Air Fryer Calzones

Behind This Air Fryer Calzones Recipe

I originally created this recipe back in 2020 after trying chicken alfredo calzones on the seasonal menu at Olive Garden. In my original recipe, I deep fried these, which were delicious but not as realistic for most people. Deep frying isn’t the most convenient option and air frying is certainly better for a few reasons. (Not needing to deal with lots of grease, being the top one.)

The fun thing about these air fryer calzones is that they can be filling with any toppings. I included my chicken alfredo version in the recipe card, complete with rotisserie chicken and homemade alfredo sauce, and I definitely recommend giving it a try. It’s SO good. But feel free to swap the chicken for your favorite toppings and the alfredo sauce for marinara sauce for a more traditional calzone.

The only downside to this recipe is the urge to dive in before they cool off in the center. Guaranteed your impatience will result in burning your mouth with the molten cheese inside – don’t say I didn’t warn you 🙂

Tips from My Kitchen

• Watch my TikTok video. If you aren’t familiar working with pizza dough or folding the edges on calzones, you can get a visual of  my method in my TikTok video. There are also lots of great YouTube videos on the topic as well.
• Don’t roll pizza dough with a rolling pin. You will become extremely frustrated by its constant retracting, making it feel near impossible to spread the dough. Instead, use both hands to gently tug the dough pulling and stretching. Allow the weigh of the dough to work to your advantage.
• Avoid overcrowding air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to make these in batches. I use the Ninja Foodie XL which has two baskets and each can hold two and cook simultaneously.
• Leave the edges sauce-free. Spread the sauce in the center of the dough, leaving a nice sauce-free border. If there’s sauce to the edges, the dough won’t seal when you fold it over.
• Don’t overfill the calzones. I totally get the urge to completely stuff the calzone with alllll the yummy fillings. But remember that the dough has to be folded in half and if the fillings are piled too high, the dough won’t reach over to seal. Plus, it can become too heavy and cause the dough to break.

What Pizza Dough Is Best For Calzones?

Did you know that most pizza restaurants will sell their dough? I love to get my dough for these calzones from my favorite local restaurant. It’s usually  higher quality than ones you can get at the super market.

If that’s not an option, any refrigerated pizza dough or homemade pizza dough will work.

Pick Your Favorite Filling

As I mentioned above, I started making these as chicken alfredo calzones based on the seasonal menu at Olive Garden, so the ingredients listed in the recipe card reflect that version. But you can customize your air fryer calzones with literally any filling combination you’d like. Here are some ideas:

• Chicken alfredo calzones – This is my favorite and I share the full process in the recipe card, including my favorite homemade alfredo sauce. If you’re short on time, jarred alfredo sauce also works but the homemade version is so easy!
• Buffalo chicken calzones – Use shredded or diced chicken tossed in your favorite buffalo sauce with mozzarella cheese, then dip the calzones in ranch dressing to serve. You can also use leftover buffalo chicken dip as the filling.
• Chicken bacon ranch calzones – Add shredded or diced chicken, crispy bacon, and mozzarella cheese inside. Dip in ranch dressing to serve or add some inside.
• Meat lover’s calzones – Load it up with your favorite meats, like pepperoni, diced ham, bacon, and crumbled sausage, plus mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce. (Or serve marinara on the side.)
• Veggie calzones – Any veggies go! You can saute the veggies first and drain any excess grease or water to ensure the filling doesn’t get too soggy.
• Your favorite combination – Hawaiian calzones, caprese calzones, plain pepperoni and cheese…the possibilities are really endless here! If it goes on a pizza, it can go in a calzone.

How To Make Air Fryer Calzones

Homemade calzones are surprisingly quick and easy to make, especially if you start with store-bought dough. You can have these on the table in under 30 minutes! The printable instructions can be found in the recipe card below.

• Prepare the sauce & ingredients. If you’re making chicken alfredo calzones, follow the instructions to make the alfredo sauce in the recipe card below. Otherwise, grab the filling and sauce you plan to use. Pre-cook any meats or veggies as needed.

• Shape the dough. Separate the pizza dough into 4-ounce balls. Work each ball of dough into a 6″ round pizza shape.
• Add the toppings. Spread a tablespoon of sauce in the center of the dough, leaving the edges free. Add the toppings and cheese on one half of the sauce.

• Fold and seal. Fold the dough in half over the fillings. Press down to seal and pinch the edge of the dough together and fold back. Repeat with each calzone.
• Add the parsley butter. Melt the butter in a bowl and add the parsley. Brush over the calzones in the air fryer.

• Air fryer. Cook the calzones at 375 for 8 minutes. They should be golden brown on the outside. Brush with butter again about halfway through and immediately after cooking.
• Enjoy. Serve immediately with marinara sauce for dipping (or ranch, depending on the filling).

Make Ahead & Storage

You know I love a recipe that works well for meal prep, especially one I can keep in the freezer for busy weeknights, so it’s no wonder I love these calzones so much.

Leftover calzones can be kept in the fridge for 3-4 days. They also freeze for up to 3 months. Just let them cool completely then freeze.

The best way to reheat air fryer calzones is, surprise, in the air fryer. Leftovers from the fridge can be reheated in less than 5 minutes at 375F. Frozen calzones don’t need to be thawed, they’ll just take a few extra minutes to heat through.

I like to brush them with more parsley butter when they’re reheating.