Description
Melty cheese oozing out of a golden, football-shaped pocket—these easy pizza pockets are the ultimate game day snack. Customizable, kid-friendly, and perfect for parties, they deliver bold flavors and cheesy goodness in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound refrigerated pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- All-purpose flour, for dusting
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup mini pepperoni slices (or chopped regular pepperoni)
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce (plus extra for dipping)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped bell peppers (optional)
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano & basil)
- 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Gather and measure all fillings. Shred cheeses, chop veggies, and whisk the egg for your wash. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Lightly flour your work surface. Roll pizza dough to about 1/8-inch thickness, forming a 12×16 inch rectangle.
- Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough into 8 ovals (about 3×5 inches each). Shape into footballs by rounding the ends and pinching the middle.
- Spoon 1 tablespoon pizza sauce onto each oval, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Add 2 tablespoons mozzarella, 1 tablespoon cheddar, pepperoni, and any veggies/olives.
- Fold each oval over into a football shape, pinching the edges firmly to seal. Crimp edges with a fork and brush tops lightly with egg wash.
- Brush each pocket with melted butter; sprinkle Italian herbs and parmesan over the top. Score laces on top with a knife for football detail.
- Arrange pockets on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced apart. Bake until golden brown and puffed, 18-20 minutes. Rotate the sheet halfway for even cooking.
- Transfer pockets to a cooling rack for 2-3 minutes. Serve warm with extra pizza sauce for dipping.
Notes
Don’t overfill pockets to prevent leaks. Seal edges well by pinching and crimping with a fork. For gluten-free or dairy-free options, substitute pizza dough and cheese as needed. Pockets can be assembled ahead and baked fresh for parties. Freeze leftovers for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pizza pocket
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 480
- Fat: 11
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 24
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 10
Keywords: game day, pizza pockets, cheesy snacks, party food, football snacks, kid-friendly, easy appetizer