Air Fryer Calzones Recipe

So you’re craving something tasty but too lazy to spend forever in the kitchen, huh? Same. And you’re probably tired of ordering takeout that costs an arm and a leg, right? Well, guess what, my friend? Your air fryer is about to become your new bestie for whipping up some seriously divine, ridiculously easy calzones. Get ready to have your mind blown (and your belly full)!

Why This Recipe is Awesome

Let’s be real, life’s too short for complicated recipes unless you’re a Michelin-star chef or just really, really bored. These air fryer calzones? They’re the opposite of complicated. We’re talking:

• Dinner in a flash: Seriously, we’re talking less than 30 minutes from “I’m hungry” to “OMG I just made this?!”
• Idiot-proof: I swear, if you can fold laundry (barely), you can make these. Even I didn’t mess it up, and that’s saying something.
• Minimal mess: The air fryer keeps things contained. Less cleanup means more time for… well, whatever you want. Netflix? Naps? More calzones? You do you.
• Totally customizable: This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a template for your wildest calzone dreams. Stuff ’em with whatever your heart (and fridge) desires.
• Cheaper than takeout: Your wallet will thank you. Your tastebuds will worship you. It’s a win-win, baby!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Alright, let’s gather our edible treasures. Nothing too fancy here, because we like to keep things chill.

• 1 lb Pre-made pizza dough: Your absolute shortcut to happiness. Don’t judge, we’re busy people. Find it in the refrigerated section of your grocery store.
• 1/2 cup Ricotta cheese: The creamy, dreamy stuff. Essential for that authentic calzone vibe.
• 1 cup Shredded mozzarella cheese: Because cheese pulls are life, and we all deserve them.
• 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan cheese: For that extra cheesy, salty kick.
• 1/4 cup Your favorite fillings: Sliced pepperoni, cooked sausage crumbles, sautéed mushrooms, spinach (squeeze out excess water!), bell peppers. Pick your poison!
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning: Our little secret flavor weapon.
• 1/2 tsp Garlic powder: Because everything is better with garlic.
• Salt & black pepper: To taste, obviously. Don’t be shy.
• 1 large Egg (optional): Whisked for an egg wash. This gives you that gorgeous, golden-brown crust. If you skip it, no biggie, just won’t be as shiny.
• Olive oil spray: For getting things nice and crispy, and preventing stickage.
• Marinara sauce: For dipping, because a calzone without dip is just a sad, lonely, unfulfilled pastry.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Time to get our hands a little floury! Don’t worry, these steps are so easy, you could probably do them in your sleep.

1. Preheat Your Air Fryer: First things first, get that air fryer humming. Preheat it to 375°F (190°C). It needs to be hot to get that perfect crust!

2. Prep the Dough: Lightly flour a clean surface. Roll out your pre-made pizza dough into a large rectangle or circle, about 1/4-inch thick. Using a large biscuit cutter or a knife, cut the dough into 4-6 equal circles or squares, depending on your preferred calzone size. Don’t stress about perfection; rustic is cool.

3. Mix the Filling Magic: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add your chosen fillings (pepperoni, spinach, etc.) and mix everything until well combined. This is where the flavor party begins!

4. Fill ‘Em Up: Take one piece of dough and place a generous (but not greedy!) spoonful of the filling mixture onto one half of the dough circle, leaving about a 1/2-inch border around the edge. FYI, overfilling is a common mistake, so resist the urge!

5. Fold and Seal: Fold the empty half of the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Gently press down on the edges to seal. Then, use a fork to crimp the edges all around – this is super important to prevent cheesy explosions in your air fryer (which, let’s be honest, sounds fun for a second, then it’s just a mess).

6. Egg Wash (If You’re Fancy): If using, brush the tops of your calzones lightly with the whisked egg. This gives them that beautiful golden, slightly shiny crust. If you skipped the egg, just a light spray of olive oil will do wonders.

