Make your own pizza Hot Pockets at home with real cheese and wholesome ingredients—tasty, customizable, and a good source of protein!
Pizza has always been my favorite. When I was pregnant with Tyler, I craved it even more than usual. Around that time we were starting to think about the food we were eating. I would check ingredients and learned a lot about nutrition. But, that didn’t keep this pregnant momma from grabbing a Pizza Hot Pocket a time or two.
Unfortunately, it was hard to find a pizza hot pocket that doesn’t have pepperoni. I only like cheese on my pizza. And, of course, the sauce. Italian food is my favorite because I really enjoy anything with bread, red sauce, and cheese.
We make homemade pizza with dough from our bread machine often. I used that same dough recipe to create the dough for Hot Pockets. So, when we were coming up with different varieties to try, I knew I needed a pizza hot pocket.
This is one with only red sauce and cheese. Nothing else. And that is just how I like it!
Product Information: Homemade vs. Store-Bought Hot Pockets
Homemade Pizza Hot Pockets offer a customizable and wholesome alternative to store-bought versions. While commercial Hot Pockets sandwiches often contain ingredients like wheat flour, folic acid, and artificial flavors, making them at home allows you to control the quality and type of ingredients used. This means you can opt for organic wheat flour, omit artificial additives, and tailor the fillings to your preference, ensuring a snack that’s both delicious and aligned with your dietary choices.
Product Details: Ingredients in Commercial Hot Pockets
Understanding what’s inside store-bought Hot Pockets can help you make informed choices. Typical ingredients include:
- Wheat Flour: A primary component of the dough.
- Folic Acid: Added to enriched flour for nutritional fortification.
- Vegetable Oil: Often a blend of soybean and/or canola oil.
- Fractionated Palm Oil: Used to enhance texture and shelf life.
- Part Skim Milk and Nonfat Milk: Found in cheese fillings.
- Regular Mozzarella Cheese: Provides the classic cheesy flavor.
- Lactic Acid Starter Culture: Used in cheese fermentation.
- Sodium Nitrite: Preservative commonly found in processed meats.
- Garlic Powder and Tomato Powder: Enhance flavor profiles.
- Citric Acid: Acts as a preservative and flavor enhancer.
- Calcium Sulfate: Used as a firming agent.
- L-Cysteine Hydrochloride: Dough conditioner to improve texture.
- Thiamine Mononitrate: Vitamin B1, added for nutritional value.
- Egg Whites: Contribute to dough structure and texture.
- Soy Flour: Enhances protein content and dough quality.
- Artificial Flavors: Used to mimic natural flavors.
By preparing Hot Pockets at home, you can avoid or substitute many of these additives, creating a cleaner and more natural snack.
Nutritional Information: Homemade vs. Commercial Hot Pockets
Homemade Hot Pockets not only allow for ingredient control but also offer nutritional benefits. For instance, a typical store-bought pepperoni pizza hot pocket contains approximately:
- Calories: 306
- Total Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Sodium: 430mg
- Protein: 8g
In contrast, homemade versions can be tailored to reduce saturated fat and sodium while increasing protein content, making them a good source of protein. Using real cheese, lean meats, and whole grain flours can enhance the nutritional profile, offering a healthier alternative without compromising on taste.
Ingredient Spotlight: Benefits of Homemade Choices
- Wheat Flour: Opting for whole wheat flour increases fiber content.
- Real Cheese: Using authentic cheeses like mozzarella ensures better calcium intake and flavor.
- Canola Oil: A heart-healthy fat alternative to traditional vegetable oils.
- Egg Whites: Provide protein with minimal fat.
- Tomato Powder: Adds rich flavor and antioxidants.
By selecting these ingredients, you enhance the health benefits of your homemade Hot Pockets.
Why Choose Homemade?
Creating Hot Pockets at home empowers you to:
- Control Ingredients: Avoid unwanted additives like artificial flavors and preservatives.
- Enhance Nutrition: Incorporate wholesome ingredients for a balanced meal.
- Customize Flavors: Tailor fillings to suit personal preferences and dietary needs.
- Enjoy Freshness: Experience the superior taste of freshly baked snacks.
Embracing homemade Hot Pockets not only satisfies cravings but also supports a healthier lifestyle.
Pizza Hot Pocket Step by Step
Ingredients
Dough
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 2 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 3/8 cup water
- 3 tbsp oil
Hot Pocket
- 1/4 cup pizza sauce
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (shredded)
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup water
- all-purpose flour (for dusting work surface)
Preparation
Add all of the ingredients for the dough into the bread machine. Set it to the dough setting and let it run. My machine takes 90 minutes to make a dough, but that can vary by machine. Make sure to look at the manual for yours so you know how to use it.
