Flaky & Flavorful Dorothy’s Pizza Pockets: Your Ultimate Puff Pastry Recipe for Tailgating & Easy Snacking
Imagine perfectly golden, flaky puff pastry generously wrapped around savory pepperoni, a gooey blend of cheeses, and a unique, sweet and tangy sauce. These aren’t just any pizza pockets; they’re Dorothy’s Pizza Pockets – a delightful, portable, and utterly delicious creation that’s perfect for any occasion, from game day tailgates to a quick weeknight snack. Master both oven and air fryer methods for ultimate convenience!
As the seasons change, and the crisp autumn air signals the arrival of the holidays, my mind also tightly clings to the excitement of tailgate season. There’s something truly special about gathering with friends and family, celebrating, and, of course, indulging in all those incredible game day foods! From creamy dips and hearty sandwiches to sizzling wings, the culinary spread is always a highlight. But if I’m being honest, one dish consistently reigns supreme in my heart: pizza. My friends, when it comes to pizza, I have absolutely zero willpower. None. Zero-E-R-O. It’s a love affair I simply can’t resist, and these pizza pockets are my latest obsession.
This post is sponsored by Dorothy Lynch Salad Dressing & Condiment, but my love of their products and my opinions are all my own.
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These Dorothy’s Pizza Pockets are genuinely a game-changer for tailgating, watch parties, or simply satisfying a pizza craving. They are incredibly simple to prepare, making them an ideal choice even for busy days. What’s more, you can easily make them in advance, freeze them for later, and then effortlessly reheat them whenever hunger strikes. Their perfectly portable nature means no more messy slices; just a delicious, self-contained bite of pizza perfection ready to enjoy on the go!
For those of us in Nebraska, the proud home state of Dorothy Lynch Salad Dressing & Condiment, we know that this beloved dressing is far more than just a salad topping. Its distinct sweet and tangy flavor, with a hint of spice, makes it an incredibly versatile ingredient. It shines as a flavorful marinade for meats, a delicious addition to countless recipes, and an absolutely irresistible dip. We especially love it drizzled over fried chicken, and there’s a good reason you’ll find it at condiment stations across our local games and arenas – dipping pizza into it is an experience you simply have to try!
What Makes Dorothy Lynch So Unique?
One of the most common misconceptions about Dorothy Lynch is that it’s merely “just another French dressing.” Let me assure you, while its vibrant, inviting color might bear a resemblance, the taste is worlds apart. Dorothy Lynch boasts a truly distinctive flavor profile that sets it completely apart from traditional French dressing.
Unlike French dressings which typically have an oil base, Dorothy Lynch is crafted with a rich, flavorful tomato base. This gives it a wonderfully thick and creamy texture that coats food beautifully. The magic lies in its signature sweet and tangy taste, perfectly balanced with a subtle, zesty spice that appeals to almost everyone. For many, including myself, it evokes a comforting, nostalgic feeling, tasting genuinely homemade – like a taste of home itself.
This sense of home isn’t accidental; Dorothy Lynch began its journey as a treasured homemade dressing. Its story dates back to the 1940s at the Legion Club in St. Paul, Nebraska, where Dorothy herself crafted this delicious dressing for the restaurant’s patrons. Word quickly spread, and people fell so deeply in love with its unique taste that they would bring their own empty bottles to be filled with her secret concoction. This grassroots popularity laid the foundation for the beloved brand we know today.
From its humble beginnings, the famed dressing is now produced in a state-of-the-art 64,000 square foot plant located in Duncan, Nebraska, a charming town with a population of just 351. Dorothy Lynch Salad Dressing & Condiment is available in two popular varieties: the classic Home Style and a lighter Light & Lean option. Committed to quality and health-conscious choices, Dorothy Lynch contains no MSG, cholesterol, or trans fats, and is proudly gluten-free, making it a fantastic choice for a wide range of dietary preferences.
Introducing Dorothy’s Pizza Pockets: A Culinary Revelation
Let’s face it, navigating a bustling tailgate or a lively watch party with a large, greasy slice of pizza can be a tricky endeavor. If you’re anything like me, you’d probably end up wearing more of it than eating it! That’s precisely why these portable pepperoni pizza pockets are an absolute revelation. They offer all the beloved flavors of pizza in a convenient, mess-free package, ensuring every bite is pure enjoyment. But their awesomeness extends far beyond their portability; it’s truly in their exceptional taste and unique preparation.
