Air Fryer Baking: Frozen Pie Perfection

Yes, you can bake a frozen pie in an air fryer. It's a quick and easy way to cook a comforting pot pie for dinner. The cooking time is very little between a thawed pie and a frozen pie, so it's preferable to cook the pies from frozen in the air fryer.

Should you defrost a frozen pie before air frying?

Yes, you can cook a frozen pie in an air fryer. In fact, it is recommended that you do not defrost a frozen pie before baking it in the air fryer. This is because the crust will have a different, less desirable texture if you defrost it first—it may become mushy, especially on the underside.

Cooking a frozen pie in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to have a comforting meal in less than 20 minutes. It is also much faster than cooking a frozen pie in the oven, and it doesn't heat up your kitchen.

To cook a frozen pie in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to between 350–380°F (180–190°C). While you wait, you can cut small slits into the top of the pie crust to help with steam release. Then, place the frozen pie in the air fryer basket and cook for 15–25 minutes, or until the pastry is crisp and golden brown. If your pie has a bottom crust, you may want to cook it upside down for a few minutes to crisp the bottom.

The exact cooking time will depend on the size of your pie and the power of your air fryer, so be sure to keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking. Once the pie is done, let it cool for a few minutes before serving—it will be hot!

What temperature should you cook a frozen pie at in an air fryer?

Yes, you can bake a frozen pie in an air fryer. The temperature and timing will depend on the type of pie, the size of the pie, and the specific air fryer being used.

For a 10-ounce frozen pot pie, preheat your air fryer to 350-360 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes. Then, place the frozen pot pie in the air fryer basket and cook for 15-21 minutes. Increase the temperature to 380-400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for an additional 2-6 minutes to brown the top. Leave the pie in the closed air fryer basket for 5 minutes after cooking to allow the middle to continue warming.

For a smaller, 7-ounce pot pie, preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While preheating, cut small slits into the top of the crust to help release steam. Cook the pie for 19-23 minutes, until fully heated and slightly crispy. If it is a chicken pot pie, the internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Leave the pie in the air fryer for 5 minutes after cooking before serving.

If your pie has a bottom crust, you may want to remove it from its foil container and place it bottom-side up in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to crisp the bottom. You can also try flipping the pie during cooking to ensure an even crisp on the bottom and top.

For a sweet dessert pie, preheat your air fryer to around 320 degrees Fahrenheit (160 degrees Celsius). Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil, or line it with baking paper, to prevent the pie from sticking. Cook the pie for around 30 minutes, monitoring closely to ensure even cooking. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius) for savoury pies.

How long does it take to cook a frozen pie in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook a frozen pie in an air fryer. The cooking time depends on the size and type of pie. A general guideline is to cook a frozen pot pie at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 19 to 23 minutes. However, the exact cooking time can vary depending on your air fryer and the size of the pie. For example, a larger pie will take longer to cook than a smaller one.

It is recommended to preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking and a golden, crispy crust. Set the temperature to around 320°F (160°C) and allow it to preheat for a few minutes. You can also grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil to prevent the pie from sticking.

When cooking a frozen pie in an air fryer, it is important to monitor the progress and rotate the pie halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking. To confirm that your pie is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) for savoury pies.

Additionally, if your pie has a bottom crust, it is recommended to cook it upside down for a few minutes to crisp the bottom. The total cooking time for a frozen pot pie in an air fryer should be around 25 minutes, including preheating and resting time.

Some people also suggest using a combination of the microwave and air fryer to heat frozen pies. For example, microwaving the pie for a few minutes and then air frying it for 5-6 minutes can result in a warm and crispy pie without drying it out.

What types of frozen pies can you cook in an air fryer?

You can cook a variety of frozen pies in an air fryer, including chicken pot pies, steak pies, apple pies, and even some frozen desserts like chocolate cream pies and lemon meringue pies.

Chicken pot pies are a popular choice for air fryer meals, with brands like Banquet and Marie Callender's offering options that can be cooked directly from frozen. The cooking time will depend on the size of the pie, but generally, it takes around 15-25 minutes to cook a frozen chicken pot pie in an air fryer.

Beef or veggie pot pies are also available and can be cooked in a similar manner. For a beef pot pie, you might consider a slightly longer cooking time to ensure the meat is thoroughly cooked.

If you're looking for a dessert option, apple pies can be cooked in an air fryer, and there are also several frozen dessert pies available in stores or online. These include chocolate cream pies, lemon meringue pies, coconut cream pies, and even more unique options like a black-bottom banana cream pie or a chilled grapefruit-caramel meringue pie.

So, whether you're craving a savoury pot pie or a sweet dessert pie, there are plenty of options to choose from that can be easily cooked in an air fryer.

Can you cook more than one frozen pie at a time in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook more than one frozen pie at a time in an air fryer, depending on the size of your air fryer basket. For example, a 6-quart basket can fit two 10-oz frozen pies at once.

When cooking multiple pies, it's important to ensure that there is enough space between them for proper air circulation. If your air fryer is small and cannot accommodate multiple pies, you can cook them in batches.

The cooking time may vary depending on the size and number of pies you cook at once. It's important to follow the same guidelines as cooking a single pie: preheat the air fryer, cut slits in the top of the crust for steam release, and adjust the temperature and timing accordingly to ensure the pies are cooked through and the crust is crispy.

Additionally, if your pies have a bottom crust, you can remove them from their foil containers and place them upside down in the air fryer for a few minutes to crisp the bottom.

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