Ingredients
Here’s everything you need to make homemade pepperoni pizza pockets in the air fryer. Most of these are pantry staples or fridge essentials.
- 1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough (or pizza dough)
- ½ cup marinara or pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 20–25 slices pepperoni (depending on size of pockets)
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Optional Tools (but helpful!)
- Air fryer
- Fork (to crimp and seal edges)
- Pastry brush (for egg wash)
- Parchment paper (for easy cleanup)
Step-by-Step Instructions
This recipe comes together in just a few steps. The air fryer does most of the work, and you get all the flavor of pizza with a fraction of the effort.
Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer
Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and let it preheat for about 3 minutes. This ensures the pockets start crisping right away and helps them cook evenly.
Step 2: Roll Out the Dough
On a lightly floured surface, unroll your crescent roll dough or pizza dough. If using crescent rolls, gently press the seams together to create a flat sheet.
Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to divide the dough into equal-sized squares or rectangles — depending on how large you want your pockets. Aim for 4–6 pockets per can of dough.
Step 3: Fill the Pockets
On one half of each piece of dough:
- Spread 1 spoonful of marinara or pizza sauce.
- Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella.
- Top with 3–4 slices of pepperoni.
Keep the filling centered and avoid the edges so you can seal the pockets easily.
Step 4: Fold and Seal
Fold the dough over the filling to form a triangle or rectangle, depending on your cut. Press the edges together with your fingers, then use a fork to crimp and seal the edges. This helps keep all that cheesy goodness inside during cooking.
Pro tip: You can also use a little water or egg wash on the edges to help them stick if the dough feels dry.
Step 5: Add Flavor to the Tops
Brush the tops of the pockets with the beaten egg using a pastry brush. This gives them a beautiful golden color.
For extra flavor, sprinkle each pocket with:
- Italian seasoning (for herby aroma)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (for a cheesy crust)
These additions take your pizza pockets from basic to pizzeria-level.
Step 6: Air Fry to Golden Perfection
Line the bottom of your air fryer basket with parchment paper (optional, but great for easy cleanup).
Place the pizza pockets in a single layer, making sure they aren’t touching or overlapping.
Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes, or until the pockets are golden brown and the dough is cooked through. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Halfway through cooking, check for doneness. If the tops are browning too fast, reduce the temperature slightly.
Step 7: Cool & Serve
Once done, carefully remove the pizza pockets from the air fryer and let them rest for 2–3 minutes. The filling will be hot and gooey, so let them cool slightly before biting in.
Serve them whole or cut them in half to reveal the melty, cheesy inside.
Why You’ll Love These Pizza Pockets
✔️ Ready in 15 minutes or less
✔️ Crispy outside, melty inside
✔️ Kid-friendly and fun to make
✔️ Perfect for snacks, lunch, or parties
✔️ No oven required — the air fryer does it all!
Make It Your Own – Custom Filling Ideas
Want to mix it up? Try these variations inside your pizza pockets:
- Veggie Lovers: Sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers
- Hawaiian Style: Add pineapple and ham with mozzarella
- Buffalo Chicken: Shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, and blue cheese
- BBQ Beef: Leftover ground beef or pulled pork with BBQ sauce and cheddar
- Breakfast Pocket: Scrambled eggs, bacon, and cheese for a morning twist
The possibilities are endless — just don’t overfill!
Serving Suggestions
These pizza pockets are perfect on their own, but here are a few tasty ways to serve them:
- With extra marinara for dipping
- Alongside a crisp Caesar salad or coleslaw
- With a bowl of tomato soup for dunking
- On a game-day platter with wings and snacks
- Packed in a lunchbox (they reheat beautifully!)
Storage & Reheating Tips
Refrigerator:
Store leftover pizza pockets in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat:
Pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes to crisp them up again. You can also reheat in the microwave, but they won’t be as crispy.
Freezer-Friendly:
Make a double batch and freeze the uncooked, assembled pockets. To cook from frozen, air fry at 350°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping once.
Nutrition Information (Per Pocket)
Here’s the approximate nutrition info for 1 air fryer pizza pocket, assuming 6 pockets total per batch:
- Calories: 230
- Protein: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
- Sodium: 560mg
- Sugar: 2g
- Fiber: 1g
Note: Nutrition values may vary depending on the dough and ingredients used.
Final Thoughts: Crispy, Cheesy Joy in Every Bite
Air Fryer Pepperoni Pizza Pockets are proof that sometimes, the simplest recipes are the most satisfying. With just a handful of ingredients and less than 15 minutes, you can whip up something that feels indulgent but is totally homemade.
Whether you’re cooking with kids, planning a party snack, or just craving some late-night comfort food, these pizza pockets hit the spot — every time.
And once you’ve tried the base recipe, don’t be afraid to get creative. Change up the fillings, the cheese, or the seasonings — the air fryer will handle it like a champ.
So go ahead, roll up some dough, stuff it with your favorite flavors, and let your air fryer turn snack time into something truly special.