Description
Crispy football pizza pockets deliver game-day excitement with melted cheese and zesty pepperoni packed inside golden-brown pastry. Hungry fans will devour these quick, portable snacks that score big at tailgate parties and championship celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 4 ounces (113 grams) pepperoni slices
Cheese:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded mozzarella cheese
Dough and Seasonings:
- 1 pound (454 grams) pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) pizza sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil (for brushing)
Instructions
- Arrange the work surface with a clean, lightly dusted area for dough preparation and positioning a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Gently stretch the pizza dough into a thin, uniform layer approximately 1/4 inch thick using a rolling pin, ensuring consistent thickness across the surface.
- Carefully cut precise circular shapes using a round cookie cutter or glass rim, creating uniform 4-inch diameter dough circles for consistent pocket sizes.
- Position a modest dollop of pizza sauce at the center of each dough circle, maintaining a small border around the edges to prevent leakage during sealing.
- Distribute pepperoni slices strategically across the sauce, then generously sprinkle mozzarella cheese to ensure balanced flavor distribution.
- Fold each dough circle into a half-moon configuration, pressing edges firmly with fingertips to create a secure seal that prevents filling from escaping.
- Reinforce the pocket edges by crimping with a fork, creating decorative ridges that also enhance the seal’s integrity.
- Transfer sealed pockets onto the prepared baking sheet, maintaining space between each pocket for even heat circulation.
- Delicately brush the surface with olive oil and dust with Italian seasoning for added aromatic complexity.
- Bake in a preheated 400F (200C) oven for 15-20 minutes, monitoring until the pockets transform into a rich, golden-brown color.
- Remove from oven and allow brief cooling time before serving alongside additional pizza sauce for dipping pleasure.
Notes
- Customize toppings by swapping pepperoni with vegetarian alternatives like bell peppers, mushrooms, or plant-based protein for a diverse diet option.
- Create a gluten-free version by using cauliflower or gluten-free pizza dough to accommodate different dietary needs.
- Enhance flavor complexity by adding a pinch of garlic powder or red pepper flakes inside the pockets for an extra kick.
- Prepare these pizza pockets ahead of time and freeze uncooked for quick game day snacks, storing them in an airtight container for up to one month.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg