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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- Dough Preparation: Dust work surface with flour and roll pizza dough into uniform 6-inch circular shapes with consistent 1/4-inch thickness.
- 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.
- Customization: Incorporate desired protein or vegetable toppings like pepperoni, sausage, spinach, or mushrooms to personalize calzone filling.
- 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.
- Egg Wash: Whisk egg and delicately brush calzone exteriors to enhance golden-brown coloration and crispy texture.
- 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.
- 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