Ditch store-bought and serve up these Homemade Hot Pockets for a family-friendly meal or a perfect on-the-go lunch. Filled with ham and cheese, these hot pockets are oozing with flavor!
These Homemade Hot Pockets are the best because they are so easy to make and versatile. The fillings can be changed up for a variety of different flavor options, they freeze and reheat beautifully, and can be made with store-bought or homemade pizza dough.
Homemade is Best
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.
But you can easily make hot pockets at home that are not only made with more wholesome ingredients, but they also taste SO MUCH better.
My favorite version of homemade hot pockets happens to be Homemade Ham and Cheese Hot Pockets. The soft dough wrapped around salty ham and creamy cheese is irresistible! But the flavor options are endless.
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, or 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, until the dough is golden brown.
Different Hot Pocket Flavors
While ham and cheese hot pockets are my personal favorite, there are endless options for fillings. 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!
- 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 shredded cheddar cheese, and 1 tablespoon 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 marinara sauce. Cut cooked meatballs in half. Add 3-4 halves to each piece of dough and sprinkle with 2-3 tablespoons 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 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 for 5-8 minutes until warmed through. Let cool 1-2 minutes before eating.
How to Freeze
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 for 12-15 minutes or place an individual hot pocket on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for 2 minutes. Let cool 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 in a thermos and your hot pocket will be warm and ready for your lunch.
- If you like your hot pockets room temperature, heat hot pocket 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
- Easy Monte Cristo Sandwich
- Ham and Egg Breakfast Casserole
If you made these delicious homemade hot pockets, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.
Ham and Cheese Hot Pockets
Ingredients
- 1 recipe homemade pizza dough or store bought dough
- 1 pound ham thinly sliced
- ½ pound colby jack cheese slices
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper that can tolerate heat up to 450 degrees.
- Divide the pizza dough into 8 equal pieces and roll each piece into about an 8-inch oval.
- Place 1 slice of cheese in the middle of each oval. Place 3-4 slices of the thinly sliced ham on each slice of the cheese.
- Fold the dough over, creating a crescent shape. Using your fingers or the prongs of a fork, tightly seal the edges of the "hot pocket."
- Whisk the egg with 1 tablespoon water and brush each hot pocket evenly with the egg wash. Cut 2-3 slits on top of each hot pocket to let steam escape while baking.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until the hot pocket is nicely golden brown.
- Serve warm or cool and store.
Notes
- Pizza Hot Pockets: Top each hot pocket dough with 2 teaspoons pizza sauce, 2-3 tablespoons shredded mozzarella cheese, and ½ tablespoon pepperoni if desired.
- Ham and Broccoli Hot Pockets: Top each hot pocket with 1 slice of ham, 2 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese, and 1 tablespoon cooked diced broccoli florets.
- Chicken Parmesan Hot Pockets: Top each hot pocket 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 marinara sauce. Cut cooked meatballs in half. Add 3-4 halves to each piece of dough and sprinkle with 2-3 tablespoons 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.
Nutrition
This post was orginally published in 2016 but was updated in 2021 with new tips.
Kristina Pico
I made these with leftover turkey and cheese after Easter (cheddar for me and Swiss for my husband). They are crazy easy to make and really good. For anyone trying this recipe, don't be afraid to roll the dough thin. It will puff a bit in the oven. I love that I control the ingredients (the whole wheat pizza dough is great!). The whole process, including making the dough from scratch, only took less than 2 hours. I did let my stand mixer do the kneading work. I made them again with turkey, cranberry sauce, and stuffing. OMG good! Now we have lunches in the freezer. Delicious!
Kristen Chidsey
I am SO glad you enjoyed this so much Kristina! And thank you for taking the time to leave a review!
Elizabeth
Made these last night and they were delicious. Was in a rush so used store bought pizza dough and did the baked method. Did half with ham and cheese (put mustard right in them as I thought hubby might take in car to dd’s basketball game. Did the other half as pepperoni pizza pockets. We all loved them and I will make again. I found snipping with kitchen shears was easier than cutting slits. Thanks again! Right now the family naps while we await your instant pot lasagna.
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you and your family enjoyed Elizabeth! And take the short-cuts when needed 😉 Great tip for the kitchen shears too. Enjoy the lasagna 🙂
Elizabeth
Hi Kristen, Thanks for your wonderful recipes. I am confused with this one though. The recipe says to use pizza dough, but then there are so many comments about pretzel dough. There is a link to your pizza dough recipe but I didn't see a link to a pretzel dough recipe. I watched the video a few times because it looks like a wonderful dough you are making, but I can't tell if you are making pizza dough or pretzel dough. (I don't have sound on so maybe you say it). And I can't tell whether your machine in the video is a mixer or a food processor. It looks like a food processor but there are no instructions in the printed recipe for a food processor, just mixer or bread machine. If you have a chance I'd love your help, as I would really like to try this recipe. Thanks so much!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Elizabeth! Sorry for the confusion. First, I am using a mixer--it does look like a food processor, but just an open mixer 🙂 Secondly, I have included recipes for how turn pizza dough INTO pretzel dough if desired. Pretzels are made by placing the pizza dough quickly into a solution of warm water that baking soda has been dissolved into before baking. So you can make these hot pockets just with plain pizza dough or take the extra step to enjoy as pretzel hot pockets. Hope that helps.
Elizabeth
Yes it did, thank you! And thank you for sending the reply to my email and so promptly. I made these last night! They came out great. I will leave a review separately. Thanks again!
Kristen Chidsey
I am happy to help ANYTIME!
Meagen Brosius
I can't believe it took me this many years to try making hot pockets at home. These are so tasty and easy. A family favorite now that I'm sure we'll be making on a regular basis! Yum!
Kristen Chidsey
YAY Meagen! I am so glad your family enjoys these as much as mine does.
Britni
OK my house loves hot pockets! I have never thought of this but it sounds so easy & fun to make. I am sure you could even do pepperoni and cheese. Awesome!
Kristen Chidsey
Pepperoni and cheese work great too Britni!
Chellie
I was sold at the pretzel dough! A warm, stuffed pretzel sounds so good right now!
Kristen Chidsey
I prefer the hot pretzel dough every time!
Crystal Faulkner
This is such creative and fun recipe! Thank you for sharing!
Kristen Chidsey
Enjoy!
Lindsay
What a fun meal!
Kristen Chidsey
Thank you Lindsay! Glad you enjoyed.
Kerry
If I wanted to double this recipe would I just double everything? Well everything but the water and baking soda at the end? I have tried doubling recipes in the past and had some issues. Thanks
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Kerry! Great question. Doubling recipes can be tricky at times. You should be able to double the dough for this recipe just fine though. So you would use 5 cups flour (all whole wheat, all all-purpose, or mixture of both) 1 teaspoon salt, 5 tsp yeast and 2 cups water. The process will remain the same. I hope you enjoy 🙂
Emily @ Life on Food
Funny how our food preference totally shape our children's. I hate peas to this day because my mom does. We never had them. I know it will be the same for my daughter too. In a way I am happy for exposure from others but also want to make sure healthy choice are key. DIY versions are so fun to try out. Love this one!
Kristen Chidsey
As long as healthy eating goes on at home, I am sure your kids will catch on to healthy eating!