Crispy Golden Air Fryer Calzones Recipe: Homemade Joy in Minutes

Crafting the perfect crispy air fryer calzones demands a touch of culinary magic that transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering delight.

Homemade calzones burst with flavor when cooked in an air fryer, creating a golden-brown exterior that crackles with each bite.

Cheese melts into a gooey river, while savory fillings nestle inside delicate dough pockets waiting to be devoured.

The air fryer works its miraculous charm, delivering restaurant-quality results right in your kitchen.

Quick and easy preparation means you can whip up these delectable parcels in no time.

The aroma of bubbling cheese and seasoned fillings will draw everyone to the table, eager to experience this irresistible meal.

Prepare to savor every crispy, cheesy moment of these incredible air fryer calzones that promise to become your new favorite comfort food.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need For Air Fryer Calzones

• Pizza Dough: Provides the perfect chewy and crisp foundation, choose fresh or refrigerated dough for best texture.
• Flour: Essential for preventing sticking and ensuring smooth dough rolling, use all-purpose for consistent results.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Delivers classic stretchy meltiness, select full-fat version for richer flavor.
• Ricotta Cheese: Adds creamy, smooth texture, opt for whole milk ricotta for best consistency.
• Parmesan Cheese: Brings sharp, salty depth, choose freshly grated for maximum flavor intensity.
• Pizza Sauce: Creates zesty foundational flavor, select high-quality jarred or homemade sauce.

• Italian Seasoning: Contributes authentic herb profile, look for blend with oregano, basil, and thyme.
• Garlic Powder: Provides subtle aromatic kick, ensure it's fresh and fragrant.
• Egg: Creates golden, glossy exterior, use fresh large egg for best wash.
• Olive Oil: Alternative to egg wash, offers rich flavor and beautiful sheen.

Tools To Use For Air Fryer Calzones

• Air fryer: Essential for cooking the calzones with crispy, golden results.
• Rolling pin: Perfect for evenly rolling out the pizza dough into circles.
• Mixing bowl: Ideal for preparing egg wash or mixing fillings.
• Fork: Great for crimping and sealing the calzone edges.
• Pastry brush: Needed for applying egg wash or olive oil to create a shiny crust.
• Cutting board: Useful surface for rolling out dough and preparing ingredients.
• Whisk: Helps beat the egg for the golden wash.

Steps To Cook Air Fryer Calzones

• Prep the Crispy Pocket

Roll out soft dough into perfect half-circles, creating a canvas for delicious flavors. Make sure the surface is lightly dusted with flour for smooth rolling.

• Load with Tasty Goodness

Spread a layer of zesty sauce on one side of dough, then pile on gooey cheese and your favorite ingredients. Create a flavor explosion that’ll make taste buds dance.

• Craft the Perfect Seal

Fold dough over filling, creating a beautiful crescent shape. Use fork edges to crimp and lock in all the mouthwatering ingredients, ensuring nothing escapes.

• Golden Brown Magic

Brush the outside with whisked egg for a stunning shine and extra crunch. This step transforms your pocket from simple to spectacular.

• Air Fry to Perfection

Slide your creation into the air fryer basket. Cook at 375F for 8-10 minutes, flipping midway to guarantee an even, crispy exterior that’s golden and irresistible.

• Serve and Savor

Let your calzones rest briefly, then slice and serve with extra sauce for dipping. Watch everyone’s eyes light up as they dig into these homemade delights.

Tips To Try With Air Fryer Calzones

• Perfectly Crispy Crust: Brush the dough edges with water before crimping to ensure a tight seal and prevent filling from leaking during air frying.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Experiment with different cheese combinations like gouda, blue cheese, or provolone to create unique flavor profiles that elevate your calzone experience.
• Veggie Power Boost: Transform this recipe into a vegetarian delight by replacing meat with roasted vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini for added nutrition and texture.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional pizza dough with gluten-free alternatives made from cauliflower, almond flour, or pre-made gluten-free pizza dough to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising taste.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare calzones in advance and refrigerate uncooked for up to 24 hours, or freeze for up to one month. When ready to enjoy, air fry directly from refrigerated or frozen state, adding a few extra minutes to cooking time.

