Cody Casey
Air fryer calzones are a quick and easy meal or snack that can be made in under 30 minutes. They are a great alternative to traditional pizza and can be customised with your favourite pizza fillings. The cooking time for air fryer calzones varies depending on the type of dough and air fryer model used, but typically they take around 7-10 minutes to cook at 370˚F. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to make delicious air fryer calzones, including tips on preparing the dough, choosing fillings, and achieving the perfect cook.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time | 7-10 minutes |
| Dough | Homemade or store-bought |
| Dough thickness | 1/8 inch |
| Dough size | 6-9 inch circle |
| Filling | Meat, vegetables, cheese, sauce |
| Filling amount | 1-2 tbsp sauce, 3 tbsp cheese, 2 tbsp toppings |
| Filling preparation | Precooked, sautéed, seasoned |
| Oil | Avocado, EVO, olive |
| Temperature | 370-375˚F |
| Reheating | 360F for 5 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Calzone fillings and how to prepare them
Calzones are a great way to use up leftovers and get creative with your favourite pizza toppings. You can fill them with anything from meat and cheese to vegetables and sauces. Here are some tips for preparing common calzone fillings:
Meat
Meat fillings should be fully cooked before placing them in your calzone. Try cooked chicken, ground beef, or shredded pepperoni and salami. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even add in some taco toppings for a Mexican-inspired calzone.
Vegetables
Most vegetables should be cooked before using them as fillings. Sautéed mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers are a great combination. You can also try roasted red peppers, eggplant, artichokes, zucchini, or wilted spinach. Just be sure to drain off any excess liquid so your calzone doesn't become soggy.
Cheese
When it comes to cheese, the sky's the limit. Go for something melty like mozzarella or ricotta, or choose a more flavourful option like feta or parmesan. You can even season your cheese; for example, by mixing ricotta with roasted garlic. Just be mindful of how much cheese you use and where you place it in the calzone, as it can burn easily during cooking.
Sauce
While some people like to put sauce inside their calzones, others prefer to serve it on the side as a dip. If you do choose to put sauce inside your calzone, be aware that it may make the final product a bit soggier and less portable. Common sauce choices include pizza sauce, marinara sauce, and spicy Greek feta dip.
Other Tips
Remember to cook your fillings ahead of time and allow them to cool before assembling your calzone. This will help ensure that your calzone doesn't get too soggy. Also, don't overfill your calzone, as this can cause it to leak or break during cooking. Finally, be sure to crimp the edges of the dough securely to prevent the fillings from escaping.
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How to make pizza dough from scratch
Air fryer calzones are a fun and easy meal to make. They are also a great alternative to pizza night. You can use store-bought pizza dough or make your own from scratch. Here is a simple recipe for making pizza dough from scratch.
To make pizza dough from scratch, you will need the following basic ingredients: flour, yeast, water, salt, and olive oil. You can also add some extra flavour with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and sugar. If you want to get fancy, you can add some cornmeal to the dough or use it to dust your pizza pan. Cornmeal gives the pizza crust a little extra crunch and flavour.
Start by mixing the dry ingredients in a bowl, then add the water and olive oil. You can use a stand mixer or a fork to combine the ingredients, but be sure to only mix until the dough comes together. You don't want to overwork the dough.
Once the dough has come together, turn it out onto a floured surface and knead it for a few minutes until it is smooth and elastic. Then, place the dough in an oiled bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise at room temperature until it has doubled in size. This should take around 30 minutes to an hour.
After the dough has risen, you can roll it out to your desired thickness. If you are making a calzone, you will want the dough to be about 1/8 inch thick. Use a bowl or plate as a guide to cut the dough into a circle. You can now fill and shape your calzone.
To assemble your calzone, spread your desired fillings on one half of the dough circle, being careful not to overfill. Fold the dough over the fillings and crimp the edges to seal them shut. You can use a fork to press the edges together or your fingers to create a tight seal.
Brush the top of the calzone with olive oil and lightly salt the top. You can also add some Italian seasoning for extra flavour. Place the calzone on a piece of parchment paper and into the basket of your preheated air fryer. Cook for 7-10 minutes, or until the calzone is golden brown and cooked through.
Now you have a delicious, crispy, and gooey air fryer calzone made with homemade pizza dough!
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How to roll out and cut pizza dough
Cooking a calzone in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a tasty meal. The cooking time will vary depending on your air fryer model, but it should take around 7 to 10 minutes.
Now, to make the perfect calzone, you'll need to start with the pizza dough. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to roll out and cut pizza dough:
How to Roll Out Pizza Dough:
- Bring the dough to room temperature: If your dough has been in the refrigerator, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before shaping it. Cold dough is springy and difficult to work with due to the tight gluten strands.
- Choose your work surface: You can use a circular metal screen, a peel, or a sheet pan. If using a peel, it's recommended to line it with parchment paper or sprinkle it with cornmeal to prevent sticking.
