Name: Irresistible 35-Minute Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Hand Pies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 package refrigerated pie crusts (2 crusts); 24 slices pepperoni; 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese; ½ cup pizza sauce; ¼ cup sliced black olives (optional); 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 egg; 1 tablespoon water; 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese; Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)

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Oh my gosh, you have GOT to try these cheesy pepperoni pizza hand pies! They’re my secret weapon for those nights when the kids are screaming for pizza but I just can’t deal with takeout boxes again. Picture this: buttery, flaky crust hugging melty mozzarella and zesty pepperoni, all baked into cute little pockets of joy. I stumbled onto this lifesaver when my eight-year-old begged for “pizza cookies” – and wow, did we hit the jackpot.

What makes these hand pies so magical? That golden crust shatters just right when you bite in, and the cheese… ohhh the cheese! It stretches in that perfect pizza way that makes everyone at the table go “Ooooh!” Plus, they come together faster than you can say “dinner crisis solved” – we’re talking 35 minutes from fridge to face. Trust me, once you try these, those frozen pizza rolls will never satisfy again.

Ingredients for Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Hand Pies

Okay, let’s raid the fridge! Here’s everything you’ll need for these irresistible pizza pockets. I swear by refrigerated pie crusts – they’re my lazy-day lifesaver and give that perfect flaky texture without the fuss. You’ll want to grab:

1 package refrigerated pie crusts (2 crusts total – trust me, you’ll use both!)
24 slices pepperoni (I always sneak a few extra for “quality control”)
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (the more melty, the better!)
½ cup pizza sauce (my kids love the jarred stuff, but homemade works too)
¼ cup sliced black olives (totally optional – my husband picks them out)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (that magic dust that makes everything taste like pizza)
1 teaspoon garlic powder (because everything’s better with garlic)
1 egg + 1 tablespoon water (for that gorgeous golden crust)
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (the finishing touch that makes them extra special)
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, but makes them look fancy)

See? Nothing crazy – just simple ingredients that come together in the most delicious way. Now let’s get cooking!

How to Make Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Hand Pies

Alright, let’s get these little pockets of pizza heaven rolling! The process is so simple, even my kiddos can help (though they mostly just steal pepperoni slices). Follow these steps and you’ll have golden, cheesy hand pies ready in no time.

Preparing the Dough and Fillings

First, let’s set the stage. Preheat your oven to 400°F – trust me, you want it nice and hot for that perfect golden crust. Now take those refrigerated pie crusts (no shame in store-bought here!) and roll them out slightly on a floured surface. I use a 4-inch round cutter (a drinking glass works in a pinch!) to make 4-6 circles from each crust.

Now the fun part – assembly! Spoon about a teaspoon of pizza sauce onto one half of each circle. Don’t go overboard or you’ll have a saucy mess. Layer on that glorious mozzarella (I pack it in!), 3-4 pepperoni slices per pie, and a few olives if you’re feeling fancy. My kids call this “building pizza castles” – whatever works!

Assembling and Baking the Hand Pies

Here’s where the magic happens. Fold each circle over into a half-moon shape and press the edges together tightly – I mean really crimp them with a fork. This is crucial unless you want cheesy lava erupting in your oven! Beat an egg with water for an egg wash and brush it over the tops – this gives that beautiful golden sheen.

Sprinkle with Parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning (I always do an extra pinch because yum). Bake for 15-20 minutes until they’re puffed up and golden brown. You’ll know they’re done when your kitchen smells like an Italian pizzeria and you can’t resist peeking at them every 30 seconds!

Why You’ll Love These Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Hand Pies

Let me count the ways these little guys will steal your heart:

Crazy quick: Ready faster than delivery can even find your address!
Kid-approved: My picky eaters gobble these up like candy.
Totally customizable: Swap fillings based on moods – sometimes we do buffalo chicken!
Game day hero: The perfect one-handed snack for cheering on your team.
No-fuss fun: That flaky crust shatters in the best possible way with every bite.

Seriously, these cheesy pepperoni pizza hand pies are the ultimate comfort food upgrade from boring old pizza night.

