Ah, ham and cheese stuffed bread pockets—crispy on the outside, melty and savory on the inside. They’re perfect for snacks, lunchboxes, or even a light dinner. Here’s a complete recipe:
Ingredients (Makes 6–8 pockets)
For the dough (quick yeast dough):
- 240 ml (1 cup) warm milk
- 50 g (¼ cup) butter, melted
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 7 g (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 360–400 g (3–3⅓ cups) all-purpose flour
For the filling:
- 200 g (7 oz) ham, diced or sliced
- 150 g (5 oz) cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a mix), grated or sliced
- Optional: Dijon mustard, herbs, or sautéed onions
For topping:
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Sesame seeds or poppy seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough:
- Warm the milk (about 40°C / 105°F) and stir in sugar and yeast. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Add melted butter, salt, and flour gradually. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise 1–1.5 hours until doubled in size.
- Prepare the filling:
- Dice the ham and grate or slice the cheese.
- Optional: mix with mustard or herbs for extra flavor.
- Assemble the pockets:
- Punch down the dough and divide into 6–8 equal portions.
- Roll each portion into a rectangle or circle about ¼ inch thick.
- Place a portion of ham and cheese in the center of each piece of dough.
- Fold the dough over to seal (triangle, rectangle, or half-moon shape). Pinch edges firmly.
- Prepare for baking:
- Place pockets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle seeds if using.
- Optional: poke a small hole or slit on top to release steam.
- Let rise 15–20 minutes while oven preheats.
- Bake:
- Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F).
- Bake 18–22 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve:
- Let cool 5 minutes before serving (the filling will be very hot!).
- Great warm as a snack, lunch, or appetizer.
✅ Tips for success:
- Don’t overfill; it can leak during baking.
- For extra flavor, add sautéed onions, bell peppers, or herbs like oregano inside.
- If you want softer pockets, brush a little melted butter on top after baking.
If you like, I can also give a shortcut version using store-bought pizza dough or puff pastry that’s ready in 20–25 minutes—super quick and still delicious.
Do you want the quick version too?
