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The Recipe · No.125 · Calzone

Calzone, and where to source it

Calzone — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Calzone Italian 5best2buy.com

A calzone is a sealed pocket, so the ricotta has to be well-drained or the crust steams into a soggy mess. Bake it hot and cut a vent, and the filling sets instead of bursting the seam.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep2 hr
Cook20 min
Makes2 calzones
CuisineItalian
Cost$
Vegetarian
Contains  dairy · gluten
Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.
Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 2 calzones
Pizza flour
A high-protein 00 or bread flour gives dough that stretches thin without tearing.
500 g
Source it →
Fresh mozzarella
Torn and blotted so it melts inside without flooding the pocket.
8 oz
Source it →
Ricotta
The heart of the filling; drain it in cheesecloth an hour or it waters out the crust.
1 cup
Source it →
Canned tomatoes
A simple crushed-tomato sauce, some inside, some for dipping.
1 cup
Source it →
Garlic and basil
A clove in the filling, basil torn through the ricotta.
1 clove, handful basil
Garlic →
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● Barely a splurge
A light hand — your arteries say thanks. · plan ahead — needs marinating, soaking, or resting time
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
Air fryerSheet pan
The Method
  1. Make the doughKnead flour, water, yeast, and salt into a smooth dough and let it rise until doubled, about 90 minutes. Divide in two.
  2. Drain the ricottaLet the ricotta drain in cheesecloth, then mix with mozzarella, garlic, basil, and a little Parmesan. It should mound, not run.
  3. Fill and sealStretch each dough to a 10-inch round, mound filling on half, fold over, and crimp the edge tight. Cut a small vent on top.
  4. Bake hotBake at 500F on a hot stone or steel 12 to 15 minutes until deep gold and firm. Rest 5 minutes, serve with warm sauce for dipping.
The Toolkit

Baking steel · Bench scraper · Pizza peel

Straight Answers
Can you make Calzone in an air fryer? — Yes

Yes — this is exactly what an air fryer does well. Work in a single layer so the air can move, and shake or flip halfway for even crisping. It runs a touch faster than the oven, so check early.

Can you freeze Calzone? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make Calzone ahead of time? — Prep ahead

Best fried to order — the crunch fades if it sits. Do the breading or shaping ahead and cook it fresh when you serve.

Is Calzone gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).

Is Calzone vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan

It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has dairy. Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.

Community Notes

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