Air Fryer Pie: Warm, Crispy, And Delicious!

Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. They're efficient, requiring less energy and cooking time than conventional ovens, and are considered a healthier alternative to deep frying. But can you use an air fryer to heat up a pie?

The short answer is yes. Air fryers can be used to heat up both frozen and room-temperature pies, and they do so efficiently, resulting in a warm and crispy treat. However, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure pie perfection. Firstly, it's important to preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking. Secondly, protect your pie crust by covering the edges with foil to prevent burning. Finally, monitor your pie closely as it cooks, as air fryers have faster cooking times than traditional ovens.

So, if you're craving a warm and delicious pie, don't be afraid to give your air fryer a go. Just follow these simple steps, and you'll be indulging in a perfectly heated pie in no time!

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an essential step when reheating a pie. It ensures that your pie heats evenly from top to bottom.

Firstly, place your air fryer on a heat-resistant surface. Then, turn on the air fryer and set it to preheat at a temperature of around 350°F (175°C). This will take approximately three to five minutes, depending on your specific model.

If you are reheating a frozen pie, it is recommended to first heat it in the microwave for a few minutes to speed up the process. However, if you are packing your pie for lunch or craving a last-minute dinner, the microwave is the quickest and easiest method for reheating, but it may not keep the crust as crispy.

Once your air fryer is preheated, you can place your pie inside. If your pie is in a metal or aluminium tray, you can keep it as is, or you can place it in an oven-safe baking dish. Make sure the pie fits comfortably without overflowing.

If you are reheating multiple pies, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket as this may result in uneven heating. You may need to stagger the pies a few minutes apart so they are all hot and fresh at serving time.

Prepare the pie

Preparing the pie for cooking in an air fryer is simple and can be done in a few easy steps.

Firstly, ensure your pie is at room temperature. This is an important step, as it will ensure the best results.

Next, cover the edges of the pie with aluminium foil or a specialised pie crust shield. This will prevent the edges of the pie from burning while cooking, keeping the crust a beautiful golden colour.

If your pie is frozen, lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil. Alternatively, you can use baking paper cut to fit the basket, ensuring the bottom of the pie doesn't stick. This step is not necessary if your pie is not frozen.

Finally, place your pie carefully into the air fryer basket, ensuring that it is centred and not touching the sides. If you have covered the edges with foil, make sure this remains in place.

Your pie is now ready to be cooked in the air fryer!

Protect the pie crust

Protecting the pie crust is essential to ensuring your pie turns out perfectly. Here are some tips to help you achieve a flaky, buttery crust using your air fryer:

Use the Right Ingredients:

The key to a great pie crust is in the ingredients. Use cold, unsalted butter and dice it into small pieces before mixing it with the flour, sugar, and salt. Adding cold butter will create a flaky and buttery texture in your crust. You can also use shortening instead of butter if you prefer a more traditional pie crust.

Control the Moisture:

Too much moisture can ruin a pie crust. When preparing the dough, slowly add small amounts of water until you achieve the right consistency. Additionally, if you're using a refrigerated pie crust, let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before preparing your pie.

Blind Baking:

Blind baking your pie crust can help it hold its shape. Place the tart pan with the crust into the air fryer basket and cook at 300°F for about 5 minutes. You can fill the pie with pie weights or use the air fryer's basket to help maintain the shape.

Choose the Right Pan:

Using a thinner pan, such as a quiche or tart pan, will give you better results when baking a pie crust in an air fryer. Look for pans with removable bottoms and fluted edges, which are perfect for creating beautiful, crispy crusts.

Avoid Overcrowding:

When placing your pies in the air fryer, make sure to leave enough space around each pie for proper air circulation. This will ensure even cooking and help prevent your crust from becoming soggy.

By following these tips, you can protect your pie crust and ensure it turns out flaky, buttery, and delicious. Enjoy experimenting with your air fryer and creating perfect pies every time!

Place the pie in the air fryer basket

When you're ready to cook your pie, carefully place it in the air fryer basket or on a suitable air fryer-safe dish. Avoid overcrowding the basket to allow for proper airflow and even heating. If your pie is frozen, you may need to increase the cooking time by a few minutes to ensure it's heated thoroughly.

Make sure the pie is centred and not touching the sides of the basket. If you're cooking a frozen pie, you may need to rotate it halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.

If you're cooking a chilled pie, 13-16 minutes in the air fryer should be enough to achieve a deliciously crispy crust and a moist filling. For a frozen pie, you're looking at around 30 minutes.

Once your pie is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Cool the pie before serving

Allowing your pie to cool before serving is an important step in the pie-making process. Firstly, it gives the filling time to set, ensuring that your pie is not runny when sliced. This is especially important for custard pies, which need to be handled delicately to avoid cracking, pulling away from the crust, or "weeping".

Secondly, cooling your pie helps to prevent burns. The filling is likely to be above the boiling point of water, due to its high sugar content and time spent in the oven. Allowing it to cool to around 50°C/120°F will make it safe to eat.

Additionally, cooling your pie will allow the crust to crisp up. If you've cooked your pie in an air fryer, it may have become quite dry, so letting it cool for a few minutes will help to restore some moisture to the crust.

For fruit pies, it is recommended to let them cool for at least four hours before slicing, while custard pies should be allowed to cool for at least two hours before serving or being refrigerated. If you prefer your pie warm, you can always pop it back in the oven for a few minutes before serving.

Frequently asked questions