Homemade Pocket Sandwiches

Kids and parents alike can appreciate the comfort and convenience of pocket sandwiches: the savory handheld pastries synonymous with childhood. With flavors like pizza, ham and cheese, or cheesesteak, these hot sandwiches can really hit the spot on a cold winter day. An ultimate form of comfort food, these quick and filling meals bring a warm sense of nostalgia to “kids” of every age.

While you’re likely most familiar with the prepackaged frozen version of these sandwiches, you can also make them from scratch using sliced Martin’s sandwich bread. This allows you to have full control over what goes into your sandwich; you can add in your favorite pizza toppings, deli meats, or vegetables to make it your own. You also have the flexibility to make a healthier or “lighter” version of your favorites.

Martin’s sliced sandwich breads—Potato Bread, Old-Fashioned Real Butter Bread, and 100% Whole Wheat Potato Bread—make the perfect “pockets” for these types of sandwiches. Using any of several various methods, add your desired fillings between two layers of bread, crimp and seal the edges with egg wash, then bake to warm, gooey deliciousness!

Pocket Sandwich Recipes:

Hot “pocket sandwiches” are great for weeknight family dinners, or quick after-school snacks. Check out these three recipe variations, each using a different preparation technique!

Meatball Marinara Pocket Sandwiches

These warm and comforting pocket sandwiches are filled with Italian-seasoned mini meatballs, marinara sauce, and mozzarella cheese, and stuffed between two slices of Martin’s Old-Fashioned Real Butter Bread. For this method, remove the crusts from the bread, add the filling, then seal with a bit of egg wash and crimp the top and bottom slices with a fork.

Recipe: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/meatball-marinara-pocket-sandwiches

Ham & Cheese Pocket Sandwiches

A lunchtime classic, reimagined in a fun and creative way! These sandwich pockets are filled with sautéed ham steak and cheddar cheese, between two slices of Martin’s Potato Bread. For this method, use a sandwich crimper tool (or a round cookie cutter) and a bit of egg wash to form and seal the circle-shaped sandwich pockets.

Recipe: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/ham-cheese-pocket-sandwiches

Philly Cheesesteak Pocket Sandwiches

You don’t have to be from southeastern Pennsylvania to enjoy these oven-baked pocket sandwiches filled with sautéed onions, bell peppers, thinly-sliced steak, and melted cheese, tucked inside Martin’s 100% Whole Wheat Potato Bread. For this method, flatten the bread slices with a rolling pin, crusts included, then fill one corner with cheesesteak filling, fold opposite corners together to meet, seal with egg wash and crimp the edges with a fork.

Recipe: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/philly-cheesesteak-pocket-sandwiches

For a Grab-and-Go Snack:

Pocket sandwiches can also be a convenient make-ahead meal for those busy weeknights. You can prepare a whole batch of sandwiches ahead of time, then freeze them individually for a quick after-school snack or dinner option of those nights when you’re crunched for time.

Prepare the sandwiches according to the below recipes, allow to cool for several minutes, then wrap tightly in aluminum foil and store in the freezer for up to two weeks. When ready to enjoy, reheat in a 375°F toaster oven for 4-5 minutes, still wrapped in foil, then unwrap and bake or toast for an additional 1-2 minutes to crisp up the outside. Check that the sandwich filling is heated through, then wrap in a paper towel or aluminum foil and you’re ready for a handheld snack on the go!