Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones combine the creamy goodness of chicken Alfredo with the crispy, golden crunch of a calzone, all cooked effortlessly in the air fryer. These calzones are a quick and easy meal that’s both hearty and flavorful, making them perfect for a busy weeknight or when entertaining guests. The air fryer gives them a golden crispiness while keeping them lighter than traditional frying.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded

• 1 cup Alfredo sauce

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 package (16 oz) refrigerated pizza dough

• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for brushing)

• 1 egg (for egg wash)

Directions

1. Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).

2. Prepare the filling: In a bowl, mix the shredded chicken, Alfredo sauce, mozzarella cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until well combined.

3. Prepare the dough: Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thick. Cut it into 4 equal squares.

4. Assemble the calzones: Place a generous scoop of the chicken Alfredo mixture (about ⅓ cup) in the center of each square. Fold the dough over the filling to create a pocket and press the edges firmly to seal.

5. Add the egg wash: Brush the tops of the calzones with olive oil, and use a beaten egg to brush over the top for a golden finish.

6. Air fry: Place the calzones in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t touch. Air fry for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.

7. Serve: Let the calzones cool for a minute before serving. Enjoy with marinara sauce for dipping.

Nutrients

• Calories: Approximately 400 kcal per calzone

• Fat: 20g

• Protein: 25g

• Carbohydrates: 30g

  • Fiber: 2g

Why Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones Work

What makes Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones so irresistible is the creamy and savory filling paired with the light and crispy dough. The creamy Alfredo sauce combined with shredded chicken and mozzarella cheese creates a rich, comforting filling that’s balanced by the slight seasoning of garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and the natural flavors of the chicken. The air fryer does wonders by giving the dough a crispy, golden exterior without the heaviness of traditional frying, making these calzones a healthier alternative while still maintaining that satisfying crunch.

Moreover, the versatility of this dish allows you to customize it based on your preferences. The chicken Alfredo filling can be made in advance, and the calzones themselves can be frozen for later use, making this an easy meal to prepare when time is tight.

The Chicken Alfredo Filling: Creamy and Savory

The chicken Alfredo filling is the heart of this dish, and it’s incredibly simple to prepare. Shredded cooked chicken is mixed with creamy Alfredo sauce and mozzarella cheese, which melts perfectly in the calzone, creating a rich, gooey filling. The garlic powder and Italian seasoning add a wonderful depth of flavor to the mixture, giving the calzones a savory aroma and taste that’s unmistakably comforting.

The chicken provides lean protein and a tender texture that contrasts beautifully with the creamy Alfredo sauce, making each bite satisfying. The mozzarella cheese adds a luscious, stretchy texture that ties the filling together, ensuring that every bite of the calzone is cheesy and flavorful.

The Dough: Flaky and Golden

The dough for these calzones is simple yet crucial for creating the perfect crispy crust. By using refrigerated pizza dough, you save time without sacrificing quality, as the dough is easy to work with and bakes beautifully in the air fryer. Rolling the dough out to ¼ inch thickness ensures that the crust will cook evenly, becoming golden and crisp while still soft and chewy on the inside.

Once filled with the chicken Alfredo mixture, the dough is folded over to create a pocket, and the edges are sealed firmly to prevent any filling from spilling out during baking. Brushing the top of the calzones with olive oil and egg wash creates a glossy, golden finish, ensuring they look as delicious as they taste.

Assembling the Calzones: Simple Yet Delicious

Assembling these Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones is a quick and easy process. After rolling out the dough and cutting it into squares, you simply place a generous scoop of the creamy chicken Alfredo mixture in the center of each square. The dough is then folded over the filling, creating a sealed pocket. This method ensures that all the flavorful filling stays inside the calzone as it cooks, with the air fryer doing the work to create a crisp and golden exterior.

The egg wash is the finishing touch, providing a shiny, golden color to the calzones, making them even more appetizing when served. The olive oil brushing helps keep the exterior moist while baking, contributing to the perfect texture.

Air Frying the Calzones: Golden and Crisp

The air fryer works wonders for these Chicken Alfredo Calzones, cooking them in a fraction of the time it would take in a conventional oven while delivering a perfect crispy crust. Preheating the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) ensures that the calzones cook quickly and evenly. After placing the calzones in the air fryer basket, it’s important to ensure they don’t touch each other so that they crisp up properly on all sides.

Air frying for 10-12 minutes is usually enough to achieve a golden brown color and ensure that the filling is fully cooked through. You’ll know the calzones are ready when they’re golden on the outside and the cheese inside has melted to a gooey perfection.

Serving Suggestions

Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones are delicious on their own but can be served with a variety of sides for a more complete meal. A side of marinara sauce for dipping adds a tangy contrast to the richness of the Alfredo filling. A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette can help balance the richness of the calzones, providing a refreshing contrast to the creamy filling.

For a heartier meal, consider serving the calzones with roasted vegetables or sautéed spinach. The freshness of the vegetables provides a nice balance to the rich and cheesy calzones.

Nutritional Breakdown

Each Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzone contains approximately 400 calories, making it a satisfying yet not overly indulgent meal. With 25g of protein per calzone, it provides a good amount of lean protein from the chicken. The 20g of fat, including 11g of saturated fat, primarily comes from the cream cheese, mozzarella, and olive oil used in the dough and the filling, contributing to its rich and satisfying texture.

The 30g of carbohydrates per calzone comes mostly from the pizza dough, and with 2g of fiber, these calzones offer some nutritional value from the dough and cheese. The sodium content is around 650mg per calzone, which is moderate but can be adjusted by using low-sodium versions of the ingredients.

Conclusion: A Quick and Flavorful Meal

In conclusion, Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones are a quick, flavorful, and hearty meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or entertaining guests. With the creamy chicken Alfredo filling, melty mozzarella, and crispy puff pastry crust, these calzones are both satisfying and indulgent without being overly heavy. The air fryer method ensures a crisp, golden exterior while keeping the dish lighter than traditional frying. Whether enjoyed on their own or served with a side of marinara sauce, these calzones are sure to be a hit every time you make them!