Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These air fryer calzones are a game-changer! The combination of tender chicken, gooey mozzarella, and rich Alfredo sauce wrapped in a crispy pizza dough crust is comfort food at its finest. The air fryer helps you achieve a golden, crunchy exterior in just 10 minutes, without the need for deep frying. It’s a simple, mess-free way to make calzones that are as delicious as they are satisfying. Plus, they’re easily customizable to suit your taste, and they’re perfect for meal prep or a fun family dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast, cooked and shredded
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup Alfredo sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 package pizza dough (approximately 13.8 ounces)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
1. Preheat the Air Fryer:
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
2. Prepare the Filling:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and shredded chicken breast with olive oil, Alfredo sauce, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure that all ingredients are evenly combined.
3. Roll Out the Dough:
On a flat surface, dust the pizza dough lightly with flour to prevent sticking. Use a rolling pin to stretch the dough into a rectangle, approximately 12 inches by 10 inches.
4. Cut the Dough:
Cut the dough into equal squares or rectangles, depending on the size of your air fryer basket. These will be your individual calzone pockets.
5. Fill the Calzones:
Spoon a generous amount of the chicken and cheese mixture into the center of each piece of dough. Be careful not to overfill them to prevent spillage.
6. Seal the Calzones:
Fold the dough over the filling to create a pocket. Press the edges together tightly to seal the calzone. Make sure the edges are well sealed so that the filling doesn’t leak out during cooking.
7. Brush with Egg:
Carefully brush the tops of each calzone with the beaten egg. This will give them a beautiful golden finish when cooked.
8. Add Parsley:
Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top of the calzones for added flavor and color.
9. Cook the Calzones:
Place the calzones in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they do not touch each other to allow even cooking. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and the filling is hot and bubbly.
10. Serve:
Remove the calzones from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before serving. You can serve them with extra Alfredo sauce on the side for dipping if desired.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Rest Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Variations
- Different Cheeses: If you prefer a different flavor, you can substitute the shredded mozzarella with provolone, cheddar, or even ricotta for a creamier filling.
- Add Veggies: To make these calzones even heartier, add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers to the filling mixture.
- Meat-Free: For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and add a variety of sautéed vegetables or plant-based protein alternatives.
- Spicy: If you like a little heat, sprinkle some red pepper flakes inside the filling or add sliced jalapeños for an extra kick.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Leftover calzones can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, simply place the calzones back in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes to crisp them up again.
FAQs
1. Can I make the dough from scratch?
Yes, you can make your own pizza dough if you prefer. However, store-bought pizza dough is quick, convenient, and works perfectly for this recipe.
2. Can I use a different sauce instead of Alfredo sauce?
Yes, you can substitute Alfredo sauce with marinara sauce or a pesto sauce for a different flavor profile.
3. Can I freeze the calzones?
Yes, you can freeze the uncooked calzones. Place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to cook, bake from frozen at 375°F (190°C) for about 12-15 minutes.
4. What can I serve with these calzones?
These calzones pair wonderfully with a fresh green salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables.
5. Can I make these calzones ahead of time?
You can prepare the filling and dough in advance and store them separately in the fridge. Assemble the calzones when you’re ready to cook them.
6. How do I prevent the filling from leaking out?
Make sure to press the dough edges firmly when sealing the calzones. If the dough is too thin, you may also want to try rolling it out slightly thicker.
7. Can I cook these calzones in the oven instead of the air fryer?
Yes, you can bake them in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
8. Can I add more cheese?
Absolutely! Add more mozzarella or sprinkle some Parmesan inside the filling for an extra cheesy experience.
9. How do I ensure the calzones cook evenly?
Make sure to leave enough space between each calzone in the air fryer basket so that hot air can circulate and cook them evenly.
10. How do I know when the calzones are done?
The calzones are done when they’re golden brown on the outside, and the filling is hot and bubbly. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
Conclusion
These Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones are a savory and cheesy delight, offering the perfect combination of crispy, flaky dough and creamy, rich filling. The air fryer makes them quick and easy to prepare, and the result is a delicious, golden treat that’s sure to satisfy any craving. Whether for a weeknight dinner or a casual gathering, these calzones are sure to be a hit!
Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
These Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones are a crispy, cheesy delight, combining tender chicken, creamy Alfredo sauce, and melted mozzarella wrapped in a golden-brown pizza dough crust. The air fryer ensures a perfectly crispy exterior and creamy interior.
Ingredients
1 pound chicken breast, cooked and shredded
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ cup Alfredo sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 package pizza dough (approximately 13.8 ounces)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and shredded chicken breast with olive oil, Alfredo sauce, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure that all ingredients are evenly combined.
- Roll Out the Dough: On a flat surface, dust the pizza dough lightly with flour to prevent sticking. Use a rolling pin to stretch the dough into a rectangle, approximately 12 inches by 10 inches.
- Cut the Dough: Cut the dough into equal squares or rectangles, depending on the size of your air fryer basket. These will be your individual calzone pockets.
- Fill the Calzones: Spoon a generous amount of the chicken and cheese mixture into the center of each piece of dough. Be careful not to overfill them to prevent spillage.
- Seal the Calzones: Fold the dough over the filling to create a pocket. Press the edges together tightly to seal the calzone. Make sure the edges are well sealed so that the filling doesn’t leak out during cooking.
- Brush with Egg: Carefully brush the tops of each calzone with the beaten egg. This will give them a beautiful golden finish when cooked.
- Add Parsley: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top of the calzones for added flavor and color.
- Cook the Calzones: Place the calzones in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they do not touch each other to allow even cooking. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and the filling is hot and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove the calzones from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before serving. You can serve them with extra Alfredo sauce on the side for dipping if desired.
Notes
If you prefer a different cheese, you can substitute the shredded mozzarella with provolone, cheddar, or even ricotta for a creamier filling.
If you’re looking to make a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and add sautéed vegetables or plant-based protein alternatives.
For extra heat, sprinkle some red pepper flakes inside the filling or add sliced jalapeños.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 calzone
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
