Cheesy Broccoli Pockets
Cheesy broccoli pockets are crispy pastries filled with seasoned broccoli, cheese, and roasted peppers, perfect as a snack or light meal for cheese and veggie lovers.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease 2 baking sheets.
- Cook broccoli according to package instructions. Drain well. In a medium skillet, heat olive oil over low heat.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 2 minutes. Add cooked broccoli and cook, stirring, until moisture evaporates, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a medium bowl, combine the broccoli mixture, shredded Mozzarella, grated Parmesan, chopped roasted red peppers, chopped fresh oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Divide thawed bread dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each piece to a 6-inch circle on a lightly floured surface.
- Spoon an equal amount of the broccoli mixture into the center of each dough circle.
- Fold each circle over the filling to form a half-moon shape. Press the edges with a fork to seal and prick a few holes in the top of each pocket.
- Place the pockets on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 25 minutes until golden brown.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding some crushed red pepper flakes to the broccoli mixture for a bit of heat. If you don't have fresh oregano, dried oregano can be used as a substitute—just use about one-third of the amount. These pockets can also be made with other cheeses like cheddar or pepper jack for a different taste.
Serving Suggestions
These pockets make a great snack or light meal and pair well with a simple green salad or some marinara sauce for dipping. For a heartier option, serve alongside a bowl of soup, such as a creamy tomato or vegetable soup. They also make excellent additions to lunchboxes, akin to the Lunch Box Cake for a complete meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover Cheesy Broccoli Pockets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through and crispy again. You can also microwave them, but they may lose some of their crispiness.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cheesy Broccoli Pockets contains roughly 248 calories, with 13g protein, 43g carbohydrates, and 6g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (37% of the Daily Value), iron (30% of the Daily Value), and calcium (30% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1217mg per serving (53% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh broccoli instead of frozen?
Yes, you can use fresh broccoli! Just steam or blanch it briefly until tender, and then chop it before adding to the mixture. Make sure to let it cool and drain well to avoid excess moisture.
Can I make these pockets ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the pockets and freeze them before baking. Just place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
What can I use instead of bread dough?
If you prefer, you can use puff pastry or crescent roll dough as a quick alternative. Just roll it out and follow the same filling and folding instructions. This will create a flakier texture and add a different dimension to the dish.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).