Homemade Pizza Pockets with Puff Pastry

Love this recipe? Share it with your people 💕

On a busy weeknight, I reach for recipes that are as satisfying to make as they are to eat. These homemade pizza pockets check every box—crispy puff pastry pizza pockets stuffed with melty cheese and pepperoni. They’re quick, adaptable, and the kind of dinner that disappears before the baking sheet cools.

Steps + Photos

Step 1: Get all of your ingredients out before you begin.

Step 2: Cut the pastry into six rectangles.

Step 3: Separate pepperoni slices, have the sauce ready and the cheese shredded.

Step 4: Spoon the sauce into the middle of each pastry.

Step 5: Layer three or four slices of pepperoni on top of the sauce on each.

Step 6: Layer the shredded mozz.

Step 7: Place the top pastry on each and press the sides together.

Step 8: Brush on the beaten egg.

Step 9: Use a fork to crimp and seal the edges and sprinkle on Italian seasoning to taste.

Step 10: Bake until golden and puffy.

Step 11: Remove from oven and let them rest for two minutes. (A tough wait, I assure you.)

Pizza Pockets

Notes:

• Try other fillings like cooked Italian sausage, grilled chicken, or sliced olives.
• Swap shredded mozzarella for fresh mozzarella or string cheese.
• An egg wash with seasoning adds flavor and a golden finish, but it’s optional.
• Serve warm with pizza sauce or Alfredo for dipping.

Air Fryer Method: Prepare pockets as directed. Place in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 375°F for 10–12 minutes, until puffed and golden. This makes for crisp air fryer pizza pockets with minimal cleanup.

Freezer Method: Assemble pockets, place on a baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Store in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen at 400°F for 21–23 minutes. These freezer pizza pockets are a lifesaver for busy nights.

Tips for Success with Homemade Pizza Pockets

• Seal completely — a tight crimp keeps the filling from escaping.
  
• Don’t overfill — too much sauce makes the pockets soggy.
  
• Chill before baking — 10 minutes in the fridge helps the pastry puff evenly.
  
• Make ahead — assemble and freeze for easy freezer pizza pockets; bake straight from frozen with a few extra minutes.
  
• Air fryer option — ideal for smaller batches of air fryer pizza pockets when you want crisp results quickly.
  

Tools & Equipment for Puff Pastry Pizza Pockets

• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
• Chef’s knife or pizza cutter
• Pastry brush
• Fork for crimping edges
• Mixing bowl and whisk (for egg wash)
• Cooling rack
• Air fryer (optional, for quicker cooking)
• Freezer-safe storage bags (for make-ahead batches)

Serving Ideas for Homemade Pizza Pockets

• Lunchbox favorite — Pack a cooled pizza pocket recipe with a small container of dipping sauce for school or work.
• Game night snack — Slice each pocket in half and serve with assorted dips like ranch, marinara, or garlic butter.
• Italian-style dinner — Pair stuffed pizza pockets with a side salad and roasted vegetables for a balanced meal.
• Party platter — Make mini portable pizza pockets using smaller pastry squares for easy finger food.
• Freezer to table — Keep a batch of freezer pizza pockets ready for unexpected guests or late-night cravings.

The bottom line

These pepperoni pizza pockets, reminiscent of the grocery store Hot Pockets I grew up with, transform simple ingredients into a warm, flaky dinner or snack. With freezer and air fryer options, they’re a recipe you’ll use all year—whether you’re cooking ahead or making a quick bite on the spot.

Love this recipe? Share it with your people 💕