Last month, on a Tuesday evening after a long day of errands, I stood in the kitchen staring at a leftover rotisserie chicken and a jar of Alfredo sauce sitting half-empty in the fridge. My youngest was grumbling about being hungry again and I wasn’t in the mood for a complicated dinner.

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That’s when inspiration hit. I remembered a trick my neighbor once shared: turning pizza dough into handheld meals. Suddenly, calzones were on my mind.

I love calzones. They’re cozy, satisfying, and versatile—basically comfort food you can hold. But instead of baking them the traditional way, I threw them in the air fryer just to see what would happen. The result? Crispy, golden pockets oozing with cheesy Alfredo goodness and tender chicken. My husband went back for seconds before the rest of us even finished our first.

Now, it’s become a regular dinner in our house. I’ve made it for game nights, after-school meals, and even packed the leftovers in school lunches. It’s simple, fast, and hits the spot every time. Plus, my kids love anything that comes in a golden, handheld package. And let’s be honest, so do I.

Short Description

Crispy, cheesy, and loaded with creamy chicken Alfredo filling, these air fryer calzones are an easy, comforting family meal made with refrigerated pizza dough and ready in minutes.

Key Ingredients

For the Filling:

1 cup cooked chicken, shredded
1 cup Alfredo sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

For the Dough:

1 package (16 oz) refrigerated pizza dough
All-purpose flour (for dusting)

For Finishing:

1 tablespoon olive oil (for brushing)
1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Tools Needed

Air fryer
Rolling pin
Pastry brush
Mixing bowls
Fork (for crimping)
Knife or pizza cutter
Wire rack or cutting board (to cool calzones)

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F so it’s hot and ready by the time your calzones go in. A hot fryer = crispier crust.

Step 2: Make the Filling
In a medium bowl, stir together the shredded chicken, Alfredo sauce, mozzarella, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until creamy and well blended.

Step 3: Prep the Dough
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a large rectangle, about ¼-inch thick. Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to divide the dough into 4 even squares.

Step 4: Fill the Calzones
Spoon about ⅓ cup of the chicken Alfredo mixture into the center of each square.

Step 5: Fold and Seal
Fold one corner of each dough square over the filling to form a triangle or rectangle, depending on your fold. Press the edges firmly to seal. For extra hold, crimp the edges with a fork.

Step 6: Brush with Oil and Egg Wash
Brush the tops of the calzones with olive oil to help them crisp. Then, brush over them again with the beaten egg to get that golden-brown finish.

Step 7: Air Fry
Place calzones in the air fryer basket in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Cook at 375°F for 10–12 minutes until puffed, golden, and crisp on all sides. The cheese might bubble out a bit, that’s okay!

Step 8: Cool and Serve
Let them cool for about 1 minute before serving. The filling will be hot and gooey, perfect for that first bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Family-Friendly: Kids and adults alike will love the creamy filling and crispy crust.

Quick & Easy: Perfect for busy weeknights using store-bought dough and leftover chicken.

Customizable: Switch up the fillings based on what you have on hand.

Air Fryer Magic: Crisps the dough beautifully without heating the whole kitchen.

Comfort Food Meets Convenience: Tastes indulgent, but is totally doable on a weeknight.

Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions

Filling Overload: Too much filling can cause the dough to burst open. Stick to ⅓ cup or less per calzone.
→ Solution: Use a measuring cup to portion, and don’t push filling to the edges.

Not Sealing Edges Properly: Air fryer heat can force open weak seams.
→ Solution: Press firmly and crimp edges with a fork for a secure seal.

Dough Too Sticky to Handle: Some pizza doughs are wetter than others.
→ Solution: Dust hands and surface with flour before rolling and shaping.

Undercooking: If the calzone is pale or doughy, it may need more time.
→ Solution: Air fryer temps vary—add 1–2 minutes if needed. Look for a golden crust and bubbling cheese.

Crowding the Air Fryer: Putting too many calzones in at once can make them soggy.
→ Solution: Fry in batches with space in between.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Serve as a main dish with a side salad or roasted veggies.

Slice them in half for a snacky appetizer platter.

Great with a warm marinara or garlic butter dip on the side.

Pair with sparkling water, lemonade, or a crisp white wine for grown-up dinners.

Perfect for lunchboxes, just wrap in foil and pack with fresh fruit.

Storage and Reheating Tips

To Store: Let calzones cool completely. Wrap individually in foil or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge.

To Freeze: Freeze raw (unbaked) calzones on a tray, then transfer to freezer bags. Bake straight from frozen at 375°F for 15–18 minutes.

To Reheat (Air Fryer): Reheat at 350°F for 4–5 minutes until crisp and heated through.

To Reheat (Oven): Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.

Avoid Microwaving: It softens the crust and loses that crispy texture.

FAQs

1. Can I make these calzones ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble them ahead and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before air frying.

2. Can I use homemade Alfredo sauce?
Absolutely. If you have a go-to Alfredo recipe, use it—it’ll taste even fresher.

3. What if I don’t have an air fryer?
You can bake the calzones at 400°F in a conventional oven for about 15–18 minutes.

4. Can I use a different cheese?
Mozzarella melts best, but feel free to mix in provolone or parmesan for extra flavor.

5. What’s the best way to keep calzones crispy in leftovers?
Reheat in the air fryer or oven to maintain that golden crust.

Tips & Tricks

Let the filling cool slightly before assembling so the dough doesn’t get soggy.

Use parchment paper in the air fryer basket for easy cleanup.

Want extra flavor? Add a dash of red pepper flakes or chopped spinach to the filling.

Egg wash makes all the difference for that glossy finish—don’t skip it.

Slice a small slit in the top of each calzone before cooking to release steam and avoid blowouts.

Recipe Variations

1. Broccoli Chicken Alfredo Calzones

Add ½ cup finely chopped, cooked broccoli to the filling.

Pairs well with mozzarella and Alfredo for a creamy veggie twist.

2. Spicy Buffalo Chicken Calzones

Swap Alfredo for buffalo sauce + ranch dressing.

Add a sprinkle of blue cheese and diced celery for that classic buffalo flavor.

3. Vegetarian Alfredo Calzones

Skip the chicken. Use sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and bell peppers instead.

Still creamy and satisfying, but meatless!

4. BBQ Chicken Calzones

Swap Alfredo for BBQ sauce.

Use shredded cheddar instead of mozzarella. Sweet, tangy, and smoky!

5. Breakfast Calzones

Replace Alfredo and chicken with scrambled eggs, cooked bacon, and shredded cheddar.

Brush with butter and sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning.

Final Thoughts

These air fryer chicken Alfredo calzones are cozy, crunchy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and deeply satisfying in a way that only comfort food can be. When the kids are happy and there’s barely a mess to clean up afterward, that’s a mom win in my book.

The recipe is easy to tweak based on cravings or what’s in the fridge. And honestly, folding up dough with a rich, cheesy filling feels a little like wrapping up love in a pocket.

If you’ve got an air fryer and a family that loves warm, cheesy meals, this one’s worth trying. Keep this recipe handy for busy days, picky eaters, or those times you just need something warm and reliable. Because food like this isn’t just dinner—it’s connection. And sometimes, that’s the best part of the meal.

Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones Recipe