Air Fryer Pizza Calzones — Looking for a fun and easy-to-make alternative to traditional pizza? Try making calzones! Calzones are basically pizza turnovers – you can fill them with whatever toppings you like, and they’re perfect for a quick and tasty weeknight meal. Here’s how to make them:
Pizza calzones are a fun and easy way to get your pizza fix. They’re great for a quick, weeknight meal, and kids love them too! This recipe is simple and adaptable; you can add whatever toppings you like. So go ahead, give pizza calzones a try! You won’t be disappointed.
What is a Calzone?
What is a calzone? Most people would say it’s a pizza, but they would be wrong. A calzone is actually a type of folded-over pizza.
The dough is shaped into a semi-circle, filled with your choice of ingredients (usually cheese and meats), then air fried or baked until golden brown. Calzones make an excellent appetizer or main course and are perfect for quick weeknight meals. So the next time you’re in the mood for some Italian cuisine, give calzones a try!
Why Cook Calzones In The Air Fryer
There is nothing like an air fryer to crisp up a great piece of dough! with the hot air circulating around the dough, it crisps up to perfection!
And of course, the filings cook up, and the cheese ends up melting to perfection! A great way to cook calzones!
And clean-up is a breeze, with only one basket to clean! No messy oil spills to clean up!
Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Pizza Calzones
With only a few ingredients, this makes for a great snack, lunch, dinner, or appetizer! My kids love eating these when binging on Netflix!
- Dough: Use refrigerator pizza dough, homemade pizza dough, or frozen dough that has been defrosted!
- Sauce: You can either use pizza sauce, marinara sauce, or another sauce, like alfredo sauce!
- Mozarella Cheese: Use freshly shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Pepperoni: Used mini slices of pepperoni, or a whole pepperoni, that has been diced.
- Butter: Use unsalted butter, that has been melted.
- Seasonings/Spices: Crushed Garlic and Italian Seasoning
How To Cook Calzones In The Air Fryer
Roll out pizza dough on a lightly floured surface. Use a 3” biscuit cutter to cut circles into the dough.
Roll dough rounds out to ¼” thick.
Add 1 tbsp marinara to one side. Top marinara with diced pepperoni and mozzarella. Fold dough over the toppings and pinch seams to seal.
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F, for 5 minutes Combine melted butter, garlic, and Italian seasoning in a small bowl. Brush calzones with butter mix. Spray basket. Place pizza pockets into the basket in a single layer, careful not to let touch. Keep about 1” between the pizza pockets as they will expand as they cook.
Cook for 5 minutes. Serve with marinara as a dip and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the Difference Between Calzones and Stromboli?
Both calzones and stromboli are popular Italian-American dishes, but what’s the difference between them? Both are filled with meats, cheeses, and vegetables, but stromboli is rolled up like a wrap while calzones are folded over like a turnover!
Calzone Fillings
While today, I made a simple pizza calzone, there are so many other ways that you can make a simple calzone, here are some suggestions, from everything from fresh vegetables, to homemade dipping sauces!
- Meats: Salami, pepperoni, chorizo sauces, ham, bacon, meatballs, etc.
- Cheese: Shredded mozzarella, grated parmesan, feta, goat cheese, and even sharp cheddar!
- Vegetables: Mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, spinach, onions
- Dipping Sauces: Marinara sauce, pizza sauce, or even alfredo dip!
Storing Calzones
To Store: If you have any leftover calzones, let them cool to room temperature. Then place the calzones into an airtight container. They will last in the refrigerator for about 2 to 3 days. After that, they will become soggy.
To Freeze: You can either freeze calzones cooked, or raw. Prepared them as directed and then place them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place the baking sheet into the freezer, and freeze until they are frozen solid. Remove the frozen calzones, and place them into a freezer bag or freezer-safe container.
How To Reheat Calzone In The Air Fryer
You can reheat frozen calazones or refrigaetored calzones in the air fryer. Place them into the air fryer basket, and cook refrigerated calzones for 3 to 5 minutes, at 330 degrees F. Remove when the calzones are warmed through.
How To Cook Frozen Calzones In The Air Fryer
YOu can easily cook frozen calzones in the air fryer, set the frozen calzones into the air fryer basket, set the temperature to 350 degrees F, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, remove when the calzones are fully cooked.
More Air Fryer Lunch Recipes:
Looking for some great lunch recipes, for you and the family. Here are some of my favorites!
Air Fryer Mushrooms and Thyme Grilled Cheese: Air Fryer Mushrooms & Thyme Grilled Cheese — A delicious sandwich recipe for a quick and easy meal that’s perfect for lunch or dinner.
Air Fryer Monte Cristo Sandwich: An Air Fryer Monte Cristo Sandwich is one of my favorite air fryer sandwiches; my kids went crazy for them at Disneyland. Since they are home these days, I’m always looking for great and easy lunch ideas; I came up with this version, absolutely delicious.
Air Fryer Burgers: Air fryer burgers are tender, juicy, flavorful, and oh so simple. Cooked and ready to serve in just minutes. Minimal clean-up! You might never use your grill again.
Don’t Forget To Pin:
Do you love pizza? Do you love calzones? Well, then you are going to LOVE air fryer pizza calzones! They are easy to make and SO delicious.
- 1 can Refrigerated ready to bake pizza dough
- 1/4 cup marinara sauce
- 4 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup pepperoni, diced
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic crushed
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
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Roll out pizza dough on a lightly floured surface. Use a 3” biscuit cutter to cut circles into the dough. Roll dough rounds out to ¼” thick. Add 1 tbsp marinara to one side. Top marinara with diced pepperoni and mozzarella. Fold dough over the toppings and pinch seams to seal.
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Preheat air fryer to 400* for 5 minutes
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Combine melted butter, garlic, and italian seasoning in a small bowl. Brush calzones with butter mix
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Spray basket. Place pizza pockets into the basket in a single layer, careful not to let touch. Keep about 1” between the pizza pockets as they will expand as they cook.
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Cook for 5 minutes.
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Serve with marinara as dip and enjoy!
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