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Homemade Lean Pockets

June 9, 2011 by Lindsay 11 Comments

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Last week I got an email from a reader (Hi Erica!!!) about homemade lean pockets. These have been on my to-make list pretty much since I started this blog and I’ve just never gotten around to making them.

I considered this to be the perfect opportunity!

Best of all, they’re super easy. I decided to use my go-to whole wheat pizza dough recipe for the crust. It’s not 100% whole wheat, but it’s 2/3rds…which is pretty good in my book.

The timing on this was also perfect because it gave me the opportunity to try the grilled thick crust pizza I have been pondering.

I made a big batch of dough using this recipe:

Homemade Lean Pockets

 

by Lindsay L

Keywords: bake sandwich entree healthy vegetarian black beans vegetables

Ingredients (6 pockets)

  • 1 1/2 c warm water
  • 2 1/4 tsp yeast
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 c white whole wheat flour
  • 1 c AP flour
  • diced veggies, meat, cheese, beans for filling

Instructions

1. Put the water in a big bowl and stir in the yeast and salt.

2. Add the flour and stir until combined. No kneading required.

3. Cover the bowl and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.

4. Divide dough into six portions. Roll each piece out into a rectangle.

5. Top with desired fillings and fold the sides in, pinching to create tight seams.

6. Place seam side down on a baking sheet, cut two slits in the top of each pocket and bake at 425 degrees for about 25 minutes.

*Note:

You can leave the dough in a covered bowl in the fridge for a week or so if you’re not ready to use it right away!

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Anyways, since I was just testing out this whole lean pockets idea, I only made one. You’ll have to excuse the horrible pictures. Next time I won’t try to photograph white dough on a white counter.

Moving on….I decided to make a mexican themed lean pocket for the hubby’s lunch. I broke off a piece of dough about the size of a baseball and rolled it out pretty thin on the counter. I knew it might puff up while baking and I didn’t want this to be all crust and no filling. You’ll want to roll the dough into a roughly rectangular shape.

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Then I chopped up 1/2 a leftover chicken breast and placed it down the middle of the dough. I added some onion, green pepper and black beans and topped everything off with half a slice of reduced fat pepper jack cheese. Then I folded both edges of the dough towards the middle and pinched the seams together tightly. I did the same thing with the ends. I flipped the pocket over and placed it seem side down on a silpat covered baking sheet.

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To avoid a lean pocket explosion in my oven, I cut two small holes in the top to let steam escape and baked the pocket at 425 degrees for about 25 minutes.

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The hubby inhaled his lean pocket and promptly asked where his next one was! I consider that a success.

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The cheese stayed inside…probably because I used a healthy amount! And the bottom browned but didn’t burn.

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Even though I only made one of these, you could easily make a big batch and store them in the fridge for a few days, or even freeze some and thaw them out later. To pack them in a lunch box, let them cool all the way, then wrap in foil or saran wrap and place in a ziploc bag. Remove the wrapping and heat in the microwave when ready to eat!

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The filling possibilities are endless! Just make sure to add lots of veggies and don’t go overboard with the cheeses and sauces!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

 

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About Lindsay

Lindsay Livingston is a Registered Dietitian and new mom from Columbus, Ohio. On her blog, she shares simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, workouts and snapshots of her life. Follow her on Twitter @LeanGrnBeanBlog and Instagram @TheLeanGreenBean and be sure to subscribe via RSS or email so you never miss a post!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Maria says

    June 9, 2011 at 9:23 AM

    I love it! I admit that I used to live off Lean Pockets – especially the pepperoni ones. Now I won’t touch them with a ten foot pole (I’m pretty sure the pepperoni wasn’t really pepperoni), but I love that there’s an easy alternative out there. You continue to amaze me 🙂

    Reply
  2. Nicole@HeatOvenTo350 says

    June 9, 2011 at 10:40 AM

    I’ve been pretty mean to my husband in terms of dinner lately. I’ve made food, but just not food that he would enjoy. Reading through this post I thought, “This is how I can redeem myself.” He would looove these, and I know I would like them, too. Win- win. Thank you!

    Reply
  3. Donna @ Love, Run & Travel says

    June 9, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    Well this just looks amazing Linds!!!
    However i don’t know how to NOT go overboard with the cheese 😉

    Reply
  4. Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers says

    June 9, 2011 at 12:46 PM

    That looks so yummy! I admire the work you put into it. If only I wasn’t so lazy…

    Reply
  5. Jessie @ Destination OBX says

    June 9, 2011 at 1:42 PM

    I was just doing some blog reading today and came across this post – these look absolutely delicious. I never thought to try to make these but I really want to try now! I also loved your previous post about the pizzas on the grill? What a neat concept I’ve never even imagined! I would love to eat at your house every night – everything you make looks so delicious!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      June 11, 2011 at 10:10 PM

      aww thanks. you should definitely try the lean pockets and the grilled pizza! you can use the same dough for both 🙂 super easy!

      Reply
  6. Charise says

    June 9, 2011 at 1:53 PM

    Oh, man, flashbacks to college – I LIVED on Lean Pockets when I was working a bajillion hours a week at the student paper. Looks tasty!

    Reply
  7. Parita @ myinnershakti says

    June 9, 2011 at 7:40 PM

    Love this idea – much healthier than a calzone but the same sort of concept – genius!

    Reply
  8. Jenn L @ Peas and Crayons says

    June 9, 2011 at 9:00 PM

    I am ALL OVER making a giant batch of these for my hubs so he can eat them at work and after flights when he gets home late! yesss!!! schmawesome girl! love it!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      June 11, 2011 at 10:09 PM

      woohoo!!! let me know how they turn out

      Reply
  9. Marissa says

    May 26, 2025 at 12:47 PM

    Just wanted to drop a comment that we’ve been making these for 12 years now and they’re great. These got me through grad school and now are great postpartum. I have made all sorts of variations on the filling too.

    Reply

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Lindsay Livingston The Lean Green Bean Healthy Living Tips and Tricks

I'm a Registered Dietitian and mom of three from Columbus, Ohio. I use this blog to share simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, and an honest glimpse of motherhood!

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