Cody Casey
Air fryer calzones are a quick and easy meal to make for the whole family. They are a great alternative to pizza night and can be made with simple ingredients. The cooking time is significantly reduced compared to oven-baked calzones, and they require minimal cleanup. The calzones are cooked in an air fryer until the pizza dough is golden brown and crispy on the outside. The fillings can be customised to suit individual tastes, but it is important to not overfill the calzones to prevent leakage. This paragraph will provide an introduction to the topic of cooking calzones in an air fryer, covering the benefits, cooking process, customisation, and potential challenges.
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What You'll Learn
Choosing a pizza dough
When it comes to choosing a pizza dough for your calzone, you have a few options. You can opt for homemade dough or go for store-bought dough. Here's a detailed guide to help you choose:
Homemade Pizza Dough:
Making your own pizza dough allows you to control the ingredients and create a unique flavour profile. It also gives you the satisfaction of crafting your calzone from scratch. Here's what you need to know about making homemade pizza dough:
- Basic Ingredients: Pizza dough is typically made with flour, water, yeast, and a touch of sweetness like honey. You can also add salt to enhance flavour and control yeast activity.
- Kneading and Resting: Kneading the dough is essential to develop gluten, which gives the dough its elasticity and soft texture. Aim to knead until the dough is soft, smooth, and elastic. After kneading, let the dough rest at room temperature to allow it to rise and develop flavour.
- Customization: You can experiment with different types of flour, such as all-purpose flour or "00" pizza flour, to find your preferred texture. You can also adjust the amount of yeast to control the dough's rise and airiness.
- Time and Effort: Keep in mind that making homemade pizza dough takes time and effort. Plan ahead, as the dough may need to rest for a period of time before rolling and filling.
Store-Bought Pizza Dough:
Using store-bought pizza dough is a convenient option that can save you time and effort. Here are some considerations for choosing store-bought dough:
- Premade Dough Balls: Many grocery stores and local pizzerias offer fresh or refrigerated pizza dough balls. These are typically already portioned into servings, making it easy to divide and roll out.
- Refrigerated vs. Frozen: You can find both refrigerated and frozen pizza dough options. Frozen dough can be stored for longer periods, while refrigerated dough may be more convenient if you plan to use it within a few days.
- Consistency: Store-bought dough often provides more consistent results, as it tends to be thicker and easier to handle than homemade dough. It's a good choice if you're a beginner or want to streamline your calzone-making process.
- Taste and Quality: Taste and quality can vary among brands, so it's worth trying out a few options to find your favourite. Some brands may offer specialty doughs with unique flavours or ingredients.
Whether you choose homemade or store-bought pizza dough, the key is to find an option that suits your time constraints and taste preferences. Both choices can yield delicious calzones, so feel free to experiment and find the method that works best for you.
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Preparing the fillings
Calzones are a fun and easy meal to make, and you can fill them with all your favourite pizza toppings. The first step is to decide on your fillings. You can use whatever you like, but remember that watery vegetables like mushrooms and zucchini are best sautéed and drained before adding them to the calzone. Any meats you use must be cooked before adding them to the calzone.
If you are making a few different calzones with different fillings, it is best to cook them separately. You can also season your fillings; for example, if you are using ricotta cheese, you can add some extra flavour by seasoning it.
Once you have decided on your fillings, roll out your pizza dough into a circle, about 1/8 inch thick and 6 inches across. You can use homemade or store-bought dough, but if it is refrigerated, make sure it is at room temperature before you start. If you are using store-bought dough, coat it in flour first so that it doesn't stick to your hands.
Now you are ready to add your fillings. Spread your sauce on one half of the dough, leaving a border around the edge. Then, add your fillings, but remember not to overfill. You can add your cheese here, or you can add it after cooking for a browned, crispy cheese topping.
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Assembling the calzone
To assemble the calzone, you will need to first roll out your pizza dough. If you are making your own dough, it is recommended to make it 3 to 4 days ahead of time and keep it in the fridge. If you are using store-bought dough, it is best to take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before assembling the calzones. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 1/8 inch. You can use a biscuit cutter to cut out circles with a diameter of about 6 inches.
Next, spread your sauce on one half of the dough, leaving a border of about 1 inch around the edge. You can make your own marinara sauce or buy your favourite brand from the store. It is important to leave a border so that the calzone can be properly sealed. Then, add your desired fillings. You can use a variety of meats, cheeses, and vegetables. Meats should be cooked beforehand, and watery vegetables like mushrooms and zucchini should be sauteed and drained. Be careful not to overfill the calzone, as this can cause the fillings to ooze out during cooking.
