Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones
Ingredients :
1 lb. premade pizza dough store-bought or most pizza places sell their dough
2 cups rotisserie chicken or 2 chicken breasts cooked and diced
1 cup mozzarella, shredded
marinara sauce for dipping (optional)
Butter Topping
4 tablespoons butter, softened
2 teaspoons fresh parsley, minced
Alfredo Sauce
5 tablespoons butter
1 cup heavy whipping cream
4 garlic cloves, minced or grated
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or cajun seasoning
¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
¼ teaspoon pepper or to taste
1 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
Instructions :
Alfredo Sauce
In a small saucepan over medium low heat, add butter and allow it to melt. Add garlic and stir. Once it’s fragrant, add in the heavy cream and seasonings. Bring to a low simmering boil and allow it to thicken, about 3 minutes.
While it’s gently boiling, add parmesan cheese and stir until it’s melted through and sauce is thickened and creamy. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. Allow to cool while you prep the dough.
Assemble
Separate pizza dough into 4 ounce balls. With clean, flour-dusted hands, work dough into a 6″ pizza sized shapes.
Spoon a tablespoons of alfredo sauce on to the center of the dough and spread it in the center, leaving the edges free of sauce.
Top the sauce with a few tablespoons pulled chicken over the sauce, followed by a large pinch of mozzarella cheese.
Fold the dough in half over the fillings making a half circle shape and seal. Pinch the edge of the dough together and fold back. Repeat with the rest of the dough balls.
Melt butter in a small bowl and add parsley.
Air Fry
Load the calzones into the air fryer and spread with the melted parsley butter.
Cook at 375 for 8 minutes or until golden brown, reapplying butter about halfway through.
Spread the calzones again with the melted butter when they finish cooking. Serve immediately with marinara sauce
20 tips to help you perfect your Chicken Alfredo Air Fryer Calzones:
1. Use Fresh Dough:
Fresh, high-quality pizza dough will give you the best texture and flavor.
2. Room Temperature Dough:
Let the pizza dough come to room temperature before shaping; it will be easier to stretch and less likely to spring back.
3. Properly Cooked Chicken:
Ensure the chicken is fully cooked but still moist; overcooked chicken can dry out during air frying.
4. Season the Chicken:
Season the chicken with a bit of salt, pepper, and garlic powder before adding it to the calzones for extra flavor.
5. Don’t Overfill:
Be careful not to overfill the calzones; too much filling can cause them to burst open during cooking.
6. Seal the Edges Well:
Use a fork to crimp the edges after folding the dough, ensuring a tight seal to prevent leaks.
7. Chill the Dough Before Cooking:
After assembling, chill the calzones in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes. This helps them hold their shape better during cooking.
8. Preheat the Air Fryer:
Preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking and a crispy exterior.
9. Use Parchment Paper:
Place a piece of parchment paper in the air fryer basket to prevent the calzones from sticking.
10. Butter Flavor:
For a richer flavor, brush the dough with garlic butter before adding the filling.
11. Extra Cheese:
Add a small amount of shredded Parmesan to the mozzarella for an extra cheesy and flavorful filling.
12. Crispiness:
To get an extra crispy crust, lightly spray the calzones with olive oil before air frying.
13. Cook in Batches:
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook the calzones in batches to ensure they cook evenly.
14. Even Cooking:
Flip the calzones halfway through cooking to ensure they brown evenly on both sides.
15. Check Doneness:
Open the air fryer a minute or two before the timer goes off to check for doneness and prevent overcooking.
16. Use Fresh Herbs:
Freshly minced parsley in the butter topping adds a burst of flavor and a beautiful finish.
17. Crispy Finish:
After air frying, place the calzones under a broiler for a minute or two to get an extra crispy top.
18. Experiment with Fillings:
Try adding sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or roasted garlic to the filling for added flavor and variety.
19. Serve Immediately:
Serve the calzones right away for the best taste and texture—crispy outside, gooey inside.
20. Offer Dipping Sauces:
Provide a variety of dipping sauces like Alfredo, marinara, or even a spicy sriracha mayo to complement the flavors.