Andy Montoya
Ham and cheese hot pockets are a delicious, easy-to-make snack that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Whether you're looking for a quick meal on the go or a comforting bite at home, these hot pockets are a great option. With simple ingredients like pizza dough, ham, and cheese, you can create a tasty treat that's perfect for any time of the day. Plus, with the option to make them from scratch or use store-bought dough, they're a convenient choice for those short on time. In this guide, we'll take you through the steps to make mouth-watering ham and cheese hot pockets, as well as some tips for customising them to your taste. So, get ready to indulge in the ultimate comfort food!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dough | Pizza dough, preferably homemade |
| Filling | Ham and cheese |
| Cooking Method | Bake in the oven or microwave |
| Cooking Time | 13-25 minutes in the oven, 1 minute 50 seconds to 3 minutes 30 seconds in the microwave |
| Temperature | Oven: 165°F, golden brown |
| Notes | Ensure the product is cooked thoroughly and cooled before eating |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the dough
Once you've made the dough or prepared the store-bought dough, let it rise for about an hour. This step is crucial, as it will ensure your dough is nice and fluffy. After the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. This will make it easier to handle and shape.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. This will prevent it from sticking as you work with it. Using a sharp knife or a dough cutter, cut the dough in half, and then cut each half into quarters. You should now have eight pieces of dough that you will shape into pockets.
Take each piece of dough and flatten it with your fingers or a rolling pin. You want each piece to be about 6 inches long and 4 inches wide. It doesn't have to be a perfect rectangle, but getting it to roughly this size will ensure your hot pockets are evenly sized.
Now you're ready to add the fillings and shape your hot pockets! Place your desired amount of cheese and ham onto one side of the flattened dough, and then fold the other side over to enclose the fillings. Pinch the edges to seal them, and then use a fork to crimp them for a decorative touch.
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Filling the pockets
Next, place your cheese and ham on top of the dough. You can use your favourite cheese, but a slice of cheese folded in half works well. For the ham, use two slices per pocket. Once you've placed the fillings on one side of the dough, fold the other side over the top. Pinch the edges to seal the pocket, and then use a fork to crimp the edges.
Finally, brush the tops and sides of each pocket with egg wash. Then, use a sharp knife to cut 2-3 slits in the tops of the pockets for air vents.
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Sealing the pockets
First, take your flattened dough, which should be about 6 inches long and 4 inches wide. Place your desired amount of cheese and ham onto the dough, ensuring it is on one side only. It is recommended to use two slices of ham and a folded slice of cheese for the perfect ratio.
Now it's time to seal! Fold the dough over the filling, creating a neat pocket. Use your fingers to pinch the edges together firmly, ensuring no gaps are left. This step is essential to prevent the filling from leaking out during baking.
Next, use a fork to crimp the edges. This adds a decorative touch and further ensures the pocket is securely sealed. Gently press the tines of the fork into the dough along the edges, creating a patterned indent.
Before baking, brush the tops and sides of the pocket with an egg wash. This will give your hot pocket a golden, crispy exterior. Finally, use a sharp knife to create 2-3 small slits in the top of the pocket. These slits serve as air vents, allowing steam to escape during baking and preventing your pocket from bursting open.
By following these detailed steps, you can confidently seal your ham and cheese hot pockets, ensuring they are ready for the final baking step.
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Baking the pockets
Once you have prepared the dough, ham, and cheese, it's time to assemble and bake your ham and cheese pockets.
First, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough in half, and then cut each half into quarters. You should now have eight pieces of dough. Flatten each piece with your fingers or a rolling pin until they are roughly six inches long and four inches wide. They don't need to be perfect rectangles. Transfer the flattened dough to a lined baking sheet.
Now it's time to add the fillings. Place your chosen cheese and ham onto the dough. For the cheese, you may want to fold the slice in half to fit. For the ham, use two slices for each pocket. Once the fillings are in place, fold the other side of the dough over the top and pinch the edges to seal. Use a fork to crimp the edges together.
Before baking, brush the tops and sides of each pocket with an egg wash. Then, use a sharp knife to cut 2-3 slits in the tops of the pockets to create air vents.
Finally, it's time to bake! Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the pockets for 20-25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown. Be sure to rotate the baking sheet once or twice during the bake time to ensure even cooking.
If you are short on time, you can also cook your ham and cheese pockets in the microwave. For best results, cook one pocket at a time for 2 minutes and 50 seconds in a lower wattage/compact microwave, or 1 minute and 50 seconds in a high wattage (1100-watt) oven. Remember to let the pockets sit for a couple of minutes after cooking to complete the cooking process and avoid burning your taste buds!
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Reheating the pockets
If you are using a conventional oven, adjust the temperature according to the oven you have. For a high-powered 1100-watt oven, reheat one sandwich for 1 minute and 50 seconds. For two sandwiches, reheat for 3 minutes and 30 seconds. For lower-wattage or compact microwaves, reheat one sandwich for 2 minutes and 50 seconds. It is recommended to cook one sandwich at a time for best results.
Let the hot pockets sit for 2 minutes after reheating to complete the cooking process. Always read the cooking instructions to ensure food safety and quality. The product should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. The product will be hot, so be careful not to burn yourself.
You can also reheat ham and cheese hot pockets in a microwave. Simply place the frozen pocket in the microwave and follow the instructions provided on the packaging. Microwaving is a quick and convenient way to enjoy your hot pockets on the go.
If you have made your own ham and cheese pockets from scratch, you can easily reheat them as well. Place them in the oven or microwave, following similar instructions to the store-bought variety. You can also eat them straight from the freezer for a quick snack.
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Frequently asked questions
You should bake your ham and cheese hot pocket for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
Ovens vary, but you should bake your ham and cheese hot pocket at a temperature that ensures the product reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
You will need pizza dough, ham, cheese, and egg wash.
