• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
A Mind "Full" Mom
  • ingredient
    • Pasta
    • Beef
    • Poultry
    • Pork
    • Seafood
    • Vegetarian
    • soups
    • burgers
  • course
    • Beverages
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Main Courses
    • Sides
    • Salads
    • Snacks
    • Desserts
    • Condiments
  • method
    • 30-Minute Meals
    • Grilling
    • Instant Pot
    • Slow Cooker
    • Air Fryer
  • All Recipes
    • Main Courses
      • Beef Recipes
      • Chicken & Turkey
      • Pasta
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Soup, Stew, and Chili
      • Vegetarian
    • Breakfast
    • Breads and Muffins
    • Desserts
    • Kid-Friendly
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Slow Cooker
    • Snacks
    • Pantry Staples
    • Allergy Friendly Recipes
      • Plant-Based
      • Gluten-Free
      • Dairy-Free
  • Instant Pot
  • 30-Minute Meals
  • Meet Kristen
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Instant Pot
  • 30-Minute Meals
  • All Recipes
  • Meet Kristen
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Homemade Hot Pockets

    Sandwiches, Burgers, and Wraps Easy Pork Recipes Kid Friendly Lunch Main Courses April 3, 2023 | By Kristen Chidsey | 44 Comments | *This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe
    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! Not only are these hot pockets easy to make, but the fillings can also be changed up for a variety of flavors, they freeze and reheat beautifully, and can be made with homemade or store-bought dough.

    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 Pocket with Ham and Cheese on plate


    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.

    why you'll love this recipe

    • Versatile. Fill your hot pockets with any filling you like.
    • Freezer-Friendly. Just like store-bought Hot Pockets, this homemade version can be made in a large batch and frozen to pull out as desired. They reheat beautifully!
    • Better for You. When you make Hot Pockets at home, there will be no added preservatives, and YOU are in charge of the quality of ingredients.

    Notes on Ingredients

    Deli Ham and Cheese next to pizza dough
    • 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.
    Hot Pocket Dough on Silpat
    • Evenly divide ham and cheese between ovals, placing the slices on the center of the dough.
    Cheese on Hot Pocket 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.
    Hot Pockets on Baking Sheet
    • 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.
    ham and cheese hot pocket on grey plate next to a pan of others

    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.
    Ham and Cheese Hot Sandwich wrapped up in parchment paper with apple

     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.

    Hot pocket next to baking sheet of ham and cheese calzones

    Ham and Cheese Hot Pockets

    Ham and Cheese are baked into a homemade hot pocket for a salty, cheesy, savory perfect hand-held meal or on-the-go lunch. 
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 322kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    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
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    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

    Ham: Use deli ham or leftover thinly sliced ham.  
    Cheese: Colby Jack Cheese was my family's preferred cheese for this, but Swiss, cheddar, and provolone are all good options. 
    Pizza Dough: Homemade pizza dough or store-bought pizza dough both work for this recipe. 
    To make EGG FREE Hot Pockets, brush with olive oil before baking instead of the egg wash.
    Different Filling Suggestions
    • 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. 
    To Freeze Hot Pockets: Place fully cooked hot pockets on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer and freeze until solid. Place frozen Hot Pockets in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Reheat by microwaving for 2 minutes or baking at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 322kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 1686mg | Potassium: 280mg | Fiber: 5g | Vitamin A: 285IU | Calcium: 219mg | Iron: 1.9mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!

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

    « Banana Cake
    Buffalo Chicken Casserole »

    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Shelly Fitzgerald

      September 11, 2022 at 12:33 am

      5 stars
      Made these for dinner tonight and they were fabulous.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        September 11, 2022 at 8:27 am

        So happy to hear you enjoyed Shelly!

        Reply
    « Older Comments

    Primary Sidebar

    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! Not only are these hot pockets easy to make, but the fillings can also be changed up for a variety of flavors, they freeze and reheat beautifully, and can be made with homemade or store-bought dough.

    Meet a Mind "Full" Mom

    A Picture of A Mind"Full"Mom

    Hi! I'm Kristen. I want to welcome you into my kitchen and my REAL, imperfect life. Let me share with you tips and tricks to help you make healthy eating a reality for your family in the chaos of life and on the constraints of a budget. Read more

    Instant Pot Favorites

    • jar of plain yogurt next to instant pot
      Instant Pot Yogurt
    • Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs Sliced Open on cutting board
      Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
    • Instant Pot Pot Roast sliced up on white platter with carrots and potatoes.
      Instant Pot Pot Roast
    • Whole seasoned chicken on trivet inside inner pot.
      Instant Pot Whole Chicken
    • Bowl of Cold Start Yogurt
      Instant Pot Cold Start Yogurt
    • Inner pot of instant pot filled dried beans
      Instant Pot Beans
    • How to use the instant pot as a slow cooker
      How to Use Your Instant Pot as a Slow Cooker
    • 4 chicken breasts cooked inside instant pot.
      Instant Pot Chicken Breast (Fresh or Frozen)

    Reader Favorites

    • Bowl of creamy coleslaw made with shredded green cabbage.
      Easy Homemade Coleslaw
    • Homemade Chicken Tenders on platter.
      Homemade Chicken Tenders
    • Baked Instant Pot Sweet Potato on white plate topped with pat of butter.
      Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
    • Chili seasonings labled on wooden board
      Chili Seasoning Recipe
    • 3 Salmon Fillets on green plate topped with limes.
      Easy Baked Salmon
    • Instant Pot Chicken Wing being dipped into ranch dressing.
      Instant Pot Chicken Wings
    • Latte in glass mug with coffee beans on the counter.
      Easy Homemade Latte Recipe
    • Creamy and Cheesy Chicken and Rice in yellow casserole dish
      Creamy and Cheesy Chicken and Rice

    Footer

    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! Not only are these hot pockets easy to make, but the fillings can also be changed up for a variety of flavors, they freeze and reheat beautifully, and can be made with homemade or store-bought dough.

    Featured on:

    Websites AMind"Full"Mom has been featured on

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with me

    DISCLAIMER: THE SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE AND IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR TREATMENT. AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I GENUINELY LOVE ARE OFTEN INCORPORATED IN MY POSTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

    Copyright © 2020 · A MIND "FULL" MOM