Air Fryer Frozen Pie: Can You Do It?

Air fryers are a convenient way to enjoy crispy and delicious pies without having to turn on your oven. You can cook a frozen pie in an air fryer, but the cooking time will be longer, and you may need to experiment to get the perfect results. Preheating your air fryer and greasing the basket are crucial steps to ensure even cooking and a golden, crispy crust. It is also important to choose a pie that fits comfortably in the basket without touching the sides or top. The general guideline for cooking a frozen pie in an air fryer is to preheat the appliance to around 320°F (160°C) and cook the pie for about 30 minutes. However, it is essential to monitor the progress and adjust the timing as needed, as all air fryers are different. Some people also recommend using a combination of the microwave and air fryer for a quicker and less dry result.

Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C)

Preheating your air fryer is essential for even cooking and achieving a golden, crispy crust on your frozen pie. By setting the temperature to around 320°F (160°C), you can ensure your pie cooks evenly and develops that desirable texture.

To begin, make sure your air fryer is set to 320°F (160°C). Allow it to preheat for a few minutes before proceeding to the next steps. This preheating time is crucial, as it ensures your pie starts cooking at the right temperature as soon as it enters the air fryer.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your pie. Choose a pie that suits your taste and ensure it fits comfortably in the air fryer basket without touching the sides or top. This ensures even cooking and browning. You can also lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil, or use baking paper cut to fit the basket, to prevent your pie from sticking.

Once the air fryer has preheated to 320°F (160°C) and your pie is prepared, you can gently place the frozen pie into the basket. Make sure it's centered and not touching the sides for the best results.

From here, you can adjust the cooking time depending on the size and type of pie. A general guideline is to cook your frozen pie for around 30 minutes at the preheated temperature of 320°F (160°C). Keep in mind that cooking times may vary, so it's important to monitor the progress and rotate the pie halfway through, if needed.

By preheating your air fryer to 320°F (160°C), you're setting the stage for a perfectly cooked frozen pie with a crispy, golden crust.

Grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil

Greasing the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil is an important step in the air frying process. It helps to ensure that your food doesn't stick to the surface of the basket, making it easier to remove once cooked. Here are some detailed instructions on how to do this:

Before you begin, ensure your air fryer basket is clean and dry. Any leftover residue or moisture can affect how well your food cooks and may cause it to stick.

If using cooking spray, hold the nozzle about 6 inches away from the basket and spray in a sweeping motion until the entire surface is coated. You may also use a paper towel or pastry brush to apply the oil, ensuring an even coating. It is recommended to use oils with a high smoke point, such as avocado, peanut, or canola oil.

Once the basket is greased, place your food inside and proceed with your air frying as directed by your recipe.

After cooking, allow the basket to cool completely before washing. Cleaning the basket regularly is important to prevent a buildup of grease and residue, which can be difficult to remove if left for too long.

To clean, fill your sink with warm, soapy water and use a soft sponge or cloth to wipe down the basket. Ensure that you dry the basket thoroughly before its next use.

Place the frozen pie in the basket

When placing the frozen pie in the basket, it is important to ensure that the pie fits comfortably without touching the sides or top of the air fryer basket. This is crucial to ensure even cooking and to achieve a golden, crispy crust.

To prevent the pie from sticking to the basket, lightly grease the 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.

Gently place the frozen pie into the centre of the preheated air fryer basket, ensuring it is not touching the sides. This step is crucial to achieving even cooking and browning.

It is also important to adjust the cooking time depending on the size and type of pie. A general guideline is to cook a frozen pie for around 20-30 minutes at a temperature of 180°C (360°F). However, larger pies may take longer to cook, so it is important to monitor the progress and rotate the pie halfway through the cooking time if needed.

Additionally, for a golden pie look, you can brush the top of the pie with an egg wash during the last few minutes of cooking. This step is optional but will give your pie a beautiful golden glow.

Cook for 20-30 minutes at 180°C/360°F

Cooking a frozen pie in an air fryer is a straightforward process. However, it's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size and type of pie, as well as the specific air fryer model being used. Here is a step-by-step guide for cooking a frozen pie in an air fryer for 20-30 minutes at 180°C/360°F:

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer Basket

Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil to prevent the pie from sticking. Alternatively, you can use baking paper cut to fit the basket, ensuring the bottom of the pie doesn't stick.

Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheating the air fryer is crucial for even cooking and achieving a golden, crispy crust. Set the temperature to 180°C/360°F and let it preheat for a few minutes.

Step 3: Place the Frozen Pie in the Air Fryer Basket

Remove the frozen pie from its outer packaging. Centre the pie in the basket, ensuring it doesn't touch the sides. If your pie comes in a foil pan, you can leave it in the pan and place it directly into the air fryer.

Step 4: Cover the Pie with Foil (Optional)

Covering the pie with aluminium foil is optional but recommended if you want to prevent the top crust from browning too much.

Step 5: Air Fry for 20-30 Minutes

Set the timer for 20-30 minutes at 180°C/360°F. Monitor the progress to ensure even cooking, and you may need to rotate the pie halfway through.

Step 6: Check the Internal Temperature (for Savoury Pies)

To ensure your pie is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 160°F/71°C for savoury pies. This step may not be necessary for dessert pies.

Step 7: Let the Pie Rest

Once the pie is done, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes. This allows the filling to settle and makes it easier to serve and eat.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Your frozen pie is now ready to be served and enjoyed!

Please note that cooking times may vary, so it's important to keep an eye on your pie to ensure it doesn't overcook or burn. Additionally, if you're cooking a smaller pie, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Let the pie rest for a few minutes before serving

So, you've cooked your frozen pie in the air fryer, and now it's time to let it rest. But why is this step so important? Well, letting the pie rest for a few minutes before serving allows the filling to settle, making it easier to eat. This resting time ensures that both the filling and the crust have cooled slightly and are easier to handle, so you don't burn your mouth!

When you take the pie out of the air fryer, remember to use oven mitts or tongs, as the pie tin or dish will be hot. You can place the pie on a wire rack to help it cool slightly, or simply leave it in the air fryer with the basket closed for 5 minutes, as some sources suggest. This will allow the middle to continue warming if it's not quite hot enough yet.

If you're short on time, you can speed up the cooling process by using a microwave. Place the cooked pie on a microwave-safe plate and heat it in short bursts of 15-30 seconds until it's warmed through. Just be careful not to overdo it, as you don't want the filling to boil or the crust to get tough.

Once your pie has rested, it's time to serve it. If you're serving a whole pie, make sure to use a pie server to get neat slices. And if you're serving apple pie, a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side is always a good idea!

Now that you know the importance of letting your pie rest, you're all set to enjoy your delicious, crispy, golden air-fried pie. So, go ahead and dig in!

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