Filled with savory tomato sauce and melted cheese, crispy fried panzerotti will instantly transport you to the streets of Southern Italy.

Cheesy Panzerotti Recipe: How to Make Panzerotti at Home

An Italian panzerotto (or panzerotti in the plural form) is a deep-fried, semi-circular dough pocket filled with cheese, [marinara sauce](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-marinara-sauce), and other traditional pizza toppings. Originating in Southern Italy, chefs prepare this popular street food with various sweet and savory fillings, ranging from savory cold cuts and cheeses to sweet spreads.
Panzerotti and calzones are very similar, as they are both dough pockets filled with savory fillings that you might see on top of a pizza. However, the easiest way to distinguish between the dough pockets is to look at their respective cooking methods and size.

[Calzones](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/calzone-recipe) get cooked inside an oven, while chefs typically deep-fry panzerotti in oil until they are crispy and golden brown. Additionally, calzones are generally large enough for multiple diners to share, while panzerotti are much smaller. (Diners can typically hold a panzerotto in one hand.) 
Follow these tips to make the best panzerotti possible: 

1. __Use a dough shortcut__. To save time, use store-bought pizza dough to make panzerotti. Allow the refrigerated dough to come to room temperature before dividing it into individual portions and rolling it out with a rolling pin. 
2. __Experiment with fillings__. Fill this versatile dish with the savory or sweet fillings of your choice. Incorporate additional meats (like sausage, prosciutto, [mortadella](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/mortadella), and pepperoni), cheeses (like provolone, Parmesan, and [ricotta](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-homemade-ricotta-cheese-tips-and-3-ingredient-recipe)), and veggies (like peppers, onions, and spinach) to suit your preferences. Make dessert panzerotti with sweet fillings like hazelnut spread, [chocolate ganache](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/chef-dominique-ansels-chocolate-ganache-recipe), jam, or sweetened ricotta. Dust your sweet panzerotti with powdered sugar before serving. 
3. __Bake or fry the dough pockets__. Although these pizza pockets typically get fried in hot oil, you can also prepare them in the oven. Bake the assembled panzerotti in a 350-degree-Fahrenheit oven for about 20–25 minutes, until they are golden.
4. __Store properly__. Leftover panzerotti will keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For long-term storage, wrap the panzerotti tightly in plastic wrap, place them in a zip-top bag, and store them in the freezer for up to 2 months. To reheat the frozen panzerotti, warm them in a 300-degree-Fahrenheit oven for 30 minutes.
Filled with savory tomato sauce and melted cheese, crispy fried panzerotti will instantly transport you to the streets of Southern Italy.

An Italian panzerotto (or panzerotti in the plural form) is a deep-fried, semi-circular dough pocket filled with cheese, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-marinara-sauce' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-marinara-sauce","linkCopy":"marinara sauce","category":null}'>marinara sauce</a>, and other traditional pizza toppings. Originating in Southern Italy, chefs prepare this popular street food with various sweet and savory fillings, ranging from savory cold cuts and cheeses to sweet spreads.

What Are Panzerotti?

Panzerotti and calzones are very similar, as they are both dough pockets filled with savory fillings that you might see on top of a pizza. However, the easiest way to distinguish between the dough pockets is to look at their respective cooking methods and size.<a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/calzone-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/calzone-recipe","linkCopy":"Calzones","category":null}'>Calzones</a> get cooked inside an oven, while chefs typically deep-fry panzerotti in oil until they are crispy and golden brown. Additionally, calzones are generally large enough for multiple diners to share, while panzerotti are much smaller. (Diners can typically hold a panzerotto in one hand.)

What Are the Differences Between Panzerotti and Calzones?

Follow these tips to make the best panzerotti possible: <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Use a dough shortcut. To save time, use store-bought pizza dough to make panzerotti. Allow the refrigerated dough to come to room temperature before dividing it into individual portions and rolling it out with a rolling pin. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Experiment with fillings. Fill this versatile dish with the savory or sweet fillings of your choice. Incorporate additional meats (like sausage, prosciutto, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/mortadella' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/mortadella","linkCopy":"mortadella","category":null}'>mortadella</a>, and pepperoni), cheeses (like provolone, Parmesan, and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-homemade-ricotta-cheese-tips-and-3-ingredient-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-homemade-ricotta-cheese-tips-and-3-ingredient-recipe","linkCopy":"ricotta","category":null}'>ricotta</a>), and veggies (like peppers, onions, and spinach) to suit your preferences. Make dessert panzerotti with sweet fillings like hazelnut spread, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/chef-dominique-ansels-chocolate-ganache-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/chef-dominique-ansels-chocolate-ganache-recipe","linkCopy":"chocolate ganache","category":null}'>chocolate ganache</a>, jam, or sweetened ricotta. Dust your sweet panzerotti with powdered sugar before serving. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Bake or fry the dough pockets. Although these pizza pockets typically get fried in hot oil, you can also prepare them in the oven. Bake the assembled panzerotti in a 350-degree-Fahrenheit oven for about 20–25 minutes, until they are golden. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Store properly. Leftover panzerotti will keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For long-term storage, wrap the panzerotti tightly in plastic wrap, place them in a zip-top bag, and store them in the freezer for up to 2 months. To reheat the frozen panzerotti, warm them in a 300-degree-Fahrenheit oven for 30 minutes. </li></ol>

4 Tips for Making a Panzerotti

Cheesy Panzerotti Recipe

Filled with savory tomato sauce and melted cheese, crispy fried panzerotti will instantly transport you to the streets of Southern Italy.

Filled with savory tomato sauce and melted cheese, crispy fried panzerotti will instantly transport you to the streets of Southern Italy.
