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    Home » Copycat » Homemade Ham and Cheese Hot Pockets

    Published: Feb 7, 2021 · Modified: Sep 19, 2022 by Erin · This post may contain affiliate links

    Homemade Ham and Cheese Hot Pockets

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Baked rectangular pastry pouches filled with ham and cheese filling on parchment paper.

    Make your own ham and cheese hot pockets with a buttery white or healthy wheat-option crust, and all the gooey cheese filling with thin-sliced ham. See notes for how to freeze.

    Pastry pockets filled with melted cheese sauce and pieces of ham.

    Why this recipe works

    This hot pockets recipe is so easy to make, there's no reason to buy the boxed version.

    You can make these warm pockets of portable joy with real ingredients, and for a fraction of the cost.

    The recipe for the crust is an adjustment to this Whole Wheat Pizza Crust recipe. However, you can stick to the tender, flaky white flour crust if you prefer.

    The small amount of yeast used in the hot pocket dough is perfect: it's just enough to get the job done, resulting in a chewy thin crust that isn't overly puffy.

    Either hot pocket dough recipe will yield a delicious crust, but I tend to prefer the wheat crust version.

    They're freezer-friendly too. Just like the frozen boxed brand, these can be made ahead and stored in the freezer for months. To heat, microwave on high for 1 ½ to 2 minutes, or bake at 350°F (177°C) for 15-18 minutes.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients for recipe labeled with text on a black background.

    Ham- Smoked ham from your deli sliced thin (you can even ask them to slice it for you!)

    Cheese- a blend of medium or sharp cheddar, or both, along with a small amount of American cheese makes for a creamy sauce like consistency. Use cheese on the block, and shred by hand; don't use pre shredded cheese.

    Flour- all purpose, bread flour are both fine, and you can substitute a portion of whole wheat flour as well, if desired.

    Yeast- use instant or bread machine yeast as it doesn't require being activated. See recipe notes for using active dry yeast.

    Making the dough for the crust

    As I mentioned above, this recipe calls for a portion of whole wheat flour, but you can use all white in the same quantity, and follow the recipe the same.

    Using whole wheat makes it a healthy hot pocket alternative, but I do think the sweet, nutty flavor of the crust goes better with the rich cheese sauce and salty ham.

    Start by combining the dough ingredients in a stand mixer using the dough hook on the lowest speed. Continue to run the mixer for 5 minutes until dough begins to pull away from the edges as shown below (photo 1). Then, transfer the ball of dough to a greased bowl and rotate it a few times to coat in the shortening or butter (photo 2). Cover, and allow to rest in a warm location for 1 hour (or in the fridge overnight).

    Photos of wheat dough being mixed in stand mixer, and rising in a greased bowl.

    Make the filling

    While the dough is resting/rising make the ham and cheese sauce filling.

    In a medium sauce pan, on medium high heat, melt the butter and add the flour (photo 3). Whisk this until smooth to create a roux, which will thicken the cheese sauce. Add the spices, and whisk until blended (photo 4), sautéing for a minute to lightly toast.

    4 numbered images showing ham and cheese filling being made in a sauce pan.

    Reduce the heat to medium, and add the shredded cheese, cream cheese and water (to aid in melting) to the pot, and allow to melt, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes until completely smooth (above, photo 5).

    Add sliced ham pieces (photo 6, above). Stir to combine, and remove from heat. Ham and cheese filling should be thick.

    Cut the dough

    On a floured surface, use your finger tips to press the dough flat. Roll the dough out into ⅛ inch thickness.

    A rectangular piece of wheat dough on a floured wooden counter top.

    Use a pizza wheel, pasta cutter or just a sharp knife to cut 2-inch by 4-inch rectangles. You can collect the scraps together and repeat with remaining dough until it has all been cut.

    Fill the pockets

    Transfer rectangles onto a parchment lined or non stick baking sheet, leaving an inch of room in between. You'll likely need two baking sheets, or to work in batches.

    Spoon 3-4 tablespoons of filling onto each rectangle and spread lengthwise, leaving about ½-inch space. Filling will be thick if it's cooled down a lot. Repeat until all rectangles are topped with filling.

    A finger dipped in water running around the edge of dough filled with ham and cheese.

    Once the filling is spread on, dip your finger in a cup of water, and run over the edges all the way around. This will help create a seal when the top dough is placed on.

    Place a top rectangle over the filling, matching up the edges. Press around the perimeter of each pocket with the tines of a fork to further seal them.

    Uncooked hot pockets being pressed with the tines of a fork to seal the dough.