- Prepare your dough: Lightly flour your work surface or, alternatively, rub it with olive oil to prevent sticking and promote a crispy crust. You can also lightly flour or oil your hands to make shaping easier.
- Flatten the dough: Use your palms to press the dough into a large, flat disc. This is the first step in shaping your dough into a circle.
- Stretch the dough: Use your fingers or knuckles to press and stretch the dough from the centre, gradually widening the disc into a larger circle. You can also try holding the dough with both hands on one edge and letting the rest hang down. Gently rotate the dough and slowly pull it from hand to hand to stretch it further.
- Fix imperfections: If your dough has some thick edges or thin/torn areas, now is the time to fix them. Press the thick edges to even out the thickness, and "pinch" or stretch the thin areas to cover any tears. The goal is a mostly even circle, about 1/3 of an inch thick.
- Transfer to a peel or sheet pan: If you're using a peel, you can flip the dough over your arm to support it and then slip it onto the peel. Don't worry if it's not perfect; you can always reshape it into a circle.
How to Cut and Shape Pizza Dough for Calzones:
- Roll out the dough: Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough into a circle about 1/8 of an inch thick. You can trim any excess dough to fit your air fryer, but thinner dough will have a crispier texture.
- Cut out a circle: Use a piece of parchment paper as a guide to cut out a circle that will fit into your air fryer basket. Place the dough on the parchment paper to ensure it's not too big.
- Add fillings: Spread your sauce, cheese, and desired toppings on one half of the circle, leaving the edges clean. Be careful not to overfill.
- Fold and seal: Fold the clean side of the dough over the fillings to create a half-circle shape. Crimp the edges with your fingers or a fork to seal the fillings inside.
- Cook in the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer and spray the basket with oil. Place the calzone on the parchment paper into the basket and cook until golden brown.
Remember, practice makes perfect! Don't be discouraged if your first attempt doesn't turn out exactly as planned. With time, you'll be able to roll, cut, and shape pizza dough like a pro, impressing your family and friends with delicious homemade calzones.
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How long to cook a calzone in an air fryer
Air fryer calzones are a quick and easy meal or snack that can be made in less than 30 minutes. The cooking time will depend on the type of dough you use and the number of calzones you are cooking at once.
If you are using homemade pizza dough, it is recommended to make the dough 3 to 4 days ahead of time and keep it in the fridge. Homemade dough can be sticky, so be sure to coat it in flour and roll it out on a floured surface. Store-bought dough can be used straight from the refrigerator, but it is best to let it come to room temperature before rolling it out.
When assembling your calzones, it is important to not overfill them. The fillings should be cooked and cooled before adding them to the dough. Once your calzones are assembled, lightly salt the top and add Italian seasoning or Parmesan cheese if desired.
To cook the calzones, preheat your air fryer to 370 degrees Fahrenheit. Place 1-2 calzones in the air fryer basket and spray them with olive oil or avocado oil. Cook for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown. If you are using mini calzones, they may only need 6-8 minutes, plus an additional 2-3 minutes after turning them over.
Cooked calzones can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheated in the air fryer at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes.
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How to store and reheat leftover calzones
Calzones are a great option for meal prep and leftovers. If you're planning to store your calzones, it's best to freeze them raw or cooked by placing them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer.
To reheat refrigerated calzones in the air fryer, set the temperature to 350°F and heat for about 15 minutes. If the crust starts to brown too much, turn down the heat a little until the fillings are heated through. For frozen calzones, reheat at 325°F for 25-30 minutes to ensure the fillings are warm and thawed.
You can also reheat calzones in the air fryer at 375°F for 3-5 minutes if they're fresh, or 7-10 minutes if they're frozen. Be sure to flip them halfway through and use cooking spray to prevent sticking.
If you're in a rush and only need to reheat one or two pieces, you can use the microwave. Place the calzone on a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and microwave on half power for 45-60 seconds. If it's not fully warmed through, continue microwaving in 30-second intervals. However, microwaving calzones may make them soggy.
Another option is to use a gas grill, which will give your calzone a super crispy crust and evenly heated interior. Preheat your grill to 450-500°F, place the calzone on a piece of aluminum foil, and put it on the top rack of the grill. Turn the burners to medium-low and close the lid.
No matter which reheating method you choose, it's important to ensure that your calzones are heated all the way through to avoid any food safety issues.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes 7-10 minutes to cook a calzone in an air fryer. The time may vary depending on the air fryer model and whether you are using homemade or store-bought pizza dough.
The air fryer should be set to 370˚F.
First, prepare your pizza dough and fillings. You can use homemade or store-bought dough. Roll out the dough and fill it with your desired toppings, making sure not to overfill. Fold the dough over and crimp the edges to seal the fillings inside. Spray the air fryer basket with oil and place the calzones inside. Cook for 7-10 minutes, or until golden brown.
