Bake a calzone
Make and bake a simple calzone from pizza dough, fill with cheese and vegetables or ham, practicing measuring, folding, sealing, with adult supervision.
About this activity
Make and bake a simple calzone from pizza dough, fill with cheese and vegetables or ham, practicing measuring, folding, sealing, with adult supervision.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Wash your hands with soap and water until they are clean.
- 2
Step 2
Ask an adult to preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- 3
Step 3
Chop your chosen vegetables or ham into small pieces on the cutting board.
- 4
Step 4
Put the grated cheese into the small bowl.
- 5
Step 5
Sprinkle a little flour onto your clean work surface.
- 6
Step 6
Roll the pizza dough into a circle about 9–10 inches across.
- 7
Step 7
Spoon the chopped fillings and cheese onto one half of the dough leaving a 1-inch border.
- 8
Step 8
Brush the 1-inch border with a little olive oil or water.
- 9
Step 9
Fold the empty half of the dough over the fillings to make a half-moon shape.
- 10
Step 10
Seal the edge by pressing firmly with your fingers or crimping with a fork all around.
- 11
Step 11
Cut two small slits on top of the calzone so steam can escape.
- 12
Step 12
Place the calzone onto a piece of parchment paper on the baking sheet.
- 13
Step 13
Ask an adult to bake the calzone in the oven for 15–20 minutes until the top is golden brown.
- 14
Step 14
Use oven mitts to take the calzone out, let it cool for about 5 minutes, and then slice it into wedges.
- 15
Step 15
Share your finished calzone on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do I make a simple calzone with my child?
To make a simple calzone, preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly flour and roll out a pizza dough round. Measure about 1/2–3/4 cup fillings (cheese, cooked vegetables, or ham) and place on one half, leaving a border. Fold the dough over, press edges, then crimp to seal. Brush with oil or egg wash and cut a small vent. Bake on a parchment-lined sheet 12–18 minutes until golden. Adult should handle the oven.
What materials and ingredients do I need to bake a calzone with a child?
You’ll need pizza dough (store-bought or homemade), 1–1½ cups shredded cheese, fillings like cooked vegetables or diced ham, olive oil or an egg for brushing, and a little flour for dusting. Tools: rolling pin, measuring cups and spoons, knife or kitchen shears (for adult use), cutting board, mixing bowl, spoon, baking sheet, parchment paper, oven mitts, and a timer. Optional: marinara sauce for dipping.
What ages is making a calzone suitable for and what can each age do?
This activity suits preschoolers to teens with supervision. Ages 3–5 can wash produce, tear soft cheese, and sprinkle fillings. Ages 6–9 can measure ingredients, spoon fillings, and practice folding with guidance. Ages 10+ can roll dough, seal calzones, and may use the oven with adult presence. Always supervise knives, hot surfaces, and the oven; adapt tasks to each child’s motor skills and attention span.
What are the benefits and safety tips for making calzones with children?
Making calzones builds measuring skills, following steps, fine motor development (rolling and folding), and healthy food choices, boosting confidence. Safety tips: adults should handle knives and the oven, teach children to use oven mitts, and let calzones cool before eating. Keep surfaces and hands clean to prevent cross-contamination and be mindful of allergies. For variety, try different cheeses, vegetables, or a gluten-free dough to accommodate tastes and dietary needs.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we can't find pizza dough, parchment paper, or a baking sheet?
If you don't have pizza dough, use a pre-made pizza crust, naan, or a flattened pita and follow the 'Roll the pizza dough into a circle about 9–10 inches' step, and if you lack parchment paper or a baking sheet, place the calzone on a lightly oiled or foil-lined oven-safe pan.
My calzone opened or leaked when baking—how can I fix that?
If the calzone opens or leaks (after 'Fold the empty half' and during 'Seal the edge'), dry any wet fillings with a paper towel, brush the 1-inch border with olive oil or water, then press and crimp the edge firmly with your fingers or a fork to seal before baking.
How can I change the steps for younger kids or older kids?
For preschoolers, have an adult preheat the oven and do the chopping while the child sprinkles flour, spoons fillings, and seals the edge, and for older kids let them chop vegetables, roll the dough to 9–10 inches, and handle baking with adult supervision.
How can we make the calzone more special or different?
To enhance the calzone, stir chopped herbs into the grated cheese in the small bowl, brush the whole top with olive oil or a beaten egg before baking for a shinier golden brown finish, or make mini-calzones by rolling smaller circles and following the same folding and sealing steps to create individual wedges to share on DIY.org.