Homemade hot pockets are easy to make and can be customized with your favorite fillings! I’ll show you the how-to and give you 3 easy flavors to try!
Check out my video to see how easy these homemade hot pockets are to make!
I'm headed to the beach tomorrow (yet again) for a long weekend with my girl friends and seriously cannot wait for this little getaway! It's an annual trip and always, always such a fun, relaxing time with some of the most smart, funny, sweet women I know.
I'm also going bowling tonight with my Dad - a little daddy-daughter date before I head out of town. (Sorry hubby, you're stuck with the kids!)
(And yes, you can punch me in the face now.)
But today, I'm going to talk about some older friends.
I lived in Washington, D.C., for several years after college, and met my now-husband there. He had a great group of friends that I quickly came to love and adopt as my own.
Joe was one such friend, and for a long time, he lived right up the street from us. In fact, for a long time, we were all pretty close together. (As people got married and started families, we started to move out of the middle of the city. Some of us all the way to North Carolina!)
Joe was full of antics and stories that were instant classics, sure to be retold for years to come. All harmless and all good-hearted.
But he had one habit I always found rather disturbing.
After a night out at the bars in our neighborhood, Joe would stop at the 24-hour 7-11 on the way home and pick up a hot pocket.
Granted, it was late-night been-drinking food, but it kinda grossed me out. Going to a gas station for hot food does that to me, still.
He loved them though. Even when we would tease him and try to shame him about this habit, he would wax poetic about those little handheld bundles of joy.
I can see the appeal. It’s a portable, all-in-one, warm gooey, wrapped up and individually sized snack - or even meal - that’s ready to go in no time.
And you know what? They are super easy to make at home.
Seriously. You choose your fillings, layer them in your tortillas, wrap them up like a burrito and bake them all together.
Check out these step-by-step photos:
No need to settle for the packaged variety that’s full of crazy, scary ingredients. You can make your own and customize your flavors to exactly what you want.
And they are great to have on hand for quick kid meals, grab-and-go moments or late-night snacks!
Notes on homemade hot pockets:
- You can do a small batch in a smaller pan but I highly suggest making a full batch because these homemade hot pockets freeze beautifully, just like the store-bought kind.
- You can pop one out of the freezer and heat it up right in the microwave in less than 90 seconds. It won’t have the crusty, flaky outer edge like it does fresh from the oven, however. It doesn’t bother us one bit, but you could try running them under the broiler for a minute if you’d like.
- Be careful! Both when fresh and when reheated, these are H-O-T in the middle (just like the originals!) I like to cut them in half and let them cool for a minute before eating. And especially before giving to the kids.
- We also like to serve these with some dips to add even more flavor: salsa, guacamole, sour cream or Greek yogurt, marinara sauce - whatever you’ve got!
Pair with an easy salad (my citrus kale salad is addicting) or some soup (highly recommend gazpacho) and you’ve got a whole meal.
Homemade hot pockets. Make a batch so they’re always ready and waiting for you in the freezer.
This one’s for you, Joe.
Enjoy friends!
XO,
Kathryn
Homemade hot pockets {3 ways}
Ingredients
For the chicken, broccoli and cheddar hot pockets:
- 1 ½ cups chopped cooked chicken (from a rotisserie or roast chicken)
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 ½ cups broccoli, cooked and chopped
For the ham, spinach and mozzarella hot pockets:
- 1 ½ cups chopped deli ham (or leftover baked ham - or steak)
- 1 ½ cups chopped fresh baby spinach
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
For the black bean, zucchini and cheese hot pockets:
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 medium zucchini, chopped
- 1 ½ cups cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
For the hot pockets:
- 8 whole wheat tortillas (8 or 9-inch size)
- For serving (optional): salsa, sour cream/Greek yogurt, guacamole, marinara sauce or your favorite dip
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400.
- Choose your flavor and divide the filling ingredients evenly among the 8 tortillas, placing them on the bottom third of each tortilla.
- Roll each tortilla up like a burrito: fold the sides in, then fold the bottom up and over the ingredients and roll it up, continuing to tuck the sides in as you roll.
- Place each wrapped hot pocket, seam-side down, in a 9x12 pan.
- Bake at 400 for 15 minutes, until browned on top. Let cool for a minute or two because the insides will be hot!
- Serve with desired dips and enjoy!
Notes
Video
Nutrition
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, I had this reminiscent craving for a hot pocket the other day! So weird!! These are rather timely 😛
Kathryn
Takes ya back, right?!
Hannah @CleanEatingVeggieGirl
I used to LOVE Hot Pockets growing up (and in college), but I bet these healthier versions are even better!
Kathryn
Yes Hannah, they are SO much better than the packaged kind!!
Valerie
From my teen years through my early twenties I was addicted to hot pockets. But this homemade version looks so yummy though.
Kathryn
So much better! And you get to control the ingredients!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
Hahaha! I'm not going to punch you, although I am shooting you jealous stares right now!! I hope you have SOO much fun at the beach! In fact, have enough fun for me too, please! AND bowling?! I used to be in a fun league with Boy, my mom and MOD. So I LOVE bowling! Have fun with your dad!! Now hot pockets! Ummm Joe and I could have been besties, because I TOTALLY had that nasty habit in college! I'd always come home and eat a hot pocket!! hahaha. Obviously I am loving these!!! I will take ALL the ways and devour ALL the hot pockets!!! Gimme gimme!!!!! <3 Cheers, lady!
Kathryn
I beat my dad in bowling for the first time EVER! Fun night 🙂 And we are en route to the beach now, I'll be sure to have an extra cocktail for you. Or maybe two 😉
Heather @ Sugar Dish Me
Homemade drunk food!!! I love it. You can pass me a broccoli & cheese, please.
Kathryn
Haha, indeed! Coming right up 😉
Karly
I LOVE this idea! Thanks for linkin' up with What's Cookin' Wednesday!
Kathryn
Thanks Karly!
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living
What a great idea for afternoon snacks for hungry kids!
Kathryn
Thanks Jeanette!
Sarah
Do you cook the Zuccini before chopping and placing them with the other ingredients? Or use raw zucchini in it? 🙂
Kathryn
Hi Sarah! The zucchini cooks a little in the oven but if you want it completely tender, you could give it a quick saute first or microwave it in a covered dish with a little bit of water. Hope that helps!
Sarai
i just tried this for the little ones and they LOVE IT !! thanks for the quick meal !
Kathryn
I'm so happy to hear that Sarai! Thanks for sharing! 😊
Boring
Nobody cares about your story or JOE. Just want the recipe.
Kathryn Doherty
There is a handy "Jump to Recipe" button right at the very top of the page available for you. Click it.