Description
Crispy football pizza pockets deliver game-day excitement straight from Italian-American kitchens. Packed with zesty marinara, melted cheese, and savory pepperoni, you’ll score big at your next tailgate party.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup (120 ml) pepperoni slices, mini or chopped
- Cooked sausage or crumbled bacon
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) Parmesan cheese, grated
- Thin strips of mozzarella cheese
- 1 package refrigerated pizza dough (or homemade)
- ½ cup (120 ml) pizza sauce
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Diced bell peppers or mushrooms
- Black olives or jalapenos
Instructions
- Workspace Preparation: Dust a clean surface with flour to prevent dough adhesion and create a smooth working area.
- Dough Shaping: Craft football-shaped dough cutouts using a specialized cookie cutter or precision knife, ensuring uniform size and shape.
- Sauce and Filling: Spread pizza sauce on half the dough pieces, leaving a narrow border for sealing, then layer mozzarella cheese and protein toppings like pepperoni.
- Pocket Formation: Carefully fold remaining dough pieces over the filled bases, pressing edges with fork tines to create decorative and secure seals.
- Decorative Touches: Create football-inspired mozzarella or dough lace strips, arranging them in a crisscross pattern across the pocket surfaces.
- Pre-Bake Enhancement: Brush pockets with egg wash and sprinkle garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and optional Parmesan cheese for added flavor and shine.
- Baking Process: Place prepared pockets on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 375F (190C) until achieving a golden-brown, crispy exterior (12-15 minutes).
- Serving Recommendation: Allow brief cooling period, then serve with warm marinara sauce for an optimal dipping experience.
Notes
- Flour Surface Strategically: Dust workspace lightly to prevent sticky dough and ensure smooth rolling without excess flour clumping.
- Shape Precision Matters: Use sharp cookie cutter or knife for clean football contours, keeping edges uniform for consistent cooking and professional appearance.
- Seal Carefully: Press fork edges firmly and completely to prevent filling leakage, creating tight pockets that maintain structural integrity during baking.
- Temperature Control: Monitor oven closely during final minutes to achieve golden-brown exterior without burning, as thin dough can quickly change color.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg