Description
Crispy golden air fryer calzones deliver Italian pizzeria magic right to home kitchens. Melted cheese, savory fillings, and perfectly crisped dough invite you to savor each delectable bite of comfort and flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup sliced pepperoni or other toppings (mushrooms, sausage, bell peppers, etc.)
Cheese and Seasoning Ingredients:
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Preparation Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for brushing)
- 1 egg (for egg wash, optional)
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour (for rolling)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough surface by lightly dusting with flour, then gently stretch and roll pizza dough into 6-inch circular shapes, ensuring an even thickness of approximately 1/4 inch.
- Distribute pizza sauce across one half of each dough circle, leaving a small border around the edge to facilitate proper sealing.
- Layer mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the sauce, then sprinkle with Italian seasoning and garlic powder for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Add optional protein or vegetable toppings like pepperoni, sausage, spinach, or mushrooms to customize the calzone filling.
- Carefully fold the bare dough half over the loaded side, creating a half-moon shaped pocket. Press edges firmly together using fingertips to create a tight seal.
- Use a fork to crimp and reinforce the calzone edges, preventing filling from leaking during cooking.
- Whisk an egg and delicately brush the exterior of each calzone, which will promote a rich golden-brown color and crispy texture when air fried.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C), ensuring optimal cooking temperature.
- Arrange calzones in a single layer within the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding to ensure even heat circulation.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes, carefully flipping midway to achieve uniform browning and crispness.
- Remove calzones and allow them to rest for 2-3 minutes, permitting internal temperatures to stabilize.
- Serve immediately with additional warm pizza sauce for dipping, creating a delightful dining experience.
Notes
- Flour your surface generously to prevent sticky dough and ensure smooth rolling when preparing calzone circles.
- Select high-moisture mozzarella carefully to avoid soggy fillings, which might compromise the calzone’s crispy texture.
- Experiment with different protein options like cooked ground beef, Italian sausage, or shredded chicken to customize your calzone without compromising the cooking method.
- Keep fillings minimal and evenly distributed to prevent bursting and ensure proper sealing, which helps maintain the calzone’s structural integrity during air frying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg