Air Fryer Cheese
Pork Pastry Pockets
Crispy on the outside with a gooey cheese pull on the inside, these air-fryer pork and pepper pastry pockets are a savory, budget-friendly homemade treat.
Making savory stuffed pastries at home is not only economical but guarantees generous, flavorful fillings. This straightforward air-fryer recipe mimics bakery-style meat pies by using convenient flatbread or paratha dough to create a beautifully flaky crust. The combination of savory minced pork, vibrant bell peppers, and stretchy mozzarella makes it an irresistible comfort food that is surprisingly easy to put together.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup chopped red onions
- 200 g minced pork
- 1/2 cup diced mixed bell peppers (red, yellow, green)
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 sheet paratha or flatbread dough
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp black sesame seeds
Instructions
- 1Sauté the onions in butter
Melt a piece of butter in a square pan over heat, then add chopped raw red onions and stir-fry them until fragrant.
Tip: Make sure the butter does not burn before adding the onions. - 2Add minced pork
Add raw minced pork directly into the pan along with the cooking onions, and cook until nicely browned.
Tip: Break up the minced pork with a spatula so it cooks evenly. - 3Mix in bell peppers
Toss in diced mixed bell peppers into the meat mixture and stir everything together to combine.
Tip: Dice the bell peppers into uniform small pieces so they blend well with the minced pork. - 4Season with soy sauce
Season the meat and vegetable mixture simply with a splash of dark soy sauce, stirring evenly until fully incorporated.
Tip: Add the soy sauce gradually to control the color and flavor depth. - 5Place filling on dough
Take a sheet of paratha or flatbread dough and use a spoon to place the cooked meat filling onto the center.
Tip: Keep the filling centered to ensure you can easily fold and seal the dough pocket. - 6Add shredded cheese
Top the meat filling generously with plenty of shredded mozzarella cheese before folding the dough over.
Tip: Use a generous amount of mozzarella for an optimal gooey cheese pull. - 7Fold and seal the dough pocket
Take the opposite edges of the paratha dough and fold them carefully over the pork and cheese filling, pressing and pinching the edges to seal them completely into a neat rectangular pocket.
Tip: Ensure the edges are firmly pressed together so the melted cheese doesnt leak out during the baking process. - 8Apply egg wash and sesame seeds
Brush the surface of the sealed dough pocket generously with egg yolk using a silicone brush to help achieve a golden, glossy crust. Sprinkle a handful of black sesame seeds evenly across the top for added aroma and visual appeal.
Tip: A thorough coat of egg wash is the secret to getting that beautiful bakery-style golden finish. - 9Transfer to the air fryer
Carefully pick up the parchment paper holding the assembled pastry and place it directly into the air fryer basket, ensuring it sits flat and centered before cooking.
Tip: Using the parchment paper makes transferring the delicate stuffed dough safe and mess-free.