Once you have added your fillings, it is time to fold the calzone. Fold the dough in half, semi-circle style, and secure the edges by crimping them with a fork or pinching them with your fingers. You can also roll the bottom dough over the top dough to create a fancier seal. To help the dough sheets stick together, you can dip your finger in water and run it along the inside edge of the dough before folding.
Finally, place the calzones in the air fryer basket, making sure they do not touch each other. You may need to cook them in batches. Spray the calzones with olive oil or avocado oil, and add seasonings like Italian seasoning, garlic, or Parmesan cheese if desired.
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Air-frying the calzone
First, ensure your pizza dough is ready. If you are making your own dough, it is recommended to do this 3-4 days ahead of time and keep it in the fridge. If you are using store-bought dough, it is best to take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before assembling your calzone. If your dough has been in the freezer, make sure it is fully thawed before using.
Roll out your pizza dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 1/8 inch. You can cut out circles using a biscuit cutter, or shape the dough into a pizza shape with your hands. If you are using a basket air fryer, you may need to trim the dough to ensure it fits. It is important not to overfill your calzone, as this can cause the toppings to ooze out during the cooking process. Spread your sauce on one half of the dough, leaving a border to allow for folding and sealing. Add your fillings of choice, but remember to not overfill. Then, fold the dough over into a semi-circle and seal the edges by crimping with a fork or pinching with your fingers.
Next, preheat your air fryer to 370-375˚F. Spray the air fryer basket with oil and place your calzones inside, ensuring they are not touching. Brush the tops of the calzones with garlic butter, parmesan, and Italian seasoning for extra flavour. Air-fry for 7-10 minutes, flipping the calzones halfway through. Once they are golden brown, they are ready to serve.
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Storing and reheating the calzone
Storing and reheating a calzone is a simple process. If you're planning to eat your calzone later in the week, it's best to store it in the refrigerator. However, if you're storing it for longer, it's best to keep it in the freezer.
Storing Calzones
When storing calzones, it's important to let them cool down to room temperature before placing them in the fridge. This prevents moisture from building up inside the container, which can turn your crispy crust into mush. Once cooled, wrap the calzone tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. It will remain fresh for up to 3–4 days in the refrigerator.
If you plan to store your calzone for longer, it's best to freeze it. To prevent freezer burn and maintain freshness, wrap the calzone in aluminum foil before placing it in the freezer. Calzones can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Reheating Calzones
There are several methods to reheat a calzone, each with its pros and cons. Here are some of the most common methods:
- Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F–400°F. Place the calzone on a preheated baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes. Flip the calzone and bake for an additional 5–20 minutes, depending on whether it's refrigerated or frozen. This method is perfect for reheating multiple calzones at once and yields a crispy crust and gooey cheese.
- Stovetop: Place the calzone in a skillet and heat it over medium-low heat for 2 minutes. Flip the calzone and cook for another 2 minutes. This method is ideal for achieving a crispy crust and melted cheese, but it can only reheat one calzone at a time.
- Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Place the calzone in the air fryer basket and cook for 7–10 minutes, flipping it halfway through. This method is quick and convenient, resulting in a crispy outer crust and gooey center.
- Microwave: Wrap the calzone in a damp paper towel and place it on a microwave-safe plate. Heat for 30 seconds on high power, then continue heating in 15-second intervals until warm. While this method is quick and convenient, it may result in a chewy or rubbery crust.
No matter which reheating method you choose, always allow your calzone to cool slightly before serving to avoid burning your mouth. Additionally, consider serving your calzone with a warm dipping sauce, such as marinara, to enhance the flavor and enjoyment of your meal.
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Frequently asked questions
The cooking time for calzones in an air fryer is between 7 to 10 minutes. The time may vary depending on the air fryer model and the number of calzones cooked at once.
The air fryer should be set to between 370°F and 375°F.
You will need pizza dough, sauce, cheese, and your choice of fillings such as meats, vegetables, or seasonings.
Roll out the pizza dough into a circle that is about 1/8 inch thick and 6 inches in diameter. Spread the sauce on one half of the circle, leaving a border for sealing. Add your desired fillings but be careful not to overfill. Fold the dough in half and seal the edges by crimping with a fork or pinching with your fingers.
To reheat calzones, place them in the air fryer at 360°F for around 5 minutes until warmed through.
