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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Alfredo Calzones

Imagine biting into a golden, crispy crust, only to be met with a warm, gooey center packed with tender chicken, rich Alfredo sauce, and a blend of delicious cheeses. This unbelievably easy, shockingly quick recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor right in your own kitchen, perfect for a weeknight meal.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course, Weeknight Meal
Cuisine: American, Italian
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb cooked, shredded chicken breast use leftover roasted chicken, rotisserie chicken, or quickly boiled chicken breasts
  • 0.5 cup Alfredo sauce your favorite jarred Alfredo sauce; adjust up to 1 cup to your preference
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 0.5 cup ricotta cheese
  • 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp Italian seasoning
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 package refrigerated pizza dough
  • 1 tbsp olive oil or melted butter for brushing
  • fresh spinach optional addition to filling
  • sliced mushrooms optional addition to filling

Equipment

  • Air fryer
  • Large bowl
  • Work Surface
  • Fork

Method
 

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine your shredded chicken, Alfredo sauce, mozzarella, ricotta, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Give it a good mix until all the ingredients are evenly combined and the filling is wonderfully thick and cohesive.
  2. Step 2: Lightly flour your work surface. Carefully unroll your refrigerated pizza dough and divide it into 4-6 equal portions. Now, roll each portion into a circle, roughly 6-8 inches in diameter.
  3. Step 3: Spoon a generous amount of your delicious chicken filling onto one half of each dough circle. Make sure to leave a clear border around the edge, about half an inch. This is where you can also tuck in some fresh spinach or sliced mushrooms if you're using them!
  4. Step 4: Fold the other half of the dough over the filling to create a beautiful half-moon shape. Press the edges of the dough together firmly with your fingers to seal them, then grab a fork and crimp all around the edge.
  5. Step 5: Lightly brush the tops of your calzones with olive oil or melted butter. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
  6. Step 6: Carefully place your calzones in the air fryer basket, making sure there's enough space between them for the air to circulate and ensure even cooking. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are beautifully golden brown and crispy. You might need to cook them in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
  7. Step 7: Allow the calzones to cool for just a few minutes before serving. Optionally, serve them with a side of extra Alfredo or marinara sauce for dipping.

Notes

Tips for Success: Don't overfill the calzones to ensure a good seal and prevent leaks during cooking. Take your time pressing and crimping the edges securely with a fork. Don't crowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary to ensure each calzone gets that beautiful crispy exterior. Air fryer models can vary, so keep an eye on your calzones to ensure they are golden brown and the dough cooked through; reduce temperature slightly if browning too quickly. You can mix the chicken Alfredo filling a day in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge to make assembly even faster on cooking day.
Storage & Reheating: Store cooled calzones in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For freezing, wrap each cooked and cooled calzone individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2-3 months. For best results when reheating, use the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-8 minutes (longer if frozen) until heated through and crispy again. A regular oven or toaster oven can also be used for similar crispiness. Microwaving will heat them but will not preserve the crispy crust.