I swear, every time I make these Air Fryer Calzones, I hear my mom’s voice saying, “It’s pizza night, but make it fancy.” These are blowing up online, probably because they’re warm, handheld, and highly stuffable the TikTok crowd is obsessed, and I get it.
They’re like a cozy little pizza sandwich, hugged by crescent roll dough and packed with mozzarella, marinara, and your pick of fillings. If Air Fryer Crescent Rolls and Air Fryer Sandwiches had a baby, it would be this weeknight miracle. Full details in the blog!
I’ve tested about five versions trying to get that perfect melty-middle-to-crisp-outside ratio. My kid said it tastes “like a pizza hug” my highest honor. These might look all modern, but trust me, this is comfort food magic. I tested it. You’ll love the secret!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Calzones
These little pockets of joy are the perfect balance of cozy and practical! Here’s why they’ll be your new favorite:
Quick & Easy: Made with store-bought pizza dough and air fried in under 30 minutes.
Customizable: Mix-and-match fillings to suit everyone’s taste buds. Hello, family dinner hero!
No Oven Required: The air fryer does all the work, keeping the kitchen cool and cleanup simple.
Perfectly Nostalgic: Think pizza night’s more sophisticated cousin, but still fun and comforting.
Key Ingredients (+ Swaps!)
This recipe uses simple, everyday ingredients that make these calzones practical but oh-so-tasty! Here’s what you’ll need:
Pizza Dough: Store-bought or homemade works. Crescent roll dough can work too for a flakier, buttery vibe.
Cheese Trio: Ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan are the dream team here. Cheddar or feta could jump in, too.
Protein Options: Pepperoni, sausage, or chicken are your MVPs. Want a veggie vibe? Skip the meat and load up on spinach.
Seasonings: Garlic powder and oregano bring those classic pizza flavors to lifedon’t skip them!
Ingredient
Swap Ideas
Pizza dough
Crescent roll dough or puff pastry
Ricotta cheese
Mascarpone or cottage cheese
Meat filling
Anything cookedleftover ground beef, bacon, or deli turkey
Spinach
Arugula, kale, or cooked mushrooms
Step-by-Step: How to Make Air Fryer Calzones
Don’t stress, making these calzones is easy and fun! Here’s how it works:
Roll Out Dough: Start by rolling your pizza dough into a big, thin circle (about ¼ inch thick). A floured surface will keep things from sticking!
Cut & Fill: Slice the dough into 6–8 inch circles. Add a hearty scoop of your cheese-meat mixture onto one half of each circledon’t overfill!
Seal with Love: Fold the dough over the filling and crimp the edges with a fork. Think of these as little love letters to your taste buds.
Brush & Air Fry: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Dab on an egg wash for that golden finish, then air fry in batches for 10-15 minutes until crisp and bubbly.
Step
Key Tip
Rolling dough
Let the dough rest at room temp for easier handling.
Filling calzones
Leave about ½ inch at the edges for sealing.
Air frying
Don’t overcrowd the basketdo it in batches to ensure even cooking.
Troubleshooting & Tips
If something goes a little off, don’t worryit happens to all of us! Here’s how to troubleshoot common issues:
Leaking Fillings: Be sure to seal the edges tightly. A fork press works wonders here.
Over-brown Tops: Check your air fryer settingslower the temp slightly and add foil on top if needed.
Dough Undercooked: Air fry an extra 2–3 minutes or flip the calzones halfway for even browning.
Serving Ideas & Storing Leftovers
Warm, handy, and downright addictive, these calzones are best with marinara on the side for dipping! For a full meal, serve them:
With a crisp Caesar salad or roasted veggies
Alongside a quick soup for that ultimate cozy combo
Got leftovers? Don’t toss thempop them in the fridge or freezer for a quick snack later. Here’s how:
Storage Method
How Long
Reheat Tip
Refrigerator
2–3 days
Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes.
Freezer
1 month
Defrost first, then air fry at 350°F for 8–10 minutes.
Expert Insight: Mastering Air Fryer Calzones
Using an air fryer for calzones offers a crisp, evenly cooked crust without excess oil, replicating traditional oven results more efficiently. The circulating hot air ensures the fillings stay warm and melty, making air fryer calzones both a convenient and tasty choice for homemade Italian fare.
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The Road to Foolproof Air Fryer Calzones
After several rounds of crispy outsides with doughy middles (and one slightly smoky batch), I finally nailed these air fryer calzones. It was a mix of timing, temperature, and patiencelessons learned the hard way but worth every delicious bite my family devoured.
FAQs ( Air Fryer Calzones: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe for 4 Easy Servings )
How long do air fryer calzones take to cook?
