Pizza pops, also known as pizza pockets or hot pockets, are still one of my favorite comfort foods from childhood.
And because they are quite fattening, I was motivated to create this healthier and low calories Pita Pizza Pop. Made with pita bread, instead of pizza dough, this Healthy Pita Pizza Pocket or Healthy Hot Pocket is also Weight Watchers friendly. This recipe inspired by my other healthy pizza recipe - this Healthy Pita Pizza.
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My kids loved these because they practically live for pizza pops. That was the other motivator - to make a healthy version for their school lunches. But the true testament was when my daughter's friend, one of the pickiest eaters I know, was over when I was testing the recipe and she loved it!
When I was a kid, I was really lucky if my parents stopped to get me a pizza pop from Syl's Drive-in in Carmen, MB, on the way to my grandparents farm.
Photo courtesy of Syl's Drive-Inn Facebook Page
Driving out to the farm was pretty much the only time I ever got pizza pops when I was a kid; it really was a rare treat. And I practically lived for them too! And all these years later, they still give me comfort.
🥘 Ingredients
For this recipe, you'll need:
- whole wheat pitas
- egg
- spinach
- pizza sauce
- low-fat cheddar cheese
- turkey pepperoni (affiliate link)
- light feta cheese
- black olives, sliced
- light Parmesan cheese
📖 Variations & Substitutions
Fillings: use any type of pizza filling you like for these homemade hot pockets! You can still keep it light and healthy using turkey sausage or turkey bacon instead of turkey pepperoni. You could also use mozzarella cheese instead of cheddar.
🔪 Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F/205 degrees C and spray an aluminum lined cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
- Mix spinach, pepperoni, pizza sauce, black olives and cheese together in a bowl.
- Make egg wash: Add water to egg and beat together for a few seconds.
- Cut pitas in half, then open (use a knife to gently slice open fi necessary) each pita and stuff it with about 3 tbsps of the filling * Do not overfill or it will be too difficult to seal and will rip.
- Seal the pita with the egg wash by running the egg wash inside the rim of the pita on each side with a pastry brush. Be careful not to use too much and 'soak it' or it will get soggy and fall apart. Then brush egg wash over the pita until it's covered, but not soaked.
- Take a fork and press down along the cut of the pita (on the straight side), as you would a pie crust, sealing it in
💭Pizza Pops are Canadian
When I was a teenager and had a little more food freedom, my own money and pizza pops were commercially available, I practically lived on them! Little did I know that Pizza Pops were created in Winnipeg, Manitoba!, which also happens to be my home town. Although Pillsbury bought out the creators in the early '80's and they are now made by General Mills, pizza pops are truly a Canadian thing. Not only does that make me really proud, it makes them even more of a comfort food. And that's why, when I was googling pizza pops, all I could find, aside from Pillsbury pizza pops, was pizza pockets. Because that's what they are called in the United States. That, or hot pockets or stuffed pizza pockets.
🥗 Side dishes
If you're sending these pizza pops along in a lunch box, then I recommend:
- vegetables like sliced cucumbers or baby carrots
- fresh fruit
- Homemade Chocolate Yogurt
- Quick Cucumber Kimchi
- Easy Quinoa Salad
🌡️Storing
- Fridge: you can keep these in the fridge for up to 3 days in a sealed container
- Freezer: you can freeze these pizza pops for up to 3 months in a sealed container or ziplock bag
- Reheating: you can reheat from frozen in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, depending on your microwave.
- To keep warm: Wrap in aluminum foil before adding to an insulated lunch bag. *Do not reheat with aluminum foil on
This recipe is perfect for picky eaters. My daughter's friend was over when I was testing these (she's an extremely picky eater) and LOVED this! So, if you're looking for healthy hot pockets, you'll love this one!
And if you are looking for additional healthy lunch ideas for back to school, check this out!
Easy Mediterranean Chicken & Rice Cups
⭐ Reviews
Did you make this recipe? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!
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📋 Healthy Pita Pizza Pocket Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 whole wheat pitas, cut in half
- 1 whole egg
- 2 teaspoon water
- ⅔ cup finely chopped spinach
- 4 tablespoon pizza sauce * your favorite brand
- ¾ cup low-fat cheddar
- 1 -175 g package of turkey pepperoni
- 2 tablespoon light feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 tablespoon sliced black olives
- 2 tablespoon light parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F/205 degrees C and spray an aluminum lined cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
- Mix spinach, pepperoni, pizza sauce, black olives and cheese together in a bowl.
- Make egg wash: Add water to egg and beat together for a few seconds.
- Cut pitas in half, then open (use a knife to gently slice open fi necessary) each pita and stuff it with about 3 tbsps of the filling * Do not overfill or it will be too difficult to seal and will rip.
- Seal the pita with the egg wash by running the egg wash inside the rim of the pita on each side with a pastry brush. Be careful not to use too much and 'soak it' or it will get soggy and fall apart. Then brush egg wash over the pita until it's covered, but not soaked.
- Take a fork and press down along the cut of the pita (on the straight side), as you would a pie crust, sealing it in.
- Sprinkle each pita with parmesan cheese, distributing equally between the pitas. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes.
- Serve hot as a meal or snack with raw veggies (like carrots and celery) and berries or pack for a lunch (they can be reheated or eaten cold). You can also freeze them.
Notes
- Fridge: you can keep these in the fridge for up to 3 days in a sealed container
- Freezer: you can freeze these pizza pops for up to 3 months in a sealed container or ziplock bag
- Reheating: you can reheat from frozen in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, depending on your microwave.
- To keep warm: Wrap in aluminum foil before adding to an insulated lunch bag. *Do not reheat with aluminum foil on
Chef Markus Mueller
Really liking your take on using pitas as the crust for these pizza pockets! I have always made 'hand pie' style pizza pockets where you make the dough your self and then wrap it around the filling kind of like a calzone..its super messy though, and really takes a lot of practice to get good at|! This is so much easier!
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Markus! Yes, this is really easy and although I love pizza dough, I agree, it takes time, practice and it's a lot more calories! 🙂
Riz | Chocolates & Chai
You’ve told such a lovely story, Terri.
I can really see the importance of pizza pockets to you. And I love how you’ve transformed it into something healthier so that you can continue to bite into the memories.
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Riz! Yes, I'm happy to be able to continue to enjoy pizza pops all these years later (in a healthy way:) )
Denise from Urb'n'Spice
That was a great story, Terri. I am sure that your Uncle would have loved these pizza pockets. I am looking forward to trying them. Thanks so much for sharing.
Terri Gilson
Thank you, Denise :). I hope you enjoy them!
Elaine
I love how you’ve lightened up this classic recipe and made something that you feel good about feeding your kids! A lovely tribute to your uncle, too.
Terri Gilson
Thank you, Elaine. Yes, my kids constantly bug me for pizza pops so it's nice to be able to make them an alternative they equally love (and stick it in a lunch bag)!