Description
Cheesy Pizza Pockets with plant-based cheese offer a warm, melty, and satisfying taste wrapped in a golden crispy crust. Ready in under 30 minutes, they are perfect for a quick meal, snack, or simple dinner. Customizable with veggies and plant-based proteins, these pockets bring classic pizza flavors with ease and convenience.
Ingredients
Basic Ingredients
- Pizza dough (store-bought or homemade) – enough for 6-8 inch circles
- Plant-based cheese (melting variety) – a handful per pocket
- Tomato sauce (natural) – 1 tablespoon per pocket
- Fresh basil leaves – a few leaves per pocket
- Olive oil – for brushing
- Dried oregano – a pinch per pocket
- Salt – to taste
- Pepper – to taste
Optional Variations
- Thinly sliced bell peppers
- Spinach leaves
- Sliced mushrooms
- Chili flakes or diced jalapeños
- Plant-based sausage
- Cooked chickpeas
- Fresh rosemary or thyme in place of basil
- Blend of plant-based mozzarella (plant-based) and cheddar (plant-based) cheeses
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Roll out your pizza dough on a lightly floured surface into roughly 6- to 8-inch circles. Make sure the dough is even but not too thin to prevent tearing when folding.
- Add the Sauce and Cheese: Spread a generous tablespoon of natural tomato sauce over half of each dough circle, leaving the edges free for sealing. Sprinkle a handful of melting plant-based cheese evenly over the sauce.
- Add Herbs and Season: Place a few fresh basil leaves on top of the cheese. Lightly season with dried oregano, salt, and pepper to enhance the classic pizza flavors.
- Seal the Pockets: Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape. Press the edges firmly together and crimp them with a fork to securely seal the pockets to prevent any leaks during baking.
- Brush and Bake: Brush the tops of the pockets with olive oil to achieve a golden, crispy crust. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 15 minutes or until the crust is crisp and golden brown.
Notes
- Do not overload the pockets with filling to avoid leaks during baking.
- Chill the sealed pockets in the refrigerator for 10 minutes before baking to help them hold their shape.
- Use parchment paper on the baking sheet to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- To achieve a softer crust, reduce oven temperature slightly and bake for a longer period.
- Choose high-quality melting plant-based cheese for the best stretch and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pizza pocket
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Cheesy pizza pockets, plant-based cheese, quick meal, pizza snack, vegetarian, easy recipe
