Air Fryer Marie Callender's Chicken Pot Pie: Is It Possible?

Marie Callender's Chicken Pot Pie is a popular frozen food dish that can be cooked in an air fryer. While it can also be cooked in a microwave or oven, the air fryer method offers a faster and more energy-efficient alternative that doesn't heat up the entire kitchen. The key to success is finding the right balance between cooking temperature and time to ensure the filling is cooked without burning the crust.

Preheat your air fryer to 350-360°F

Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in the cooking process, and the ideal temperature range for this is 350-360°F. This temperature range is particularly important when cooking certain types of food, such as chicken pot pie, to achieve the desired level of crispiness.

When preheating your air fryer, it is important to follow the correct procedure to ensure optimal results. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Check your air fryer's operating manual: Different models may have specific instructions or a preheat setting button, so it is essential to refer to the manual for accurate information.
• Set the desired temperature: Adjust your air fryer's temperature to 350-360°F, which is ideal for cooking a variety of dishes. This temperature range will help you achieve a crispy texture on the outside of your food without drying out the inside.
• Turn on the empty air fryer: Depending on the size of your air fryer, allow it to heat up for 2-5 minutes. Smaller air fryers typically require 2-3 minutes, while larger models may need up to 5 minutes to reach the desired temperature.
• Place your food inside: Once the preheating time is up, it's time to put your food into the air fryer. This could be anything from chicken pot pie to steak or frozen foods.
• Reset the timer: After placing your food in the air fryer, reset the timer to the desired cooking time for your specific dish.
• Monitor the cooking process: Keep an eye on your food as it cooks. Depending on the type of food and your air fryer's performance, you may need to adjust the time or temperature slightly to ensure perfect results.
• Consider using parchment paper or silicone baskets: If you're using parchment paper, ensure that it's weighed down to prevent it from flying up and burning. Silicone baskets are also great for easy cleanup and can be placed directly in the air fryer during preheating.
• Be cautious when removing food: Air fryers can get extremely hot, so it's important to use heat-resistant gloves or utensils when removing your food to avoid burns.

By following these steps and preheating your air fryer to 350-360°F, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious, crispy dishes with that signature air-fried texture!

Cook for 20-25 minutes

Once you've prepped your chicken pot pie by removing it from its cardboard packaging and wrapping the edges with foil, it's time to start cooking!

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. When the air fryer is ready, place your pot pie inside and let it cook for 20-25 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of your pie. For a 10-ounce pie, 20 minutes should be sufficient. However, for a larger 15-ounce pie, you may need to cook it for the full 25 minutes, or even a little longer.

During the last 5-10 minutes of cooking, you can remove the foil from the exterior pastry if you prefer a crispier finish. Just be careful not to let it burn!

Once the cooking time is up, remove the pot pie from the air fryer. Be very careful, as both the pie and the tin it's in will be extremely hot! Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

And that's it! Your Marie Callender's chicken pot pie, cooked to perfection in an air fryer. Enjoy!

Check the internal temperature is 165°F

Checking the internal temperature of your food is a crucial step in ensuring it is cooked properly and safely. When cooking Marie Callender's Chicken Pot Pie in an air fryer, it is important to use a reliable kitchen thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the pie reaches 165°F. This is the temperature at which poultry is considered safe to eat.

To check the internal temperature, simply insert the thermometer into the centre of the pie, making sure it does not touch the pie dish. If the temperature reads below 165°F, continue cooking the pie in the air fryer in 5-minute intervals until the desired temperature is reached.

It is worth noting that some people prefer to remove the pie from the air fryer when the internal temperature reaches 155°F and let it rest for a few minutes, as this can result in juicier chicken. However, this method is not recommended for food safety reasons.

Additionally, different air fryers may vary in terms of cooking times and temperatures, so it is always important to keep an eye on your food while it is cooking and adjust the time and temperature as needed.

Let the pie cool for five minutes

Letting your chicken pot pie cool for five minutes is important for a few reasons. Firstly, it allows the filling to solidify so that you don't end up with a runny mess when you cut into it. This is especially important for fruit pies, where a hot pie will result in a soupy, messy slice.

Secondly, letting the pie cool helps to prevent burns. The filling is likely to be above the boiling point of water due to the high sugar content and the hot oven it's been cooked in. While it's safe to eat the pie pleasantly warm, it needs time to cool down from a very high temperature.

Additionally, most pies have a filling that will set as they cool. For example, the sugary syrup in a fruit pie will gel up a bit like jam as it cools, and custard pies need to cool to fully set.

Finally, letting the pie cool gives you a nice, clean slice. If you cut into it while it's still hot, you might end up with a messy slice that falls apart. So, while you can eat the pie warm, letting it cool for a few minutes will improve the texture and make it easier to serve.

Don't forget to remove the cardboard packaging

It's worth noting that removing the cooked pie from the air fryer can be tricky, so investing in some heat-resistant cooking gloves is recommended for safety.

Now, the cooking time and temperature will depend on the size of your pie. For a 10-ounce pie, preheat your air fryer to 350°F and cook for 40 minutes. If you like a crispier finish, remove the foil from the exterior pastry for the last 5 minutes.

For a larger, 15-ounce pie, preheat to the same temperature but cook for 60 minutes. Again, if you want a crispier finish, remove the foil for the last 5-10 minutes.

It's important to note that an air fryer may not be the best tool for cooking pot pies. While it certainly speeds up the cooking process compared to a regular oven, it doesn't necessarily improve the final product. However, if you don't own an oven or don't want to turn it on just for a single pie, the air fryer is a viable option.

So, there you have it! Don't forget to remove the cardboard packaging, wrap the edges with foil, and adjust your cooking time and temperature based on the size of your pie. Enjoy your Marie Callender's chicken pot pie, hot and flaky straight from your air fryer!

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