Description
Alabama Hot Pockets are a delicious savory pastry filled with a flavorful ground beef mixture seasoned with aromatic spices and sautéed vegetables. Encased in a buttery flaky dough, these hot pockets are baked to golden perfection, making for a satisfying and hearty snack or meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
Filling
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 minced cloves of garlic
- 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
Instructions
- Preheat and Sauté Vegetables: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Heat a skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. When the oil is hot and shimmering, add chopped onions and bell peppers. Sauté them until they become soft and tender, which should take about 5-7 minutes.
- Cook Ground Beef and Season: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the softened vegetables. Cook it thoroughly until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. When the beef is partially cooked, add the minced garlic and continue cooking until the garlic becomes fragrant. Stir in black pepper, dried oregano, paprika, cumin, and chili powder, mixing well to incorporate all the spices evenly.
- Prepare the Dough: While the beef mixture cooks, prepare the dough by combining the all-purpose flour, salt, and chilled cubed unsalted butter in a mixing bowl. Mix and work the ingredients together until a dough forms. On a floured surface, roll out the dough and cut it into 6-inch squares, preparing them to be filled.
- Assemble Hot Pockets: Spoon the cooked beef and vegetable mixture onto the center of each dough square. Fold the dough over the filling to form a pocket and pinch the edges firmly to seal them properly and prevent leaking during baking.
- Bake: Place the filled pockets on a baking sheet, leaving some space between each. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the dough turns golden brown and crispy. Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the butter for the dough is cold to achieve a flaky texture.
- Don’t overfill the pockets to prevent breaking during baking.
- For extra crispiness, brush the tops with an egg wash before baking.
- Adjust the spice levels to your taste by modulating the chili powder.
- These can be made ahead and reheated in the oven for a quick meal.