7. Air Fry to Perfection: Lightly spray your air fryer basket with olive oil. Place 1-2 calzones in the basket, making sure not to overcrowd them (they need personal space to crisp up!). Air fry for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re golden brown and puffy. Cooking time can vary depending on your air fryer, so keep an eye on them!

8. Serve and Devour: Carefully remove the hot calzones from the air fryer. Let them cool for a minute or two (they’ll be molten lava inside!). Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce for dipping. Congrats, you just made culinary magic!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Nobody’s perfect, but we can definitely learn from our past culinary mishaps. Steer clear of these rookie blunders:

• The Overfill Fiasco: Oh, you think you can squeeze in “just a little more” cheese? Famous last words. An overfilled calzone will burst, creating a gooey, tragic mess in your air fryer. Don’t do it.
• Poor Sealing: Did you skip the fork crimp? Expect leakage. You want those edges sealed tighter than a secret.
• Forgetting to Preheat: Thinking you don’t need to preheat the air fryer—rookie mistake! It’s like trying to run a marathon without stretching. Cold air fryers lead to sad, unevenly cooked calzones.
• Crowding the Basket: Your calzones need room to breathe and crisp up. Don’t stack ’em! Cook in batches if you have a smaller air fryer. Patience, young grasshopper.
• Not Squeezing Veggies: Adding raw spinach or mushrooms? Sauté them first and *squeeze out all the excess liquid*. Otherwise, your calzones will be soggy, and nobody wants that.

Alternatives & Substitutions

Feeling adventurous? Or maybe you’re just out of ricotta. No worries, we’ve got options!

• Dough Swaps:
  • Crescent Roll Dough: For smaller, flakier calzones (or “calzonettes”!). They’ll cook faster, so watch ’em.
  • Gluten-Free Pizza Dough: Totally works! Just follow the package instructions for handling.
• Filling Freedom:
  • Veggie Power: Sautéed bell peppers and onions, roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, black olives, artichoke hearts.
  • Meat Lover’s Delight: Cooked ground beef, shredded chicken, ham, bacon bits. Just make sure any meat is fully cooked before adding it.
  • Cheese Extravaganza: Provolone, Fontina, goat cheese (for a tangy kick!), even a sprinkle of feta. My personal fave? Spinach and feta. Trust me on this one, it’s a game-changer.
  • Sauce Inside: A thin layer of marinara inside can be great, but don’t overdo it or it’ll get soggy!
• No Ricotta? No Problem!
  • You can substitute with cottage cheese (small curd, drained well!) or even a thick béchamel sauce if you’re feeling fancy. Or just load up on mozzarella and Parmesan!

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Got questions? I’ve got (mostly sarcastic) answers!

1. Can I make these ahead of time? Absolutely! Assemble them, don’t egg wash, then wrap individually in plastic wrap and chill for up to 24 hours. Air fry when ready, maybe add an extra minute or two to the cooking time.

2. What if I don’t have an air fryer? Well, that’s a tragedy! Kidding! You can bake them in a regular oven. Preheat to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.

3. My calzones are soggy, what did I do wrong? Likely culprits: overfilled, watery veggies weren’t drained, or you didn’t cook them long enough. Ensure your fillings aren’t too wet and cook until the crust is nice and crispy.

4. Can I freeze these? You bet! Freeze the assembled, unbaked calzones on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 2-3 months. Bake from frozen (add about 5-10 minutes to cooking time) or thaw first.

5. How do I get that perfect golden crust? The egg wash is your best friend here, or a light spritz of olive oil before air frying will also help with browning and crispiness. IMO, it makes a big difference.

6. Are these really better than ordering out? Let’s put it this way: they’re fresh, hot, made with love (or at least less money), and customized to your exact cravings. So, yes, probably better. 😉

Final Thoughts

So there you have it, my friend. You’re now officially armed with the knowledge to conquer the mighty calzone, all thanks to your trusty air fryer. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a lifestyle choice. A delicious, cheesy, crispy lifestyle choice.

Now go forth and impress someone—or yourself—with your new culinary skills. You’ve earned it! Send me pics, or don’t, just enjoy every single bite. Go forth and calzone!