What truly elevates these pizza pockets beyond the ordinary is their crust. Instead of a traditional pizza dough, we embrace the glorious flakiness of puff pastry. This clever swap introduces an additional layer of buttery, delicate deliciousness, transforming each pocket into a gourmet experience. That tender, golden-brown puff pastry provides the perfect, luxurious home for a generous filling of two complementary cheeses – rich mozzarella and sharp Parmesan – along with savory mini pepperoni slices. The star of the show, however, is undoubtedly the sauce, which offers a delightful twist on what you might expect.
The secret to the incredibly flavorful sauce in these puff pastry pepperoni pizza pockets (try saying that five times fast after a bite!) is a brilliant combination of classic marinara and the incomparable Dorothy Lynch Salad Dressing. The Dorothy Lynch infuses the sauce with its signature sweet and tangy notes, along with that subtle, underlying spice, creating a complex and utterly addictive flavor profile. It’s a taste so satisfying, you’ll find yourself instinctively uttering a delighted “yummmmm” even with your mouth full. This unique sauce takes a simple pizza pocket and transforms it into an unforgettable culinary delight.
How to Craft Your Own Flaky Pizza Pockets with Puff Pastry
To begin your pizza pocket adventure, start by gently rolling out a defrosted sheet of puff pastry onto a clean, floured surface until it forms a uniform rectangle. Then, carefully cut this larger rectangle into eight smaller, equally sized rectangles – these will form the base of your pockets. Next, gather all your delicious ingredients: the star Dorothy Lynch, rich marinara sauce, a blend of shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, savory mini pepperoni, one egg, and some fragrant Italian seasoning. Having everything prepped and within reach makes the assembly process smooth and enjoyable.
Once your pastry is prepped, take your unique sauce blend – the delicious marriage of Dorothy Lynch and marinara – and spread approximately half a tablespoon onto the bottom half of each small puff pastry rectangle. Ensure you leave a small border around the edges to allow for proper sealing later. This is where that incredible sweet and tangy flavor begins its journey!
Next, generously top the sauced portion of each rectangle with a scattering of mini pepperoni slices and a hearty amount of your mozzarella and Parmesan cheese blend. These layers will melt together beautifully to create a rich, savory filling. Now, for the crucial sealing step: prepare an egg wash by whisking together the egg, a tablespoon of water, and a pinch of Italian seasoning. Using a pastry brush, lightly coat the edges of each puff pastry rectangle with this egg wash. This acts as a natural glue, helping the pastry adhere securely when folded.
With the edges brushed, carefully fold the top half of each puff pastry rectangle over to meet the bottom half, forming a neat pocket. Press down gently to ensure the two halves meet and the filling is enclosed. The egg wash should help them stick together easily.
To create a strong, secure seal and add a charming decorative touch, use the back of the tines of a fork to press firmly along all the open edges of each folded pocket. This crimping action will prevent the filling from escaping during baking and gives your pizza pockets a professional, homemade look. Don’t press too hard, just enough to seal them tight.
Before baking, it’s essential to create vents in your pizza pockets. Gently poke a few holes in the top of each pocket using the tines of a fork. These small openings will allow steam to escape during cooking, preventing the pockets from bursting and ensuring the puff pastry rises beautifully and cooks evenly, resulting in that desirable flaky texture.
Finally, for that irresistible golden-brown crust and extra flavor, lightly brush the tops of all the assembled pizza pockets with the remaining egg wash. If you desire an extra savory kick, sprinkle a little herbed garlic salt over the tops. At this stage, you have the flexibility to choose your preferred cooking method: you can bake them in a conventional oven or achieve crispy perfection in an air fryer. Each method offers its own advantages, and both yield fantastic results.
Cooking these pizza pockets in an air fryer will significantly cut down on cooking time, making it an excellent option when you’re short on time or just making a quick snack. Keep in mind that depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you might only be able to cook a few pockets at a time, but this is actually perfect for reheating individual portions from the freezer! If you prefer a more traditional approach or are cooking for a crowd, the oven method works wonderfully. Both sets of detailed instructions are conveniently included in the recipe card below, ensuring you have options that fit your schedule and equipment.
