size and gooey cheese filling make them a hit with even the pickiest eaters (and fun to make, too!).
- Versatile Cooking Methods: Whether you love your air fryer or prefer the oven, you’ll get crispy, golden pockets every time.
- No Fussy Dough Required: The 2-ingredient dough comes together in minutes and is almost magical—no rise time or yeast needed!
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the true joys of Easy Pizza Pockets is just how simple—and smart—the shopping list is! Each ingredient brings something special to the table, from fluffy dough and melty cheese to a punchy, pizza-inspired filling.
- Self-rising flour: This makes the dough fluff up perfectly in no time, but if you don’t keep it on hand, just add baking powder to all-purpose flour.
- Non-fat plain Greek yogurt: Believe it or not, this tangy yogurt is what binds the dough and gives it a satisfying chew (no eggs or oil required).
- Turkey pepperoni: Adds that traditional pizza flavor but keeps things light—feel free to use classic pepperoni if you like.
- Smoked deli ham: Brings a delicious smoky, savory bite to balance out the cheese and sauce.
- Low fat cottage cheese: A secret weapon for creaminess and protein, adding a little decadent moisture to the filling.
- Pizza sauce: Use your favorite jarred brand or leftover homemade for that familiar pizza tang in every bite.
- Shredded mozzarella: Because melty mozzarella is what pizza dreams are made of—choose part-skim for a lighter touch.
- Dried oregano, dried basil, garlic powder: This classic herb and spice trio brings real pizzeria magic to the filling.
Variations
The best part about Easy Pizza Pockets is how endlessly adaptable they are! Whether you’re clearing out the fridge, feeding picky eaters, or switching things up for dietary needs, you can make this recipe entirely your own.
- Veggie Supreme: Swap in bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach, or olives for a veggie-forward twist—just sauté first and pat dry to avoid sogginess.
- Meat Lovers: Load up with cooked sausage, bacon, or even rotisserie chicken alongside or instead of the ham and pepperoni.
- Cheese Explosion: Try adding a sprinkle of Parmesan or a bit of crumbled feta to the filling for even more cheesy flavor.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free self-rising flour blend and double-check all fillings for a tasty gluten-free treat.
How to Make Easy Pizza Pockets
Step 1: Prep the Oven or Air Fryer
If you’re baking, start by preheating your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and give it a quick spray of cooking oil so nothing sticks. If you’re making your Easy Pizza Pockets in the air fryer, you can skip this step altogether—another reason to love air fryers!
Step 2: Mix up the Filling
In a small mixing bowl, combine your chopped turkey pepperoni, diced ham, cottage cheese, pizza sauce, mozzarella, and all those Italian herbs and garlic powder. Give it a gentle stir—don’t be surprised if it smells like your favorite pizza spot already!
Step 3: Make the Dough
For the easiest homemade dough ever, stir together self-rising flour and Greek yogurt in a mixing bowl until a shaggy ball forms. Lightly flour your surface, knead a few times just until smooth, and divide into four portions. Dough magic, right?
Step 4: Shape and Fill the Pockets
Working with one dough ball at a time, roll it into a thin circle about the size of your hand. Spoon a quarter of your filling into the center, then fold the edges inward and gently pinch to seal. Flip the pocket over so the seam is on the bottom—no more fillings escaping!
Step 5: Bake or Air Fry
For the oven: Arrange the pockets on your prepared baking tray and bake for 17–20 minutes until golden brown and crisp. For the air fryer: Spray the basket, add pockets (usually two at a time for small fryers), and cook at 400°F for about 7 minutes. The aroma at this point? Absolutely irresistible!
Step 6: Cool, Serve, and Enjoy!
Let the pizza pockets cool for a few minutes (they’ll be piping hot inside!), then serve with extra pizza sauce for dipping. Grab a napkin, take a big bite, and enjoy your homemade Easy Pizza Pockets!
Pro Tips for Making Easy Pizza Pockets
- Dough Consistency Matters: If your dough feels too sticky, just add a sprinkle of flour as you knead—this makes handling and rolling so much easier.
- Seal the Edges Well: Take your time pinching the seams closed before flipping; this step prevents leaks in the oven or air fryer and keeps that glorious filling inside.
