How To Make Fried Pizza Pockets: Easy, Delicious, And Fast

Looking for a quick and tasty meal? Learn how to make fried pizza pockets using store bought pizza dough in just a few easy steps. These delicious bites are perfect for a busy weeknight or a game-day snack.

Ingredients for Pan Fried Pizza Dough

Dinner is on the table, and the kids are happy. Heck, everyone in the family is happy with these tasty pan fried pizza pockets.

My middle actually is the genius behind these gems. She saw something similar on the Food Network while at Grandma’s house, and she’s been begging to bring home store-bought pizza dough ever since.

Aldi finally brought back their refrigerated pizza dough, and my daughter went to town creating this dinner recipe.

• Refrigerated Pizza Dough
• Pizza Sauce
• Your Favorite Toppings (sausage, pepperoni, ham, black olives, spinach, etc.)
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese or Provolone Cheese (or cheese slices)
• Vegetable Oil or canola oil, for frying

Panzerotti Fried Pizza Pockets

I guess these are officially called panzerotti in Italian, but in our family we call them fried pizza pockets.

My kids love the panzerotti because they can personalize the pizza toppings (or in this case pizza fillings). Let’s be honest, all the toppings are meat for our family. I usually have diced ham, pepperoni and fried pork sausage; however, sliced olives, green peppers, onions, diced tomatoes, etc. would all be super tasty.

My favorite part is the golden brown crust on the outside of the pizza pockets. To get this beautiful crust, be sure your vegetable oil is hot before adding the pizza pockets to the skillet. This results in the golden brown color and prevents the dough from absorbing too much oil.

How to Make Fried Pizza Dough

Step by Step Instructions

1. Remove pizza dough from the refrigerator to a large bowl that’s been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Let the pizza dough rest at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes to make it more elastic.
2. Cut pizza dough into 4 equal-sized pieces.
3. Stretch the pizza dough to form a circle or triangle approximately 5 to 6 inches long.
4. Spread the center of the pizza dough with pizza sauce–1 – 2 tablespoons total. Do not over-sauce.
5. Top with your favorite meats and pizza topping.
6. Sprinkle with shredded cheese or a half of a cheese slice.
7. Turn the dough over in half and press the edges to seal.
8. Preheat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
9. Once hot, gently slide the pizza turnovers into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown; flip and fry the other side until browned as well.
10. Remove to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Let cool for up to 5 minutes before cutting in half to eat.

Storage Instructions

Let leftovers cool completely. Transfer to an airtight container, and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

For the full ingredient amounts and recipe steps for fried pizza turnovers, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this page.

Recipe FAQs

• Pizza dough that is cold is hard to stretch. Let the dough come to room temperature in a greased bowl. This will prevent the dough from tearing holes.
• It’s ok if these are oddly shaped. My turnovers are more like long turnovers. They all taste the same.
• Use pre-bought pizza sauce or make your own by mixing 8 ounces of tomato sauce with 1 to 2 teaspoons of sugar, and a half teaspoon of dried oregano and dried basil.

Recipe Variations

• The sky is the limit for the pizza toppings. Some tasty examples include diced bell peppers, onions, ground beef, Italian sausage or pork sausage, pepperoni or turkey pepperoni, pineapple, ham, Canadian bacon, black olives or green olives, etc.
• Make these fancy by using ingredients from Italy such as salami, prosciutto and parmesan cheese.
• Use Mozzarella cheese or provolone cheese. Depending on what I have on hand, I either use shredded cheese or a half of a cheese slice per turnover.
• Use the extra pizza sauce as a dip for the fried pizza pockets.
• Your family not fans of pizza? Try Beyer Beware’s Sloppy Joe Sticks for a similar meal.

Kitchen Utensils and Pantry Staples

• Pizza Sauce
• Pepperoni
• Large Skillet
• Tongs

Pizza Inspired Dinners

Cheesy Pizza Potato Casserole

Easy Pizza Buns

Pizza Scalloped Potatoes