Description
These Cheesy Pizza Pockets are a quick and easy snack filled with melted plant-based cheese and savory smoked turkey slices, wrapped in a tender, crispy thin pizza dough. Perfect for a warm, flavorful bite anytime, they are kid-friendly, portable, and customizable to suit your taste or dietary needs.
Ingredients
Dough and Base
- Thin pizza dough (enough for 6-8 pockets)
- Olive oil (for brushing)
Fillings
- Melted (plant-based) cheese, about 1 cup
- Smoked turkey slices, 6-8 slices
- Tomato sauce (natural), 1/2 cup
- Italian seasoning (natural), 1 tsp
- Chopped bell peppers, 1/2 cup
- Natural gelling agent (optional), 1/2 tsp
Optional Add-ins
- Mushrooms, spinach, or olives (to taste)
- Crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños (for spicy kick)
- Alternative proteins such as grilled chicken or plant-based sausage (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Dough: Roll out your thin pizza dough on a lightly floured surface into small rectangles or circles, depending on your preferred pocket size. This will be the perfect vessel for the fillings.
- Layer the Fillings: Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce (natural) over half of each dough piece, sprinkle Italian seasoning (natural), then add a generous handful of melted (plant-based) cheese and smoked turkey slices. If desired, add your chosen veggies or additional spices.
- Seal the Pockets: Fold the dough over the filling to create a pocket and press the edges firmly with a fork to seal in all the goodness. This prevents leaks during baking.
- Brush and Bake: Brush each pocket with olive oil to help it brown beautifully as it bakes. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 15 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Cool and Serve: Let the pockets cool for a few minutes before serving to allow the melted (plant-based) cheese to set slightly for the best gooey experience.
Notes
- Keep dough thin to ensure a light, crispy crust.
- Don’t overfill pockets to avoid bursting during baking.
- Seal edges tightly with a fork for a neat finish and less mess.
- Prep fillings ahead of time to speed up assembly.
- Let pockets rest briefly after baking to help the cheese set and avoid spills.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pocket
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Cheesy Pizza Pockets, Plant-Based Cheese Snack, Quick Snack, Smoked Turkey, Kid-Friendly Snack, Baking, Gluten Free Snack