Description
Crispy football pizza pockets pack game day excitement with Italian-inspired flavors and handheld convenience. Cheese, pepperoni, and zesty marinara create a crowd-pleasing snack that scores big at any sports gathering with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Protein and Cheese Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup pepperoni slices (mini or chopped)
- Cooked sausage or crumbled bacon
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- Thin strips of mozzarella cheese
Base and Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 package refrigerated pizza dough (or homemade)
- ½ cup pizza sauce
Seasoning and Additional Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Diced bell peppers or mushrooms
- Black olives or jalapenos
Instructions
- Prepare workspace by lightly coating a clean surface with flour to prevent dough from sticking.
- Transform pizza dough into football-shaped silhouettes using a specialized cookie cutter or precision knife techniques.
- Strategically distribute pizza sauce across half of the dough pieces, maintaining a small perimeter to ensure secure sealing.
- Generously layer mozzarella cheese and selected protein toppings like pepperoni onto the sauced dough bases.
- Carefully overlay remaining dough pieces to create pocket enclosures, pressing edges firmly with fork tines to create decorative and functional seals.
- For authentic football aesthetics, craft delicate mozzarella or dough lace strips and arrange them in a precise crisscross configuration.
- Enhance exterior with a whisked egg wash, ensuring a lustrous golden finish.
- Elevate flavor profile by sprinkling garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and optional Parmesan cheese across the surface.
- Position prepared pockets on parchment-lined baking sheet and transfer to preheated oven at 375F (190C).
- Bake until exterior achieves a rich, crispy golden-brown complexion, approximately 12-15 minutes.
- Allow brief cooling period before serving alongside warm marinara sauce for optimal dipping experience.
Notes
- Customize toppings easily by swapping pepperoni for vegetarian options like bell peppers, mushrooms, or plant-based proteins for dietary flexibility.
- Ensure perfect sealing by pressing fork edges firmly and avoiding overfilling to prevent leaks during baking.
- Create gluten-free version using alternative pizza dough made from cauliflower, almond flour, or pre-made gluten-free dough for sensitive diets.
- Prep ahead by assembling pockets earlier and refrigerating until ready to bake, making game day or party planning more convenient.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg