Pizza Pockets Recipe | Welcome To Nana’s

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Baking with children doesn’t need to be intricate; in fact, these Simple Homemade Pizza Pockets are truly as easy as it gets! After preparing this dish repeatedly in my own kitchen, you can be assured that it is approved and tested by kids.

Homemade pizza pockets on a dinner plate alongside a salad.

My grandchildren and I enjoy creating this dish because each child can craft their own, allowing us to bond while making them. Prepare yourself for laughter, engaging conversations, and a speedy dinner all rolled into one – a triple crown success! Additionally, thanks to my formal education in nutrition, food science, and family studies, this recipe is created for children to follow easily and relish the experience!

Kids adding marinara, cheese, and pepperoni to spread dough to form pizza pockets.

One aspect we all appreciate about this endeavor is that every child can assemble their own pizza pockets, and we can all collaborate to create them simultaneously. This leads to giggles, moments for conversation, and a meal in the making – a triple victory.

Marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and dough balls displayed on a countertop.

Pizza Pocket Recipe Components

The only detail that often escapes my mind is to remember to take the frozen rolls out to let them thaw ahead of time. They don’t need to rest long enough to double in size as indicated on the packaging, but they should become soft and flexible.

I prefer the Rhodes brand of frozen rolls, but I believe other brands could suffice. If desired, you can whip up your own dough. I typically opt for the convenience of frozen rolls, a method affectionately known as speed scratch cooking.

Well, just last week I finally remembered to set the dough out, hooray! Once hair was tied back and hands were cleaned, three enthusiastic grandkids swiftly crafted their pizza pockets and then went on to prepare extras for the adults.

A child flattening a ball of dough into a circular shape.

Creating Pizza Pockets

  1. To form a single pizza pocket, two frozen rolls are necessary. Merge the rolls, stacking one atop the other. Then position them on the work surface and flatten them into a disk approximately 5 inches wide.
    Tip: Avoid using additional flour at this phase. The dough should adhere slightly to the counter. If you incorporate flour, it may bounce back, making it challenging to flatten the dough.
A spoon adding mozzarella into an open pizza pocket.

2. The components for the Easy Pizza Pocket Recipe for Kids should be arranged at the center of the table, ensuring that all young chefs can access them…even you.

3. Add a Tablespoon or two of Pizza Sauce in the middle of the dough but refrain from spreading it out. I’ll explain shortly.

4. Arrange 4 Pepperoni on the sauce (or substitute with other meats/ingredients of your choosing).

5. On top of that, add a generous spoonful of mozzarella cheese.

A child sealing marinara and cheese inside some dough.

6. Lift the borders of the dough and pinch them together. Aim to keep the fillings centered within the pizza pocket and avoid letting the sauce reach the pinched section of the dough. The sauce can make the dough slick and prevent proper sealing.

7. Position the pizza pocket on a lightly oiled Baking Sheet

with the sealed side facing down.

A child grasping a ball of dough.

8. Bake in a 350-degree oven until it turns a golden hue, approximately 20-25 minutes.

The children devoured two pizza pockets each, and I must confess, I indulged as well! Add a touch of salad, and you have a wonderful meal. Delicious.

Variations for Pizza Pockets

I’m certain that all of my inventive culinary friends can devise other components to place within these pockets instead of traditional pizza fillings. My suggestion is to experiment with ham and cheese or even scrambled eggs, cheese, and sausage sometime. Please share if you discover any winning combinations.

freshly made pizza pockets on a baking tray.

Accompaniments for Pizza Pockets

Here are several suggestions on what to accompany your pizza pockets!

  • Dipping sauce- such as ranch dressing or a specialty mustard.
  • Salad- like a crisp green salad or caesar salad.
  • Fries- offer potato or sweet potato fries.
  • Vegetables- either fresh veggies (carrots, celery, peppers) or cooked vegetables (carrots, green beans, corn).

How to Preserve Pizza Pockets

Allow the pizza pockets to cool, then store them in an airtight container or sealed ziplock bag for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. I prefer to keep extras in the freezer for a quick lunch option. Let the pizza pockets cool, then arrange them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Flash freeze them this way in the freezer (to prevent them from sticking together), and then transfer the pizza pockets into an airtight container. They can be stored for up to 3 months in the freezer.

How to Freeze Homemade Pizza Pockets

Lastly, these freeze well for a few weeks. Ensure the pizza pockets cool completely before placing them in plastic bags for freezing. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat in a lower temperature oven. I prefer not to reheat them in the microwave as they tend to become tough and soggy.

Homemade pizza pockets with cheese served on a dinner plate alongside a salad.

Homemade pizza pockets on a dinner plate with a salad.

Pizza Pockets For Children

Shelly

Simple Pizza Pockets create a warm sandwich dish from pizza. Individuals of all ages will delight in crafting their own!

Preparation Duration30 minutes

Cooking Duration25 minutes

CourseDinner

CuisineAmerican

Portions8

Calories210 kcal

Components  

  • 1 Bag Rhodes dinner rolls (thawed and rising)
  • 1 Jar Pizza sauce
  • 1 Bag Pepperoni slices
  • 1 8 oz bag Mozzarella cheese

Directions 

  • Take two dinner rolls and flatten them to form a 5-inch circle on the counter.

  • Put a generous spoonful of pizza sauce at the center of the dough (do not spread it out).

  • Lay 4 slices of pepperoni on top of the sauce.

  • Sprinkle a generous spoonful of mozzarella cheese over the pepperoni.

  • Bring the edges of the dough together over the fillings and pinch the seams to seal the “pocket”.

  • Arrange the finished pizza pockets on a lightly greased baking sheet.

  • Bake for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees until slightly golden.

Tags How to create pizza pockets, Pizza pockets, Easy recipe for kids to prepare for dinner, Recipe for pizza pockets

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