Air Fryer Frozen Pot Pie: Quick, Easy, Delicious

Cooking frozen pot pies in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and delicious way to prepare this comfort food. It takes less than 30 minutes and results in a golden brown, flaky crust and evenly cooked fillings. The air fryer is much faster than an oven, uses less energy, and doesn't heat up the house. It is a delicate balance to not overcook the outside but make sure the filling gets hot. The cooking time will depend on the size of the pot pie and the type of filling.

Preheat your air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in cooking frozen pot pies. While some air fryers may not require pre-heating, it is highly recommended to ensure even cooking of your pot pie. The preheating temperature for your air fryer will vary depending on the model and your preferences, but it typically ranges from 350°F to 400°F. For example, one source suggests preheating to 350°F for 5 minutes, while another recommends 360°F for the same duration.

If you choose not to preheat your air fryer, it is important to adjust your cooking time accordingly. Add about 3 to 4 minutes to your total cooking time to compensate for the lack of preheating. This will help ensure that your pot pie is cooked thoroughly and evenly.

When preheating your air fryer, it is a good idea to place an empty foil container or a "tray" made from aluminum foil inside. This will catch any spills or drippings that may occur during the cooking process, making cleanup easier. Additionally, covering the top of your pot pie with aluminum foil before placing it in the air fryer can help prevent messes and ensure even cooking.

The preheating process is an essential step in achieving the desired level of crispiness for your pot pie crust. By preheating your air fryer, you create a consistent cooking environment that allows for better heat distribution and more accurate temperature control. This is especially important when cooking frozen foods like pot pies, as it helps prevent overcooking or burning the exterior while ensuring that the filling is heated thoroughly.

In summary, preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in cooking frozen pot pies. It ensures even cooking, helps achieve the desired crispiness, and can prevent messes. Remember to adjust the preheating temperature and duration according to your air fryer's specifications and always use foil to catch any potential spills or drippings.

Place the frozen pot pie in the air fryer basket

Cover the top of the pie with aluminium foil. This will prevent the crust from burning. Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 380°F. The exact temperature will depend on your air fryer and the brand of pot pie you are cooking. Check the instructions on the box for guidance.

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the basket inside and set a timer for 15 to 25 minutes. The cooking time will depend on the size of your pie and the power of your air fryer. For larger, family-sized pies, you may need up to 20 minutes. For smaller pies, 15 minutes should be enough.

When the timer goes off, check the pie to see if it is done. The crust should be golden brown and the filling should be hot and bubbling. If the pie is browning too quickly, cover it with foil. If it is not yet crispy, return the basket to the air fryer and cook in 2-minute intervals until the desired level of crispiness is achieved.

Cover the pot pie with foil

Covering your pot pie with foil while cooking it in the air fryer is a good idea for several reasons. Firstly, it helps to ensure that the top crust of your pie doesn't burn or brown too quickly. This is a common issue when cooking pot pies in an air fryer, as the delicate balance between cooking the outside and heating the filling can be tricky. By covering the pie with foil, you can prevent the top crust from cooking too fast, allowing the filling to heat up thoroughly.

Additionally, covering the pot pie with foil can help to contain any spills or messes that might occur during cooking. Placing a sheet of tinfoil or parchment paper underneath the pot pie in the air fryer basket can catch any filling that bubbles out of the crust, making clean-up easier. This is especially useful if you're cooking multiple pot pies at once, as it will prevent any filling from dripping onto the bottom of the air fryer and burning.

When covering your pot pie with foil, it's important to note that you should not cover the entire pie for the entire cooking time. This is because the foil will prevent the crust from browning and may affect the cooking time. Instead, you should follow a two-phase cooking process. First, cover the pot pie with foil and cook it for 20-25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown. This will ensure that your pot pie has a crispy, golden crust without burning.

Finally, it's worth mentioning that the size of your pot pie will affect the cooking time. Smaller pot pies, around 7-10 ounces, will typically take around 15 minutes covered with foil and an additional 10 minutes uncovered. Larger pot pies, around 15 ounces, will take longer, approximately 30 minutes covered and 5-10 minutes uncovered. Always use a meat or instant-read thermometer to verify that your pot pie has reached an internal temperature of 165°F before serving.

Air fry for 15-20 minutes

Cooking a frozen pot pie in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a delicious, comforting meal. It is important to monitor the cooking time to ensure the filling is cooked and the crust is golden brown and crispy.

After preheating your air fryer to 350°F, place your frozen pot pie in the basket and air fry for 15-20 minutes. The cooking time will depend on the size of the pie, with larger, family-sized pies needing up to 20 minutes, and smaller pies taking as little as 15 minutes. It is recommended to cover the pie with aluminium foil for the first 15-20 minutes of cooking time, then removing the foil for the last 5-10 minutes to get the crust golden brown and crispy.

It is important to note that cooking time may vary depending on the brand and the size of the pot pie, so it is always a good idea to check the package directions and use a thermometer to verify the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

If your pie has a bottom crust, you can remove it from its foil container and place it upside down in the air fryer for the last few minutes of cooking to ensure the bottom is also crispy.

Check for doneness

To check if your frozen pot pie is cooked through, you must first ensure that it has been in the air fryer for the recommended time. Most recipes suggest cooking a frozen pot pie in an air fryer for around 20 minutes at a temperature of between 360°F and 400°F. However, you should always refer to the package instructions as cooking times may vary depending on the brand and size of the pot pie.

Once the timer goes off, it's important to use caution when checking the doneness of your pot pie. Wear oven mitts or use tongs to remove the pie from the air fryer, as the pot pie dish will be extremely hot. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the pot pie has reached a safe level. For chicken, turkey, and vegetable pot pies, the temperature should be at least 165°F. Beef, pork, and lamb pot pies should reach an internal temperature of 160°F.

If you don't have a meat thermometer, you can also look for visual cues to determine if your pot pie is done. The crust should be golden brown and the filling should be bubbling. However, keep in mind that the filling may not be bubbling vigorously, especially if the pot pie is large. The crust is a good indicator of doneness, as it should be fully cooked and not appear raw or doughy.

If you're unsure if your pot pie is fully cooked, it's always better to err on the side of caution and cook it for a little longer. You can place it back in the air fryer for an additional 5 minutes or so, checking regularly to ensure it doesn't overcook. Remember that every time you open the air fryer, heat escapes, and the cooking process is interrupted, so try to minimize this as much as possible.

Frequently asked questions