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That crispy first mouthful is still fresh in my mind—the gooey cheese, bold sausage, zippy pepperoni, and a Doritos shell that’s surprisingly crunchy. One lazy afternoon I wanted something fast but fun for our friends watching the game. I spotted some Nacho Cheese Doritos and thought, hey, why not smash these up and wrap them around mini pizza bites? That wild idea turned into my go-to snack obsession.
I first tried using crushed Doritos on chicken tenders and they totally changed the crunch game. Switching that over to these pizza pockets was just a fun next step, and now it’s everyone’s favorite for sports events at our place.
Tasty Ingredients
- Mozzarella cheese, shredded: use fresh if you can; it melts super well and gives that oozy center
- Mini pepperoni slices: make sure they’re thin and not greasy so you can layer them nicely
- Pizza sauce: get one that tastes bright and full of tomato to help balance all the cheesy stuff
- Cooked sausage, crumbled: Italian for a light spice, breakfast sausage for a little sweet—both bring meaty comfort
- Refrigerated pizza dough: soft and simple to shape; look for one that’s flexible with no hard spots
- Nacho Cheese Doritos: the crunchy hero; smash gently so you keep some big crunchy bits
- Garlic powder and Italian seasoning: sprinkle these in to bring out layers of yummy, fragrant flavors
- Melted butter: this lets the Doritos stick and helps them brown in the oven
When you’re buying stuff, grab soft, bendy dough and a bag of chips where most Doritos are whole, not crushed to dust. That’s the best way to get that signature crunchy layer.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Give Them a Few Minutes to Rest:
- Let them sit to set the crispy crust and keep hot cheese from burning your mouth. That crunch really pops after a short wait.
- Bake for Crunchy Goodness:
- Pop them in a 375 degree oven so the outsides go crunchy and golden, but the centers stay soft and gooey.
- Make the Doritos Crust:
- Mix up your smashed Doritos with melted butter and a little seasoning. That’s how you get a next-level crispy finish that actually sticks.
- Seal and Roll the Dough:
- Really pinch those seams so filling doesn’t escape and cause a mess as it bakes. You want everything held tight inside.
- Stuff and Spread:
- Spread your sauce and fillings on dough rectangles, but leave an edge all around. It’ll make closing them up way easier.
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Top Features
- You can easily swap out meat or cheese if that’s your thing
- Portion-controlled size keeps it simple to serve a bunch of people
- Good mix of protein and carbs keeps you full, even as a snack
Once, I got a little wild piling in extra sausage, and stuff went everywhere—cheese and meat all over the baking tray (and even the oven floor). Since then, I learned that a smaller serving of filling keeps these rolls neat and way less messy.
Easy Prep Hacks
Shape the pockets and stop before you add the Doritos crust. Lay them on a tray in the freezer, then toss them in a big freezer bag once frozen. When it’s game time, coat them in Doritos crumbs and bake straight from frozen—just tack on a couple extra minutes.
Ways To Change It Up
Swap in jalapeño slices for the pepperoni and use Flamin’ Hot Doritos for a spicy version. Use sharp cheddar instead of mozzarella and swap Italian sausage for chorizo if you love a smoky, southwestern taste.
Must-Have Tools
A pizza cutter slices the dough quick and clean. Use a shallow bowl to help coat each pocket without smashing the crust. Line your tray with parchment so nothing sticks and you barely have to scrub up afterward.
Pro Tips
- Don’t go overboard on the fillings—the seal won’t hold and you’ll get leaks
- Crush Doritos to medium bits so you get crunchy and chunky in every bite
- Always place pockets seam-down so they don’t bust open as they bake
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Common Questions
- → What’s the best way to cook the meat filling?
Make sure the sausage is well cooked before adding it to the filling so it’s fully done after baking.
- → Which dough should I use?
Using refrigerated pizza dough rolled into small rectangles works great for these rolls.
- → How do I make the Doritos stick to the rolls?
Combine crushed Doritos with melted butter and spices, then press the rolls gently into the mix to coat well.
- → Can I use a different Doritos flavor?
Definitely, spicy ones like Flamin' Hot Doritos give a nice bold flavor to the crispy outside.
- → What heat and baking time do these need?
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes until the outside is golden and crispy with a melty cheese center.
- → How do I serve them best?
After baking, let them cool a bit and serve warm with extra pizza sauce on the side for dipping.