Air Fryer Pierogies: A Quick, Easy, And Delicious Treat

Pierogies are a type of European dumpling, usually filled with potatoes and cheese, that can be cooked in an air fryer. They are a delicious quick snack, side dish, or meal on their own. You can cook them from frozen or fresh, and they only take around 10 minutes to cook. The result is a crispy texture on the outside and a soft, tender filling on the inside.

How to make pierogies in an air fryer

Pierogies are a type of European dumpling, usually filled with either sweet or savoury fillings. They are a delicious quick snack, side dish, or meal on their own. You can make them in an air fryer, and they will have a crispy texture on the outside while remaining soft and tender on the inside. Here is how to make them:

Ingredients:

• Frozen pierogies (any flavour)
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: Sour cream, caramelized onions, mushrooms, or your favourite dipping sauce

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to between 380-400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Toss the frozen pierogies with olive oil or cooking spray until they are well coated.
• Place the pierogies in the air fryer basket in a single layer so that the hot air can circulate.
• Cook for 5-6 minutes, then flip each pierogi over.
• Continue to air fry for another 5-7 minutes, or until they are a light golden brown colour and crispy.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve warm with your favourite sauce or dip.

Notes:

• The cooking time may vary depending on the brand and model of your air fryer, so adjust the timing as needed.
• If you are using fresh, non-frozen pierogies, reduce the cooking time to 8-10 minutes.
• For mini pierogies, the total cooking time is about 8 minutes.

How long to cook pierogies in an air fryer

Pierogies are a type of traditional Polish dumpling, commonly filled with mashed potatoes and cheese, although they can also be filled with sweet or savoury ingredients. They are usually boiled or pan-fried, but cooking them in an air fryer is a healthier alternative that gives them a crispy texture.

The cooking time will depend on the type of pierogi you are cooking. Frozen pierogies will take longer to cook than fresh pierogies, and mini pierogies will take less time than standard-sized ones.

As a general rule, frozen pierogies will take 10-15 minutes to cook in an air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. You should flip them halfway through the cooking time to ensure they cook evenly on both sides. If you are cooking fresh pierogies, reduce the cooking time to 8-10 minutes. For mini pierogies, 8 minutes should be enough.

It is worth noting that cooking times may vary depending on the brand and model of your air fryer, so you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

What to serve with pierogies

Pierogies are delicious and versatile, and can be served as a snack, side dish, or main course. They are often served with traditional toppings such as sour cream, chives, dill, fried onions, bacon, or melted butter. They can also be served with a simple salad, such as a green goddess-inspired salad, or a heartier side dish like kielbasa and sauerkraut.

If you're looking for a more substantial meal, pierogies can be served with a variety of meat and vegetable dishes. Here are some ideas for what to serve with pierogies:

• Baked chicken with cream of chicken soup
• Stuffed salmon
• Greek yogurt chicken
• Chicken salad
• Kielbasa sandwich
• Slow cooker gammon
• Pea and asparagus orzo
• Cavolo nero with lemon and garlic
• Ratatouille
• Cheesy 'nduja slider
• Fried greens
• Vegetable soup
• Beetroot pasta
• Polish breaded pork chops
• Kielbasa and cabbage
• Green beans
• Liver and onions
• Polish salads, such as lettuce salad, cucumber salad, carrot salad, or beets with horseradish
• Mac and cheese
• Steak and onion
• Butter chicken
• Cream, butter, fresh dill, and green onions
• Kielbasa and cabbage
• Borscht (a sour soup made with beetroots, meat stock, and vegetables)
• Stew
• Brisket
• Cream of mushroom soup
• Buttered cabbage
• Cranberry relish
• Farmers' sausage
• Pickled beets
• Cottage cheese and fried onions
• Sauteed green cabbage with bacon
• Raw beets with horseradish and yogurt
• Applesauce
• Roasted vegetables

Can you make pierogies without oil?

Yes, you can make pierogies without oil, but it depends on your cooking method. Pierogies are boiled, baked, sautéed, fried, grilled, or air-fried. Oil is not required for boiling, baking, or grilling pierogies.

If you are sautéing, frying, or air-frying pierogies, oil is recommended to achieve a crispy texture. However, it is possible to cook pierogies without oil by using butter or non-stick cooking spray as an alternative.

For baking, you can spray both sides of the pierogies with non-stick cooking spray and bake them in the oven. This method is quick and easy, resulting in crispy pierogies.

When grilling pierogies, you can line your grill with foil and spray it with non-stick cooking spray. Then, baste the pierogies with a small amount of olive oil before placing them on the grill.

If you are looking for a healthier alternative, air frying pierogies with minimal oil can be a good option. Air frying results in crispier pierogies with less fat compared to pan frying. You can also use cooking spray or melted butter instead of oil when air frying.

How to store and reheat leftover pierogies

Pierogies are a delicious snack, but what should you do with leftovers? Well, if you have any leftover pierogies, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. When you're ready to reheat them, simply pop them in the microwave or back into the air fryer for a couple of minutes until they're warm.

If you're freezing your pierogies, they will last for up to 3 months in the freezer. When you're ready to eat them, you can cook them straight from frozen in the air fryer—no need to thaw them first!

Frequently asked questions