Do you ever find yourself craving a cheesy pizza but don’t have the time to make a traditional pie from scratch? Well, you’re in luck because we have the perfect solution: the homemade pizza pockets recipe!
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the art of crafting homemade pizza pockets. From rolling out the dough to selecting the perfect blend of fillings, we’ve got all the tricks you need to turn your kitchen into a pizzeria.
Get ready to roll up your sleeves because we’re about to embark on a culinary adventure that will leave you wanting more!
Ingredients For Pizza Pocket Recipe
Dive into the details of this pizza pocket recipe, as we lay out all the ingredients you’ll need to create these delicious pockets of joy.
1. Olive oil
2. Italian turkey sausage
3. Arugula
4. Cream cheese
5. Grated Parmesan cheese
6. Salt
7. Freshly ground black pepper
8. Store-bought pizza crust
9. All-purpose flour
10. Egg (for egg wash)
11. Marinara sauce for dipping
Now that you’re equipped with this simple and tasty pizza pockets recipe, you can satisfy those pizza cravings any time with a homemade touch!
How To Make Pizza Pockets?
Let’s dive right into the easy pizza pocket recipe, a set of simple steps to bring these tasty treats to life in your kitchen.
Step 1: Cooking The Sausage
Begin by heating a tablespoon of olive oil in a medium-sized, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian turkey sausage into the skillet and cook it for about 5 minutes, or until it’s thoroughly crumbled and has taken on a golden color.
Step 2: Wilt The Arugula and Prepare The Filling
To the cooked sausage, add your arugula and continue to cook until it has wilted. Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool for about 10 minutes.
Once cooled, incorporate the room-temperature cream cheese, 1/3 cup of grated Parmesan, salt, and freshly ground black pepper, stirring everything until well combined. Set this filling mixture aside for later.
Step 3: Prepping The Dough
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
On a lightly floured work surface, lay out your store-bought pizza crust. Roll it out into a thin 20-by-12-inch rectangle.
Then, slice the large rectangle in half lengthwise to create two long rectangles. Cut each of these halves crosswise into 8 smaller rectangles, yielding 16 pieces in total.
Step 4: Assembling The Pizza Pockets
Take one rectangle, and spoon a portion of the sausage and arugula filling onto one side of it. Moisten the edges with some egg wash, and apply with a pastry brush.
Fold the dough over the filling to create a pocket, pressing the edges to seal. Use a fork to crimp the edges and ensure the pocket is fully sealed.
Arrange your pizza pockets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between them.
Step 5: Adding The Finishing Touches
Brush the tops of your assembled pizza pockets with the remaining egg wash. This will help give them a beautiful golden finish as they bake.
Sprinkle the set-aside 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese over the tops for an extra layer of flavor.
Step 6: Baking Your Pizza Pockets
Place your pizza pockets into the preheated oven and bake for about 12 to 15 minutes, or until they’re puffed up and golden brown.
Step 7: Preparing For Serving
While the pizza pockets are baking, pour the marinara sauce into a medium saucepan and warm it over low heat. This delicious sauce will serve as the perfect complement for dipping your pizza pockets once they’re fresh out of the oven.
Step 8: Serving Your Homemade Pizza Pockets
When the pockets are done, remove them from the oven and let them sit for a few minutes before serving. Pair your crispy, cheesy pizza pockets with the warmed marinara sauce for a delightful taste experience.
Enjoy your homemade creation hot and fresh from the oven!
Customization Ideas For Pizza Pockets
Customizing your pizza pockets is both easy and fun, allowing you to cater to various tastes or make use of the leftovers you have on hand.
1. Experiment with different cheeses like mozzarella for a classic stretchiness or a smoked gouda for an aromatic twist.
2. Swap out the turkey sausage for grilled vegetables, pepperoni, or cooked mushrooms for variety.
3. Explore with sauces as well – try a pesto base or a spicy arrabbiata to change the flavor profile.
4. Toss in some diced onions, bell peppers, or olives for added texture and a burst of flavor.
Don’t hesitate to get creative and personalize each pocket to your guests’ delight!
Side Dishes and Dips Complement Pizza Pockets
To truly elevate your pizza pocket recipe, consider pairing it with an array of side dishes and dips that complement the flavors.