When the dough is almost done cooking, prepare your ingredients. For a ham and cheese hot pocket, this means tearing the ham into pieces and shredding the cheese.
Once the dough is finished cooking, roll the dough out on a floured surface. Cut the dough into quarters. Preheat the oven to 350F.
For each hot pocket, place about 1/4 of the salami and cheese down the center of the dough. Use a pizza cutter to slice diagonal cuts into the dough at regular intervals. I find about 1/2″ works best. Cut the top and bottom diagonals off. Fold the top and bottom over, then make the braid.
Start by grabbing the end of the top piece and folding it over until it meets with the second on the other side. Repeat with the top piece on the opposite side.
Continue this pattern until you reach the bottom. Tuck the bottom two pieces around the bottom. Carefully move the hot pockets to a baking sheet. In a small bowl, combine the egg and water. Use a pastry brush to coat the dough. Bake for about 20-25 minutes until the dough is golden brown.
Pizza Hot Pocket Leftovers
Storage: Store leftover pizza hot pockets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat them in the oven or air fryer for the best texture, or microwave for a quicker option.
Freezing: To freeze, let them cool completely, wrap individually in foil or plastic wrap, and store in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Reheat frozen pockets directly from the freezer—no thawing needed.
Recipe
Originally Published On: April 1, 2018
Last Updated On: May 21, 2025
Pizza Hot Pocket
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 2 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 3/8 cup water
- 3 tbsp oil
- 1/4 cup pizza sauce
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (shredded)
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup water
- all-purpose flour (for dusting work surface)
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Add all dough ingredients to bread machine and set to dough
- Shred the cheese if it isn't already shredded
- Preheat oven to 350F
- Roll dough out on floured work surface to about 1/8-1/4 inch thickness
- Use a pizza cutter to cut the dough into quarters
- Add the fillings to the center of the dough
- Cut the dough in diagonals on either side and fold over until the entire hot pocket is braided
- Whisk the egg and water together to form an egg wash and brush the dough
- Bake for about 20-25 minutes until the dough is golden brown
Notes
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
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- Homemade Hot Pockets 4 Ways
- Pizza Hot Pocket
- Ham and Cheese Hot Pocket
- Salami and Cheese Hot Pocket
- Breakfast Hot Pocket
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- Pizza Hot Pocket
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Bread Machine Recipes
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- Pizza Hot Pocket
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- Breakfast Hot Pocket
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Fantastic recipe! Easy to make and taste great!
Thanks! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe.
I like Pizza but it seems in a different flavor. Hopefully, I will grab the opportunity in the future. Thanks for sharing such an ingredient.
You could easily add other ingredients to change the flavor. My husband adds pepperoni and olives to his.
oh a pizza sandwich lol…I love love love!!! I can’t wait to make this, can’t wait.
Yeah, it basically is a pizza sandwich! It’s so yummy and easier to pack for a quick lunch than a regular pizza.
I love pizza so much, and this pizza hot pocket seems a really nice small pizza version! I wish I could have the bread machine, it will make the recipe easier.
Italian food is also my favorite and I really enjoy anything with bread, red sauce, and cheese as well. Your Pizza Hot Pocket looks super tasty and so easy to take to work… must try!
It’s a perfect thing to make for a quick lunch or dinner at home or, as you said, to take to work for a homecooked lunch while on-the-go.
A bread machine definitely makes it quicker and easier since you don’t have to prepare the dough yourself. But it would be do-able without one, too.
SO super-easy, and my kids would love to make these over the weekend for school lunches! We’ve done crescent roll-ups along these lines before, but not hot pockets – great idea!
I’ve made them similar with crescent rolls, too. They just end up much smaller. This dough really holds together well.
I have never had a pizza hot pocket I didn’t like. Cheese is the best way to go too!
Yay, I’m glad to have someone agree! My family likes to mess with me about not liking anything extra on my pizza.
I was literally just telling the other half that we need a good homemade pizza pocket recipe because he accidentally bought some that sucked! Lol. Definitely gonna give these a try. They look delish!
Hah, this is perfect timing then! We’ve made them a few times and I promise, these ones don’t suck 😉
I absolutely love this homemade pizza pocket recipe, it’s super easy to make. This is such a great idea to make at the weekends. I love the ingredients, it sounds delicious.
As you said, perfect for making on the weekends. Then we have them as leftovers for lunch throughout the week.
I will definitely try it out as I love new recipes.
I hope you enjoy it!
Omg, love this pizza version. Pizza is something I look forward to whenever I feel low, happy or need to celebrate. The thing is it’s going to be less time consuming than regular one and adds variety. I need to have it soon..
Pizza has always been one of my comfort foods, too.