Homemade Hot Pockets

Ditch store-bought and serve up these Homemade Hot Pockets, filled with ham and cheese, for a family-friendly meal or a perfect on-the-go lunch that is oozing with flavor.

Don't want to make individual hot pockets, AKA calzones? Try out my recipe for a Ham and Cheese Stromboli.

Hot Pockets are an easy grab-and-go meal. However, store-bought hot pockets are filled with preservatives and the flavor is a bit lacking.

However, you can easily make hot pockets at home that are not only made with more wholesome ingredients but also taste SO MUCH better.

My favorite version of homemade hot pockets, which is truly just a calzone, happens to be Homemade Ham and Cheese Hot Pockets. Tender dough filled with salty cheese and ham is truly irresistible.

Notes on Ingredients

• Pizza Dough: Homemade pizza dough will result in the best flavor, but you can opt to use any store-bought pizza dough you like.
• Ham: Use thinly sliced deli ham, leftover Instant Pot Ham, or leftover Baked Ham.
• Cheese: Thinly sliced cheddar, Colby, or Swiss cheese are all great options.
• Egg Wash: For the hot pockets to brown evenly, you want to brush the dough with an egg wash before baking.

How To Make Homemade Hot Pockets

• Prepare homemade pizza dough, or substitute homemade dough with 1-pound store-bought dough.
• Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and roll each piece into about an 8-inch oval.

• Evenly divide ham and cheese between ovals, placing the slices on the center of the dough.

• Fold the dough over, creating a crescent shape, and using your fingers or the prongs of a fork, tightly seal the edges of the "hot pocket"--just like you would for a calzone.

• Place the hot pockets onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or that is well-greased. 
• Cut 2-3 slits across the top of each hot pocket to allow steam to escape while baking.
• Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown.

Filling Options

While ham and cheese hot pockets are my personal favorite, there are endless options for filling your homemade hot pockets. Simply roll out the dough as stated and then top each oval with any of the following combinations of flavors, or get creative with your own fillings. Just be careful to not overfill, so that you can securely close your hot pocket.

• Pizza Hot Pockets: Top each section of dough with 2 teaspoons pizza sauce, 2-3 tablespoons shredded mozzarella cheese, and ½ tablespoon pepperoni if desired.
• Ham and Broccoli Hot Pockets: Top the dough with 1 slice of ham, 2 tablespoons of shredded cheddar cheese, and 1 tablespoon of cooked diced broccoli florets.
• Chicken Parmesan Hot Pockets: Top the dough with 2 teaspoons marinara sauce, 2-3 tablespoons shredded mozzarella cheese, and 1 tablespoon chopped cooked chicken.
• Meatball Hot Pockets: Top each piece of dough with 2 teaspoons of marinara sauce. Cut cooked meatballs in half. Add 3-4 halves to each piece of dough and sprinkle with 2-3 tablespoons of mozzarella cheese.
• Egg and Sausage Hot Pockets: Crumble ½ tablespoon of cooked breakfast sausage over each piece of dough. Top with ¼ cup scrambled eggs and 1 tablespoon shredded cheddar cheese.

Storage

Leftover hot pockets can be stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the refrigerator or frozen for up to 3 months using the instructions for freezing below.

To reheat hot pockets from the refrigerator, place one hot pocket on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for 45 seconds or bake at 400 degrees F for 5-8 minutes until warmed through. Let cool for 1-2 minutes before eating.

Freezing Instructions

I highly suggest making a large batch of Homemade Hot Pockets and freezing them for a quick dinner or to pack for lunches.

To freeze hot pockets, place fully cooked and cooled hot pockets onto a baking sheet and place the baking sheet into the freezer. Freeze until the outside is solid, for about 30-60 minutes. Place frozen Hot Pockets in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.

To reheat hot pockets from frozen, either place them on a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees F for 12-15 minutes or place an individual hot pocket on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for 2 minutes. Let cool for 2-3 minutes before enjoying.

How to Pack for Lunch

Taking a homemade ham and cheese Hot Pocket to school or work is a great option for a filling lunch. You have several options as to how to take pack them in lunches.

• If your office/school has a microwave, place a homemade hot pocket (frozen or from the fridge) wrapped in parchment paper in a lunch bag with an ice pack. Heat the hot pocket right on the parchment paper in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
• If you don't have access to a microwave, heat a hot pocket in the morning before leaving for school or work. Place it in a thermos and your hot pocket will be warm and ready for your lunch.
• If you like your hot pockets at room temperature, heat the hot pockets in the morning before leaving for school or work. Pack warm hot pocket in lunch container along with an ice pack. This keeps the hot pocket from developing bacteria while sitting in a locker or at an office desk.

 More Recipes Featuring Leftover Ham

• Cheesy Ham and Scalloped Potatoes
• Ham and Cheese Stromboli
• Ham and Egg Breakfast Casserole
• Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup

If you made these delicious homemade hot pockets, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.

This post was orginally published in 2016 but was updated in 2021 with new tips.