Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones Recipe

 

🍗🍝 Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones

A Crispy, Cheesy Delight You Can Make in Under an Hour!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Calzones are essentially stuffed pizzas folded over and baked until golden. This version features a rich, creamy chicken Alfredo filling that’s hearty, flavorful, and perfect comfort food. Using an air fryer gives you a beautifully crisp crust with less oil and fuss than deep frying or pan frying.

This recipe is:

• Quick & easy to prepare

• Loaded with tender chicken and cheesy Alfredo sauce

• Made healthier with the air fryer’s minimal oil use

• Perfect for lunch, dinner, or even meal prep!

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Ingredients

For the Dough (makes 4 large calzones)

• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)

• 1 cup warm water (about 110°F/43°C)

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the Chicken Alfredo Filling

• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or chopped (rotisserie chicken works great)

• 1 cup prepared Alfredo sauce (store-bought or homemade, recipe below)

• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• Optional: chopped spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor and texture

For Finishing

• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

• Olive oil spray or brush

• Optional: extra Parmesan or Italian seasoning for topping

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Equipment Needed

• Mixing bowls

• Whisk or fork

• Rolling pin

• Air fryer

• Baking sheet or parchment paper (for resting dough)

• Knife or pizza cutter

• Spoon or small ladle

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Step 1: Making the Dough

1.1 Activate the Yeast

In a medium bowl, combine warm water and sugar. Stir until sugar dissolves. Sprinkle yeast on top. Let it sit 5–10 minutes until frothy and bubbly. This means the yeast is active.

1.2 Mix the Dough

In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil. Stir with a wooden spoon or your hands until a shaggy dough forms.

1.3 Knead the Dough

Turn dough onto a floured surface. Knead for about 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add flour sparingly if dough is too sticky.

1.4 First Rise

Lightly oil a bowl. Place dough inside, turning to coat. Cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

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Step 2: Prepare the Chicken Alfredo Filling

2.1 Cook or Prepare Chicken

If you don’t have cooked chicken, season 2 chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Sauté in olive oil over medium heat until cooked through (~6–7 minutes per side). Let cool, then shred or chop.

2.2 Make Alfredo Sauce (optional, homemade)

If using store-bought Alfredo sauce, skip to 2.3.

Ingredients for homemade Alfredo sauce:

• 4 tablespoons butter

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 ½ cups heavy cream

• 1 ½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic; sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute).

• Add cream; simmer gently for 3–5 minutes.

• Slowly whisk in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.

• Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.

2.3 Mix the Filling

In a bowl, combine cooked chicken, Alfredo sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add any optional veggies like spinach or sun-dried tomatoes.

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Step 3: Assemble the Calzones

3.1 Divide Dough

Punch down risen dough. Divide into 4 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball.

3.2 Roll Out Dough

On a lightly floured surface, roll each ball into a circle roughly 8 inches in diameter.

3.3 Fill the Calzones

Place about ½ cup of filling on one half of each dough circle, leaving about 1-inch border around edges.

3.4 Fold and Seal

Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press edges to seal. Crimp edges by folding or pressing with a fork to ensure filling doesn’t leak.

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Step 4: Prepare for Air Frying

4.1 Egg Wash

Brush the top of each calzone with beaten egg. This will give a golden, shiny crust.

4.2 Preheat Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 370°F (188°C) for about 3–5 minutes.

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Step 5: Air Fry the Calzones

5.1 Place Calzones in Basket

Place calzones in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd — cook in batches if needed.

5.2 Cook

Air fry for 10–12 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Check halfway; if tops brown too fast, cover loosely with foil.

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Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Let calzones cool for 2–3 minutes before slicing to avoid hot filling spilling. Serve with marinara or extra Alfredo sauce on the side for dipping.

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Additional Tips for Perfect Calzones

• Don’t overfill: Too much filling can cause leaks.

• Use cold filling: Warm filling can make dough sticky and harder to seal.

• Try different cheeses: Provolone, fontina, or asiago work great.

• Add fresh herbs: Basil or oregano sprinkled inside adds freshness.

• Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Reheat in air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes.

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Variations to Try

Spinach & Ricotta Calzones

Replace chicken Alfredo with ricotta, spinach, mozzarella, and Parmesan for a vegetarian option.

BBQ Chicken Calzones

Use shredded chicken tossed in BBQ sauce with cheddar and red onion.

Meat Lover’s Calzones

Add cooked sausage, pepperoni, and bacon bits with mozzarella and marinara.

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Nutritional Estimate (per calzone)

• Calories: 550–650 kcal

• Protein: 35g

• Carbs: 55g

• Fat: 20g

• Fiber: 2g

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Why Air Fryer Calzones?

Air frying calzones cuts down on oil use and gives a crisp crust without a hot oven or deep fryer. Plus, they cook faster, making them ideal for busy weeknights or quick lunches.

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Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Dough too sticky: Add flour a tablespoon at a time during kneading.

• Calzones burst open: Seal edges firmly and don’t overfill.

• Undercooked dough: Make sure dough thickness is even and preheat air fryer.

• Dry filling: Use enough Alfredo sauce to keep filling moist but not runny.

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Final Words

Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones combine indulgent flavors with convenience. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or craving a cozy solo meal, this recipe delivers every time. The crispy crust, creamy cheesy chicken filling, and quick cooking make it a new favorite to keep on repeat!