Take pizza to the next level with these Homemade Calzones. Fill them with your favorite pizza toppings, bake them to a perfect golden brown, and savor a new family favorite.
These Homemade Calzones are the perfect blend of comfort food and Italian-inspired flavor, featuring soft, pillowy dough folded around a rich, cheesy filling. Stuffed with all you favorite pizza toppings, each calzone bakes up golden and crisp on the outside while staying warm and melty on the inside.
With our favorite pizza dough and toppings, these pizza calzones turned out delicious! For more pizza inspired recipes you have to check out my Hawaiian BBQ Pizza, Chicken Veggie Pizza and Classic Pepperoni Pizza.
Table of Contents
Why We Love Calzones
- Great for family meals or casual gatherings.
- This easy calzone recipe is a comfort food that’s simple and satisfying.
- It only takes 20 minutes to make these calzones!
Recipe Ingredients
Fillings – I used pepperoni, ham, bell peppers, and olives for a variety of flavors. Feel free to add your favorites!
Cheese – You can’t have a calzone without cheese. I used parmesan for a sharp flavor.
For a full list of ingredients and amounts, see the recipe card below.
Variations
Dough – Use store-bought pizza dough for convenience or opt for a homemade pizza dough recipe for a personal touch. You can also experiment with whole wheat, gluten-free, or sourdough dough to change up the flavor and texture.
Meats – You can experiment with cooked chicken, bacon, salami, prosciutto, or crumbled Italian sausage for different flavors.
Seasonings – Try adding crushed red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, or chopped fresh basil for an extra layer of taste.
How to Make Homemade Calzones
Step 1: Preheat oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit (260 degrees Celsius). Prepare the baking surface by dusting lightly with flour or cornmeal.
Step 2: If using homemade pizza dough, follow my no-knead dough directions up to the shaping step. Divide it into 4 balls and shape them into (4) 8″-10″ circles.
Step 3: Place ingredients on one side of each circle. Divide seasonings evenly and sprinkle over each. Fold the top over each and crimp the edges by pinching and folding over. Optional: Cut 2-3 small slits on the top to prevent bubbles.
Step 4: Place on the prepared surface and bake for 10-12 minutes (watch to make sure the tops don’t burn).
Step 5: Remove from oven when golden brown. Brush with the melted butter and sprinkle with parmesan. Cool for 3-5 minutes before serving.
Other Methods to Cook Calzones
Air Fryer – Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and cook calzones for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through for even browning.
Frying – Form and crimp your homemade calzones tightly. Heat oil in a shallow pan to 365°F (185°C) and fry each side for 3-5 minutes until golden brown. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil.
Grill – Place calzones over indirect heat on a grill set to medium-high. Cook for 8-12 minutes, turning occasionally for a hint of smokiness.
FAQs
Definitely! Playing around with sauces like Alfredo, pesto, or even a garlicky marinara sauce can make your calzones even better. BBQ sauce or other pasta sauces are fun ways to mix up the flavors, too.
Some favorites include soups like Carrabba’s Sausage Lentil Soup, Tomato Soup, Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup, or Loaded Potato Soup. Salads such as a classic Cobb Salad or Honey Mustard Chicken Salad pair well too.
Storage Information
STORE baked Pizza Calzones in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. FREEZE by first placing them flat on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper until frozen, then wrapping them in plastic wrap and storing them in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
REHEAT after thawing frozen calzones in the fridge, then warming them in the microwave or oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes.
Try These Pizza Favorites Next
Homemade Calzones Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ball pizza dough - try our recipe!
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 tsp parmesan cheese
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp oregano
- 1/4 tsp salt
- pepperoni
- bell peppers
- olives
- ham - sliced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit (260 degrees Celsius). Prepare the baking surface by dusting lightly with flour or cornmeal.
- If using homemade pizza dough, follow my no-knead dough directions up to the shaping step. Divide it into 4 balls and shape them into (4) 8"-10" circles.
- Place ingredients on one side of each circle. Divide seasonings evenly and sprinkle over each. Fold the top over each and crimp the edges by pinching and folding over. Optional: Cut 2-3 small slits on the top to prevent bubbles.
- Place on the prepared surface and bake for 10-12 minutes (watch to make sure the tops don’t burn).
- Remove from oven when golden brown. Brush with the melted butter and sprinkle with parmesan. Cool for 3-5 minutes before serving.
Yummy! My family and I love this recipe! It’s so delicious and tasty! I can’t wait to make this again soon!
My family really loved it! Everyone is requesting me to make it again!
These looks so delicious! Can you edit the link to the dough please? Because it just redirects to the home page!
And I really want to try the dough! 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Yes! Thank you for letting me know- here’s the link: https://lifemadesimplebakes.com/2012/03/chicken-bacon-alfredo-ranch-pizza-and-the-best-dough-ever/
This really doesn’t seem too hard. I aways thought they would be much more complicated to make. Thanks for sharing this on foodie friday.
Your photo is amazing and I love calzones!