Is it just my family or does Friday night feel like pizza night? If you’d like a fun twist to your traditional pizza night, why not try calzones?
Calzones are basically pizza tucked into a cutesy pocket and then it is fried or baked. I know baking is healthier, but my family loves calzones that are fried — so that’s what I make!
Calzones are also a fun way to get your family in the kitchen. Everyone can make their own calzone and personalize it just for them! Also, calzones are great when you need some portable food — like for a church potluck or a family picnic. It’s a nice change from sandwiches and chips. Just make sure you bring a lot of napkins to clean up all the cheesy, saucy gooiness.
Never tried making calzones? I challenge you to try this weekend! Baked or fried, calzones are a hit with all pizza lovers! One of my amazing cooking friends also adds homemade ricotta cheese to her calzones. Sounds extremely delicious!
Go ahead and take an adventure in your kitchen and make pizza in a way you have never made it before. Oh, there is definitely a plus to calzones! No cutting and serving pizza slices to a thousand people! Everyone can just grab one and go! Try it out and let me know if you have become a home-made calzone fan!
Print Super Cheesy Pepperoni Calzones
These super cheesy pepperoni calzones are a fun, hearty dinner the whole family will love. Made with homemade pizza dough, gooey melted cheese, and plenty of pepperoni, this easy calzones recipe is golden, savory, and perfect for pizza night, game day, or an anytime comfort-food craving.
- Prep Time 15 mins
- Cook Time 10 mins
- Total Time 25 mins
- Yield 8 calzones 1x
- Category Dinner, Mains
- Method Baking
- Cuisine Italian
Ingredients
For Pizza Dough
- 1 pkg active dry yeast
- 2½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp oregano seasoning
For Sauce
- Jarred pizza sauce or homemade pizza sauce
- 4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Pepperoni, dried mushrooms, olives, onions or any other toppings you enjoy (optional)
Instructions
- To make crust, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water and let sit for 10 minutes.
- Once creamy, stir in flour, salt, oil and garlic powder.
- Let dough rest for five minutes and then place on a floured surface.
- Divide dough into 3 inch balls and flatten into a circle that is about six inches in diameter.
- Add flour if dough is too sticky or water if dough is too dry.
- Once you have formed your circles, place 1 tbsp of sauce onto half of the calzone and spread to about ½ inch of the edge of the calzone.
- Add two tablespoons mozzarella cheese, 1 tsp of Parmesan and 1 tbsp pepperoni.
- Add additional toppings now if desired, but be careful not to overfill the calzone.
- Next slowly fold the dough over the toppings to create the calzone.
- Crimp edges with fingers, ensuring calzone is tightly sealed.
- Next, gently fry in 2 inches of cooking oil for about one minute, and then gently flip and fry the other side of the calzone.
- Your calzones should be light brown.
- Drain on paper towels and garnish with parmesan cheese.
- Repeat for each calzone.
