I’m sure by now you’ve heard about the not-so-delicious ingredients in Hot Pockets. To be honest, I haven’t had a microwaveable Hot Pocket since college, and I’m OK with their absence in my current diet. But, Hot Pockets being all over the news for a few days did make me think “You know what? Those were sort of delicious. In a total junk food kinda way.”
It just so happened that I had a box of puff pastry that had been hanging out in my freezer forever. Homemade Grown-Up Hot Pockets happened immediately. You can put literally whatever you want inside these, but I made this version for two reasons 1.) Pleasing to adults palates. Let’s class these things up! And 2.) Freeze-ability (to microwave for quick lunches later). While fresh cilantro would have been nice in these, would cilantro have frozen well? Not so much. Same goes for soft cheeses like brie and any other ingredient that you suspect would get a bit strange after a layover in the freezer.
So, I kept these super simple with some skirt steak that I marinated in a homemade chipotle marinade, thinly sliced shallots and Monterey Jack cheese. You can assemble them, bake them, eat one for lunch (for quality testing purposes), and then allow them to cool completely before wrapping them in foil and freezing them. When you’re in need of a quick workday lunch, take them from the freezer, unwrap, and microwave about 3 minutes or until heated through.
2 chipotles in adobo, plus 2 tablespoons sauce from their can
1/4 cup olive oil
Juice of 1 lime
8 ounces skirt steak
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 package (2 sheets) puff pastry
2 medium shallots, thinly sliced
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 egg, beaten
Instructions
In food processor or blender, puree chipotles, adobo sauce, olive oil and lime juice. Place steak in large ziploc bag, pour chipotle mixture over. Seal bag and refrigerate at least 4 hours or up to overnight.
Heat cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Remove steak from marinade; discard marinade. Pat steak dry with paper towels to remove excess marinade. Add vegetable oil to skillet. Place steak in skillet; cook 6 minutes for medium-rare, turning once halfway through cooking. Transfer steak to cutting board; let rest 10 minutes, then thinly slice steak against grain into 1/4-inch-thick strips.
On work surface, unfold 1 sheet of puff pastry. Use pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut it lengthwise into 3 strips (you should be able to just follow the lines where the pastry was folded). Cut each strip crosswise in half. Repeat with remaining sheet of pastry.
Place 2 to 3 slices of steak on each of 6 pieces of puff pastry. Divide shallots and cheese over steak. Brush all four edges of pastry with egg. Place remaining pieces of pastry over top. Use your fingers to stretch the pastry over and lightly seal the edges to form pockets, then use the tines of a fork to press and seal all sides. Transfer pockets to parchment-lined rimmed baking pan and transfer to freezer for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Remove pockets from freezer; place a second sheet of parchment on top of pockets, and then place a second baking pan on top of parchment (this prevents the pockets from puffing too high). Transfer to oven and bake 18 minutes. Remove top baking pan and parchment, adjust oven setting to broil and place pockets under broiler 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, rotating if necessary. Let stand 5 minutes before serving, or let cool completely before wrapping in foil and freezing.
Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know what you think! Rate the recipe above, leave a comment below, and/or share a photo to Instagram using the tag #foxeslovelemons.
Even these letfovers reheated for lunch taste much, much, much better than anything Hot Pocklets brand can put out. Nice job honey! Also, I am coming to the realization that I LOVE puff pastry dough – I’d eat anything wrapped in it.
Hi Kate – Several varieties of Hot Pockets have been recalled for potentially tainted meat. If you Google “Hot Pocket Recall” you should be able to find some info on it.
Even these letfovers reheated for lunch taste much, much, much better than anything Hot Pocklets brand can put out. Nice job honey! Also, I am coming to the realization that I LOVE puff pastry dough – I’d eat anything wrapped in it.
It’s impossible not to like it – it’s about 50% butter. #NotAHealthFood
freaking brilliant. . I love puff pastry and Hot Pockets! Winning!
Haha thanks Alice!
#win I’m guilty of eating hot pockets back in the day but wouldn’t touch them now. These I’d be all over.
Woohoo! I’ll take a #win any day!
These look incredible! A dozen in my freezer would be perfect.
Haha, I wish I had a dozen in MY freezer, even. My husband ate them too fast, and there were hardly any to save for later. haha.
Oh, my gosh, these must taste amazing! I’ve never been tempted to try a hot pocket till now 😉
They were definitely a big hit around here. Thanks Liz!
I have never had a Hot Pocket, but what you’ve made here makes me want to give them a try and soon. Looks delicious.
Thanks so much, L.A.!
can i ask what hot pockets have been in the news for?
Hi Kate – Several varieties of Hot Pockets have been recalled for potentially tainted meat. If you Google “Hot Pocket Recall” you should be able to find some info on it.
Oh my, these look really great – flavorful ingredients… I know my guy would love these. Now I have that jingle in my head… have a good week!
Oh no, now I have the jingle in MY head! Haha.
“Chipotle pockeeeeeets.” Jim Gaff anyone? 🙂 These look great Lori!
Hehehe. Totally.
A tube of Pillsbury dough and meat. Count me in.