Side Dishes
A perfect meal isn’t complete without the addition of some scrumptious side dishes:
1. Garlic Breadsticks: Serve these warm, garlicky, and buttery breadsticks as the perfect side for mopping up extra marinara sauce.
2. Caesar Salad: A classic Caesar salad with crisp romaine, parmesan shavings, and crunchy croutons adds a fresh element to your meal.
3. Seasoned Wedge Fries: For those who love an extra dose of carbohydrates, oven-baked wedge fries seasoned with Italian herbs can be a hearty accompaniment.
Dips
Diversify your dipping options to enhance the pizza pocket experience with a selection of flavorful sauces:
1. Garlic Aioli: Create a creamy garlic aioli for those who enjoy a bit of creamy garlic punch.
2. Basil Pesto: A vibrant basil pesto can provide a fresh and herbaceous contrast to the savory pizza pockets.
3. Ranch Dressing: For a tangy and herby dip, homemade or store-bought ranch dressing is always a popular choice.
Each of these side dishes and dips brings its unique flavor to the table, ensuring a satisfying and full-flavored dining experience.
Some Tips For Perfect Pizza Pockets
To elevate your pizza pockets recipe to the next level, a few key tips can make all the difference in achieving that perfect blend of crispy outside and gooey, flavorful inside.
1. Achieve the Perfect Crust: For pizza pockets with a crispy exterior and soft interior, make sure your oven is properly preheated before baking. If you have a pizza stone or baking steel, use it to help evenly distribute the oven’s heat.
2. Don’t Overfill The Pockets: Resist the temptation to overfill your pizza pockets. Too much filling can cause the pockets to burst open during baking, leading to a messy tray and unevenly cooked pockets.
3. Seal Edges Securely: Take the time to firmly press and crimp the edges of your pizza pockets to prevent any filling from leaking out as they bake. A tight seal is crucial for a mess-free and perfectly contained pizza pocket.
4. Keep Fillings Dry: To avoid a soggy crust, ensure your fillings are not too wet. Cooked vegetables should be drained of any excess moisture, and any sauces should be thick and spreadable, not runny.
5. Use an Egg Wash: An egg wash not only seals your pizza pockets but also imparts a golden, shiny finish to the crust. Brushing the dough with egg wash before baking will create a more appealing and professional look.
6. Let Them Cool: Allow your pizza pockets to cool for several minutes after baking. This will not only make them easier to handle but also help firm up the filling, making for a neater eating experience.
Conclusion
In wrapping up, this pizza pockets recipe stands as a testament to kitchen creativity and the joy of personalized cooking. Whether enjoyed as a snack during game night or simply as a means to bring the taste of Italy into your home kitchen, each bite encapsulates the essence of comfort food.
Embrace the journey of crafting these delightful pockets and watch as they become cherished recipes in your culinary repertoire. Here’s to many enjoyable moments rolling dough and stuffing pockets!

Pizza Pockets
Ingredients
- 1 pound of pizza dough
- 1/2 cup of marinara sauce, plus more for dipping
- 1 cup of shredded cheese (Mozzarella or a blend of your choice)
- 1/2 cup of turkey sausage, pre-cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 cup of bell peppers, diced
- 1/4 cup of onions, diced
- 1/4 cup of mushrooms, sliced
- 1/4 cup of olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, grated (reserved for topping)
- 1 egg, for egg wash
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Italian seasoning or other herbs, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface and cut into even rectangles or circles, depending on your preference.
- Spoon a tablespoon of marinara sauce onto each dough piece, leaving room around the edges to seal the pockets.
- Mix the cheeses, cooked turkey sausage, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and olives. Season the mixture with salt, pepper, and herbs to taste.
- Distribute the filling evenly among the dough pieces, careful not to overfill.
- Fold the dough over the filling to create a pocket and crimp the edges firmly with a fork to seal.
- Beat an egg and brush the egg wash over the top of each pocket to help it brown during baking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the pockets are golden brown and puffed up.
- Allow the pizza pockets to cool slightly before serving. Serve with additional warm marinara sauce for dipping. Enjoy!