Italian Street-Style Panzerotti with Tomato and Mozzarella

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Hand-folded panzerotti filled with fresh tomato, mozzarella, and basil, fried until golden and bubbling with melted cheese — a classic Italian street snack. This italian-inspired street food ready in about 45 minutes pairs store-bought or homemade pizza dough, diced fresh mozzarella, medium, diced ripe tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.4 (9 ratings) Prep: 30 min Cook: 15 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: On a lightly floured surface, roll out 1 lb pizza dough into a 12-inch circle and cut into 6 equal rounds, about 6 inches each.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, combine 8 oz diced fresh mozzarella, 2 diced ripe tomatoes, 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp garlic powder.
  3. Step 3: Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the filling onto one half of each dough round, leaving a 1/2-inch border.
  4. Step 4: Moisten edges with water and fold dough over to form a half-moon. Press edges firmly and crimp with a fork to seal.
  5. Step 5: Heat about 2 cups olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat to 350°F. Fry panzerotti in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and puffed.
  6. Step 6: Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve warm immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Italian Street-Style Panzerotti with Tomato and Mozzarella take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (30 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Italian Street-Style Panzerotti with Tomato and Mozzarella?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep diced fresh mozzarella from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Italian Street-Style Panzerotti with Tomato and Mozzarella?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Italian Street-Style Panzerotti with Tomato and Mozzarella for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Italian Street-Style Panzerotti with Tomato and Mozzarella?

Italian street food like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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