Air Fryer Calzone: Perfect Timing For A Quick Bite

Air fryer calzones are a quick and easy meal to make, perfect for a family dinner or a snack. The cooking time will vary depending on the type of dough used and the number of calzones being cooked at once, but generally, they take around 7-10 minutes to cook in an air fryer. This time can be reduced by using store-bought dough, which can be found in the refrigerator or freezer aisle at most grocery stores. It is also important to ensure that the dough is fully sealed before cooking to avoid any leaks.

Calzone fillings and how to prepare them

Calzones are a great way to use up leftovers and can be filled with almost anything you like. You can fill them with any pizza toppings, such as meats, cheeses, and vegetables. Here are some ideas for calzone fillings and how to prepare them:

Meat fillings:

• Chicken: Shredded chicken can be mixed with olive oil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
• Sausage: Sausage meat can be cooked and crumbled before being added to the calzone.
• Salami: Salami slices can be added as they are.
• Pepperoni: Pepperoni slices can be added as they are.
• Ground beef: This can be cooked and added to a Mexican-inspired calzone with taco toppings.
• Corned beef: Corned beef can be cooked and added with cabbage and mushrooms.

Vegetable fillings:

• Spinach: Spinach should be wilted and drained before adding to the calzone.
• Peppers: Bell peppers should be cooked before adding to the calzone. Roasted red peppers can also be used.
• Onion: Onions should be cooked before adding to the calzone.
• Mushrooms: Mushrooms should be cooked to get rid of the liquid before adding to the calzone.
• Eggplant: Eggplant can be roasted before adding to the calzone.
• Artichokes: Artichoke hearts should be pickled or marinated, and thoroughly drained before adding to the calzone.
• Zucchini: Zucchini can be roasted before adding to the calzone.
• Tomatoes: Tomatoes can be added raw or cooked.

Cheese fillings:

• Mozzarella: Mozzarella is a popular choice for calzones as it melts well.
• Ricotta: Ricotta is a traditional calzone cheese.
• Feta: Crumbled feta cheese can be added to the calzone.
• Cheddar: Cheddar cheese can be added to a Mexican-inspired calzone.
• Parmesan: Parmesan can be sprinkled on top of the calzone after cooking.

Other fillings:

• Pizza sauce: A tomato-based pizza sauce can be added to the calzone, although some people prefer to serve it on the side for dipping.
• Marinara sauce: This can be made from scratch or store-bought.
• Tzatziki: This can be served on the side for dipping.
• Spicy Greek feta dip: This can be spread on the dough before adding other fillings.
• Garlic: Garlic cloves can be sautéed on low heat until golden brown and soft, or roasted in the air fryer.

Preparing the fillings:

It is important to precook most fillings before putting them in the dough. All fresh vegetables, except mushrooms, should be fully cooked before adding to the calzone. Proteins should also be fully cooked. Pickled or marinated ingredients, such as olives or artichoke hearts, should be thoroughly drained before adding to the calzone. Fillings should be cooked and cooled to room temperature before assembling the calzone.

How to prepare pizza dough for calzones

To prepare pizza dough for calzones, you can either make your own dough or use store-bought dough.

If you are making your own dough, you will need the following ingredients:

• Lukewarm water
• Yeast
• Olive oil
• Honey or sugar
• Salt
• Flour

First, mix together 1/2 cup of lukewarm water and yeast in a small bowl. Let this stand until it becomes foamy, which should take about 5 minutes. In a separate, larger bowl, combine 1/2 cup of water, olive oil, honey or sugar, and salt. Then, add 1 cup of flour and mix well. You can use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment to make this process easier. If you are kneading the dough by hand, do so on a floured work surface until the dough is soft, smooth, and elastic, which should take about 8 minutes. The dough should be as "soft as a horse's nose".

Once you have prepared your dough, you can begin assembling your calzones. First, decide on and cook your fillings. It is recommended to cook the fillings at least 30 minutes beforehand so that they have time to cool down. You can either cook all the fillings together in the same pan or cook them separately if you are making multiple calzones with different fillings. If you are using watery vegetables, such as mushrooms or pineapple, be sure to drain them properly. You can also season your fillings; for example, you can season ricotta cheese or add roasted garlic.

Next, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface. The dough should be rolled out to about 1/4-inch thickness, although some sources recommend 1/8-inch thickness. Cut the dough into circles, which can be done using a biscuit cutter or by hand. If you are using an air fryer, you can use a piece of parchment paper that is the size of the bottom of your air fryer basket as a guide for how big your calzone can be. Place the filling on one half of each dough circle, leaving a little room around the edges so that you can seal the calzone. Common fillings include pizza sauce, ricotta cheese, pepperoni, salami, and shredded mozzarella, but you can use any combination of meat, cheese, and sauce that you like.

