If you’re looking for creamy, cheesy comfort packed into a handheld treat, Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones are about to become your new obsession! These golden pizza pockets are as fun to make as they are to eat: loaded with tender chicken, gooey mozzarella, and rich Alfredo sauce, all tucked into soft pizza dough and cooked perfectly crisp in the air fryer. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or just want a simple weeknight delight, this is one of those recipes that always earns rave reviews.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This short ingredient list keeps things easy, but every item plays a starring role, adding to the heartiness, creaminess, or flavor burst that makes Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones so irresistible. Here’s what you’ll need, and why each piece matters:
- Pizza dough: The foundation for your calzone; you can use store-bought for convenience or homemade if you want to go the extra mile.
- Cooked chicken breast, shredded: This brings lean protein and soaks up all that Alfredo flavor for a satisfying bite.
- Alfredo sauce: The creamy, garlicky soul of this filling, making every mouthful luscious and rich.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: For that classic stretchy melt and mild flavor—can you ever really have too much?
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a sharp, salty note and brings that signature Alfredo tang.
- Italian seasoning: Just a teaspoon infuses the whole calzone with herby, aromatic warmth.
- Egg, beaten (for egg wash): This gives the calzones a glossy, golden finish they deserve.
- Olive oil spray: Ensures the crust crisps up beautifully in the air fryer without sticking.
- Marinara or extra Alfredo sauce for dipping (optional): Totally optional, but a fun way to double up on sauciness and flavor!
How to Make Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones
Step 1: Prep the Dough
First things first, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for some calzone magic. While that’s heating, divide your pizza dough into four equal pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a 6-inch circle. Aim for a thickness that’s not too thin (so it won’t leak) and not too thick (so it cooks through)—about a quarter-inch is perfect.
Step 2: Make the Filling
This step is pure comfort: In a medium bowl, combine the shredded chicken, Alfredo sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning. Stir everything together until you have a creamy, dreamy filling that’s loaded with cheesy goodness. Give it a quick taste and adjust the seasoning if you feel like it.
Step 3: Fill and Shape the Calzones
Spoon the chicken Alfredo mixture onto one half of each dough circle, making sure to leave about a half-inch border. This will give you plenty of space to seal the edges and avoid any messy leaks. Fold the dough over the filling to form a classic half-moon calzone, then use a fork to press and seal the edges all the way around for that signature look.
Step 4: Add the Finishing Touches
Whisk the egg and brush it over the tops of each calzone—this is your ticket to a beautiful, golden crust. A light spray of olive oil gives you extra crispness, and also helps the calzones brown up evenly in the air fryer.
Step 5: Air Fry to Perfection
Working in batches if necessary, place your calzones in the air fryer basket. Make sure there’s some room between them to allow the hot air to circulate. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until the crust is golden and the cheese is all melted inside. The irresistible smell will be your cue that they’re ready!
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!
Let your Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones cool for a minute or two (trust me—molten cheese is delicious but seriously hot inside!). Serve with a side of marinara or extra Alfredo sauce for dipping and get ready for smiles all around.
How to Serve Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones
Garnishes
Freshness makes these calzones shine, so try sprinkling them with chopped parsley or a little extra Parmesan cheese right before serving. A light dusting of cracked black pepper adds a pretty speckled finish and brings out all those creamy, cheesy notes.
Side Dishes
Round out your meal with a crisp Caesar salad, roasted green beans, or a simple arugula salad tossed with lemon and olive oil. Garlic breadsticks are also pure joy for scooping up leftover dip. You can keep it classic or go with any of your Italian-American favorites!
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or game-day fun, slice the calzones into wedges and serve on a big platter with little cups of dipping sauces. Or, tuck them into parchment for easy lunchboxes and picnics—Kids (and adults) can eat them by hand, making them perfect for on-the-go meals.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap any leftover Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones in foil or plastic wrap and stash them in the fridge. They’ll keep well for up to three days, and the flavors get even cozier as they mingle together.
Freezing
The beauty of this recipe is how freezer-friendly it is! After the calzones cook and cool, wrap them snugly in foil and pop them into a freezer bag. They stay delicious for up to two months. Quick weeknight dinners are always at your fingertips.
Reheating
Forget soggy microwaves—pop your calzone back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 4 minutes. This brings the crust right back to its original golden, crispy glory while melting the inside to perfection. If reheating from frozen, add a couple extra minutes to the air fryer time.
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken for the filling?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken works perfectly for Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones—just shred it up, toss with the other filling ingredients, and you’re good to go. It’s a great way to save even more time.
What kind of Alfredo sauce is best?
You can use any store-bought Alfredo sauce you love, or make a quick homemade version. Thicker sauces work best since they won’t leak out as easily during air frying.
Can I make Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones gluten free?
Yes! Just swap the pizza dough for any gluten-free pizza dough that you enjoy. All the fillings are naturally gluten free, so it’s an easy adjustment.
Do I need to pre-cook the dough before adding filling?
No need—just assemble, seal, and pop them straight into the air fryer. The air fryer cooks the dough and melts the cheese all in one go.
How can I customize the filling?
Get creative! Try adding sautéed spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, cooked mushrooms, or even a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a little kick. The base recipe for Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones is delicious, but it’s also super versatile.
Final Thoughts
You’re about to create something truly special with these Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones—comfort food that tastes gourmet, but is secretly so simple. Warm, gooey, and golden, they’re guaranteed to become a favorite in your kitchen, too. Give them a try and watch every bite disappear!
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Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 calzones 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones are a delicious twist on traditional calzones, with a creamy Alfredo sauce and chicken filling encased in a crispy, golden-brown crust. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Pizza Dough:
- 1 pound pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
Filling:
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 1/2 cup Alfredo sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
For Assembly:
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- olive oil spray
- marinara or extra Alfredo sauce for dipping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare Dough: Divide pizza dough into 4 equal portions and roll each into a 6-inch circle.
- Make Filling: In a bowl, mix shredded chicken, Alfredo sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning until well combined.
- Fill Calzones: Spoon filling onto one half of each dough circle, fold over to form a half-moon shape, and press edges to seal.
- Cook Calzones: Brush tops with egg wash, spray with olive oil, place in air fryer, and cook for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Serve: Serve hot with marinara or extra Alfredo sauce for dipping.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add sautéed spinach or sun-dried tomatoes to the filling.
- Calzones can be made ahead and reheated in the air fryer for 3–4 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 calzone
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 890 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
