Hearty homemade hot pockets with a tangy-sweet sloppy Joe filling and an easy-to-make keto mozzarella dough (fathead dough) will have you saying WOW!
What’s my new favorite dinner? Hot pockets stuffed with my delicious homemade sloppy Joe filling recipe. I can not get enough of this delicious hearty meal and neither can my family!
Next time you make sloppy Joes, double the filling set it aside (freeze it) so you can make these bad boys in minutes. You won’t be disappointed.
Homemade Hot Pockets with Sloppy Joe Filling (keto!)
The ever popular hot pocket is an American version of savory hand pies. Meat pies, pasties, samosas, calzones, strombolis and empanadas are common hand pie (hot pocket) varieties found in ethnic communities across the United States. And they are all delicious!
What is a hot pocket (hand pie)
Hot pockets (or hand pies) were developed to fill the need for portable meals or snacks that could be eaten in-hand while on-the-go. They can be fried or baked (baked versions are easier for home cooks) and filled with almost anything.
In America, the name hand pie brings to mind a fried dough pocket with a sweet filling (think, Mcdonald’s apple pie or Pop Tarts). While the words hot pocket conjure an image of a popular processed convenience food item found in the frozen section of the grocery.
Ham and cheese hot pockets and pizza pockets are very popular, but my new favorite is a good homemade sloppy Joe hot pocket!
Homemade Hot Pocket Dough
To make hot pockets at home, use store bought pie dough, puff pastry dough, or pizza dough as the base or pocket. But I find that a making a quick dough from mozzarella cheese is easier and faster. Mozzarella dough (or Fathead dough) is popular with those following a low carb and keto lifestyle and takes minutes to make.
Since this is a low carb blog, I use the keto fathead dough made from mozzarella and a homemade low carb sloppy Joes recipe to keeps carbs at a minimum.
How to Make Sloppy Joe Hot Pockets
Making homemade hot pockets with sloppy joe filling is relatively easy. Make the hot pocket dough and roll it out. Cut into 6 even rectangles, add the filling to one side of the dough. Fold over and seal. Bake until the tops are browned.
To make the process even easier, I often prepare a triple batch of sloppy joe filling and refrigerate or freeze the extra. It’s a great trick for advance meal planning or meal prep. It’s also nice to have something in the freezer to pull out for a busy week.
This makes a great entree when served with a side salad. It’s great for both lunch or dinner and keeps me full for hours.
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Homemade Sloppy Joe Hot Pockets (keto)
Ingredients
- 2 cups Sloppy Joe Filling
Hot Pocket Dough
- 1 1/2 cups pre-shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese (5 oz/142 g)
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 1/3 cups almond flour* (4 oz/113 g)
- 3 tbsp whey protein isolate (makes a nice bread texture)
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
Instructions
Preparation:
- If you don't have sloppy Joe filling pre-made, then make your favorite recipe and let it cool in the pan. If you have leftover or pre-made sloppy Joe filling, then warm it gently in the microwave.
- Preheat the oven to 400F and place the rack in the middle position. *Fluff up the almond flour with a whisk before measuring to remove lumps.
Hot Pocket Dough:
- Put the Mozzarella (or Monterey Jack) cheese into a medium microwaveable bowl. Place the pieces of cream cheese on top and microwave for 1 1/2 - 2 minutes or until very well melted. Remove and stir until creamy and smooth.
- Add the beaten egg to the melted cheese and stir to combine. This will take some coaxing. Add the almond flour, protein powder and baking soda. Mix with a rubber spatula until thoroughly combined. Let the dough cool for a few minutes. If it is too hard to mix, try heating it just slightly to make it soft again.
- Cut two sheets of parchment big enough to cover the entire bottom of a large sheet pan. Spray them with baking spray, then using a rolling pin, roll the hot pocket dough between. I flip the whole thing over once or twice and reposition the paper, keeping the dough in the middle. Roll the dough until it is as big as the parchment paper - cutting and patching to make a rectangle with even thickness.
Assembly:
- With a large sharp knife, cut the dough down the middle lengthwise, cutting it in half. Then cut the dough crosswise into thirds. (See pictures in post)
- Place 1/3 cup (1/6 of the sloppy Joe filling) on to a short side of a hot pocket dough rectangle, leaving space all around. Spread it evenly on that half of the dough, keeping the space all the way around.
- Carefully fold the dough over the filling and press the seams together. You can use your fingers or a fork.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until browned on top. Serving size is 1 pocket. Net Carbs 5 g.
Storing and Reheating:
- When completely cool, wrap and store in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave or wrap in foil and bake in the oven (or toaster oven) at 350 until warmed through.
- These freeze nicely. Let thaw completely in the refrigerator before reheating.
Notes
Nutrition
Ham and Cheese Hot Pockets (low carb, keto)
These are great. I have made them several times. This time I made extra sloppy joe filling and now I am ready for my next busy weeknight. Thanks for another easy and delicious recipe. You have made doing Keto so easy.
I’m so glad you like the recipe, Tracy. I’m making them Halloween night like mom always did. Have a great week! -Kim
These are about the best things I have ever made. I made mine a little smaller and glad I did as they were very filling.
I’m so glad you liked them, Jacky. My family goes nuts for them. You are right – they are so filling. Have a great weekend. -Kim
Your version of a homemade hot pocket sloppy joe is superb, Kim! Made this recently with just storebought dough and they are amazing! I did not omit any ingredient and simply adjusted the measurements according to what I needed as I wanted to make more to store so we can just toss it in the pan for those “no-time-to-cook” times. We love it! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Elizabeth! I’m thrilled you liked the recipe and so glad you made it easy on yourself and used store bought dough. If I wasn’t low carb, that would be my choice, too. I always triple the sloppy Joe recipe and freeze some. It has saved my week more than once. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I hope you have a wonderful week! -Kim
Is there anything else that can be used or substituted for the whey protein isolate?
Thanks for your time
Hi Julie. The whey protein powder just gives the dough a more bread-like texture. You don’t have to use it, but it helps. Just use a little more almond flour. -Kim
I was looking for something just like this! My husband loves chili loaf for his bday meal. Basically a loaf of bread stuffed with chili and cheese. He has been low-carb for 3 weeks now and didn’t want to sabotage his efforts by going the bread route. He asked if there was some kind of low carb substitute and voila! I have them ready to go in the oven substituting a chili like meat base instead of sloppy joe, but mine aren’t quite as pretty. I’m wondering if my sheet pan is bigger so I rolled the dough thinner. I can definitely see meat through the dough. Hopefully, I won’t have a greasy mess! Thanks for the recipe! I’ll let you know how it turns out!
Hi Leslie. I hope these turned out for you. Check out the Taco Bake recipe I have. I think your husband would like it. It is the same base I use for my low carb Focaccia, which can be used to make sandwiches! -Kim
The chili hot pockets turned out great! There was a little leakage, but it was minimal. Hubby approved of this substitution for his chili loaf! Made one batch with mozzarella and one with pepper jack. Actually liked the plainer one better. The pepper jack ones seemed drier. Thanks for the taco bake recommendation!
Yay! I’m glad you were happy with them and that they were hubby approved. Enjoy the rest of your week! -Kim
How is it without the whey protein isolate? That’s not something I can get where I live.
It has less of a bread-like texture, Peggy, but will still work. -Kim
Perfect for a picnic! I love the idea of baking it! Wonder if I make so more if I freeze some and bake later!
Hi Emiline. Thank you! I haven’t tried baking the raw filled dough to bake later, but I have baked then frozen them for later. I defrost in the refrigerator over night then warm it up in the microwave. Enjoy! -Kim