Finally, fold the dough over the filling and crimp the edges to seal the calzone. You can use a fork to help seal the edges. Cut a small vent in the top of the calzone to let out steam while cooking. At this point, you can also brush the tops of the calzones with olive oil and sprinkle with parmesan cheese for extra flavor. Your calzones are now ready to be cooked!

How to assemble calzones

To assemble calzones, you'll first need to prepare your pizza dough. You can make your own dough from scratch or use store-bought dough, either fresh or canned. If you're making your own dough, you'll need to let it rise for 1-2 hours before using it. Once your dough is ready, roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a circle that's about 1/4 to 1/8 inch thick.

Next, it's time to add the fillings. The traditional fillings for calzones include pizza sauce, cheese, and toppings such as pepperoni, sausage, vegetables, or a combination of these ingredients. You can also add ricotta cheese for a more traditional flavour. Make sure to leave a little room around the edges of the dough so that you can seal the calzone shut. If you're using multiple fillings, you may want to pre-cook them and let them cool before assembling the calzone. This will ensure that the calzone doesn't become too soggy.

Once you've added your fillings, it's time to fold the dough over and seal the edges. You can do this by crimping the edges with your fingers or using the tines of a fork. Make sure the calzone is sealed tightly so that the fillings don't leak out during cooking. After sealing, brush the top of the calzone with oil and sprinkle with Italian seasoning for added flavour and a golden crust.

Finally, cut 2-3 air vents into the top of the calzone to prevent steam buildup during cooking. Your calzones are now ready to be cooked in your air fryer!

How to cook calzones in an air fryer

Air fryer calzones are a quick, easy, and delicious meal that can be made in under 30 minutes. They are perfect for a weeknight dinner or a fun family movie night. The best part is that you can customise them with your favourite fillings! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook calzones in an air fryer:

Prepare the dough:

Before you start, decide if you want to make your own pizza dough or use store-bought dough. If you are making your own dough, you will need to allow for extra prep time. The dough should be rolled out to a thickness of about 1/8 inch. If you are using refrigerated dough, take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before assembling the calzones to let it come to room temperature.

Prepare the fillings:

You can fill your calzones with your favourite pizza toppings! Common fillings include pizza sauce, cheese, pepperoni, sausage, vegetables such as onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms, and meats such as cooked chicken or ground beef. If you are using watery vegetables, it is best to sauté them beforehand to remove excess water. Any meats used must be cooked prior to baking. You can also season your fillings with herbs and spices, such as Italian seasoning or garlic.

Assemble the calzones:

Start by rolling out the dough into circles of about 6 inches in diameter. Spread your desired amount of sauce on one half of the circle, leaving a border of about 1 inch. Add your chosen fillings, being careful not to overfill. Then, add another layer of cheese to help seal in the fillings. Finally, fold the dough over to create a half-circle shape and crimp the edges with your fingers or a fork to seal the calzone shut.

Cook the calzones in the air fryer:

Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 375°F. Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or coat it with cooking spray, such as avocado oil or olive oil spray. Place one or two calzones in the basket, making sure they don't touch, and mist or brush them with oil. Cook the calzones for 7 to 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The calzones are done when they are golden brown.

Serve and enjoy:

Once the calzones are cooked, let them cool for a few minutes before serving. You can serve them with a side salad and fruit, as well as your favourite dips and sauces! Cooked calzones can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheated in the air fryer.

How to store and reheat leftover calzones

Calzones are a delicious meal, but sometimes you might make too many and need to save some for later. Storing and reheating calzones is a simple process and can be done in a few different ways.

Storing Leftover Calzones

The best way to store leftover calzones is to put them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in the fridge. This will keep them fresh for a few days. If you're not going to eat them within that time, you can also freeze them, either cooked or uncooked. To prevent freezer burn, make sure they're wrapped tightly.

Reheating Refrigerated Calzones

To reheat refrigerated calzones, you can use an air fryer, an oven, or a microwave. The air fryer method is quick and easy and will give your calzones a crispy exterior and a warm, melted interior. Simply preheat your air fryer to 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit and place the calzones in the basket. Cook for about 4-5 minutes, or until the calzones are heated through. If they're not quite ready after 5 minutes, you can cook them for an additional 2-3 minutes, but keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking.

If you're in a hurry and only need to reheat one or two calzones, the microwave is an option. Place the calzone on a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a damp paper towel. Microwave on half power (50%) for 45-60 seconds. If it's not fully warmed through, continue microwaving in 30-second intervals. However, microwaving calzones may make them soggy.

Using the oven to reheat calzones is another popular option, with some people preferring it over the air fryer method. Preheat your oven to your desired temperature and cook the calzones until they're heated through.

Reheating Frozen Calzones

To reheat frozen calzones, you can use the same methods as for refrigerated calzones. If using an air fryer, preheat it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and place the frozen calzones in the basket. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted. You can also reheat frozen calzones in the oven or microwave, but be aware that they may take longer to warm through.

Frequently asked questions