Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones Recipe

Ever stumble upon a recipe that’s like finding hidden treasure on a lazy Sunday afternoon? Picture this: golden, crispy calzones bursting with creamy Alfredo goodness and seasoned chicken, all coming together in your air fryer. I’m inviting you to take a delicious detour with my Chicken Alfredo calzones—a perfect culinary escape that fits right in the palm of your hand!

I enjoy making these Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones because they add an exciting twist to familiar flavors that I love. The calzone is filled with not just mozzarella, but also with some piping hot Parmesan cheese.

Ah, such lovely flavors! We start with shredded rotisserie chicken, then slather the poached poultry with a some too-easy-to-make Alfredo sauce.

(Shout out to the recipes that call for cream cheese. You are the real MVP.)

Ingredients

• Pizza Dough: A source of carbohydrates providing energy and a delicious crispy base.
• Cooked Chicken Breast: High in protein while low in fat, it’s a lean, healthy meat.
• Alfredo Sauce: Adds creamy richness with a blend of Parmesan cheese and cream.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Rich in calcium, it melts smoothly and offers a mild flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese: Aged cheese giving a sharp, nutty taste and extra umami.

Ingredient Quantities

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• 1 pound of pizza dough
• 1 cup cooked chicken breast, shredded
• 1/2 cup Alfredo sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Flour, for dusting
• Salt and pepper to taste

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How to Make this

1. Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) to warm up for about 5 minutes.

2. On a surface dusted with flour, split the pizza dough into four equal parts, and shape each part into a sphere 6 inches across.

3. In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken that has been cooked, the Alfredo sauce, the mozzarella cheese, the Parmesan cheese, the garlic powder, the Italian seasoning, the salt, and the pepper. Mix until everything is well-combined.

4. Ladle out a quarter of the chicken mixture onto one half of each dough circle, keeping a small border around the edges. This is a step to prepare to fold the circles over.

5. The dough’s other half should be folded over the filling, and the edges must be pressed tightly with a fork to seal, making a half-moon calzone. Ensure there are no leaks.

6. Using a soft brush, apply a light coating of olive oil to the top of each calzone. This will help them brown and crisp up in the oven.

7. Place the calzones in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they do not touch or overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.

8. Prepare the calzones in the air fryer set at 375°F (190°C). Cook them in the air fryer for 12-15 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and the dough is cooked thoroughly.

9. Take the calzones out of the air fryer and let them cool down a little bit before you serve them.

10. Serve warm. You may optionally garnish with:
• Additional Parmesan cheese
• Fresh herbs

Enjoy your Chicken Alfredo air fryer calzones!

Equipment Needed

1. Air fryer
2. Mixing bowl
3. Cooking spoon or spatula
4. Rolling pin
5. Measuring spoons
6. Measuring cups
7. Pastry brush
8. Fork
9. Knife
10. Cutting board
11. Baking surface (such as a countertop or pastry board)

FAQ

• Can I use store-bought pizza dough for the calzones?Indeed, using pizza dough from the store is a good way to make this recipe work and to save some minutes in the kitchen.
• What if I don’t have an air fryer?The calzones can be baked in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 15-20 minutes or until they appear golden brown.
• Can I substitute the cheese?Other kinds of cheese can be used, like cheddar or provolone, but for the best classic Alfredo taste, use mozzarella and Parmesan.
• Is there a substitute for Alfredo sauce?In the absence of Alfredo sauce, one might use a white sauce or prepare a rapid alternative with cream, butter, and Parmesan.
• How do I prevent the calzones from bursting open?Make sure you tightly close the edges by pinching or crimping them with a fork, and do not overfill the calzones.
• Can I make these calzones ahead of time?Certainly, you can make them ahead of time and keep them unprepared in the refrigerator for as long as a day or in the freezer for a longer duration.
• How should I reheat leftover calzones?Air-fry them at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until they’re warm and crispy again.

Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones Recipe Substitutions and Variations

1 pound of whole wheat or gluten-free pizza dough to substitute for regular pizza dough
1 cup cooked turkey breast, shredded, instead of chicken breast
1/2 cup pesto sauce instead of Alfredo sauce for a different flavor profile
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese if mozzarella is not available
1/4 cup nutritional yeast mixed with 1/4 cup pine nuts and 1/4 teaspoon salt as a non-dairy substitute for Parmesan cheese

Pro Tips

1. Ensure a Tight Seal: When sealing the calzones, press the edges firmly with a fork and consider lightly dampening the edges with water before pressing. This will help prevent any leaks during cooking.