Crispy Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones Recipe

Golden Crispy Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones Recipe

Crispy, golden calzones packed with creamy chicken alfredo burst with flavor that’ll make your taste buds dance.

These air fryer chicken alfredo calzones combine classic Italian comfort with modern cooking convenience.

Melted cheese and tender chicken nestle inside a perfectly crisp pastry shell that crunches with each bite.

The air fryer works its magic, creating a restaurant-quality meal in minutes right in your kitchen.

Cheesy, savory, and irresistibly good, these calzones transform simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Quick to prepare and even faster to devour, you’ll want to add this recipe to your weekly dinner rotation.

Serve these golden pockets of deliciousness and watch everyone at the table ask for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 3

What Goes In Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones

For The Base:
  • Pizza Dough: Provides the perfect canvas for this delightful handheld meal, offering a soft yet crispy exterior that cradles the flavorful filling.
For The Filling Stars:
  • Cooked Chicken: Tender protein that brings heartiness and satisfying texture to the calzone, best when shredded or diced into bite-sized pieces.
  • Alfredo Sauce: Creamy white sauce that infuses rich, velvety flavor and helps bind the filling together, select a high-quality brand for maximum taste.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully, creating those irresistible stretchy cheese pulls and adding a mild, smooth taste.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Introduces a sharp, nutty depth that elevates the overall flavor profile, opt for freshly grated for maximum impact.
For The Finishing Touches:
  • Egg: Creates a gorgeous golden-brown sheen and helps seal the calzone edges, ensuring a picture-perfect presentation.
  • Garlic Powder: Adds a subtle aromatic warmth that complements the chicken and cheese.
  • Italian Seasoning: Brings a harmonious blend of herbs that adds complexity and traditional Italian flair.
  • Olive Oil: Optional finishing touch that helps achieve extra crispiness and beautiful color.
  • Marinara Sauce: Optional dipping sauce that provides a tangy contrast to the creamy filling.

Tools You’ll Need For Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones

  • Air Fryer: Essential appliance for perfectly crispy calzones without excess oil.
  • Mixing Bowl: Large bowl for combining chicken, cheese, and sauce ingredients.
  • Rolling Pin: Helps roll pizza dough into even circles for uniform calzones.
  • Fork: Used for crimping and sealing calzone edges securely.
  • Pastry Brush: Perfect for applying egg wash to create golden, shiny crust.
  • Cutting Board: Provides clean surface for rolling and preparing dough.
  • Measuring Spoons: Helps measure seasonings accurately for consistent flavor.

Steps For Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones

  • Dough Canvas

Stretch out soft pizza dough into delicate rounds, creating a blank canvas for our flavor journey.

  • Flavor Fusion

Blend tender chicken pieces with luxurious white sauce, melty cheese, and secret spice whispers that dance together in perfect harmony.

  • Pocket Magic

Carefully fold dough over the dreamy filling, creating plump half-moon treasure pouches sealed with gentle fork crimps.

  • Golden Transformation

Lovingly brush calzone surfaces with silky egg wash, preparing them for their crispy air fryer transformation.

  • Crisp Alchemy

Nestle calzones into air fryer basket, letting hot circulating winds turn them into golden-brown pillows of deliciousness at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

  • Delicious Destination

Allow calzones to rest briefly, then slice open to reveal steaming, creamy interior. Serve with zesty marinara for an extra flavor explosion.

Tips To Get Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones Right

  • Pro Sealing Technique: Pinch calzone edges tightly and use fork tines to create secure crimped borders that prevent filling from leaking during air frying.
  • Moisture Management: Pat chicken completely dry before mixing with sauce to avoid soggy calzone interiors and ensure crispy golden exteriors.
  • Temperature Timing: Let calzones rest 2-3 minutes after cooking to allow internal temperature to stabilize and prevent potential burning while maintaining perfect texture.
  • Cheese Distribution: Grate cheese freshly and spread evenly across filling to guarantee consistent melting and flavor in every bite.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace traditional pizza dough with cauliflower or gluten-free prepared dough for celiac-friendly version without compromising taste and texture.
  • Spicy Southwest Style: Replace Alfredo sauce with salsa, add jalapeños and swap mozzarella for pepper jack cheese for a zesty kick.
  • Mediterranean Twist: Use feta cheese, add spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and swap chicken with grilled Mediterranean-seasoned chicken.
  • Vegetarian Option: Substitute chicken with roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms mixed with ricotta cheese.

Ways To Serve Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones

  • Dip and Delight: Serve these calzones with a small bowl of warm marinara sauce for a classic Italian-style experience that adds tangy richness to each bite.
  • Fresh Garden Companion: Pair the calzones with a crisp side salad dressed in light vinaigrette to balance the creamy, cheesy filling and provide a refreshing contrast.
  • Appetizer Transformation: Cut calzones into smaller triangular pieces for a perfect party appetizer that guests can easily pick up and enjoy during social gatherings.
  • Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the creamy chicken Alfredo flavors with a chilled glass of Pinot Grigio or a light Chardonnay to enhance the overall dining experience.

How To Keep Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones Fresh

  • Smart Batch Preparation: Whip up multiple calzones during weekend meal prep and store them individually wrapped in aluminum foil for quick weeknight dinners.
  • Freezer-Friendly Option: Assemble uncooked calzones, layer between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Directly air fry from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to cooking time.
  • Refrigerator Storage Strategy: Keep cooked calzones in airtight containers for 3-4 days. Reheat in air fryer at 350F for 3-4 minutes to restore crispy texture and prevent sogginess.
  • Ingredient Prep Hack: Cook extra chicken and prepare dough portions in advance, storing separately in sealed containers to streamline future calzone assembly and reduce overall cooking time.
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Crispy Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones Recipe

Crispy Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones


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4.9 from 16 reviews

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 3 1x

Description

Homemade chicken alfredo air fryer calzones combine creamy cheese and tender chicken in a crispy pastry pocket. Italian-inspired comfort delivers a delightful meal you can quickly prepare with minimal kitchen effort.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (454 g) pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) cooked chicken, shredded or diced
  • 1 cup (240 ml) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup (120 ml) Alfredo sauce
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (optional, for brushing)
  • Marinara sauce (for dipping, optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep Ingredients: Blend shredded chicken, Alfredo sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning into a harmonious filling mixture.
  2. Shape Dough: Roll pizza dough into four 6-8 inch circular discs, ensuring uniform thickness and smooth edges.
  3. Fill and Seal: Position filling on one half of each dough circle, leaving a modest perimeter. Fold dough over, creating half-moon pockets, and firmly crimp edges with a fork to prevent leakage.
  4. Surface Finish: Delicately brush calzones with beaten egg to achieve a radiant golden exterior, potentially drizzling olive oil for enhanced crispness.
  5. Air Fry: Preheat air fryer to 375F (190C). Carefully place calzones in basket, avoiding overcrowding. Cook for 10-12 minutes until golden and crisp, working in batches if necessary.
  6. Serve: Rest calzones briefly after cooking to stabilize internal temperature. Present with marinara sauce for an optional complementary dipping experience.

Notes

  • Preheat Perfectly: Ensure air fryer reaches exact 375F to guarantee crispy, evenly cooked calzone exterior without soggy centers.
  • Seal Strategically: Press fork edges firmly to prevent filling leakage, creating a tight seal that locks in delicious Alfredo mixture during cooking.
  • Moderate Moisture: Use minimal Alfredo sauce to prevent soggy dough; drain excess chicken moisture to maintain crisp calzone texture.
  • Alternative Diet Hack: Substitute regular pizza dough with gluten-free options or cauliflower crust for low-carb dietary preferences without compromising taste.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 3
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 850 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Liam O’Sullivan

Liam O’Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Isabella brings a global spark to the Craft Meats table. Born in Florence and trained at the Apicius International School of Hospitality, she blends classic Italian flavor with modern writing that’s easy to follow and hard to forget. 

Her additional training at the Italian Chef Academy fueled her love for well-crafted dishes, especially ones that spotlight beautiful cuts of meat.

She’s a food writer with heart, and a deep love for storytelling through single recipes. Her goal? To help you cook with more confidence and a little more joy, no matter where you start.

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