Homemade Ham and Cheese Hot Pockets

Name: Homemade Ham and Cheese Hot Pockets
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 32 min
Ingredients: 1 tube fluffy biscuits; 1 cup ham (diced or deli sliced ham); 8 slices cheddar cheese; 1 large egg; ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese; 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes

The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.

Deliciously melty and satisfying, our Homemade Ham and Cheese Hot Pockets are the ultimate comfort food. They are so easy; even kids can make them!

It costs approximately $5.95 to make these hot pockets. The recipe makes eight servings for about $0.74 per serving.

Looking for more recipes your kids can make on their own? Check out our post with 60 Lunch Ideas for Kids At Home!

Ham and Cheese Hot Pocket

Busy families on a budget can delight in a delicious, cost-effective meal option that satisfies kids and adults alike. These hot pockets are made with simple ingredients that can be found in your kitchen pantry and refrigerator, allowing you to save both time and money.

The hot pockets start with fluffy biscuits that create a golden and flaky crust. We save more time using the pre-made biscuits in a tube rather than making the dough from scratch. And that makes it even easier for the kiddos to make this recipe independently! That’s a big win for summertime lunches!

Inside, you’ll find a savory combination of diced ham and slices of cheddar cheese. The ham adds a salty flavor, while the melted cheese brings a comforting creaminess to each bite. Each bite reminds you of your childhood when your mom served you a plate of warm ham and cheese hot pockets!

After baking the hot pockets, they turn into handheld treats, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal or afternoon snack. The golden-brown crusts surround the warm and melty filling, creating the perfect combination of textures. Adding the egg wash and sprinkling of parmesan cheese and parsley flakes on top adds an extra layer of flavor everyone will love.

Ingredients & Estimated Cost:

Recipe Cost: $5.95

Per Serving: $0.74

1 tube flaky biscuits – $1.78
1 cup ham – $1.75
8 slices cheddar cheese – $1.52
1 large egg – $0.43
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese – $0.37
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes – $0.10

The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed for the recipe. To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained. The pricing for this recipe was updated in May 2023.

All of the ingredients needed to make this recipe.

These Homemade Ham and Cheese Hot Pockets taste delicious and allow you to take control of your family’s budget for meals and what ingredients are in the food you eat. By using affordable ingredients and making the hot pockets at home, instead of buying the store brand, you can enjoy a flavorful meal without the meal and added preservatives!

With just a few simple steps and some standard kitchen tools, you can create the BEST homemade Ham and Cheese Hot Pockets, a tasty and budget-friendly option that will leave your kiddos asking for more!

How To Make Ham and Cheese Hot Pockets

***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.

First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with a silicone mat.
Then, press each biscuit out to make a larger round.
Next, add half a piece of cheese, followed by one to two tablespoons of ham.
Add another half a piece of cheese.
Then, fold the biscuit in half, pressing the ends together. Next, crimp the edges together using a fork.
Next, whisk together an egg and one tablespoon of water in a small bowl.
Using another small bowl, mix the parmesan cheese and parsley flakes.
Then, brush the egg wash on each biscuit and sprinkle the tops with the parmesan cheese mixture.
Finally, bake for fifteen to twenty minutes and cool before serving them with your favorite dipping sauce.

A picture collage showing how to make this recipe.

Recipe Variations and Substitutions

Feel free to experiment with the substitutions and variations below to create different flavors and combinations according to your taste.

