Description
Delicious air fryer calzones bring Italian comfort straight to kitchen counters with crispy golden crusts and melted cheese inside. Home cooks can savor restaurant-quality pockets packed with savory fillings, creating memorable meals in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) pizza dough
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) pizza sauce
- 1 cup (226 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup (120 grams) ricotta cheese
- ½ cup (75 grams) sliced pepperoni or other toppings
Cheese and Seasoning Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon (1.25 grams) garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon (1.25 grams) red pepper flakes (optional)
Preparation Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil (for brushing)
- 1 egg (for egg wash, optional)
- ¼ cup (30 grams) all-purpose flour (for rolling)
Instructions
- Prepare your culinary workspace by positioning the air fryer on a stable surface and preheating it to a crisp 375F (190C), ensuring optimal cooking temperature.
- Transform the pizza dough into delicate circular canvases by gently rolling it out on a lightly floured surface, creating 6-inch rounds with a slender 1/4 inch thickness.
- Craft your flavor foundation by spreading a layer of zesty pizza sauce across one half of each dough circle, creating a tantalizing base for the upcoming flavor explosion.
- Generously layer the moistened dough surface with a harmonious blend of mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan cheeses, then sprinkle with aromatic Italian seasoning and garlic powder to elevate the taste profile.
- Artfully fold the dough over the luscious filling, creating a crescent-shaped pocket that encapsulates the savory ingredients within a delicate embrace.
- Meticulously seal the edges by pressing firmly and crimping with a fork, creating a robust barrier to prevent any delicious filling from escaping during cooking.
- Transform the calzones with a glossy finish by gently brushing the exterior with whisked egg, which will produce a golden, crispy exterior that entices the eye and palate.
- Carefully arrange the prepared calzones in a single layer within the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not touch, to promote even cooking and maximum crispiness.
- Cook the calzones for 8-10 minutes, executing a careful midway flip to guarantee uniform browning and a perfectly crisp exterior.
- Allow the calzones a brief moment to cool and settle, then serve immediately with additional pizza sauce for a delightful dipping experience that completes this culinary journey.
Notes
- For a perfectly crispy crust, ensure the dough is rolled thin and evenly, preventing thick, doughy edges that may remain undercooked.
- Avoid overfilling the calzones, as this can cause them to burst open during cooking and create a messy air fryer.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like adding provolone or swapping ricotta for cottage cheese to create unique flavor profiles.
- Brush the calzones with a light coating of olive oil or egg wash to achieve a beautiful golden-brown exterior that’s both crispy and glossy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg