I finally have a recipe for the homemade hot pockets that I originally posted in one of my son's lunches. That one was made from a little left over pizza dough, but today's post will show you how to quickly make a batch of four that can either be eaten immediately or frozen for packed lunches.
First, I have a confession. I have a few items in my cupboard that I'd rather not admit to. Our whole family loves pizza. My very best crackly and chewy pizza dough develops this subtle sourdough tang when it gets hidden away overnight in the refrigerator that makes it worth every minute I invest in it.
Shhhh...don't tell anyone! |
There are also a few non-perishables that I wouldn't ordinaraly eat that I keep around for emergencies. One of them is canned chicken. The problem is that occasionally I restock the cans when they go on sale and I'll need to work my way through the old ones.
You certainly don't have to use canned chicken. Any leftover cooked chicken will do. If you do need to rotate your hurricane supplies or just want a super easy lunch recipe, these hot pockets are the answer.
Homemade Hot Pockets
(Printable version here.)
Dough:
2 C all-purpose flour, divided
1 envelope Fleischmann's Pizza Yeast
1 1/2 tsp sugar
3/4 tsp salt
2/3 C warm water
3 Tbs olive oil
Filling:
1 C cooked chicken, cubed
1 C Daiya Mozzarella Style Shreds
1/2 C frozen peas, rinsed
1/4 tsp dried basil OR mixed Italian seasoning
pinch garlic or onion powder
salt and pepper, if desired
Additional:
corn meal for rolling out dough
Move oven rack to lowest position and preheat pizza stone at 435F. (If you don't have a pizza stone, go ahead and use a cookie sheet or other baking tray, but do not preheat it.)
Combine one of the two cups of flour with the rest of the dough ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Stir until smooth, then add second cup of flour. Using dough hook, mix for a few minutes on low speed of stand mixer until dough is smooth. (The dough may also be kneaded by hand, of course.) The resulting dough dries out quickly, so wrap in plastic or cover with damp towel if not using immediately.
Mix the filling ingredients in a separate bowl. Divide the dough into four equal pieces, then shape into balls. Sprinkle a light layer of cornmeal onto cutting board or other surface. Roll dough out into four ovals, about four inches by eight inches in size. Using a docking tool or a fork, poke holes about half an inch apart over the entire surface of the dough to prevent bubbles.
Carefully mound a quarter of the filling mixture towards the long end of each of the ovals while leaving about a quarter inch of the edge uncovered. (It's easier if the filling goes on the end closest to you.) Dip a finger or paper towel in water and run it around the outside edge of the dough. Very gently and slowly stretch the dough over the filling while folding in half. The pockets will be stuffed full, but the dough is elastic enough to cover all the filling.
Use a fork to crimp and seal the edges, then use a serrated knife to slash a few holes on the top to let air escape. Slide the pockets onto the preheated pizza stone or a cookie sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown.
Tip: If planning to pack pockets in a lunchbox, measure them before baking and push in sides if they are too wide. For example, the largest compartment of the Easy Lunchbox I usually use is about 4 by 5 inches, so I always check to make sure they will fit!
To freeze, first allow pockets to cool to room temperature then place in freezer on a cooling rack. Once frozen move to a plastic zipper bag. If packing in a lunch box, place pockets in refrigerator to defrost the night before.
I'm sharing my plump little pockets with:
- Allergy Free Wednesday with The Willing Cook
- What's Cooking Wednesday at Turning Back the Clock
- What's for Lunch Wednesday at BentoLunch.net
- Allergy Friendly Lunchbox Love at Allergy Free Vintage Cookery
Disclosure: This post contains Amazon Affiliate links.
7 comments:
These look REALLY yummy. I'll have to investigate a gluten-free version. My 3 year old would probably love these.
Kathryn, thanks! If you've got a good gf pizza dough, that might do the trick.
Hi there! I just wanted to let you know that your recipe has been featured on what's cooking wednesday this week. Thank so much for linking up and hope to see you again this week! http://www.turningclockback.com/2013/08/whats-cooking-wednesday-recipe-linky-29.html
Diane, thanks so much for featuring the pcckets over on your lovely blog!
These recipes are great .....Please add herbs like garlic, ginger, cinnimon, onions part of your daily diet, it is always good to teach children to have herbs and teach them the benefits behind it. Having herbs will not show any immediate results but they will have a healthy life. .visit fernsblog.com for more details......Cheers
These look delicious! I've read other places that it's best to not freeze the pies after baking, but before baking. How are these defrosted? Is there a good method of heating them up?
Thanks Katie! I haven't ever tried freezing them before baking, since I like them to be ready to grab and go. To defrost for eating room temp in lunchbox, I just put in fridge the night before. If I've got time, put them on low heat in a well seasoned cast iron pan with a lid like I do to reheat pizza (makes for amazing crust). In a hurry I just microwave.
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