Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones are honestly my answer for those “I want comfort food but I need it now, not in two hours” kinds of nights. Been there, done that. If you’re standing in your kitchen, staring at your air fryer, pretty much starving but still craving something crispy and loaded with flavor, you’re not alone. These calzones are ridiculously easy, and you don’t need much more than some leftover chicken and a few kitchen basics. (Okay, if you made crispy fried onions in your air fryer, toss a handful on top for an upgrade.) Let’s dive in and get you eating.
Why It Works
Honestly, I didn’t think my air fryer could get anything crispier than regular toast, but boy was I wrong. The outside of these calzones? Crispy, golden magic. And you barely use any oil—so it feels lighter, you know? You get this gooey, cheezy, garlicky inside, and then a shatteringly crisp shell. My kitchen never smells better than when these are cooking.
Don’t even get me started on cleanup. One basket to wipe, and that’s basically it. If you’re worried about thick dough being raw inside, nope, the air fryer cooks it through way faster than my ancient oven ever did. These calzones beat frozen pizza every single time, hands down.
Ingredient Swaps
Let’s say you popped open your fridge and you’re missing something traditional from that classic calzone list. Don’t freak out. I swap in rotisserie chicken if there’s no grilled chicken. Or, yes, I’ve even used some leftover turkey and it totally worked out. Got mozzarella? Awesome, but cheddar’s been great too, in a pinch.
Feeling wild? Drizzle in a little ranch or pesto instead of Alfredo sauce. Broccoli, spinach, peppers, whatever veggie leftovers are rolling around in your produce drawer—just toss ’em in. Puff pastry works if pizza dough is MIA (though it’s flakier and you might make a mess). Seriously, these calzones are whatever you want them to be. Zero food snobbery.
“My picky teens actually request these calzones, and usually, they complain about anything other than plain cheese pizza. So yeah, big win for this tired mom!”
– Jen W., North Carolina
How to Make Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones
Listen, if you’ve got some leftover chicken Alfredo and a craving for something outrageous, this is your moment.
Scoop that creamy, cheesy goodness into a piece of pizza dough, fold it over like a dreamy little pocket, seal the edges like you mean it, and toss it in the air fryer. In about 8–10 minutes, you’ve got a crispy-on-the-outside, gooey-on-the-inside calzone that tastes like it came from your favorite pizza joint—but way more indulgent.
I sometimes sneak in a handful of mozzarella or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes just to keep things spicy. It’s comfort food chaos in the best way possible.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Oh I have definitely made every calzone mistake in the book, so let me save you the hassle. One—don’t overfill. It’s tempting, but it explodes (not kidding, cheese everywhere). Two—seal those edges tight; pinch them, crimp them, whatever it takes. Otherwise, things leak and you’re just eating a sad dough pocket.
Also, spray just a little oil. Not so it turns into a greasy mess, but enough for color and crunch. And if it’s your first time using the air fryer, take a peek halfway through. Some fryers run hot and you’re not looking for burnt calzones (been there, not fun).
Storage & Reheating
So you went a little overboard and made extra. Honestly, respect. Pop any leftovers in a container in the fridge. For reheating, air fryer is king, even over the microwave, no question. You’ll get that crispy shell back in about 3-4 minutes (none of this soggy bread nonsense).
You can freeze them, too, if you’re into meal prepping. Just wrap ’em tight and freeze; then reheat straight from frozen in the air fryer. BOOM—crunchy and melty, even days later.
Serving Suggestions
- Dip them in warm Alfredo, marinara, or both.
- Pair with a crisp side salad for some green (makes you feel fancier).
- Dust with Parmesan cheese right as they come out, while hot.
- Serve next to Easy Air Fryer Pasta Chips for a full-on Italian snack vibe.
Common Questions
Can I make these calzones ahead of time?
Yup, assemble and stash in the fridge, then cook right before serving. Freshest is best though.
What’s the best dough to use?
Store-bought pizza dough is easiest, but homemade or even crescent roll dough works if you’re feeling creative.
Do I really need to spray oil?
Just a spritz! Helps everything crisp and brown beautifully.
Which air fryer temperature works best?
I stick to 375°F. Hot enough for a crust, not so hot as to char your dough.
Any shortcuts for extra crispy results?
Totally—if you want restaurant-level crunch, check out this trick to getting things crispy with an air fryer.
Why Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones Are My Go-To
So, there you go: everything you need to whip up easy, crispy Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones in a pinch. From switching up ingredients to pro tips for crunch, it’s clear the possibilities are endless. Need more inspiration? The folks over at Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones – Bad Batch Baking have even more creative spins, and you can compare with their process. For other creamy chicken ideas, hop over for this chicken alfredo casserole recipe. Bonus: if air fryer snacks are your jam, learn how to make frozen French fries in an air fryer. Anyway, don’t stress it, just get cooking and enjoy the crunchfest.
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Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones
Quick and crispy calzones filled with cheesy chicken Alfredo, perfect for a comforting meal in no time.
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 package store-bought pizza dough
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 cup Alfredo sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (optional)
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for spraying)
- Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll out the pizza dough and cut into circles.
- Mix shredded chicken with Alfredo sauce and garlic powder.
- Place the filling on one half of each dough circle.
- Sprinkle cheese over the filling, then fold the other half of the dough over.
- Seal the edges tightly by pinching or crimping.
- Spray the outside with olive oil for a crispy finish.
- Place in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.
- Garnish with Parmesan cheese and serve warm.
Notes
Feel free to customize the filling with leftover vegetables or different cheeses. Ensure not to overfill the calzones to prevent bursting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Paleo-Friendly
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 calzone
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: calzones, air fryer, comfort food, chicken recipes, Italian recipes