Air-Fryer Calzone: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air Fryer Calzones are a quick, easy, and delicious meal or snack that can be made with a few simple ingredients. They are perfect for those who want to enjoy the taste of pizza without the grease and mess of traditional pizza-making. The best part? You can make them in under 30 minutes!

To make Air Fryer Calzones, you will need pizza dough, your choice of fillings, and an air fryer. The pizza dough can be store-bought or homemade, and the fillings can include pizza sauce, cheese, pepperoni, vegetables, or any other ingredients you desire. Simply roll out the dough, add your fillings, fold it over, and seal the edges before placing it in the air fryer. Cook at 370-400°F for 8-12 minutes, and you're done!

So, if you're looking for a fun and tasty treat that the whole family will love, Air Fryer Calzones are definitely worth trying!

Choosing your fillings

The fun part about making calzones is that you can fill them with whatever you like. The only limit is your imagination (and the capacity of your air fryer basket). Here are some ideas to get you started:

Meat

Typically, cured meats like pepperoni, salami, and prosciutto are used in calzones. However, you can use any type of cooked meat that you like. Other options include Italian sausage, ham, steak, chicken, or you can skip the meat entirely and make a vegetarian calzone.

Cheese

Ricotta cheese is traditionally used inside calzones and adds a level of moisture and creaminess. Other cheeses you can use include mozzarella, parmesan, provolone, and asiago. You can use shredded or sliced cheese, depending on your preference.

Vegetables

You can include any kind of vegetables that you like in your calzone. Just make sure they are cut into bite-sized pieces and cooked to your desired texture before adding them to the calzone, as they will not cook further inside the calzone. Some options include onions, spinach, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, black olives, and garlic.

Sauce

While the traditional sauce for dipping calzones is marinara, you can also use alfredo or garlic sauce. If you want to include sauce inside the calzone, add it sparingly to avoid making the dough soggy.

Shaping the dough

Start by dividing the pizza dough into equal portions. The number of portions will depend on the size of your calzones and the amount of dough you have. For smaller calzones, you can divide the dough into four or six pieces. For larger calzones, you might only need to divide it into two or three pieces.

Before shaping the dough, it's important to coat your hands and the work surface with flour to prevent the dough from sticking. Take one portion of the dough and use your hands to roll it out on a floured surface. You can also use a rolling pin to roll it out to a circle that is about 1/8 inch thick. If you don't have a rolling pin, you can use your hands to press and stretch the dough until it reaches the desired thickness.

Once the dough is rolled out, use a knife or a large cookie cutter to trim the edges and create a neat circle. This will make it easier to fold and seal the calzone.

Now you can start adding your fillings. Spread your desired amount of pizza sauce on one half of the dough circle, leaving a border of about 1-2 inches. This border will help prevent the ingredients from leaking out when you fold and bake the calzone.

Add your favourite toppings and fillings on top of the sauce. Be careful not to overfill the calzone, as this can make it difficult to seal and may cause the fillings to ooze out during cooking.

Once you have added your fillings, it's time to fold the dough. Take the edge of the dough furthest from you and carefully lift it up and over the fillings, creating a semi-circle shape. Press the edges of the dough together to seal in the fillings. You can use your fingers to pinch and crimp the edges together or use a fork to press down and seal the calzone shut.

At this point, you can also brush the top of the calzone with olive oil and cut a few small slits or vents in the dough to allow steam to escape during cooking.

Now your calzone is shaped and ready to be placed in the air fryer! Repeat this process for the remaining portions of dough.

Filling the calzone

First, roll out your pizza dough into a circle, leaving a 1-2 inch border. Next, add your sauce, spreading it on one half of the dough circle, again, leaving a border. Now, it's time to add your fillings. You can add your cheese, followed by your meat and veggies, and then top with another layer of cheese.

It's important to note that you should not overfill your calzone. This will make it difficult to seal and could cause a mess in your air fryer. It's also important to ensure that any meat fillings are pre-cooked.

Sealing the calzone

Firstly, it is important to leave a gap of about 1-2 inches around the edges of the dough when adding your fillings. This gap is crucial as it allows you to seal the calzone without any filling escaping. Once you have added your desired fillings, it's time to start sealing.

One method is to simply fold the calzone over, creating a semi-circle, and then press the edges together firmly. You can use your fingers to pinch the edges together, or you can use a fork to press down along the edges, creating a crimped effect. This method is similar to sealing an empanada or a pasty.

Another technique involves dipping your finger in water and running your damp fingertip along the inside edge of the dough circle before folding. This helps to bind the two edges of dough together. You can also use an egg wash for this step, but water works just as well.

If you want to get creative, you can roll the bottom edge of the dough over the top edge and pinch it with your fingers to create a more intricate seal. This method not only ensures a tight seal but also gives your calzone a fancier appearance.

After sealing, you can use a knife to cut a few vents in the top of the calzone. This helps to release any air inside the calzone and prevents it from bursting during cooking.

Finally, brush the top of the calzone with olive oil or avocado oil. This will give your calzone a golden, crispy exterior.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your calzone is properly sealed and ready for the air fryer!

Cooking the calzone

Once you've prepared your dough and fillings, it's time to cook your calzone in the air fryer. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Prepare the Dough: Roll out your pizza dough into circles of about 6 inches in diameter and about 1/8 inch thick. You can do this by hand or with a rolling pin. Remember to coat your dough in flour first to prevent sticking.
• Add the Fillings: Place your fillings on one half of the dough circle. Start with the driest ingredients first, such as shredded cheese, followed by sauce, meat, and vegetables. Be careful not to overfill, leaving about a 1-inch border around the edge.
• Seal the Calzone: Fold the dough over, creating a semi-circle. Seal the edges by pressing them together with your fingers or using a fork to crimp the edges. You can also dip your finger in water and run it along the edge of the dough to help it seal.
• Prepare the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 370-400°F (about 200°C). Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or avocado oil to prevent sticking.
• Cook the Calzones: Place the calzones in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them. Cook for about 6-10 minutes, checking frequently to prevent burning. Flip the calzones halfway through the cooking process and mist with oil. The calzones are done when they are golden brown.
• Serve: Remove the calzones from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes. Serve with warm marinara sauce or your favourite dips.

Your calzones are now ready to be enjoyed! You can experiment with different fillings and sauces to find your favourite combinations.

Frequently asked questions