Recipe Variations

Vegetable Hot Pockets: Add sautéed vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, or spinach, along with the ham and cheese. You can substitute the ham with grilled or roasted vegetables to make it vegetarian-friendly.
Pizza Hot Pockets: Replace the ham with pepperoni or other favorite pizza toppings like sliced olives, diced tomatoes, or cooked sausage. Add some pizza or marinara sauce and cheese to give it a classic pizza flavor.
Chicken and Broccoli Hot Pockets: Use cooked and diced chicken instead of ham. Add steamed or sautéed broccoli florets to the filling mixture. Optionally, you can include some shredded mozzarella cheese or a creamy sauce.
Mexican-Style Hot Pockets: Substitute the ham with cooked and seasoned ground beef or shredded cooked chicken. Add diced jalapeños, black beans, corn kernels, and a sprinkle of Mexican cheese blend. Serve with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream on the side.
Breakfast Hot Pockets: Use cooked bacon or sausage instead of ham. Add scrambled eggs to the filling mixture. For added flavor, consider including diced bell peppers, onions, or shredded potatoes.

Recipe Substitutions

Instead of fluffy biscuits, you can use puff pastry, crescent roll dough, or even homemade pizza dough for the outer layer of the hot pockets.
Try Swiss, mozzarella, or provolone cheese if you don’t have cheddar cheese.
You can use grated Romano or Asiago cheese as alternatives for the grated Parmesan cheese.
Dried parsley flakes can be substituted with other dried herbs like oregano, basil, or thyme, depending on your preference.

A close up picture of a Homemade Ham and Cheese Hot Pocket cut in half so you can see the interior.

Ham and Cheese Hot Pockets Serving and Storage Tips

SERVE: You can serve them as a standalone meal or with a side salad, soup, or dipping sauce like marinara, ranch, or honey mustard. You can keep these out for two hours before they must be covered and stored.

STORE: Store leftover hot pockets in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag in the refrigerator. They will keep for about 3-4 days.

FREEZE: If you want to freeze the hot pockets for later use, assemble them completely but do not bake them. Place the unbaked hot pockets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place the sheet in the freezer until the hot pockets are frozen solid. Once frozen, transfer the hot pockets to a freezer-safe container or zipper-top bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.

THAW: Remove the desired number of hot pockets from the freezer and let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Alternatively, you can thaw them at room temperature for a few hours, which may result in a slightly less crisp texture when baked. Then, bake as per the instructions in the recipe card below.

REHEAT IN OVEN: To reheat previously baked hot pockets, preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the hot pockets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 7-10 minutes or until the hot pockets are heated through and the cheese is melted.

REHEAT IN MICROWAVE: You can also reheat them in a microwave by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and microwaving them on high for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Remember that microwaving may produce a softer, less crispy crust than baking.

***Adjust the reheating time based on the size and thickness of your hot pockets and the power of your oven or microwave.

Recipe FAQs

What kind of cheese is in the ham and cheese Hot Pocket?

Ham and Cheese Hot Pockets feature cheddar cheese as the chosen cheese variety. Our homemade copycat Ham and Cheese Hot Pocket recipe uses the same variety.

Can you air fry a Hot Pocket?

Yes, you can cook these hot pockets in an air fryer. You would cook them at 350 degrees F for about ten minutes or until the hot pockets are slightly brown and crispy and the cheese is melty on the inside. However, we recommend the standard oven method with our recipe for the best results.

What do you dip hot pockets in?

Dipping hot pockets into anything is not required, and they are certainly delicious on their own. However, you can dip them into ranch, bbq sauce, or pasta sauce.

Get Kids Involved

Ages 2-3: Assign an easy task, such as tearing the ham into smaller pieces to place on the dough. This helps develop their motor skills while encouraging participation in the kitchen.

Ages 4-5: Allow your child to place the ham and cheese on the dough circles, demonstrating how to fold and seal the pockets. Guide them in using a fork to crimp the edges.

Ages 6-8: Let them read the recipe instructions out loud and gather the required ingredients from the pantry and fridge. This helps develop their reading skills and teaches them about organization in the kitchen.

Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.

Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe unsupervised while you do the happy dance in the corner!

Two Ham and Cheese Hot Pockets on a plate and one broken in half.

Budget Tips

Don’t be afraid of store-brand or generic ingredients, such as sliced ham and cheese, to save money without compromising taste.

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