Air Fryer Calzones: Easy 2-Ingredient Dough Recipe

Craving a warm, cheesy, and satisfying calzone but short on time? Look no further! This recipe for Air Fryer Calzones using a simple 2-ingredient dough is a game-changer. It’s quick, easy, and delivers delicious results every time. Forget the complicated dough recipes and long rising times – this is weeknight dinner perfection!

## Why Air Fryer Calzones?

The air fryer is a fantastic tool for making calzones. Here’s why:

* **Speed:** Air fryers cook food much faster than traditional ovens.
* **Crispiness:** The circulating hot air creates a beautifully crispy crust.
* **Convenience:** No need to preheat a large oven for a small batch of calzones.
* **Less Oil:** Air frying requires little to no oil, making it a healthier option.

## The Magic of 2-Ingredient Dough

The secret to this recipe’s simplicity is the 2-ingredient dough. It’s surprisingly versatile and creates a perfectly chewy and slightly crispy crust. All you need is:

* **Self-Rising Flour:** This type of flour already contains baking powder and salt, eliminating the need for separate leavening agents.
* **Greek Yogurt:** Plain Greek yogurt adds moisture, protein, and a slight tang to the dough.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

**For the 2-Ingredient Dough:**

* 2 cups self-rising flour
* 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (non-fat or low-fat works well)

**For the Calzone Filling (Get Creative!)**

* 1 cup pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
* 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
* Your favorite pizza toppings (see suggestions below!)
* Optional: 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
* Optional: Italian seasoning or garlic powder (for sprinkling)

**Topping Suggestions:**

The beauty of calzones is that you can customize the filling to your liking. Here are some popular options:

* **Classic Pepperoni:** Pepperoni slices, mozzarella cheese, and pizza sauce.
* **Meat Lover’s:** Ground beef, sausage, bacon, mozzarella cheese, and pizza sauce.
* **Vegetarian:** Spinach, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, olives, mozzarella cheese, and pizza sauce.
* **Hawaiian:** Ham, pineapple, mozzarella cheese, and pizza sauce.
* **Chicken Bacon Ranch:** Cooked chicken, bacon, mozzarella cheese, and ranch dressing (instead of pizza sauce).
* **Buffalo Chicken:** Shredded chicken tossed in buffalo sauce, mozzarella cheese, and a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing.
* **Italian:** Salami, ham, pepperoni, provolone cheese, mozzarella cheese, and a drizzle of Italian dressing.

## Equipment You’ll Need

* Air fryer
* Mixing bowl
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Rolling pin or your hands
* Pizza cutter or knife
* Parchment paper (optional, but recommended for easy cleanup)

## Step-by-Step Instructions

**1. Prepare the 2-Ingredient Dough:**

* In a large mixing bowl, combine the self-rising flour and Greek yogurt.
* Mix with a spoon or your hands until a dough starts to form. The dough will be slightly sticky.
* Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
* Knead the dough for 2-3 minutes until it comes together into a smooth ball. Don’t over-knead. The dough should be soft and pliable.

**2. Prepare the Calzone Filling:**

* While the dough rests, prepare your desired filling ingredients. Chop vegetables, cook meats, and shred cheese.

**3. Assemble the Calzones:**

* Divide the dough into equal portions. This recipe typically makes 2-4 calzones, depending on the size you prefer.
* On a lightly floured surface, roll out each portion of dough into a circle, about 6-8 inches in diameter.
* Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce over half of the dough circle, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge.
* Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the sauce, followed by your desired toppings.
* Fold the other half of the dough circle over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Gently stretch the dough if needed to cover the filling.
* Pinch the edges of the dough together to seal the calzone. You can also crimp the edges with a fork for a decorative touch and to ensure a tight seal.
* Use a knife or pizza cutter to make a few slits in the top of the calzone. This will allow steam to escape while cooking and prevent the calzone from bursting.