- Don’t Overfill: Stick to one-fourth of the filling per pocket—even though it’s tempting to add more, you’ll get better results and easier sealing with this amount.
- Test Your Cooking Time: Air fryer models and oven calibrations vary—a golden brown crust is your best cue, so keep an eye on your first batch.
How to Serve Easy Pizza Pockets
Garnishes
A sprinkle of extra dried oregano or basil on top adds an herby pop of color and that unmistakable “pizza shop” aroma. For a little shine, brush the finished pockets lightly with olive oil just before serving, or even sprinkle with a grating of Parmesan while they’re still warm.
Side Dishes
Pair Easy Pizza Pockets with a crisp green salad tossed in Italian dressing, a bowl of tomato soup, or even crunchy carrot sticks and celery for an easy, well-rounded meal. For parties, serve with small bowls of extra pizza sauce or ranch on the side for dunking.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the pockets in a basket lined with checkered paper for that retro pizzeria vibe, cut them into halves or quarters for bite-sized appetizers, or skewer them with mini flags for a game-day snack spread. You can even make a “pizza bar” and let family or friends fill and shape their own!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Easy Pizza Pockets can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Let them cool completely before storing to keep the crust from getting soggy, and layer parchment or wax paper between if you’re stacking them.
Freezing
For meal prep or longer storage, freeze baked (and cooled) pizza pockets in a single layer on a tray before transferring to a freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to two months, and you can grab one whenever a craving strikes!
Reheating
Reheat pizza pockets straight from the fridge or freezer using the oven (400°F for 8-10 minutes) or air fryer (a few minutes at 350°F) until hot and crispy. The microwave works in a pinch, but the crust will be much softer.
FAQs
-
Can I make Easy Pizza Pockets ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the pizza pockets up to a day ahead and keep them covered in the refrigerator. Bake or air fry fresh just before serving for the crispiest crust, or bake completely and reheat as needed.
-
What other fillings can I use for Easy Pizza Pockets?
The possibilities are nearly endless—try sautéed veggies, cooked sausage, shredded rotisserie chicken, or different cheeses. Just be careful not to add too much sauce or wet ingredients, as it can make the dough soggy.
-
Can I make these pizza pockets gluten free or dairy free?
For gluten-free, simply use a gluten-free self-rising flour blend (or add baking powder to gluten-free flour). For dairy free, use a thick dairy-free yogurt and substitute your favorite non-dairy cheese; the results are still delicious!
-
Why did my pizza pockets leak in the oven or air fryer?
This usually happens if they’re overfilled or the seams aren’t pinched well enough. Take your time sealing the edges, and try not to add more than the recommended amount of filling to each pocket.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’ll give these Easy Pizza Pockets a try—they’re honestly one of my favorite ways to turn pizza night into something totally stress-free and fun. Don’t be surprised if they disappear the moment you put them on the table. Happy cooking!
Print
Easy Pizza Pockets Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 pockets
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking, Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
Delicious and easy-to-make pizza pockets that can be baked in the oven or air-fried to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1 cup self-rising flour (120 g) or all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup non-fat plain Greek yogurt (227 g)
Filling:
- 3 oz turkey pepperoni, chopped (84 g)
- 3 oz smoked deli ham, chopped (84 g)
- 1/4 cup 2% low-fat cottage cheese (57 g)
- 1/4 cup pizza sauce (63 g)
- 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella (28 g)
- 1/4 tsp each: dried oregano, dried basil, garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare Filling: Combine pepperoni, ham, cottage cheese, pizza sauce, mozzarella, oregano, basil, and garlic powder in a mixing bowl.
- Make Dough: Mix flour and Greek yogurt to form a dough. Knead, separate into 4 pieces, and roll out into circles.
- Add Filling: Place filling in the center of each dough circle, fold edges to seal.
- Bake: Bake at 400°F for 17-20 mins until golden brown.
- Air Fry: Air fry at 400°F for 7 mins until golden brown.
Notes
- Allow to cool before serving.
- Enjoy with extra pizza sauce!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pocket
- Calories: 254 kcal
- Sugar: Unknown
- Sodium: Unknown
- Fat: 5.7g
- Saturated Fat: Unknown
- Unsaturated Fat: Unknown
- Trans Fat: Unknown
- Carbohydrates: 27.3g
- Fiber: 1.3g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: Unknown
