Crispy Cheesy Chicken Alfredo Calzones (Printable version)
Golden air-fried calzones filled with shredded chicken, Alfredo sauce and melty cheeses; crisp outside, creamy inside.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dough
01 - 1 pound pizza dough, homemade or purchased
→ Filling
02 - 7 ounces cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
03 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
04 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 1/2 cup Alfredo sauce
06 - 1/2 cup chopped baby spinach, optional
07 - 1 garlic clove, minced
08 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
09 - Salt, to taste
10 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Assembly
11 - 1 large egg, beaten
12 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
13 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the air fryer to 360°F for 5 minutes.
02 - Divide pizza dough into 4 equal portions. Using a rolling pin, roll each portion into a 6-inch circle on a lightly floured surface.
03 - In a mixing bowl, combine chicken, mozzarella, Parmesan, Alfredo sauce, spinach if desired, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix ingredients thoroughly.
04 - Spoon one-fourth of the filling mixture on half of each dough circle, leaving a 1/2-inch margin along the edge.
05 - For extra crispiness, sprinkle a portion of cheddar cheese over the filling.
06 - Fold dough over filling to create a half-moon. Pinch edges firmly to seal, then crimp with a fork for additional security.
07 - Brush the tops with beaten egg, then apply olive oil lightly over each calzone using a pastry brush.
08 - Arrange calzones in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook in batches if needed.
09 - Air fry at 360°F for 12 to 15 minutes until golden and crisp.
10 - Allow calzones to cool for 2 to 3 minutes before serving.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- This is your shortcut to a crispy handheld dinner that feels fancy with almost no effort.
- The creamy, garlicky cheese filling is a clever way to win over both picky adults and hungry kids.
02 -
- Overfilling is the quickest way to a leaky calzone disaster; less is more when sealing the dough.
- Brushing both egg and oil on top was the game-changer that gave me that deep-fried look without the grease.
03 -
- Tucking in a little extra Parmesan near the edge guarantees cheesy 'pulls' with every bite.
- Spritz the calzones with olive oil spray before air frying for intense crunch without sogginess.