    Create vents for steam

    For a shiny, golden crust that is more attractive looking, brush the pockets with beaten egg before baking.

    Before baking, cut slits using a sharp butcher knife, or poke holes using the tines of a fork to allow steam to escape.

    Brushing an uncooked ham and cheese pocket dough with beaten egg wash.

    If they close up, the filling might burst out the sides, so keep an eye on them, especially if you've brushed them with egg wash.

    Bake the pockets

    Bake the ham and cheese pockets in a 350°F (180°C) for 20-26 minutes until edges are golden brown and bottoms appear cooked when lifted with a spatula.

    Check the ham and cheese hot pockets 10 minutes into cooking time to see if they need to be re-pierced.

    Allow ham and cheese hot pockets to cool for at least 10 minutes before eating, and be careful because they will be hot!

    Recipe notes

    • When baking, the steam vents are very important. Check them 10 minutes into the cooking time to see if they need to be re-pierced, as sometimes they can close up (especially when using egg wash).
    • Do not substitute the water in the cheese sauce with milk (the addition of water in the cheese sauce is to aid in melting, and most of it evaporates), because the milk won't evaporate. You'd end up with exploded hot pockets, as the filling will bubble too much inside the crusts as they bake.
    • For freezer friendly ham and cheese hot pockets, follow the recipe as is and bake 5 minutes short of regular baking time.
    • To reheat ham and cheese pockets from frozen, cook on high power in the microwave for 3 minutes on 50% power (or 1 ½ minutes on high power); or bake in the oven for 25 minutes at 350°F, or until heated throughout.
    Baked rectangular pastry pouches filled with ham and cheese filling on parchment paper.

    Related recipes...

    • Personal Pan Pizza
    • Homemade Strawberry Poptarts
    • Whole Wheat Pizza Crust
    • Crisco Pie Crust

    If you tried these homemade Ham and Cheese Hot Pockets, give a rating below!

    A ham and cheese filled pastry crust cut in half with a knife.

    Ham and Cheese Hot Pockets

    Homemade ham and cheese sauce filled wheat pastry pockets.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: ham and cheese hot pocket, healthy hot pocket
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Dough Resting Time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
    Servings: 12 pockets
    Calories: 131kcal
    Author: Erin
    Cost: $2

    Ingredients

    For the Crust

    • 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
    • 1 cup whole wheat flour
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 tablespoon sugar
    • 1 teaspoon instant yeast
    • 2 tablespoon shortening
    • ½ teaspoon white vinegar
    • 1 cup lukewarm water

    For the Ham and Cheese Filling

    • 2 tablespoon butter
    • 2 tablespoon all purpose flour
    • 2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese off the block
    • 2 oz cream cheese
    • ¼ cup milk or water
    • ⅛ teaspoon paprika NOT SMOKED PAPRIKA
    • ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder optional, for zestier flavor
    • ⅛ teaspoon onion powder optional, for zestier flavor
    • ½ lb tavern smoked ham sliced thick from deli (then sliced into 1 inch long strips)

    Optional

    • 1 beaten egg for brushing (optional)

    Instructions

    Prepare the Dough

    • In a stand mixer using dough hook or paddle, or by hand with bowl and long spoon, or in food processor mix together all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, salt, sugar, and instant yeast. Add shortening and mix until lightly crumbly.
    • Add water and vinegar and knead to form a ball. Cover, and let rest in a warm area for 60 minutes, or up to an hour while you make the cheese sauce.

    Start the Cheese Sauce

    • While the dough is rising, make the ham and cheese filling in a small sauce pan. Add butter on medium high heat and whisk in flour until smooth.
    • Reduce heat to medium low, add shredded cheese, milk or water, cream cheese, paprika (onion and garlic powders optional) and water and stir until combined.
    • Allow to melt for 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally until completely smooth; remove from heat.
    • Stir in the sliced ham pieces. Set aside.

    Assemble the Pockets

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
    • On a lightly floured surface, roll dough out to ⅛ inch thickness. Cut into 2x5 inch rectangles.
    • Begin filling each pocket with the ham and cheese filling, being careful not to get it on edges. It will spread out during baking.
    • Dip index finger in water and run it around the edges; this will create a glue to help seal the pockets.
    • Lay the larger, corresponding rectangles evenly over the tops of the cheese and ham filling.
    • Use the tines of a fork to seal the edges by pressing all the way around. They don't have to fit perfectly together on the edges, because they'll get trimmed up.
    • For a golden, shiny crust, brush with a beaten egg. Pierce multiple times with a fork or slash each pocket 3 times to allow steam to escape.
    • Using a spatula, transfer to a parchment paper lined baking sheet
    • Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Check periodically that the steam holes are properly allowing steam to escape so that pockets don't burst and leak all of the cheese sauce out.
    • Let cool before eating, and be careful because the filling will be very hot. Breaking in half helps the inside too cool faster.

    Notes

    Batch Size Tips and Tricks:
    • Recipe makes 12 regular sized pockets. Rectangles can be cut larger for larger pockets, or smaller for more pockets of a smaller size.
    Dough Tips and Tricks:
    • Dough can be made using all white flour, or different combination of wheat/white flours as long as it adds up to the 2 ½ cups total flour. 
    • When the dough goes through it's rise, or resting period, it needs to do so in a warm, non drafty area. 
    • If you prefer to make the dough in advance, store it in the fridge right after kneading. It can be stored in the fridge, covered overnight. Remove it from the fridge 30 minutes before forming the crusts. 
    Cheese Sauce Tips and Tricks:
    • Don't use pre-shredded cheese, it won't melt smoothly. I has added ingredients to prevent it from caking. 
    • Don't heat the cheese sauce on too high of heat, because the high heat will cause cheese to separate and become a clumpy, greasy mess. It won't melt back together after that. Instead, have patience and melt low and slow until smooth. That's the key to smooth cheese sauce!
    Baking Tips and Tricks:
    • The steam needs to be able to escape. Poke holes (many, see photo) or slit with a sharp knife a few times. Check periodically that the pockets are not starting to burst at a seam; if they are it just means the holes are not open because they either didn't go all the way through, or they plugged back up, so just re-poke the holes to allow steam out. The photo below shows an example of holes that were not properly poked, or got plugged up:
    A red no sign overlaying burst cheese and ham pockets.
    • Keep extra, leftover Ham and Cheese Hot Pockets in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. 
    Storage Tips and Tricks:
    • Pockets can be individually wrapped in freezer, wax, or parchment paper and kept sealed in a freezer zipper bag or plastic container for up to 6 months. Cook first before freezing. To heat, bake in oven at 300 F degrees for 20 minutes, or until heated through. Or, microwave on 50% power for 3 minutes. 
    • Don't try to freeze them completely raw.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 131kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 277mg | Potassium: 76mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 127IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @TheFrozenBiscuit or tag #thefrozenbiscuit!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ginny says

      February 18, 2021 at 11:57 pm

      I no longer have children in my home but I all of a sudden need prepared foods that can be grabbed out of the freezer and eaten without a lot of kitchen duty. These will work out perfect. We can fill them with dinner leftovers, barbecue, broccoli and cheddar or any number of yummies. Much better than the high calorie processed versions!

      Reply
      • Erin says

        February 21, 2021 at 12:16 pm

        Hi Ginny! I love the idea of filling them with leftovers, the broccoli cheddar sounds amazing. This time of year stews would be great, I think you'll like the wheat crust too, it's a lot better for you and super tasty.

        Reply
    2. Jules says

      December 26, 2020 at 5:31 pm

      5 stars
      Really great dough recipe. I added two tablespoons of butter to the dough and washed them with egg

      Reply
      • Erin says

        January 05, 2021 at 2:06 pm

        Thanks Jules, glad you thought so!

        Reply
      • TaLisha Wheatley Landon says

        December 27, 2021 at 4:22 pm

        Making this recipe and finding a lot of missing information in the recipe. It says in ingredients for Onion Powder and Garlic Powder but never says when to add those ingredients. When making the sauce it says to melt butter but never says how much butter in the ingredients.

        Reply
        • Erin says

          December 29, 2021 at 3:18 pm

          Hi Talisha, thanks for your comment. The onion and garlic powders were removed because the flavor profile resembled store bought hot pockets more accurately when left out of the cheese sauce. The recipe card is now updated to reflect that these seasonings are optional for a "zestier" hot pocket flavor.

          Reply
    3. Samantha Fanning says

      June 20, 2020 at 12:06 pm

      5 stars
      My kids favorite food is ham and cheese hot pockets so to find this recipe is going to be a game changer for our family! I don't think mine will turn out as perfectly as yours but I'm definitely going to try thank you for posting💕😍

      Reply
      • Erin says

        June 22, 2020 at 1:29 pm

        Samantha! You know what, that's the fun part, you can make them any shape you want and it kind of can be a laugh sometimes lol. (Of course I only posted the better looking versions of mine haha) I hope you guys like them, and have a fun little project maybe on a rainy day! Thanks for commenting 🙂
        xoxo

        Reply

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