Air Frying Banquet Pot Pie: Is It Possible?

Banquet pot pies are a quick and easy meal option, and cooking them in an air fryer is even faster and more convenient than using an oven. The air fryer produces a deliciously crispy crust on the outside without overcooking the warm and savory filling.

Preheat the air fryer to 350-380°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in cooking your Banquet pot pie. While some recipes suggest preheating to 360°F or 375°F, others recommend 380°F. Preheating your air fryer to 350-380°F will ensure your pot pie cooks evenly.

Preheating your air fryer to the correct temperature will help you achieve the desired golden brown, flaky crust. It is also important to preheat your air fryer to ensure the inside of your pot pie is cooked properly. By preheating your air fryer, you can avoid ending up with an unevenly cooked pot pie, with burnt crust or a soggy underside.

Preheating your air fryer to 350-380°F will ensure your Banquet pot pie is cooked properly, with a crispy crust and a warm, tender filling. This temperature range will help you achieve the perfect pot pie, with a balance of a crispy exterior and a fully cooked interior.

Depending on the size of your Banquet pot pie, you may need to adjust the preheating temperature accordingly. For smaller pot pies, preheating your air fryer to 350°F may be sufficient. However, for larger pot pies, preheating to 380°F may be more suitable to ensure even cooking.

By preheating your air fryer to 350-380°F, you can cook your Banquet pot pie to perfection, with a golden brown crust and a warm, delicious filling. This temperature range will help you achieve the ideal balance of a crispy exterior and a fully cooked, tasty interior.

Don't defrost the pot pie

Banquet pot pies are a convenient and tasty meal option, and you can cook them straight from frozen in an air fryer. But should you defrost them first? Well, the general consensus is that you shouldn't.

If you defrost a pot pie before cooking it in the air fryer, the crust may become mushy and have a poor texture. The filling is already pre-cooked, so you only need to worry about cooking the crust. By keeping the pie frozen, you ensure the crust cooks properly and achieves that desirable golden brown colour and flaky texture.

Cooking a Banquet pot pie from frozen in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. Most sources recommend preheating your air fryer to between 360-380°F. Then, wrap the edges of the pie in foil to prevent the crust from burning. Place the pie in the air fryer basket and cook for around 20-25 minutes. You can then remove the foil and cook for a further few minutes to crisp up the crust.

So, there's no need to defrost your Banquet pot pie before air frying it. Keep it frozen for the best results!

Wrap the pot pie in foil

Wrapping the pot pie in foil is a crucial step in cooking Banquet Pot Pie in an air fryer. Here's why:

The foil acts as a protective barrier, ensuring that the crust doesn't burn or overcook before the interior of the pie reaches the desired temperature. By wrapping the pot pie in foil, you can prevent the crust from browning too quickly, allowing the inside to cook thoroughly. This is especially important for frozen pot pies, as the foil helps ensure that the crust doesn't become mushy or soggy by shielding it from direct heat.

When using foil, it's essential to create a vent by cutting a slit in the top of the pot pie's crust. This allows steam to escape, preventing the pie from bursting and ensuring even cooking throughout.

Additionally, the type of foil you use matters. It's recommended to use aluminum foil, which can go directly into the air fryer basket. However, be cautious when cooking acidic foods like tomatoes or citrus in aluminum foil due to potential reactions.

When is the right time to remove the foil? For a crispier crust, you can remove the foil during the latter part of the cooking process. This will allow the edges of the crust to crisp up nicely. For example, if your total cooking time is 22-25 minutes, you can remove the foil ten minutes before the end, giving the crust time to brown and crisp up.

Remember, the foil helps prevent the crust from burning and ensures even cooking. However, don't leave the foil on for the entire cooking time if you want a crispy crust. Balance is key!

Cook for 21-25 minutes

When cooking Banquet pot pies in an air fryer, the cooking time depends on the size of the pie and the temperature you are cooking at.

For a 7-ounce Banquet Chicken Pot Pie, cook for 23 minutes at 380 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the foil with 10 minutes left so that the edges crisp up.

For a 10-ounce Banquet Pot Pie, cook for 21 minutes at 360 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, increase the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for an additional 2 minutes to brown the top.

For two 10-ounce pot pies, cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 18 minutes.

For two 7-ounce pot pies, cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes.

Let the pot pie cool for 5 minutes

After removing your banquet pot pie from the air fryer, it is important to let it cool for 5 minutes. This is because the pot pie will be extremely hot, and you risk burning yourself if you try to eat it immediately. Leaving it to cool for a few minutes will also allow the middle of the pot pie to continue warming up and reach the ideal temperature. This is an important final step to ensure that your pot pie is cooked thoroughly and safely, and ready to be enjoyed!

It is worth noting that the cooking time for a banquet pot pie in an air fryer varies depending on the source. Some sources suggest cooking the pot pie for 22-25 minutes, while others suggest 21 minutes or even 15 minutes. This may be due to differences in the size and type of pot pie being cooked, as well as variations in air fryer models and individual preferences for doneness. Therefore, it is important to keep an eye on your pot pie while it is cooking and adjust the cooking time as needed.

Additionally, it is recommended to preheat your air fryer before adding the pot pie, and to wrap the pot pie in foil while it cooks to prevent the crust from burning. You may also want to make a slit in the top of the crust before cooking to allow the pie to vent and prevent the top from bursting. Once the pot pie is done cooking, remember to let it cool for a few minutes before digging in!

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