This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
These air fryer calzones are everything you want in a family-friendly meal—quick, fun to customize, and totally delicious. A perfect after-school snack or easy dinner idea that kids will ask for again and again!
Why I Love This Recipe
We love pizza in our house, and these calzones let us feed that pizza craving without making the entire pizza. I’ve made these air fryer calzones so many times I’ve lost count. They’re quick, crispy on the outside, and loaded with melty cheese and pepperoni inside. If you’re looking for a handheld pizza fix that comes together fast and with minimal cleanup, this is the recipe.
These calzones are a go-to when you’re craving pizza but want something a little more fun (and faster) than baking a full pie. All you need is a little dough, your favorite pizza toppings, and an air fryer. Whether you’re making these for a weeknight dinner, game day snack, or meal prep—this recipe checks all the boxes.
Recipe Ingredients
- Pizza Dough – You can use store-bought or homemade dough. I like to portion and roll it out into small rounds.
- Pizza Sauce – For a classic calzone flavor.
- Mozzarella Cheese – Use freshly shredded mozzarella for the best melt.
- Pepperoni Slices – Adds a salty, savory bite. You can swap in cooked sausage, veggies, or go with a plain cheese calzone.
- Olive Oil – For brushing the outside of the calzone so it gets that perfect golden crust.
- Italian Seasoning – A little sprinkle inside the calzone adds great herby flavor.
Variations
- Veggie Calzone – Add sautéed mushrooms, peppers, spinach, or onions.
- Meat Lovers – Combine cooked sausage, ham, and pepperoni.
- Four Cheese – Use mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan, and provolone for a cheesy twist.
How to Make Calzones in the Air Fryer
STEP 1 – Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes.
STEP 2 – Divide the pizza dough into equal portions. Roll each one into a small, round shape on a lightly floured surface.
STEP 3 – On one half of the dough round, spread pizza sauce, a generous handful of shredded mozzarella, pepperoni, and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning.
STEP 4 – Fold the dough over to form a half moon shape. Pinch the edges firmly to seal. You can use a fork to crimp the edges.
STEP 5 – Brush the outside of each calzone with olive oil.
STEP 6 – Place the calzones in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t touch. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 7–10 minutes, flipping halfway through. After flipping, brush the tops again with a little more olive oil and finish cooking.
STEP 7 – Remove from the air fryer and let cool slightly. Serve hot!
Tips
- Don’t overfill the calzones – It might be tempting to stuff them to the max, but too much filling can cause them to burst open while cooking.
- Seal the edges well – Press tightly and crimp with a fork to keep everything inside during cooking.
- Watch the timing – Air fryers can vary. Start checking at the 7-minute mark and go longer if needed for a golden crust.
- Use parchment – If your air fryer tends to stick, you can use air fryer parchment liners to keep things mess-free.
FAQs
Yes, but the texture will be different. Crescent rolls will be flakier and puff pastry more delicate. You’ll need to adjust the cook time slightly—start checking at the 6-minute mark.
Yes! Once cooled, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3–5 minutes to bring back the crisp.
Absolutely. Assemble the calzones, then freeze them raw or cooked. If freezing raw, wrap tightly and cook straight from frozen in the air fryer, adding a couple of extra minutes to the time.
These are great on their own, but they’re even better with a side of warm marinara for dipping, or a simple salad to balance out the richness.
Make snack time exciting with these air fryer calzones! They’re golden, cheesy, and made in minutes—perfect for hungry kids after school or a quick, mess-free dinner.
More Air Fryer Pizza Recipes You Might Like:
Air Fryer Calzones
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 can of refrigerated pizza dough
- 2 Tablespoons pizza sauce
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup pepperoni slices
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes.
- Divide the pizza dough into equal portions. Roll each one into a small, round shape on a lightly floured surface.
- On one half of the dough round, spread pizza sauce, a generous handful of shredded mozzarella, pepperoni, and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning.
- Fold the dough over to form a half moon shape. Pinch the edges firmly to seal. You can use a fork to crimp the edges.
- Brush the outside of each calzone with olive oil.
- Place the calzones in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t touch. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 7–10 minutes, flipping halfway through. After flipping, brush the tops again with a little more olive oil and finish cooking.
- Remove from the air fryer and let cool slightly. Serve hot!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
