Description
These 20-Minute Air Fryer Calzones are a quick and delicious way to enjoy a classic Italian favorite with the convenience of an air fryer. Made with pizza dough filled with savory sauce, melted mozzarella, and your choice of toppings, these calzones are perfectly crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside. Ideal for a fast weeknight meal, they require minimal prep and cooking time, delivering restaurant-quality results at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Calzone Dough and Base
- 1 lb pizza dough (homemade or storebought)
- All-purpose flour (for working with the dough)
Fillings
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Toppings of your choice (e.g., pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, olives)
Finishing
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Divide the dough: Separate the 1 lb pizza dough into 8 equally sized pieces to create individual calzones.
- Roll out dough: Working with one piece at a time, dust your surface with all-purpose flour and roll the dough into a circle approximately 6 inches in diameter and about 1/8 inch thick.
- Add sauce: Spread 1 to 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce on one half of the dough circle, leaving about a 1-inch border around the edge for sealing.
- Add cheese and toppings: Sprinkle about 3 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella and 2 tablespoons of your chosen toppings evenly over the sauced half.
- Fold and seal: Fold the other half of the dough over the fillings, creating a half-moon shape. Gently twist and pinch the edges together to seal the calzone completely. Use a knife to cut 2 to 3 small vents on top to allow steam to escape while cooking.
- Prep for air frying: Brush the basket of your air fryer with olive oil to prevent sticking, then also brush the top of each calzone with olive oil for a golden, crisp finish.
- Air fry: Place 1 to 2 calzones into the air fryer basket making sure they have space to cook evenly. Air fry at 370°F (188°C) for about 9 minutes, checking at 7 minutes to avoid overcooking since air fryer temperatures may vary.
Notes
- If making pizza dough from scratch, add approximately 1 hour to prep time for rising.
- If using refrigerated pizza dough, allow it to come to room temperature before rolling for easier handling.
- Any meats used as toppings should be fully cooked prior to assembling and air frying.
- For oven baking, bake calzones on a baking sheet at 435°F (224°C) for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown.
