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.
I have a confession to make. I ate Hot Pockets in college.
I was in desperate need of some quick and easy meals I could make right in my dorm room, and when I saw Ham and Cheese Hot Pockets, I thought it was a good idea. Just microwave and eat.
I must tell you, I did not love store-bought hot pockets. In fact, I rarely have them another thought, until I made my own version at home.
After finding myself with leftover holiday ham, I had the idea to make Ham and Cheese Calzones for lunches instead of just sandwiches.
And that is exactly what I did--but when my husband came home and grabbed a warm ham and cheese calzone off the cooking sheet, he said, Wow, these are really good Homemade Hot Pockets.
Flashbacks of college and dorm room hot pockets were dancing in my head. And I made a face of disgust but then realized I actually LOVED Homemade Hot Pockets.
But regardless of what you call these ham and cheese pockets, the soft dough wrapped around salty ham and creamy cheese is irresistible--and of course homemade tastes a heck of a lot better than anything you find in the freezer aisle.
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 them on the center of the bottom half of oval.
- 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 dough is nicely golden brown.
How to Freeze
I highly suggest making a large batch of these Ham and Cheese Hot Pockets and freezing them for a quick dinner or to pack for lunches.
To Freeze Hot Pockets
- Place fully cooked hot pockets on a baking sheet and place in the freezer.
- Freeze until the outside is solid--30-60 minutes.
- Place frozen Hot Pockets in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
To Reheat from frozen:
- To Heat in Microwave: Place in microwave for 2 minutes. Let cool 2-3 minutes before eating.
- To Heat in Oven (preferred Method): Place on baking sheet and place in a 400-degree oven for 12-15 minutes.
To Reheat from Fridge:
- To Heat in Microwave: Place in microwave for 45 seconds. Let cool 1-2 minutes before eating.
- To Heat in Oven (preferred Method): Place on baking sheet and place in a 400-degree oven for 5-8 minutes.
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 on wax paper in a lunch bag with an ice pack. Heat the hot pocket right on the wax paper in the microwave and then enjoy.
- If you don't have access to a microwave, heat 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.
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.
More Recipes Featuring Ham
- Cheesy Ham and Scalloped Potatoes
- Ham and Swiss Roll
- Easy Monte Cristo Sandwich
- Ham and Egg Breakfast Casserole
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
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 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 on center of bottom half of oval. 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."
- Whisk egg with 1 tablespoon water and brush each hot pocket 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 dough is nicely golden brown.
- Serve warm or cool and store.
Notes
- Use deli ham or leftover thinly sliced ham.
- Colby Jack Cheese was my family's preferred cheese for this, but Swiss, cheddar, and provolone are all good options.
- 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 in the freezer.
- Freeze until the outside is solid--30-60 minutes.
- Place frozen Hot Pockets in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
- Reheat by microwaving for 2 mintes or baking at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes.
Nutrition
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!