Description
These Homemade Beef Pepperoni Pizza Hot Pockets combine savory ground beef, spicy pepperoni, melted mozzarella, and tangy pizza sauce wrapped in a golden, flaky pizza dough shell. Perfect as a hearty snack or meal, these hot pockets are easy to prepare from scratch or with store-bought dough, baked to bubbly perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Dough
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- ¾ cup warm water (about 110°F)
- 1 tsp salt
Filling
- 8 oz ground beef
- 6 oz beef pepperoni slices
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine flour, yeast, warm water, and salt. Knead the mixture until you get a smooth dough. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size. If using store-bought dough, let it rest at room temperature for 20 minutes before rolling out.
- Make the Filling: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess fat from the pan. Add the beef pepperoni slices, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. Stir well and cook for a few more minutes until all flavors are combined. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
- Assemble the Hot Pockets: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). On a floured surface, roll out the pizza dough to about 1/8 inch thickness. Cut the dough into rectangles approximately 4 by 6 inches in size.
- Fill the Dough: Spoon a generous amount of the beef and pepperoni filling onto one half of each dough rectangle. Add a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella cheese and a spoonful of pizza sauce on top of the filling.
- Seal the Hot Pockets: Fold the other half of the dough over the filling to cover it. Press the edges together firmly to seal, then crimp the edges with a fork for decoration. Cut a few small slits in the top of each hot pocket to let steam escape during baking.
- Bake: Place the hot pockets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until they are puffed up and golden brown. Keep a close eye to prevent burning.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the hot pockets from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. Serve warm with extra pizza sauce on the side for dipping and enjoy your delicious homemade beef pepperoni pizza hot pockets!
Notes
- You can substitute beef pepperoni with turkey or chicken pepperoni for a leaner option.
- Feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers or onions to the filling for extra flavor and nutrition.
- If you prefer a crispier crust, bake the hot pockets on a pizza stone or preheated baking steel.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven to retain crispiness.
- For a quicker version, use pre-made pizza dough and pre-cooked ground beef.
