Air Fryer Calzones: A Quick, Easy, And Delicious Treat

Calzones are a popular Italian dish that can be made in an air fryer. They are a great alternative to traditional pizza and can be cooked in less time. The process of making calzones in an air fryer is simple and can be easily customised based on individual preferences. The key steps involve preparing the dough, adding fillings, sealing the calzone, and air frying it. The result is a delicious, crispy, and gooey treat that can be served as a snack, lunch, or dinner.

Air fryer calzone recipe and ingredients

Air fryer calzones are a quick and easy meal that can be made in under 30 minutes. They are a fun alternative to pizza and can be made with a variety of fillings to suit your taste. This recipe will guide you through the steps to make delicious air fryer calzones, with tips on ingredients and preparation.

Ingredients:

• Pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
• Pizza/tomato sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• Toppings of your choice (meat, vegetables, cheese, etc.)
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Salt, Italian seasoning, or other seasonings (optional)

Recipe:

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

If using store-bought dough, take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before assembling the calzones. For homemade dough, prepare the dough according to your recipe, and divide it into equal portions (4-8 pieces, depending on the size of your calzones).

Step 2: Roll and Fill the Dough

Roll each piece of dough into a circle, about 6-9 inches in diameter and 1/8 inch thick. Spread pizza sauce on one half of the circle, leaving a border of about 1-2 inches. Add your desired toppings, such as cheese, meat, and vegetables. Remember to cook any meats and vegetables beforehand.

Step 3: Seal and Shape the Calzone

Fold the clean side of the dough over the filled side to create a half-moon shape. Gently twist and pinch the edges together to seal the calzone securely. You can also use a fork to press down on the edges for a firmer seal.

Step 4: Air Frying

Brush the air fryer basket with olive oil or coat it with cooking spray. Place one or two calzones in the basket, making sure they don't touch. Air fry at 370-400°F for 7-12 minutes, checking halfway through. The calzones are done when they are golden brown.

Tips:

• To add extra flavour, brush the tops of the calzones with garlic butter, sprinkle with Italian seasoning, or top with parmesan cheese halfway through cooking.
• For gluten-free options, use gluten-free pizza dough or pie crust.
• If you want to freeze your calzones, place them on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for 3 hours before transferring to freezer-safe storage.

How to assemble an air fryer calzone

Ingredients

Firstly, you will need pizza dough. You can make your own or buy it from the store. You will also need a filling of your choice, such as meat, vegetables, and cheese. Popular fillings include pepperoni, salami, prosciutto, Italian sausage, spinach, mushrooms, and ricotta cheese.

Assembly

• Divide the pizza dough into equal pieces, usually four or eight, depending on how big you want your calzones.
• Roll each piece of dough into a circle on a floured surface. The circle should be around 1/8 of an inch thick and around 8-9 inches in diameter.
• Add your fillings. Spread your sauce, leaving a border of around 1-2 inches. Then add your cheese and other toppings.
• Fold the calzone. Bring the clean side of the dough over the fillings and press the edges together to seal. You can use a fork to press down on the edges for a better seal.
• Cut some vents in the top of the calzone using a knife.
• Brush the calzone with olive oil.
• Place the calzones in the air fryer basket. You may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding.
• Air fry at around 375-400°F for 7-12 minutes, checking halfway through.

Tips

• Leave the edges of the dough sauce-free to ensure a good seal.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. It's better to work in batches.
• Preheat your air fryer for the best results.
• Any meat used in the filling must be cooked beforehand.
• Watery vegetables, like mushrooms, are best sautéed and drained before adding to the calzone.

Air fryer temperature and timing

The temperature and timing for cooking calzones in an air fryer will depend on the type and brand of air fryer you have. Most recipes recommend preheating your air fryer to between 325°F and 400°F (165°C and 200°C). The cooking time varies from 7 to 12 minutes, but you should frequently check on your calzones to make sure they don't burn.

If you are using a Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker & Air Crisper, preheat on broil/grill with the basket or crisping plate inside to 400°F/200°C for a full 10 minutes. Then, air fry your calzones for 8-12 minutes. Check on them after about 5 minutes and remove the parchment paper so that the bottom can brown nicely.

If you are using a Ninja dual zone air fryer, you may need to cook your calzones for longer—up to 20 minutes.

