If you’re craving a comforting meal that feels indulgent yet comes together in a flash, you’re going to love this Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones Recipe. These golden, crispy pockets are stuffed with creamy Alfredo sauce, tender chicken, and melty cheese, creating the perfect balance of hearty and cheesy with every bite. Air frying makes them wonderfully crisp on the outside without any heavy frying oil, making this dish an easy weeknight winner you’re sure to want to make again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a special role in crafting that perfect calzone experience from crispy crust to creamy, cheesy filling full of savory chicken goodness.
- Pizza dough: The foundation for your calzones, providing a soft yet crispy base when cooked.
- Cooked chicken breast: Adds lean protein and tender texture; rotisserie chicken works great for a shortcut.
- Alfredo sauce: Brings rich, creamy flavor that makes the filling irresistibly gooey.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: For that classic melt and stretchy texture inside.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Offers a nutty sharpness that boosts the overall flavor.
- Garlic powder: Gives a subtle kick of savory depth.
- Dried Italian seasoning: A fragrant blend to brighten up the filling.
- Beaten egg (for egg wash): Creates a shiny, golden crust when baked.
- Olive oil spray: Helps crisp the calzones evenly in the air fryer.
How to Make Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the dough and filling
Start by dividing your pizza dough into four equal portions. Roll each one out on a lightly floured surface until you have a circle about 6 to 7 inches across—think of this as the perfect size to cradle that delicious filling. In a separate bowl, combine your cooked chicken, Alfredo sauce, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. This mix is where all the magic happens, blending creamy, cheesy, and savory flavors into one irresistible filling.
Step 2: Assemble the calzones
Spoon a generous amount of the chicken Alfredo filling onto one half of each dough circle. Be sure to leave a small border around the edges, which helps with sealing. Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape, then press the edges tightly with a fork to lock everything inside — this keeps all the cheesy goodness from leaking out while cooking.
Step 3: Prepare for air frying
Brush the tops of each calzone with the beaten egg to give them that beautiful golden color, and then lightly mist them with olive oil spray for an extra crisp finish. Place your calzones carefully in the air fryer basket, making sure they have room to crisp on all sides. You may need to cook them in batches depending on your air fryer size.
Step 4: Air fry until golden
Set your air fryer to 375°F and cook the calzones for 8 to 10 minutes. Keep an eye on them — you want the crust to be golden brown and perfectly crispy. Once done, remove and allow them to cool just a bit to avoid burning that eager mouth!
How to Serve Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or basil on top adds a fresh burst of color and flavor that complements the richness inside. A little cracked black pepper over the calzones right after cooking also enhances the savory notes perfectly.
Side Dishes
For a complete meal, serve your calzones alongside a crisp green salad with a zesty vinaigrette or some roasted vegetables. The freshness of the greens balances out the creamy richness beautifully and elevates your dinner plate to a whole new level.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut your calzones into halves or thirds to create shareable slices at the dinner table. You can also serve them with a small bowl of marinara or extra Alfredo sauce for dipping, turning this meal into a fun and interactive experience that everyone will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can keep any leftover Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When stored properly, they maintain their flavor and texture, perfect for a quick lunch or dinner the next day.
Freezing
These calzones freeze beautifully. Assemble them but do not air fry, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, air fry them straight from frozen, adding about 3 to 5 extra minutes to the cooking time for a hot, fresh-calzone feel anytime.
Reheating
To reheat, pop your calzones back into the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes, or until warmed through and crisp again. This method keeps the crust flaky and the filling creamy without drying it out like a microwave might.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought Alfredo sauce for this recipe?
Absolutely! Store-bought Alfredo sauce works perfectly well here and saves time. Just choose a quality sauce with a creamy texture and good flavor to keep your calzones delicious.
What can I add to make the filling more vegetable-rich?
You can stir in sautéed spinach, cooked broccoli, or even mushrooms to the filling. These veggies add nutrition and a delightful texture that complements the cheesy chicken mixture nicely.
Is pizza dough the only option for the crust?
Pizza dough is ideal because of its elasticity and crispness, but if you want to experiment, puff pastry can work for a lighter, flakier calzone. Just adjust the cooking time to avoid burning.
How can I tell when the calzones are done?
Look for a golden brown crust that feels firm to the touch and sounds hollow when tapped. The cheese inside should be melted, and the filling hot. Air fryers cook quickly, so check around the 8-minute mark.
Can I make these calzones vegetarian?
Definitely! Simply omit the chicken and double up on the veggies or add plant-based protein like seasoned tofu or mushrooms to make a delicious vegetarian version.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something so satisfying about biting into a hot, cheesy Calzone bursting with creamy Chicken Alfredo filling. This Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones Recipe offers all the flavors of a classic comfort meal but with a crispy twist that only an air fryer can deliver. It’s simple, quick, and utterly delicious—a recipe I can’t wait for you to try and make your own.
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Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 calzones
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Kid-Friendly
Description
These Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones combine the creamy richness of Alfredo sauce with tender shredded chicken and gooey mozzarella cheese, all encased in a crispy air-fried pizza dough pocket. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, these calzones cook quickly in the air fryer to golden-brown perfection and can be customized with your favorite veggies.
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 pound pizza dough, divided into 4 portions
Filling
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast, shredded or chopped
- 1/2 cup Alfredo sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
Topping
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Olive oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 375°F and allow it to preheat while you prepare the calzones.
- Prepare the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of pizza dough into a 6 to 7-inch circle to form the base for your calzone.
- Make the filling: In a bowl, combine the shredded or chopped chicken, Alfredo sauce, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, and dried Italian seasoning until well mixed.
- Assemble the calzones: Spoon the filling onto one half of each dough circle, leaving a border around the edge. Fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape and press the edges firmly with a fork to seal completely.
- Add egg wash and olive oil: Brush the tops of each calzone with the beaten egg to give them a golden color when cooked. Lightly spray the tops with olive oil to enhance crispiness.
- Air fry the calzones: Place calzones into the air fryer basket in a single layer, working in batches if necessary. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until they are golden brown and crisp on the outside.
- Cool and serve: Let the calzones cool slightly before serving to allow the filling to set and prevent burns.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a faster prep time.
- Add sautéed spinach or cooked broccoli to the filling to increase vegetable intake.
- For make-ahead convenience, assemble and freeze the uncooked calzones. When ready to eat, air fry from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
