Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones: Crispy, Cheesy Perfection 🧄🍕
These Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones are the perfect fusion of crispy dough, creamy Alfredo sauce, and tender chicken—all cooked to golden perfection in your air fryer. Whether you’re craving a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing appetizer, these calzones deliver restaurant-quality flavors with minimal effort. The air fryer ensures a beautifully crisp crust while keeping the filling rich and gooey, making every bite irresistible.
Imagine biting into a warm, flaky pocket stuffed with velvety Alfredo sauce, juicy chicken, and melted mozzarella—all enhanced with a hint of garlic and herbs. These calzones are not only delicious but also incredibly versatile, allowing you to customize the fillings to suit your taste. Plus, using the air fryer means no need for deep frying, resulting in a lighter yet equally satisfying meal. Perfect for busy families, game day snacks, or meal prep, these calzones will quickly become a favorite in your recipe rotation.
Quick Recipe Highlights
- Flavor Profile: Creamy, cheesy, and savory with a hint of garlic and herbs. The Alfredo sauce pairs perfectly with tender chicken and melted mozzarella.
- Texture: Crispy golden crust on the outside, soft and chewy inside, with a luscious, gooey filling.
- Aroma: The scent of garlic, Parmesan, and herbs fills the air as the calzones cook, making your kitchen smell like an Italian trattoria.
- Visual Appeal: Golden-brown pockets with a slight crisp, oozing cheesy filling when sliced open.
- Skill Level Needed: Beginner-friendly—no advanced techniques required, just simple folding and air frying.
- Special Equipment: An air fryer is essential for achieving the perfect crispy texture without deep frying.
Recipe Overview
- Difficulty Level: This recipe is easy enough for beginners but delivers impressive results. The steps are straightforward, and the air fryer does most of the work.
- Category: Main dish, appetizer, or snack—these calzones are versatile enough for any occasion.
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired with a modern twist, thanks to the air fryer cooking method.
- Cost: Budget-friendly, using simple ingredients like store-bought pizza dough, chicken, and Alfredo sauce.
- Season: Perfect year-round, but especially comforting in cooler months.
- Occasion: Great for weeknight dinners, game day snacks, or meal prep for lunches.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Taste and Texture Appeal: The combination of crispy dough and creamy Alfredo filling is simply irresistible. Each bite delivers a satisfying contrast of textures, while the garlic and herbs add depth of flavor.
Convenience and Preparation Benefits: With just 15 minutes of prep and 12 minutes in the air fryer, these calzones are faster than delivery pizza. Plus, they reheat beautifully, making them ideal for meal prep.
Nutritional Advantages: By air frying instead of deep frying, you cut down on excess oil without sacrificing crispiness. You can also customize the fillings with veggies for added nutrition.
Social and Entertaining Value: These calzones are perfect for sharing—serve them as an appetizer at parties or as a fun family dinner where everyone can personalize their fillings.
Cost-Effectiveness and Accessibility: Made with affordable, easy-to-find ingredients, this recipe is a budget-friendly way to enjoy restaurant-quality flavors at home.
The Recipe
Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 12 mins
Total Time: 27 mins
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Air fryer
- Rolling pin
- Pastry brush
- Mixing bowls
- Knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 lb pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 cup Alfredo sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Divide the pizza dough into 4 equal portions and roll each into a 6-inch circle.
- In a bowl, mix the chicken, Alfredo sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Spoon 1/4 of the filling onto one half of each dough circle, leaving a border.
- Fold the dough over the filling and crimp the edges with a fork to seal.
- Brush the calzones with egg wash and lightly drizzle with olive oil.
- Air fry for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown and crispy.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Recipe Notes
- For extra crispiness, spritz the calzones with cooking spray before air frying.
- Add spinach, mushrooms, or bacon for extra flavor and texture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer for 3-4 minutes.
