Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). While it warms up, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This simple step will prevent your Hot Pockets from sticking and helps with easy cleanup later—trust me, that’s a win-win in any kitchen!

Take your pizza dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. You can roll each piece into a ball to make it more uniform. If you’re feeling a bit fancy, try to eyeball it—after all, a little kitchen improvisation is what cooking is all about!

Grab your rolling pin and roll one portion of the dough into a 4 to 5-inch square or round shape. Don’t stress about it being perfect; a little irregularity adds character. The goal here is to have enough surface area to create a pocket for holding all that cheesy goodness.

In the center of your rolled-out dough, place approximately 2 teaspoons of pizza sauce. Then sprinkle on about 2 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese, followed by a tablespoon of the mini pepperoni quarters. If you like, feel free to toss in some chopped veggies or extra herbs if you’re feeling adventurous.

Now comes the tricky part: folding. Carefully fold the dough over the filling to create a pocket. Press down the edges tightly to seal in all the flavors and moisture. To ensure they are securely closed, take a fork and crimp the edges, which adds a rustic charm too. Place each pocket on the prepared baking sheet.

Before sending these delights to the oven, brush the top of each pocket with the beaten egg. This creates that desirable golden crust. If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle some grated Parmesan, a pinch of Italian seasoning, or even a dash of garlic salt for an added flavor explosion.

Now, pop these beauties in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 to 18 minutes. Keep an eye on them; you want them to be golden brown. The aroma filling your kitchen will be just about irresistible!