Quick Air Fryer Calzones: Golden Crust, Cheesy Fillings (Print Version)
Whip up these easy air fryer calzones in minutes! Golden crust, gooey cheese, and your favorite fillings make for a quick, satisfying meal. Perfect for busy weeknights.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Italian
Dietary: Vegetarian
# Ingredients:
→ Dough & Dairy
01 -
Pre-made Pizza Dough (1 lb ball)
02 -
Low-Moisture Mozzarella Cheese (1.5 cups, shredded)
03 -
Ricotta Cheese (1/2 cup)
→ Fillings & Flavor
04 -
Marinara Sauce (1/2 cup, plus more for dipping)
05 -
Pepperoni Slices (1/2 cup, mini or chopped)
06 -
Garlic Powder (1/2 tsp)
→ Finishing Touches
07 -
Dried Oregano (1/4 tsp)
08 -
Egg (1 large, beaten)
09 -
Olive Oil (1 tsp)
# Instructions:
01 -
First things first, let's get that dough ready. Unroll your pre-made pizza dough on a lightly floured surface. I usually just use a bit of flour or cornmeal to keep it from sticking, because nothing's worse than wrestling with sticky dough, right? Divide the dough into two equal pieces. For truly easy air fryer calzones, roll each piece into an oval, roughly 7-8 inches long. Don't overwork it, just enough to get a nice, even surface. I always aim for a thickness that’s not too thin it tears, but not so thick it feels bready.
02 -
Now for the fun part! On one half of each dough oval (leaving a clear border for sealing), spread about 1/4 cup of marinara sauce. Then, layer on about 3/4 cup of mozzarella, a quarter cup of ricotta, a sprinkle of garlic powder, dried oregano, and half of your pepperoni. I always try to keep the fillings centered and away from the edges. The first time I made these, I packed it like a suitcase for a long trip, and cheese went everywhere. Learn from my mistakes, a little restraint goes a long way!
03 -
Time to seal these beauties! Fold the empty half of the dough over the filling, lining up the edges. Gently press down around the edges to seal. This is where I go a little crazy with a fork, pressing down firmly all around the curved edge to create a pretty crimped pattern and ensure a super tight seal. You don't want any cheese escaping during cooking, trust me, it makes a mess and nobody wants that. A good seal means a happy calzone!
04 -
In a small bowl, whisk that egg until it's nice and smooth. This is our secret weapon for that beautiful, golden-brown crust. Brush the tops of your sealed easy air fryer calzones generously with the egg wash. After brushing, cut two or three small slits on the top of each calzone. This isn't just for looks; it allows steam to escape, preventing them from puffing up too much and possibly bursting. I totally forgot the slits once, and they looked like little dough balloons!
05 -
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). While it's heating, lightly brush your air fryer basket with olive oil or, my personal preference, line it with a piece of parchment paper cut to fit. Carefully transfer one or two calzones to the basket, depending on the size of your air fryer—don't overcrowd it! Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they're beautifully golden brown and puffed. It smells absolutely incredible at this stage, pure Italian goodness wafting through the kitchen!
06 -
Once golden and cooked through, carefully remove the easy air fryer calzones from the basket. Place them on a wire rack to cool for about 5 minutes. This resting period is crucial, honestly. It lets the cheese settle and prevents you from burning your mouth on molten filling (been there, done that, not fun). Serve these warm with extra marinara for dipping. The crust will be perfectly crisp, the cheese gooey, and every bite just pure comfort. Enjoy!
# Notes:
01 -
Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches for even crisping.
02 -
Low-moisture mozzarella is your best friend here; fresh mozzarella will make your calzones watery.
03 -
Letting the calzones rest for a few minutes after cooking prevents molten cheese burns.
04 -
A little sprinkle of Parmesan in the filling adds a nice salty kick, I tried it and loved it!
# Tools You'll Need:
01 -
Air fryer
02 -
rolling pin
03 -
small bowls
04 -
pastry brush
05 -
fork
# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Calories: 450 kcal
Total Fat: 20 g
Total Carbohydrate: 45 g
Protein: 25 g