Who can forget the “crispy crunchy tender flaky crust” of Hot Pockets? Just a quick zap in the microwave and you have a tasty hand-held treat. There are plenty of Hot Pocket flavors to choose from, but we’ve always been partial to ham and cheese.
The homemade version of Hot Pockets is easier than you’d think, and it takes just a handful of ingredients. Seriously! Bake a batch to serve warm or keep in the fridge for snack attacks.
How to Make a Homemade Hot Pocket
This recipe makes 10 pockets.
Ingredients
- 1 loaf (1 pound) frozen bread dough, thawed
- 2 1/2 cups finely chopped, fully cooked ham
- 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon water
Step 1: Prep the Dough
The first step is simple. Take a look at the directions on your frozen bread dough and let it rise accordingly. That may take some time, so plan in advance.
Test Kitchen Tip: If you don’t have time to wait for frozen bread dough to thaw and rise, try using refrigerated pizza crust instead. Just save some for these amazing make-at-home pizzas.
Step 2: Divide the Dough
Once the bread has risen, punch it down and divide it into 10 equally sized pieces. Lightly flour the surface you’re working on and roll each of the 10 pieces into a circle around 5 inches in size. (You can use a mat like this to help with measurements.) These will become your pockets of flaky crust.
Step 3: Add the Filling
Place a circle of dough on a greased baking sheet. Add about 1/4 cup of ham and 2 tablespoons of cheese to within 1/2 inch of the edge of the circle, then press the filling to flatten.
Test Kitchen Tip: Swiss cheese is used in this recipe because it’s a classic pairing with ham, but any shredded cheese of your choosing would work great. Shred it yourself for supreme melt-ability.
Step 4: Seal and Top
Combine the egg yolk and water to create an egg wash. Use the egg wash to brush the outer edges of the dough (the 1/2 inch edges of each circle without filling). Fold the dough over the filling and use a fork to seal and crimp the edges. Repeat the process with the remaining dough and filling.
Use the remaining egg mixture to brush the top of each pocket. Try sprinkling any remaining cheese on top for an extra savory crust.
If this step gets you craving homemade pastries, check out these buttery treats.
Step 5: Bake and Share
Bake at 375° for approximately 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Then it’s time for the best part: Enjoy!
All-in for the classic ham-and-cheese combo? Find some of our other favorite ham and cheese recipes here. Or if you want to shake up your typical hot pocket, try out this hot pocket fondue!
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Updated: Jan. 06, 2023
