Batch-prep Pizza Pockets (Air Fryer + Stovetop Methods)
New game:
“Will it air fry?”
I sat on the fence for months re: purchasing an air fryer because I figured an oven could do most of the same things—spoiler alert: it totally can. But I finally buckled down and bought one because I was tax rich and fiending for some crunch wraps, crispy cauliflower gnocci, and sweet potato fries in record time. That’s just the truth!
Since sharing my first air fryer meal on stories, I’m getting DMs about whether an air fryer is worth the investment. My answer is a weary “Maybe…” I’d definitely consider it a “luxury appliance” because convenience is the main benefit. Wraps like this pizza pocket are done in 10 minutes tops, crispy fries come out perfect in about 10 minutes, too. And that’s great! But I’m not entirely sold on the capabilities. Your oven or stovetop could still produce the same results, it’ll just take a little longer and you’ll have to watch it.
Two Cooking Methods
are Included
An air fryer’s NOT required for these pizza pockets; they can be made on the stovetop if you prefer. The recipe below includes both methods for your convenience! One air fryer pro: It cooks a bit faster and thoroughly “crispy”, but it’s not necessary for a damn good pizza pocket.
What is
Batch Prepping?
Batch prepping is a little different than the meal prep recipes I usually share because we’re not going to assemble anything until we eat it. Instead, we’ll prepare the components of the recipe so they’re ready to assemble when future you is exhausted after work.
BATCH PREP
MEAL PREP
By and large, many people prefer batch prepping to preparing complete meals. Throughout this blog’s life, I’ve come across handfuls of people who can’t get on board with “leftovers” or they like to mix things up. And that’s okay! Batch prepping can be your BFF if you’re in this boat. Personally, I do both! I usually batch prep my dinners and “meal prep” my lunches. However you choose to meal prep, what’s important is maintaining the habit!
Pizza: Less Rules,
More Cheese
How healthy can pizza be? When it’s built on a base of Lavish Bread, that’s a pretty good start! I have been digging Joseph’s Lavish bread to make these pizza pockets because the nutrition is on-point. One whole-grain wrap has:
100 Calories
9g Protein
6g Net Carbs
6g Fiber
And I find them at Walmart of all places! On this pizza base, you can customize the toppings, sauce, and cheese according to your preferences or macros. I’m going to list two recipes below: A meat lovers pocket and my brother Sam’s pizza of choice: a veggie-loaded vegan option.
Get creative with these! Pizza is a true canvas food, only limited by your imagination.
MACROS (MEAT LOVERS)
Calories per pocket: 454
26g Fat | 18g Carb | 38g Protein | 6g Fiber
Meat lovers
pizza pocket
INGREDIENTS
1 Joseph’s Lavish Wrap
1/2 lb hot Italian sausage
1/2 lb lean ground turkey (see note 1)
1/2 white onion
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tbsp marinara/ pizza sauce (per pocket)
2 tbsp shredded mozzarella cheese (per pocket)
Any other toppings you prefer
Cooking spray
INSTRUCTIONS
Batch-prepping the meat mixture: Dice onion into fine pieces. In a skillet over medium-low heat, add 2 tsp oil and onion pieces. Saute until fragrant. Add in sausage, ground turkey and Italian seasoning, then break meat up into pieces as it browns.
Meat mixture is enough for 4-or-so pockets. Store it in the fridge for quick pizza pocket assembly throughout the week.
Preparing your pocket: Onto the wrap, spread tomato sauce, sprinkle cheese, and add cold meat mixture and any other preferred toppings. Start at one corner of the wrap and pull all corners toward the center to seal your pocket. Spray both sides with cooking spray.
Air fryer instructions: Bake at 350 degrees for 5-7 minutes, checking at 5.
Stovetop instructions: Cook over medium heat for 3 minutes. Flip pocket, then add a few drops of water to create steam. Cover with a lid and cook another 3 minutes.
Vegan Veggie
pizza pocket
INGREDIENTS
1 Joseph’s Lavish Wrap
1 tbsp marinara sauce (per pocket)
2 tbsp vegan mozzarella shreds (per pocket)
Bell peppers, mushroom, jalapeno, olives, fresh basil and/or other preferred toppings
1/4 tsp Italian seasoning
Cooking spray
INSTRUCTIONS
Batch-prepping veggies: Slice preferred veggies into thin topping-size pieces and store them in airtight containers throughout the week. This makes assembly very easy when you’re ready to eat.
Preparing your pocket: In a pan over medium-low heat, add cooking spray and enough vegetables to fill 1 pocket. Sprinkle in Italian seasoning and saute until veggies become soft.
Onto the wrap, spread tomato sauce, sprinkle vegan cheese shreds, then add sauteed toppings.
Start at one corner of the wrap and pull all corners toward the center to seal your pocket. Spray both sides with cooking spray.
Air fryer instructions: Bake at 350 degrees for 5-7 minutes, checking at 5.
Stovetop instructions: Cook over medium heat for 3 minutes. Flip pocket, then add a few drops of water to create steam. Cover and cook another 3 minutes until cheese is melted through.
RECIPE NOTES
Meat Mixture Note 1: I chose to combine lean ground turkey with hot pork sausage to reduce the calories a bit. It tastes pretty undetectable! But if you like, you can sub 100% pork sausage in here. This will make enough for ~4 pockets. The mixture will keep for 5-6 days in the fridge.