For other air fryers, it is recommended to cook your calzones at 375°F for 7-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

If you are using a Chefman Air Fryer/Toaster, simply follow the recipe instructions as normal.

If you are using a basket air fryer, you will need to cook your calzones in batches.

If you are making mini calzones, they will likely only need 5-6 minutes in the air fryer.

If you are reheating refrigerated calzones, cook them at 375°F for 3-5 minutes. For frozen calzones, cook them at 375°F for 7-10 minutes, again flipping halfway through.

If you are reheating cooked calzones, set your air fryer to 350°F/175°C and heat them for about 15 minutes. If your calzones are frozen, reheat them at 325°F/160°C for 25-30 minutes.

Reheating and storing air fryer calzones

Air fryer calzones are a quick and easy meal to make, and they're also simple to reheat and store. If you have leftover calzones, you can easily reheat them in the air fryer to restore their crispy exterior and gooey insides. Here's a comprehensive guide to reheating and storing your air fryer calzones:

Reheating Air Fryer Calzones:

The air fryer is the best way to reheat calzones, as it retains the crispy exterior and melts the cheesy interior without drying out the filling. Here are the steps to reheat your calzones:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F to 400°F. The higher temperature will give you a crispier calzone.
• Place the calzone(s) in the air fryer basket, ensuring they have some space around them for even heating.
• For refrigerated calzones, cook for 3-5 minutes at 375°F. Check halfway, and they're done when golden brown.
• For frozen calzones, coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray first. Cook for 7-10 minutes at 375°F, flipping them halfway through. Again, they're done when golden brown.
• If you prefer a crispier calzone, leave it in the air fryer for a couple of minutes longer.
• For best results, use an air fryer thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Storing Air Fryer Calzones:

Properly storing your calzones will ensure they stay fresh and tasty. Here are some tips for storing your calzones:

• Allow the calzones to cool completely before storing.
• For short-term storage (up to 3-4 days), place the calzones in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until ready to reheat.
• For long-term storage, freezing is a great option. Wrap individual calzones in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. Alternatively, freeze them on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag once frozen solid.
• Frozen calzones will stay fresh for up to 3 months.
• When ready to eat, thaw frozen calzones overnight in the refrigerator for more even heating, or reheat directly from frozen.

Tips for making air fryer calzones

Air fryer calzones are a fun and easy meal to make for the whole family. They are also highly customisable, allowing you to choose your own fillings and make them to your preferred size. Here are some tips to help you make the perfect air fryer calzones.

Choose Your Dough

Firstly, you will need to decide whether to make your own pizza dough or buy it pre-made. If you are making your own, you can follow a basic pizza dough recipe, or a two-ingredient dough recipe using self-rising flour and plain Greek yoghurt. If you are buying pre-made dough, you can choose between the standard variety and refrigerator pizza crust dough, which is a little thicker.

Prepare Your Dough

If you are making your own dough, you should make it in advance and let it proof. If you are using pre-made dough, take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you start making your calzones. This will make the dough easier to roll out.

Roll Out Your Dough

When you are ready to make your calzones, divide your dough into equal pieces. The number of pieces will depend on how big you want your calzones to be, but most recipes suggest making them between 6 and 9 inches in diameter. Roll out each piece of dough on a floured surface until it is about 1/8 of an inch thick.

Add Your Fillings

When adding your fillings, be careful not to add too much. It is best to leave a border of about 1 inch around the edge of the dough to prevent the fillings from leaking out. You should also leave this border sauce-free to make it easier to seal the calzone. The fillings should be added to only one half of the dough circle, as you will then be folding the other half over to create a semi-circle.

Seal Your Calzone

Once you have added your fillings, you can fold the clean side of the dough over and seal the calzone. You can seal it by pressing the edges together with your fingers or by using a fork to press down along the edge. You can also dip your finger in water and run it along the edge of the dough before sealing to help bind the two sides together.

Air Fry

Before placing your calzones in the air fryer, coat the basket with cooking spray or brush it with olive oil. You can cook multiple calzones at once, but make sure they are not overcrowded or touching. The cooking time will depend on your air fryer, but it should take around 7-12 minutes for them to turn golden brown. Flip the calzones halfway through cooking to ensure they cook evenly.

Reheat and Store

Calzones can be reheated in the air fryer. Simply place them in the basket and cook for 3-5 minutes at 375°F. They can also be frozen and reheated.

Frequently asked questions