Easy Air Fryer Chicken Alfredo Calzones Recipe
Enjoy crispy, cheesy Air Fryer Chicken Alfredo Calzones made quick and easy. Perfect for a delicious homemade meal in minutes, this recipe combines tender chicken, rich Alfredo sauce, and melty cheese, all wrapped in golden, perfectly cooked dough using your air fryer. Whether you’re craving comfort food or a flavorful dinner option, these calzones are sure to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Convenient: Air fryer cooking speeds up the process, delivering crispy calzones in under 20 minutes.
- Deliciously Cheesy: The blend of mozzarella and Parmesan melts beautifully, creating a gooey, irresistible filling.
- Customizable Flavor: Easily swap ingredients to suit your taste or dietary needs without sacrificing flavor.
- Minimal Cleanup: Since everything cooks in the air fryer, you avoid heavy pots and pans.
- Perfect Portion Sizes: Individual calzones mean no fighting over slices and easy meal prep.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These simple but essential ingredients work together to bring out the full taste, texture, and inviting appearance of the Air Fryer Chicken Alfredo Calzones. Each adds a key element from creamy richness to that golden crust.
- Pre-cooked chicken: Tender shredded or diced chicken provides the hearty protein base.
- Alfredo sauce: Creamy Alfredo creates a luscious, flavorful binder for all the filling components.
- Mozzarella cheese: Melts perfectly for that classic cheesy pull inside each calzone.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds sharp, savory notes to balance creaminess.
- Pizza dough: Use store-bought or homemade dough for the golden calzone crust.
- Garlic powder and Italian seasoning: Essential for layering in bold, aromatic flavors.
- Olive oil or cooking spray: Helps achieve crispy, browned crust edges in the air fryer.
Variations for Air Fryer Chicken Alfredo Calzones
Feel free to get creative and adjust this recipe to fit your preferences, dietary restrictions, or available ingredients. The versatile nature of Air Fryer Chicken Alfredo Calzones makes customization a breeze.
- Swap the protein: Try cooked shrimp, sausage, or even vegetarian options like spinach and mushrooms.
- Change the cheese: Use provolone, fontina, or a blend for different textures and flavors.
- Add veggies: Incorporate sautéed bell peppers, onions, or sun-dried tomatoes for extra color and nutrition.
- Spice it up: Include red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce in the filling for some heat.
- Use gluten-free dough: Perfect for those with gluten sensitivities without losing that satisfying crust.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Alfredo Calzones
Step 1: Prepare the Filling
Combine shredded chicken, Alfredo sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning in a bowl. Mix until everything is evenly coated and cheesy.
Step 2: Roll Out the Dough
On a lightly floured surface, roll the pizza dough into even, 6 to 8-inch circles. These will form the base for your calzones.
Step 3: Assemble the Calzones
Spoon a generous amount of the chicken Alfredo filling onto one half of each dough circle. Leave space around the edges to seal properly.
Step 4: Seal and Brush
Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape, pressing edges firmly to seal. Brush the tops with olive oil or cooking spray for a golden crust.
Step 5: Air Fry
Place calzones in the air fryer basket without overlapping. Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 12–15 minutes, until golden brown and crispy on the outside.
Pro Tips for Making Air Fryer Chicken Alfredo Calzones
- Don’t overfill: Too much filling can cause leaking and make sealing difficult.
- Preheat the air fryer: This ensures even cooking and crispy results.
- Rotate halfway: Flip or rotate calzones during cooking to promote a uniform golden crust.
- Use parchment paper: Place a small piece under the calzones to prevent sticking but avoid blocking air circulation.
- Let them rest: Allow calzones to cool a few minutes before eating to avoid burning your mouth with hot cheese.
How to Serve Air Fryer Chicken Alfredo Calzones
Garnishes
Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or basil on top to add a pop of freshness and color. A light drizzle of extra Alfredo sauce or garlic butter enhances flavor and presentation.
Side Dishes
Serve these calzones alongside a crisp green salad with vinaigrette, steamed vegetables, or roasted garlic broccoli to balance richness with freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut calzones into smaller wedges for appetizer-style servings or assemble mini calzones for party platters that encourage sharing and fun flavors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place leftover calzones in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. This keeps the filling moist while maintaining crust texture after reheating.
Freezing
Wrap individual calzones tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil or use freezer bags. Freeze for up to 1 month, making future meals quick and convenient.
Reheating
Reheat calzones in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5–7 minutes for the best crispiness. Microwave reheating can be used but may soften the crust.
FAQs
Can I use fresh chicken instead of pre-cooked?
Yes, but make sure to cook the chicken thoroughly before mixing it with the Alfredo sauce so the filling is fully cooked inside the calzones.
What type of pizza dough works best?
Either store-bought or homemade pizza dough works well; choose one that’s easy to roll and not too sticky for simple handling.
Can I make these calzones vegetarian?
Absolutely! Replace the chicken with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or artichokes for a delicious vegetarian version.
Is it possible to bake these calzones instead of air frying?
Yes, bake them in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 15–20 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
How do I prevent the calzones from leaking?
Seal the edges tightly using a fork or your fingers, and avoid overfilling. Brushing the edges with a little water before sealing can also help create a better seal.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a tasty, easy, and approachable way to enjoy a homemade meal, these Air Fryer Chicken Alfredo Calzones check all the boxes. Crispy on the outside, creamy and cheesy inside, they’re sure to become a favorite in your recipe rotation. Give them a try and turn your next dinner into a cozy, delicious celebration!
Related Posts
- How to Make Creamy Fettuccine Alfredo Fast
- How to Make Homemade Korean Rice Cakes Fast
- Best Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Alfredo Calzones
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 calzones 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free dough)
Description
Enjoy quick and easy Air Fryer Chicken Alfredo Calzones that are crispy on the outside and cheesy on the inside. This recipe features tender chicken combined with rich Alfredo sauce and a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, all wrapped in golden pizza dough and cooked to perfection in the air fryer in under 20 minutes. Perfect for a comforting homemade meal with minimal cleanup and customizable to your taste.
Ingredients
Filling
- 1 to 1 ½ cups pre-cooked shredded or diced chicken
- ½ cup Alfredo sauce
- ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Calzone Dough
- 1 package store-bought or homemade pizza dough (enough for 4–6 calzones)
For Cooking
- Olive oil or cooking spray (for brushing the calzones)
Instructions
- Prepare the Filling: Combine shredded chicken, Alfredo sauce, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning in a bowl. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated and well incorporated.
- Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll the pizza dough into even circles approximately 6 to 8 inches in diameter. These circles will serve as the base for each calzone.
- Assemble the Calzones: Spoon a generous portion of the chicken Alfredo filling onto one half of each dough circle. Be sure to leave a border around the edges to allow for proper sealing.
- Seal and Brush: Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape. Press the edges firmly together to seal the calzone completely, using your fingers or a fork. Brush the top of each calzone with olive oil or cooking spray to promote a golden, crispy crust.
- Air Fry: Place the calzones in the air fryer basket without overlapping. Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 12 to 15 minutes until the crust is golden brown and crispy.
Notes
- Don’t overfill the calzones to prevent leaking and ensure an easy seal.
- Preheat your air fryer for best and most even cooking results.
- Rotate or flip the calzones halfway through cooking for uniform browning.
- Use a small piece of parchment paper under each calzone to avoid sticking, but do not block air circulation.
- Allow calzones to rest a few minutes before serving to avoid burning from hot cheese inside.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 calzone
- Calories: 350-400 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: air fryer, chicken Alfredo, calzones, quick dinner, cheesy calzones, homemade meal, easy recipe, comfort food