**4. Air Fry the Calzones:**

* Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes.
* Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper (optional, but recommended).
* Carefully place the calzones in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them. You may need to cook them in batches.
* If desired, brush the top of each calzone with beaten egg and sprinkle with Italian seasoning or garlic powder.
* Air fry for 12-15 minutes, or until the calzones are golden brown and the filling is heated through. Cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer.
* If the tops of the calzones are browning too quickly, you can reduce the temperature slightly or cover them loosely with foil during the last few minutes of cooking.

**5. Serve and Enjoy!**

* Carefully remove the calzones from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
* Serve with extra pizza sauce for dipping, if desired.

## Tips and Tricks for Perfect Air Fryer Calzones

* **Don’t Overfill:** Overfilling the calzones can make them difficult to seal and may cause them to burst during cooking.
* **Seal Tightly:** Make sure to seal the edges of the calzones tightly to prevent the filling from leaking out.
* **Make Slits:** Cutting slits in the top of the calzones allows steam to escape and prevents them from bursting.
* **Parchment Paper:** Using parchment paper in the air fryer basket makes cleanup much easier and prevents the calzones from sticking.
* **Preheat:** Preheating the air fryer helps ensure even cooking and a crispy crust.
* **Don’t Overcrowd:** Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, as this can prevent the calzones from cooking evenly.
* **Adjust Cooking Time:** Cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer, so keep an eye on the calzones and adjust the cooking time as needed.
* **Get Creative with Fillings:** Don’t be afraid to experiment with different fillings to find your favorite combinations.
* **Make Ahead:** You can assemble the calzones ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook them. Just add a few minutes to the cooking time.
* **Freezing:** Air fried calzones can be frozen. Allow to cool completely before wrapping individually in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer bag. To reheat, air fry from frozen at 300F for about 10-15 minutes or until heated through.

## Variations and Adaptations

* **Gluten-Free:** Use gluten-free self-rising flour to make gluten-free calzones. You may need to add a little xanthan gum to the dough for better texture.
* **Vegan:** Use a plant-based yogurt alternative and vegan cheese to make vegan calzones.
* **Sweet Calzones:** Instead of savory fillings, try sweet fillings like Nutella, ricotta cheese, and berries.
* **Mini Calzones:** Make smaller, bite-sized calzones for appetizers or snacks.
* **Calzone Bites on a Stick:** Cut the calzone into bite-sized pieces, thread them onto a skewer, and air fry for a fun and easy appetizer.

## Serving Suggestions

Air fryer calzones are a complete meal on their own, but you can also serve them with:

* A side salad
* Marinara sauce for dipping
* Garlic bread
* Roasted vegetables
* Coleslaw

## Nutritional Information (Approximate, will vary based on fillings)

Nutritional information will vary depending on the ingredients you use for the filling. However, a typical air fryer calzone made with 2-ingredient dough, mozzarella cheese, pizza sauce, and pepperoni may contain approximately:

* Calories: 400-600
* Protein: 20-30g
* Fat: 20-30g
* Carbohydrates: 40-60g

## Troubleshooting

* **Calzone is Burnt:** Reduce the air fryer temperature or cooking time. You can also cover the calzone loosely with foil during the last few minutes of cooking.
* **Filling is Cold:** Make sure the filling ingredients are heated through before assembling the calzone. You may also need to increase the cooking time slightly.
* **Dough is Too Sticky:** Add a little more flour to the dough until it is no longer sticky.
* **Dough is Too Dry:** Add a little more Greek yogurt to the dough until it is soft and pliable.
* **Calzone is Bursting:** Make sure to cut slits in the top of the calzone to allow steam to escape.

## Make It Your Own

The best part about this recipe is that it’s incredibly versatile. Feel free to experiment with different fillings, toppings, and variations to create your own signature air fryer calzones. Get creative and have fun!

## Air Fryer Calzones: A Recipe for Success

This recipe for air fryer calzones with 2-ingredient dough is a surefire way to impress your family and friends. It’s quick, easy, and delivers delicious results every time. So, grab your air fryer, gather your ingredients, and get ready to enjoy the best calzones you’ve ever made!