Tips for Perfect Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Hand Pies

Listen, I’ve made enough of these hand pies to learn a few tricks the hard way! Here’s what makes them foolproof:

Seal like your life depends on it: Really press those edges together – I sometimes double-crimp with the fork for extra security against cheese escapes.
Hot oven is key: That preheated 400°F oven gives the crust that perfect crispness – no cheating on the preheat!
Serve immediately: These babies are best fresh when the cheese is still stretchy and the crust shatters just right.
Egg wash magic: Don’t skip it! That golden shine makes them look bakery-worthy.
Pepperoni placement: Layer slices flat (not stacked) so every bite gets that salty kick.

Follow these tips, and you’ll be the hand pie hero of your next pizza night!

Ingredient Substitutions and Variations

The beauty of these hand pies? You can totally make them your own! Out of pepperoni? Turkey pepperoni works great (that’s actually my mom’s favorite version). Going meatless? Just pile on extra cheese and veggies like sautéed mushrooms and bell peppers. For my vegan friends, dairy-free mozzarella shreds and plant-based sausage crumbles make an awesome swap.

Don’t be afraid to play around – we’ve done everything from buffalo chicken ornamentation (with blue cheese crumbles!) to a Hawaiian version with ham and pineapple. The crust is your canvas, so get creative!

Serving Suggestions for Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Hand Pies

Oh, the possibilities! These cheesy little miracles are perfect straight from the oven, but let me tell you how I like to serve them up. Always have extra pizza sauce on the side for dipping – my kids call it “pizza pie gravy” and dunk enthusiastically. For parties, arrange them on a platter with a bowl of warm marinara in the center – they disappear faster than you can say “game time!”

Want to make it a meal? Pair with a crisp Caesar salad or some roasted garlic broccoli (my guilty attempt at balancing the cheesy goodness). They’re also fantastic picnic food – just wrap them in parchment paper and toss in a basket. Trust me, wherever you serve them, the only sound you’ll hear is happy munching!

Storing and Reheating Instructions

Okay, confession time – these hand pies rarely last long enough to store at my house! But if you’ve got leftovers (you magical self-controlled human), pop them in an airtight container for up to 2 days. When reheating, skip the microwave unless you love soggy crust – instead, warm them in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes until the cheese gets melty again. Pro tip: If you’re making a big batch for later, freeze them before baking – just add a few extra minutes to the cook time when you’re ready to enjoy!

Nutritional Information for Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Hand Pies

Now, let’s be real – we’re not eating these for their health benefits! But because I know some of you like to keep track (looking at you, meal-planner friends), here’s the scoop. Each hand pie clocks in around 390 calories – totally worth it for that melty cheese goodness! You’re looking at 22g fat (hey, that’s where the flavor lives!), 16g protein to keep you full, and 32g carbs to fuel your next pizza pocket-making adventure.

Remember, these numbers can change based on your exact ingredients – like if you go wild with extra cheese (no judgment!) or skip the olives. But honestly? When that first bite of flaky, cheesy perfection hits your tongue, you won’t be thinking about numbers – just pure pizza joy!

Frequently Asked Questions

I get so many questions about these cheesy pepperoni pizza hand pies – let me answer the ones that pop up most often!

Can I Make Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Hand Pies Ahead?

Absolutely! Assemble them up to a day ahead and refrigerate (covered) until baking. For longer storage, freeze them before baking – just add 3-5 extra minutes when ready to cook.

How Do I Prevent the Filling from Leaking?

Two words: crimp tight! Use a fork to really seal those edges, and don’t overstuff – about 1 tablespoon of filling per hand pie is perfect. That cheese wants to escape, but we won’t let it!

Are Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Hand Pies Freezer-Friendly?

You bet! Freeze unbaked hand pies on a tray first, then transfer to bags. Bake straight from frozen – just add 5-7 minutes. They make the ultimate emergency pizza fix!

Got more questions? Drop them in the comments – I love hearing how your pizza pocket adventures turn out!

Irresistible 35-Minute Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Hand Pies