How to make pie iron pizza pockets

I am still very much hyped on my new pie iron, so here is another fun pie iron recipe to try around your next campfire. The only thing better than pizza? Pizza in the wild.

Pack these supplies to make your pie iron pizza pockets:

• Pizza dough
• Pizza sauce
• Cheese
• Fillings of your choice
• Cooking spray or butter

I like to use a pre-made dough (like Pillsbury) because they are easy to throw in your cooler. Throw the package in a large Ziploc bag before you leave so the packaging doesn’t get soggy in your cooler and so that you can save any leftover dough for later.

Don’t forget to grate the cheese and cut up the veggies before you leave so you can whip your campfire pizza together with zero effort!

How to make your pie iron pizza pocket:

1. Take the pie iron apart and grease both sides using a cooking spray or butter
2. Cover one side of the pie iron with dough
3. Add pizza sauce, cheese, and fillings
4. Cover the top of the pizza with more dough
5. Press the edges of the dough together with your fingers
6. Put the pie iron back together and cook it over the fire until both sides are golden

You want to keep your pie iron close enough to the fire to cook the pizza pocket but not so close that it burns. The slower, the better. Try to resist the urge to open the pie iron until you are convinced that the dough is cooked enough to maintain its structural integrity, then you can check periodically until you’ve reached your desired crustiness.

My favorite campfire pizza combos:

Classic pepperoni — Pick up pre-made dough, a squeeze bottle of pizza sauce, shredded cheese, and pepperoni — you are basically done. If you are looking for an option that requires literally zero prep beforehand, here you go!

Taco — You can use salsa or pizza sauce. Layer cheese, tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, and taco meat (ground beef + taco seasoning). Add crushed tortilla chips (or Doritos) for an extra crunch.

Hawaiian — Coming straight from Canada: the Hawaiian pizza. Yep, that’s right — Canada was the birthplace of pineapple on pizza. Add pizza sauce, cheese, pineapple chunks, and ham. You can use actual ham (or Canadian bacon!) but I just rip up some pieces of deli meat.

Chicken bacon ranch — Save yourself the dishes and cook a chicken breast before you leave town. Instead of pizza sauce, substitute ranch dressing. Add cheese, tomatoes, onions, shredded chicken, and crumbled bacon (save a piece from breakfast!).

BBQ chicken — Use barbecue sauce instead of pizza sauce. Layer cheese, shredded chicken, bell peppers, and onions. If you want some kick, add banana peppers too.

Greek — Layer pizza sauce, cheese, spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, and black olives. If you need some meat, add pepperoni or ham. If you have room in your cooler, adding a little bit of feta will take it to the next level.

Since you already have the dough, you might as well finish the night with a pie iron dessert. Check out these dessert ideas!

Who knew a campfire and a pie iron could be the secret to the perfect pizza night under the stars? Here is to memories as warm as your campfire creations! Which combinations are you going to try? I want to know in the comments.