Ways To Serve Air Fryer Calzones

• Picnic Perfect Delight: Pack these golden calzones in a cute lunch box with some fresh greens and sliced fruits for a delightful outdoor meal.
• Cozy Movie Night Companion: Serve alongside a cold beer or crisp soda, creating the ultimate comfort food experience with marinara sauce for dipping.
• Game Day Crowd-Pleaser: Cut calzones into smaller bite-sized pieces for easy sharing during sports events or casual gatherings, letting friends enjoy these cheesy treasures.
• Family Dinner Star: Plate these hot calzones with a simple side salad and garnish with fresh basil leaves to elevate the presentation and add a touch of freshness.

Store Air Fryer Calzones The Easy Way

• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep calzones in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Wrap each calzone individually in aluminum foil to maintain freshness and prevent moisture buildup.
• Freezer-Friendly Technique: Freeze uncooked or cooked calzones by placing them on a baking sheet, then transferring to a freezer-safe bag. Uncooked calzones stay good for 2 months, while cooked versions last 1 month. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Reheating Magic: Revive refrigerated calzones in the air fryer at 350F for 3-4 minutes. Frozen calzones need 5-6 minutes, ensuring a crispy exterior and warm, gooey center. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent soggy texture.
• Portion Control Trick: Prepare extra calzones during meal prep. Separate them with parchment paper before storing, making it simple to grab individual servings for quick lunches or dinners. Perfect for busy weekdays and grab-and-go meals.

Crispy Air Fryer Calzones Recipe

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4.8 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Homemade air fryer calzones bring Italian pizzeria flavors straight to home kitchens with minimal effort. Crispy golden crusts and melted cheese inside make this recipe a quick weeknight dinner solution you’ll crave repeatedly.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound (454 g) pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 cup (240 ml) shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup (120 ml) ricotta cheese
• ½ cup (120 ml) pizza sauce
• ½ cup (120 ml) sliced pepperoni or other toppings (mushrooms, sausage, bell peppers, etc.)
• ¼ cup (60 ml) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil (for brushing)
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 egg (for egg wash, optional)
• ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour (for rolling)

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Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Dust work surface with flour and roll pizza dough into uniform 6-inch circular shapes with consistent 1/4-inch thickness.
2. Filling Assembly: Spread pizza sauce on one half of each dough circle, maintaining a small border. Layer mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan cheeses, then season with Italian seasoning and garlic powder.
3. Customization: Incorporate desired protein or vegetable toppings like pepperoni, sausage, spinach, or mushrooms to personalize calzone filling.
4. Sealing Technique: Fold bare dough half over loaded side, creating a half-moon pocket. Press edges firmly using fingertips and crimp with fork to ensure secure closure and prevent leakage.
5. Egg Wash: Whisk egg and delicately brush calzone exteriors to enhance golden-brown coloration and crispy texture.
6. Air Frying Process: Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Arrange calzones in single layer within basket, ensuring adequate heat circulation. Cook for 8-10 minutes, rotating midway to achieve uniform browning and crispness.
7. Serving: Remove calzones and rest for 2-3 minutes to stabilize internal temperature. Plate with warm pizza sauce for dipping, creating an inviting culinary presentation.

Notes

• Flour Surface Strategically: Dust work surface lightly to prevent dough sticking and ensure smooth stretching without tearing.
• Seal Edges Meticulously: Press calzone edges firmly and use fork crimping technique to prevent cheese and filling from leaking during air frying.
• Control Moisture Carefully: Avoid using watery vegetables like fresh tomatoes to prevent soggy calzone interiors; pre-cook or drain moisture-rich ingredients.
• Egg Wash Technique: Brush egg wash sparingly and evenly to achieve golden-brown exterior without creating excess greasiness on the surface.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg