This Mini Calzones recipe (aka Panzerotti) is easy to make, kid friendly and a weeknight family favourite. Roll out homemade or store-bought dough, fill with your favourite pizza toppings, seal and then fry until golden and crispy.
Let’s be real for a second. Mini calzones are basically adult pizza pockets and I am here for it. Basically, it’s everything we know and love about a pizza, folded into a delicious warm pocket. Truth be told, these little calzones hate to see me coming at any party!
🍕 Why You’ll Love These Mini Calzones
Easy prep: opt for store-bough pizza dough, and these are an easy and delicious party appetizer or quick dinner.
Customizable: endless filling possibilities.
Kid friendly: kids love this fun take on a classic pizza recipe.
🗒 Ingredients You’ll Need To Make Mini Calzones
Pizza dough: creates the pockets to hold the sauce, cheese and filling.
Canola oil: used to fry these mini calzones until golden and crispy.
Flour: used to add to your work surface and prevent the dough from sticking.
Parmesan cheese: can be incorporated into the filling or sprinkled on top.
Pizza sauce: used in the mini calzones and on the side for dipping.
Mozzarella: creates a creamy, stringy texture.
Ham: or any other toppings you want to add, such as pepperoni, mushrooms, peppers, or onions.
✓ How To Make Mini Calzones
- Prepare the dough: divide the pizza dough into similar sized pieces and allow to rise.
- Prepare the fillings: shred the cheese, prepare the sauce and chop the meats and veggies.
- Roll & fill: roll each dough ball into a small even circle. Add the pizza sauce, cheese, and your favourite pizza toppings.
- Fry: working in small batches, fry the calzones until golden, crispy and cooked throughout.
👉🏻 Tips to elevate your mini calzones
- If you aren’t interested in whipping up homemade pizza dough, drop in to your local pizza place. A lot of local pizza places sell homemade dough that can be frozen or used fresh which is a game changer for this mini calzones recipe.
- Use high quality ingredients such as fresh mozzarella, artisanal ham and a high-quality store-bought pizza sauce.
🗒️ Variations
Here are a few variations for this mini calzones recipe (aka panzerotti)⬇️
- Classic fillings: use classic pizza toppings such as green peppers, olives, onions, mushrooms and pepperoni.
- Breakfast calzones: stuff these with bacon, eggs and cheese.
🤝 Mini Calzones Pair Well With
🤔 FAQ’s
What is panzerotti?
Originating in Italy, panzerotti are essentially savoury turnovers. Often filled with tomato sauce and pizza toppings.
What is the difference between a calzone and panzerotti?
Panzerotti are often smaller and fried while calzones are typically larger and baked in the oven.
What fillings work best for these mini calzones?
Specifically pizza-like toppings such as mozzarella, pepperoni, and mushrooms. Moreover, you can experiment with other fillings that you prefer..
How do I know if my calzone is fully cooked?
To begin with, the crust should be golden brown and crispy. Also, the internal temperature should be about 165°F to ensure the centre is fully cooked.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
Certainly! First, allow them to cool entirely. Then, wrap them individually with plastic wrap. Add them to a freezer safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
Can I bake these instead of fry?
Absolutely! First, preheat your oven to 375°F. Then, place the prepared mini calzones on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Next, brush the tops with a simple egg wash to ensure they become golden and crispy. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Finally, allow the calzones to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
🍴 Leftovers? Lucky you.
Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. To reheat simply bake in a 375 degree oven for 15-20 minutes, or until warm.
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Mini Calzones (Panzerotti)
Equipment
- 1 Large frying pan
Ingredients
Pizza:
- 1 lb pizza dough,
- 3-4 cups canola or vegetable oil, for frying
- flour, for rolling
- parmesan cheese, for garnishing
- dried parsley, for garnishing
Filling:
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce, + more for serving
- 1 cup mozzarella, shredded
- 1 cup ham, chopped
Instructions
- Place dough in a large bowl, add a generous drizzle of olive oil, cover with a dish towel and allow it to come to room temperature.About an hour.
- Once the dough has risen, form the dough into a long shape, using flour if the dough is too sticky.Cut into 6-8 even pieces depending on the size of calzones you want.
- Use your fingers and gently form each piece into a smooth ball. Place the balls on a floured baking sheet and cover with a dish towel for another 30-35 minutes to rise once again.
- In the meantime, prepare the pizza sauce, and any other fillings you will be using.
- Roll each dough ball out into a flat circle, using a small amount of flour if you need.
- Add equal parts sauce, cheese and filling to the centre of each, ensuring you leave a bit of room around the edges.
- Fold over one half of the dough over the filling to meet the other side and press the edges together.Sammy's tip: dab your fingers in a small amount of water to help seal the edges shut.
- To a large, deep frying pan add the oil and set to medium/high heat. Generally, the oil temperature should be about 325°F.There should be enough oil that the calzones are nearly entirely submerged.
- Begin frying the calzones, 2-3 at a time until golden brown on all sides.
- Place the cooked calzones on a cooling rack, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, dried parsley, and parmesan cheese.
- Allow to cool for 5 minutes.
- Serve with warmed pizza sauce for dipping.
Video
Notes
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- Classic fillings: use classic pizza toppings such as green peppers, olives, onions, mushrooms and pepperoni.
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- Breakfast calzones: stuff these with bacon, eggs and cheese.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can I put these in the oven?
Yes you can!
Thank you for sharing this recipe