Air fryer calzones typically take 8-12 minutes to cook at 375°F, depending on their size and thickness. You’ll want to flip them halfway through cooking to ensure even browning on both sides. Start checking them at the 8-minute mark to avoid overcooking. The calzones are done when they’re golden brown and crispy on the outside, with an internal temperature of 165°F.
What are the best calzone filling ideas for air fryer cooking?
Classic combinations like ricotta, mozzarella, and pepperoni work beautifully in air fryer calzones. You can also try spinach and feta, ham and cheese, or even breakfast fillings with scrambled eggs and bacon. Keep fillings relatively dry to prevent soggy bottoms, and don’t overstuff them. Popular options include pizza sauce with Italian sausage, mushrooms with cheese, or even sweet fillings like Nutella and banana for dessert calzones.
Can you make easy calzones with pizza dough in an air fryer?
Absolutely! Pizza dough is perfect for making easy calzones in an air fryer and creates that authentic crispy exterior. You can use store-bought pizza dough, homemade dough, or even refrigerated biscuit dough for a quick version. Roll the dough into circles, add your fillings, fold and seal the edges well. The air fryer’s circulating hot air creates a perfectly crispy crust that rivals traditional oven-baked calzones.
Do you need to preheat the air fryer for calzones?
Yes, preheating your air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 375°F is recommended for the best results with calzones. This ensures even cooking from the moment you place them in the basket and helps achieve that perfect golden-brown crust. Preheating also prevents the dough from sticking to the basket. While some air fryers cook well without preheating, taking this extra step will give you more consistent and professional-looking results every time.
How do you prevent air fryer calzones from opening during cooking?
Proper sealing is key to preventing calzones from bursting open in the air fryer. Press the edges firmly with a fork or your fingers, creating a tight seal all around the perimeter. Leave about a half-inch border of dough when adding fillings, and avoid overstuffing them. You can also brush the edges with beaten egg or water before sealing for extra adhesion. Make sure your filling isn’t too wet, as excess moisture can cause the dough to separate during cooking.
Wrapping Up Your Air Fryer Calzones Adventure
These Air Fryer Calzones come together fastabout 30 minutes from start to “I’m starving!” They’re perfectly crispy outside, melty inside, and crazy easy. You’ll love how this cozy, homemade treat turns weeknight dinner into a fun, no-fuss family moment.
Feeling adventurous? Swap pizza dough for buttery Air Fryer Crescent Rolls, or sneak in spinach for a veggie boost. Leftovers reheat like a charm in the air fryertrust me, I learned that trick from a seasoned home cook. Keep those kitchen hacks coming!
Got a favorite filling or funny kitchen mishap with your calzones? Snap a pic, share your story, and let’s swap tipsbecause cooking’s better with friends cheering from the sidelines. Make these once, and you’ll wanna make ’em again. Cozy comfort, served fresh!
Air Fryer Calzones offer a quick and delicious way to enjoy homemade calzones with minimal effort. These easy recipes pair perfectly with Air Fryer Crescent Rolls and feature versatile Calzone Filling Ideas. Enjoy a tasty twist on a classic favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
1 package of pizza dough store-bought or homemade
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup cooked meats pepperoni sausage or chicken diced
1 cup fresh spinach or arugula chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1 egg for egg wash
Marinara sauce for dipping
Instructions
Prepare the Dough If you’re using store-bought pizza dough let it come to room temperature according to package instructions For homemade ensure it is rolled out into a thin sheet.
Mix Fillings In a bowl combine ricotta cheese mozzarella cheese Parmesan cheese cooked meats spinach oregano garlic powder salt and pepper Stir until well combined.
Roll Out the Dough On a floured surface roll out the pizza dough into a large circle about ¼ inch thick.
Cut the Dough Use a pizza cutter or knife to cut the dough into large circles about 6-8 inches in diameter.
Fill the Calzones Place a generous scoop of the cheese and meat mixture on one half of each dough circle leaving enough space at the edges to seal.
Fold and Seal Fold the half without filling over the filled half Pinch the edges tightly to seal or use a fork to crimp the edges.
Prepare for Air Frying Preheat the air fryer to 375°F 190°C Brush the tops of the calzones with beaten egg for a golden finish.
Air Fry the Calzones Place the calzones in the air fryer basket in a single layer Depending on your air fryer size you may need to cook them in batches Air fry for 10-15 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
Check for Doneness Ensure that the filling is bubbly and the dough is cooked If needed add a couple of extra minutes.
Serve Allow the calzones to cool slightly before serving They are best enjoyed right out of the air fryer.
Notes
For a golden finish brush the calzones with egg wash before air frying
Customize the filling with your favorite ingredients to make it your own
Sharing a handpicked collection of easy, healthy recipes made in our family kitchen. Rachel brings comforting classics, while Emily adds fresh, modern ideas together creating meals that are simple, flavorful, and family-friendly.
