Air-Fried Pumpkin Pie: A Dream Come True

Pumpkin pie is a popular dessert, especially during the fall and holiday season. While it is traditionally made in an oven, it is possible to make a pumpkin pie in an air fryer. Air fryers are versatile kitchen appliances that can be used for baking, roasting, and frying a variety of dishes, saving time and oven space. Making a pumpkin pie in an air fryer involves preparing the crust, making the filling, and then baking it in the air fryer at the appropriate temperature and time settings. The process is similar to baking in an oven, but with some adjustments to ensure even cooking and a delicious, creamy pumpkin pie.

Blind baking the crust

Blind baking is a crucial step in making a pumpkin pie in an air fryer. It ensures that your pie crust is cooked through before adding the filling, preventing a soggy crust. Here's a detailed guide on blind-baking the crust for your air-fried pumpkin pie:

• Prepare the Pie Crust: Roll out your pie dough and gently place it into a pie plate, usually 7" or 8" in diameter. Trim off any excess crust, leaving about 1" of crust around the edges. Fold the remaining edges in towards the pie and pinch or crimp to create a decorative edge.
• Cover with Foil: Press a sheet of aluminum foil into the pie crust, ensuring it covers the entire crust and is taller than the crust itself. This will make it easier to remove the foil later when it's still hot.
• Add Pie Weights: Fill the foil-lined crust with pie weights, dried beans, rice, or even sugar. This step is crucial to preventing the pie crust from puffing up during baking.
• Blind Bake: Place the weighted crust in your air fryer and set the temperature to 300°F (some recipes suggest 350°F). Bake for about 10 minutes, then remove from the air fryer.
• Prick the Crust: After removing the foil and pie weights, use a fork to prick the bottom of the crust about 5-10 times. This step helps prevent the crust from puffing up during the rest of the baking process.
• Second Bake: Place the crust back into the air fryer and bake for an additional 2-5 minutes. This final step ensures that the bottom of the crust is cooked through.

By following these steps, you will have a perfectly blind-baked pie crust that is ready to be filled with your pumpkin pie filling. Remember to adjust the temperature and timing based on your specific air fryer model and always take the necessary precautions when handling hot items.

Pumpkin pie filling ingredients

Pumpkin pie is a custard or egg-rich filling, which means that eggs are a key ingredient. The eggs bind the other ingredients together, but they need to be cooked gently. The other ingredients in the filling are pumpkin purée, sugar, spices, and a liquid such as evaporated milk.

• 2 cups mashed, cooked pie pumpkin (canned or fresh)
• 1 can (12 fluid ounces) evaporated milk (or half-and-half)
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar (or granulated sugar)
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, or more to taste (or 1 teaspoon)
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger, or more to taste (or ½ teaspoon)
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, or more to taste (or ¼ teaspoon)
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt

Some recipes suggest using a pre-made pumpkin pie spice blend, which usually contains cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg. You can also add other spices like cardamom.

Air fryer temperature and settings

Air fryers are a great alternative to conventional ovens, especially when you're short on space or want to save time and energy. They can be used to bake a variety of dishes, including pumpkin pie. Here are some tips and instructions for using your air fryer's temperature and settings to make the perfect pumpkin pie:

Temperature Settings:

• The ideal temperature for blind-baking the pie crust is 300°F or 350°F. This will ensure the crust is cooked through without burning.
• For baking the pie, most recipes recommend reducing the temperature to 325°F for the initial baking stage and then lowering it further to 300°F for the final baking stage.
• The exact temperature settings may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model, so it's important to refer to your specific air fryer's instructions.

Fan Speed Settings:

• Air fryers have different settings, such as "air fry" and "bake," which control the fan speed. When blind-baking the crust, use the "bake" setting, which has a slower fan speed to prevent the crust from burning.
• For the initial stage of baking the pie, continue using the "bake" setting to ensure gentle cooking.
• If your air fryer has adjustable fan speeds, you may need to experiment to find the optimal setting for your pie.

Timing:

• The timing for blind-baking the crust is typically around 10 minutes at 300°F or 350°F.
• For the initial stage of baking the pie, set the timer for 5 minutes at 325°F.
• Lower the temperature to 300°F and bake for an additional 10 to 20 minutes, depending on your air fryer model and the desired doneness of the pie.
• Keep in mind that the timing may vary based on the size and power of your air fryer, so it's important to monitor the pie's progress and adjust the timing accordingly.

Additional Tips:

• Always use the "bake" setting instead of "air fry" when making pumpkin pie to prevent the top of the pie from overcooking.
• Parchment paper or aluminium foil can be used to line the pie plate and prevent sticking or mess.
• Ensure your pie pan fits comfortably inside your air fryer with enough space for air circulation.
• Check your pie's progress regularly to avoid overcooking or burning.

Filling the pie crust

Next, carefully pour the filling into the pre-baked pie crust. Make sure not to overfill the crust—fill it to about a quarter of an inch from the top. If you are using a basket-style air fryer, leave the crust in the basket and fill it while it is still seated. If you have a swinging door air fryer, take out the tray, fill the crust, and then return the tray to the oven.

Once the crust is filled, it's time to bake the pie. Set the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the pie for 20 minutes. The middle of the pie should be set, and it should not move when you gently shake the crust. If the center is still liquid or movable, bake for an additional 5 minutes, and then check again.

After the initial 20-25 minutes of baking, reduce the temperature to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and continue baking for another 10-20 minutes. The pie is done when the edges of the filling start to turn a light brown color, and the center is set with just a slight jiggle.

Remove the pie from the air fryer and let it cool on a wire rack. You can serve it warm, at room temperature, or chilled from the refrigerator, depending on your preference.

Baking time and how to check if it's done

The baking time for a pumpkin pie in an air fryer depends on the type of air fryer you have, the size of your pie, the thickness of your pie pan, and the power of your air fryer. For example, if you have a basket-style air fryer, you may need to adjust the cooking time.

• Blind bake the crust: Set your air fryer to 300-350°F and blind bake the crust for about 10 minutes. Then, remove the foil and pie weights and prick the bottom of the crust with a fork. Return the crust to the air fryer and bake for another 2-5 minutes.
• Reduce the temperature and bake the pie: Lower the temperature to 325°F and fill the blind-baked crust with your raw pumpkin pie filling. Bake the pie for 5 minutes at 325°F, then reduce the temperature to 300°F and continue baking for another 10-20 minutes.
• Check for doneness: The pie is likely done when the edges of the filling start to take on color, and the center is set with only a slight jiggle. You can also use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature in the center of the pie; it should be between 165-175°F when done. If the pie is not done after the initial baking time, continue baking in 2-3 minute intervals until it is cooked to your liking.
• Cooling and chilling: Allow the pie to cool at room temperature for at least one hour and up to two hours. Then, transfer it to the refrigerator to chill for at least two more hours. This chilling time will help the pie fully set.

Frequently asked questions