Let me tell you about the game-changer that transformed my weeknight dinners forever: air fryer calzones. These golden, crispy pockets of cheesy goodness come together faster than ordering takeout, and honestly, they taste way better. I've been making air fryer calzones for my family every Friday, and now my kids ask for them more than regular pizza. The best part? You get that restaurant-quality crispy crust without heating up your entire kitchen or dealing with messy oil.
Making air fryer calzones at home means you control exactly what goes inside; fresh mozzarella, your favorite pizza sauce, and whatever toppings make your heart happy. Whether you're feeding hungry kids after soccer practice or prepping grab-and-go lunches for the week, these air fryer calzones are about to become your new favorite recipe. Trust me, once you nail this technique, you'll never look at frozen pizza pockets the same way again.
Background & Why This Recipe Stands Out
Air fryer calzones have taken over social media for good reason. They deliver everything we love about traditional calzones but in a fraction of the time and with way less mess. While baked calzones need 25-30 minutes in a hot oven, these beauties cook in just 12-15 minutes. The circulating hot air creates an incredibly crispy exterior while keeping all that gooey cheese and savory filling perfectly contained inside.
What makes this air fryer calzones recipe truly special is its flexibility. Got leftover spaghetti? Stuff it inside. Craving pepperoni and extra cheese? Go for it. Want to meal prep for the entire week? Make a double batch and reheat them in minutes. The air fryer gives you consistent results every single time, with that satisfying crunch you'd expect from a pizzeria. Plus, using store-bought pizza dough means you can have homemade air fryer calzones on the table faster than delivery arrives at your door.
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Ingredients
For the Calzones:
- Pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- Ricotta cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Pizza sauce (plus extra for dipping)
- Pepperoni slices (or your choice of protein)
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Olive oil spray
- Egg (beaten, for egg wash)
Optional Add-ins:
- Cooked Italian sausage
- Sautéed bell peppers and onions
- Fresh spinach
- Sliced mushrooms
- Black olives
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Dough and Filling
- Remove pizza dough from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes; this makes it easier to work with.
- Divide the dough into 4 equal portions for large calzones or 6-8 portions for mini calzones.
- Roll each portion into a circle about 6-8 inches in diameter on a lightly floured surface.
- Mix together ricotta cheese, half the mozzarella, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder in a medium bowl.
- Place the cheese mixture on one half of each dough circle, leaving a ½-inch border around the edges.
- Add your pepperoni, vegetables, or other toppings on top of the cheese mixture.
- Spoon 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce over the fillings (don't overfill or they'll leak).
Step 2: Seal and Shape the Calzones
- Brush the edges of the dough circles with beaten egg to help them stick together.
- Fold the empty half of the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape.
- Press the edges firmly together with your fingers to seal.
- Use a fork to crimp the edges, creating a tight seal that prevents cheese from escaping.
- Cut 2-3 small slits on top of each calzone to let steam escape during cooking.
- Brush the tops with beaten egg for that beautiful golden color.
- Lightly spray each calzone with olive oil spray for extra crispiness.
Step 3: Air Fry to Golden Perfection
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for 3-5 minutes.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Place calzones in the basket, leaving space between them for air circulation (work in batches if needed).
- Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through for even browning.
- Check for a deep golden-brown color and crispy texture.
- Use a food thermometer to make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Let the air fryer calzones rest for 3-4 minutes before serving; this prevents burning your mouth on molten cheese.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
- Transfer the calzones to a serving platter or individual plates.
- Warm up extra pizza sauce or marinara in the microwave for 30 seconds.
- Serve the dipping sauce in small bowls alongside your calzones.
- Garnish with fresh basil, red pepper flakes, or grated Parmesan if desired.
- Cut larger calzones in half to show off that gorgeous cheese pull.
Expert Cooking Tips
- Temperature Control: Set your air fryer to 375°F for the perfect balance between crispy crust and melted cheese filling. Going higher risks burning the outside before the inside cooks through.
- Don't Overcrowd: Give your air fryer calzones breathing room in the basket. Crowding them together creates steam instead of that crispy texture we're after. Cook in batches if you need to.
- Dough Thickness Matters: Roll your dough to about ¼-inch thick. Too thin and it tears; too thick and the center stays doughy while the edges burn.
- The Flip is Crucial: Halfway through cooking, carefully flip each calzone with tongs. This gives you even browning on both sides and prevents one side from getting soggy.
- Seal Like Your Life Depends On It: Press those edges together firmly and crimp with a fork. A poor seal means cheese leaking everywhere in your air fryer (been there, cleaned that).
- Egg Wash Magic: Brushing beaten egg on top before cooking creates that gorgeous golden-brown color and adds an extra layer of crispiness to your air fryer calzones.
- Size Smart: Mini calzones (about 4 inches) cook faster and more evenly than large ones. They're also perfect for kids and portion control.
- Oil Spray Technique: A light mist of olive oil spray on both the basket and the calzones prevents sticking and boosts crispiness without adding tons of calories.
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
- Vegetarian Paradise: Skip the pepperoni and load up with sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes. Add a sprinkle of feta cheese for extra flavor.
- Meat Lover's Dream: Combine cooked Italian sausage, pepperoni, crumbled bacon, and diced ham with your cheese mixture. This hearty version is perfect for game day snacks.
- Breakfast Calzones: Fill with scrambled eggs, cooked bacon or sausage, cheddar cheese, and a dollop of salsa. Cook your air fryer calzones at 350°F for 10-12 minutes.
- BBQ Chicken Twist: Mix shredded rotisserie chicken with BBQ sauce, red onions, and a blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Swap Italian seasoning for smoked paprika.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pizza dough (most grocery stores carry it) and follow the same instructions. You might need to reduce cooking time by 2-3 minutes.
- Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute regular cheese with dairy-free mozzarella and ricotta alternatives. The texture won't be quite as stretchy, but still delicious.
- Buffalo Chicken: Toss shredded chicken in buffalo sauce, mix with cream cheese and mozzarella, and add blue cheese crumbles. Serve with ranch dressing for dipping.
- Dessert Calzones: For a sweet treat, fill with Nutella and sliced strawberries, or ricotta mixed with cinnamon sugar and chocolate chips. Dust with powdered sugar after cooking.
Equipment Recommendations
- Air Fryer: Any air fryer with at least a 4-quart capacity works great for making air fryer calzones. I love basket-style air fryers for easy flipping.
- Rolling Pin: A traditional rolling pin or wine bottle works perfectly for rolling out your pizza dough to an even thickness.
- Pastry Brush: Essential for applying egg wash and getting that golden-brown finish on your calzones.
- Kitchen Thermometer: Takes the guesswork out of knowing when your calzones are fully cooked (internal temp should hit 165°F).
- Dough Scraper: Makes dividing pizza dough into equal portions much easier and cleaner than using a knife.
- Parchment Paper: Air fryer parchment paper with holes prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze (just make sure it's secured under the calzones).
Storage & Meal Prep Tips
Refrigerator Storage:
Store leftover air fryer calzones in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Let them cool completely before refrigerating to prevent condensation from making them soggy.
Freezing Instructions:
Freeze unbaked calzones on a baking sheet until solid (about 2 hours), then transfer to freezer bags. They'll keep for up to 3 months. Cook frozen calzones directly in the air fryer at 350°F for 18-20 minutes.
Reheating Tips:
Reheat refrigerated calzones in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-6 minutes. This brings back the crispy texture better than a microwave ever could.
Meal Prep Strategy:
Make a double batch on Sunday and store them in the fridge or freezer. You'll have quick lunches or dinners ready all week long. Wrap individual air fryer calzones in foil or plastic wrap before storing.
Dipping Sauce Storage:
Keep pizza sauce or marinara in small containers in the fridge for up to a week. Portion them out when meal prepping for grab-and-go convenience.
The Golden Ratio Secret That Changes Everything
Here's what I learned after making hundreds of air fryer calzones: the secret isn't in the dough or even the temperature. It's the cheese-to-filling ratio. Use 2 parts cheese to 1 part other fillings, and you'll get that perfect gooey center without the calzone becoming a soggy mess. Too much sauce or vegetables releases moisture that makes the dough wet and prevents that crispy exterior we're after.
The other game-changing tip? Let your dough come to room temperature before working with it. Cold dough shrinks back when you roll it, fights you every step of the way, and creates uneven thickness. Room temperature dough rolls out smoothly, seals better, and gives you that perfect tender-yet-crispy texture in your finished air fryer calzones. These two secrets have saved me from countless disappointing batches and turned me into the calzone queen of my neighborhood.
FAQ
How do you cook calzones in the air fryer?
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F, place sealed air fryer calzones in the basket with space between them, and cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Brush with egg wash and spray with oil before cooking for the best results.
How long to heat calzone in an air fryer?
Reheat leftover air fryer calzones at 350°F for 5-6 minutes until heated through and crispy. Frozen calzones need 18-20 minutes at the same temperature. Always check the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
How to cook frozen calzone in an air fryer?
Cook frozen air fryer calzones straight from the freezer at 350°F for 18-20 minutes, no thawing needed. Flip them halfway through and add 2-3 extra minutes if they're not golden brown and crispy enough.
What not to cook in an air fryer?
Avoid cooking wet batters, fresh greens (they'll blow around), whole roasts (too big), and cheese without breading in an air fryer. However, air fryer calzones work perfectly because the cheese is sealed inside the dough and won't make a mess.
Your New Go-To Quick Dinner
Air fryer calzones have honestly revolutionized my weeknight dinner routine, and I know they'll do the same for you. These crispy, cheesy pockets of happiness take less time than ordering pizza and taste so much better. You can customize them endlessly, make them ahead for busy weeks, and even sneak in extra veggies for the kids without any complaints. The air fryer does all the heavy lifting, giving you consistent, restaurant-quality results every single time.
Whether you're planning game day snacks, need a quick lunch solution, or want to level up your pizza night, these air fryer calzones deliver on every level. Don't stop here though! Try my Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe for an amazing Southern-inspired appetizer, or whip up some Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs Recipe for another family-friendly dinner option. Both pair beautifully with these calzones and take advantage of your air fryer's incredible versatility. Now grab that pizza dough and get cooking; your best air fryer calzones are just 15 minutes away!
With love from my kitchen to yours,
Kaitlyn Reed
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Air fryer calzones recipe:
Air Fryer Calzones Recipe
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Rolling pin
- Pastry brush
- Kitchen thermometer
- Dough Scraper
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 1 pound pizza dough store-bought or homemade
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup pizza sauce plus extra for dipping
- 0.5 cup pepperoni slices or other protein of choice
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil spray for crispiness
- 1 egg beaten, for egg wash
- Optional Fillings sautéed peppers, mushrooms, spinach, or black olives
Instructions
- Let pizza dough sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before using.
- Roll dough into 6–8 inch circles on a floured surface.
- Mix cheeses, seasoning, and garlic powder in a bowl.
- Add filling and sauce to one half of the dough circle.
- Brush edges with egg, fold, and crimp tightly with a fork.
- Cut small slits on top to vent steam and brush with egg wash.
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F and spray basket lightly with oil.
- Cook for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown.
- Let rest for 3–4 minutes before serving.
- Serve with warm pizza sauce for dipping.
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