A pro tip for achieving the ultimate flaky puff pastry: refrigerate the assembled pockets for about 20-30 minutes before baking. This crucial step helps the butter in the puff pastry to firm up again after handling, which in turn encourages it to puff up more significantly and evenly in the oven. Without this cooling period, the pastry might not achieve its full, glorious flakiness. Just look at how beautifully golden and perfectly puffed these pizza pockets turn out when baked!
Serve these warm, golden-brown delights with an extra side of Dorothy Lynch for dipping! The additional drizzle truly enhances the sweet and tangy flavors, making each bite an even more satisfying experience. These pockets are also fantastic for meal prep; simply bake, cool, and freeze. When you’re ready for a quick bite, reheat them in the air fryer or oven until warmed through and crispy. They are perfect for packed lunches, quick after-school snacks, or a convenient grab-and-go option for any time of day.
Where to Find Your Bottle of Dorothy Lynch Salad Dressing
Eager to experience the magic of Dorothy Lynch for yourself? Dorothy Lynch Dressing & Condiment is readily available at most major grocery stores throughout Nebraska. For those west of the Mississippi, you can often find it at select grocery stores, including popular chains like Walmart and Hy-Vee. If you’re having trouble locating it in your local store, don’t worry! You can easily stock up your pantry by shopping online through Buy Nebraska or directly from Amazon. It’s never been easier to bring this iconic flavor into your kitchen!
Discover More Dorothy Lynch Inspired Recipes!
^LOVE IT? PIN IT!^
Don’t let this incredible recipe for Dorothy’s Pizza Pockets slip away! Make sure to pin them to your favorite Pinterest board today. This way, you can easily find this portable, flaky, and flavor-packed snack whenever a craving hits or when you’re planning your next tailgate or party. Save it now, thank yourself later!
Looking for more delicious ways to use Dorothy Lynch, especially for your next tailgate or gathering? Here are some other fantastic recipes featuring this versatile dressing that you absolutely must try:
Be sure to stay connected with Dorothy Lynch by following their official website, and their social media channels on Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter. You’ll find a continuous stream of delicious, inspiring recipes and creative ways to incorporate this beloved dressing into your meals all year long!
I’m absolutely starving after talking about these! Don’t wait any longer – let’s get into the kitchen and make some of these incredible cheesy, flaky, sweet & spicy Dorothy’s Pizza Pockets right now! You won’t regret a single bite. 
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Print Recipe
Dorothy’s Pizza Pockets
Equipment
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Buy Dorothy Lynch
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13×18 Half Sheet Pan
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Hamilton Beach Air Fryer Oven Digital and Programmable, Nonstick (35050), 2.5 Liters, Black
Ingredients
- 1 sheet Puff Pastry
- 1/4 cup Dorothy Lynch Salad Dressing & Condiment + more for dipping!
- 1/4 cup marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup mini pepperoni slices
- 1/2 cup Mozzarella/Parmesan Shredded Cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon water
- herbed garlic salt optional
Instructions
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Roll defrosted puff pastry sheet out onto a flat surface. Roll into a rectangle that is 14×10″.
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Cut in half horizontally, then into fourths vertically, so you have eight even sections of pastry.
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Mix together in a bowl the Dorothy Lynch and the marinara sauce. Place 1/2 Tablespoon of sauce on the bottom have of each section.
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Divide pepperoni pieces into eighths, and place on top of the sauce.
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Divide the cheese into eighths and place it on top of the pepperoni.
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Whisk the egg, Italian seasoning and water together to make an egg wash. Using a pastry brush, brush egg wash around the seams on the inside of all four sides of each section.
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Gently fold the top over to meet the bottom to form your pockets. Using the backside of the tines of a fork, press the edges together so they seal tightly. Poke holes with the tines of the fork into the top of the pocket.
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Place the pockets on a cookie sheet covered in parchment paper. Brush the top of each pocket with the egg wash. Discard egg wash. Place pockets in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes. (Cooling them helps the puff pastry puff better)
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Place pizza pockets in the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
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Serve warm with more Dorothy Lynch for dipping!
Notes
Spray the basket of your air fryer with non-stick cooking spray. Place pizza pockets in the basket in a single layer, not touching one another. Cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 minutes.