Description
Looking for a snack that’s crispy, cheesy, and absolutely irresistible? These Air Fryer Mini Calzones are exactly what you need! Perfectly golden on the outside and loaded with gooey mozzarella, zesty pizza sauce, and savory pepperoni on the inside, these bite-sized calzones are a guaranteed hit. Whether you’re whipping them up for a party, game night, or a quick weeknight treat, they’re simple to make and ready in no time. Serve them with extra pizza sauce for dipping, and you’ve got a crowd-pleasing snack everyone will love!
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour, for rolling out the dough
- 1 pound pizza dough (at room temperature for at least 1 hour)
- 1 cup pizza sauce (plus more for dipping)
- 8 ounces shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 6 ounces thinly sliced pepperoni or mini pepperoni, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough
- Lightly flour your work surface to prevent sticking.
- Roll out the pizza dough until it’s about 1/4 inch thick.
- Use a 3-inch round cutter or the rim of a large glass to cut out dough rounds. You should get about 8 to 10 rounds. Gather the scraps, reroll the dough, and cut again until you have 16 rounds.
- Fill the Calzones
- Place 2 teaspoons of pizza sauce in the center of each dough round.
- Add 1 tablespoon of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1 teaspoon of chopped pepperoni on top of the sauce.
- Seal the Calzones
- Fold each dough round in half to create a crescent shape.
- Pinch the edges together tightly to seal in the filling.
- Use a fork to crimp the edges, creating a decorative and secure seal.
- Preheat the Air Fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. This ensures even cooking and a crispy texture.
- Air Fry the Calzones
- Working in batches of 4, place the calzones in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t overlap.
- Air fry for 8 minutes, or until the calzones are golden brown and crisp.
- Repeat with the remaining calzones.
- Serve
- Let the calzones cool slightly before serving.
- Serve them warm with additional pizza sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Make Ahead: Assemble the calzones and freeze them uncooked. When ready to eat, air fry them directly from frozen, adding 2–3 extra minutes to the cooking time.
- Vegetarian Option: Skip the pepperoni and add your favorite veggies like mushrooms, spinach, or olives.
- Storage: Leftover calzones can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes.
- Customize Your Fillings: Swap the pepperoni for cooked sausage, shredded chicken, or your favorite pizza toppings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes per batch
- Category: Appetizer/Snack
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American