Air Fryer Pie: Is It Possible?

Air fryers have become increasingly popular for their convenience and versatility. They can cook a wide range of dishes, from savoury to sweet, and even pies! But can you put pies in an air fryer? The short answer is yes. You can cook both frozen and freshly baked pies in an air fryer. However, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your pie turns out perfectly.

Preheat the air fryer to 320°F (160°C) for a few minutes

Preheating your air fryer is essential for achieving the best results. By preheating your appliance, you ensure that your air fryer reaches the desired temperature before adding your food, promoting even cooking and a crisp texture.

When preparing to cook pies in your air fryer, preheat your appliance to 320°F (160°C) for a few minutes. This temperature setting is generally recommended when converting oven recipes to air fryer instructions, as it falls within the typical range of temperature adjustments.

For instance, if an oven recipe calls for baking at 350°F (175°C), you should set your air fryer within the range of 320-325°F (160-165°C). Similarly, a recipe that calls for 375°F in a conventional oven would typically be converted to 350°F in an air fryer.

By preheating your air fryer to 320°F (160°C) for a few minutes, you can ensure that your appliance is ready to cook your pies at the optimal temperature, increasing the likelihood of a successful cooking outcome.

Remember, when converting oven recipes to air fryer instructions, it is generally recommended to reduce the cooking temperature by 25-30°F (15-20°C) and the cooking time by approximately 20%. These adjustments account for the fact that air fryers cook faster than conventional ovens due to their powerful convection heating method and rapid air circulation.

So, when preparing to cook pies in your air fryer, be sure to preheat your appliance to 320°F (160°C) for a few minutes, and then adjust your cooking time accordingly, checking the progress of your pies regularly to avoid overcooking.

Grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil

Before you start cooking pies in your air fryer, it's important to prepare your equipment. Grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil to prevent your food from sticking to the surface and make cleaning easier.

To grease your air fryer basket effectively, use a cooking spray or oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil, peanut oil, or canola oil. Avoid using olive oil or other oils with a low smoke point, as they may burn and produce smoke.

Coat the basket evenly with a thin layer of oil or cooking spray. Use a clean cloth or paper towel to rub the oil onto the surface, ensuring it is well-coated. Alternatively, you can use a brush to apply the oil, ensuring it gets into all the nooks and crannies of the basket.

Greasing your air fryer basket will not only make cooking and cleaning easier but will also help create a crispy, golden crust on your pies. So, before you start cooking, don't forget to grease your air fryer basket!

Place the pie in the centre of the basket

Placing the pie in the centre of the basket is crucial for even cooking and browning. This is because air fryers cook food by circulating hot, dry air around it, so the pie needs to be positioned where the hot air can reach all sides. If your pie is placed off-centre, it may cook unevenly, leaving you with a burnt crust on one side and a soggy bottom on the other.

To ensure the pie is centred, carefully open the air fryer basket and place the pie dish or tin in the middle. If you're making mini pies, arrange them in the basket so there's space around each one for air to circulate. Remember, the key to successful air frying is proper air circulation.

Once the pie is in the centre of the basket, you can set the temperature and timer according to your recipe. For example, if you're cooking an apple pie, you might cook it at 320 degrees Fahrenheit for 18-23 minutes. On the other hand, a meat pie might take around 25 minutes at 360 degrees Fahrenheit.

Keep in mind that every air fryer is different, so you may need to experiment with temperature and timing to find the perfect settings for your pie. Additionally, if you're cooking a homemade pie, it's a good idea to bake the base first to ensure it cooks thoroughly.

Cook for around 12-25 minutes

So, you want to cook a pie in your air fryer? Great idea! It's a much quicker and more energy-efficient way to cook your favourite pie than using a conventional oven.

First things first: remove any packaging from your pie, but keep it in its foil tin to maintain that lovely oval shape. If your pie is frozen, don't thaw it first—cook it from frozen. This is especially important if your pie has pastry, as defrosting it first can make the pastry mushy.

Now, pop your pie into the air fryer basket. If you're cooking a meat pie, it's a good idea to ensure the filling is properly cooked before heating the pie in the air fryer. Set the temperature to 180°C or 360°F and cook for 12–25 minutes. This timing works for most pies, but if your pie has a cheese topping, like the Homity Pie, reduce the cooking time to around 12 minutes so that the cheese doesn't burn.

If you're cooking a frozen pot pie, you might want to try a two-stage process. First, preheat your air fryer to 350°F for five minutes, then put the pie in the basket and cook for 15 minutes. Next, increase the temperature to 380°F for six minutes to crisp up the pastry. Leave the pie in the closed basket for another five minutes after cooking to ensure the middle is warmed through.

For apple pies, preheat your air fryer to 360°F or 320°F. You'll need to cook your apple pie for around 18–23 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown.

A top tip for cooking any pie in an air fryer is to use a temperature probe to ensure the food is cooked throughout.

Let the pie rest for a few minutes before serving

So, you've cooked your pie in the air fryer, and it's looking and smelling delicious. You're probably eager to dig in, but it's important to let the pie rest for a few minutes before serving. Here's why:

Allowing the pie to rest gives the filling a chance to settle, making it easier to slice and serve. This is especially important if your pie has a liquid component, such as a fruit pie filling or a creamy savoury pie filling. Those few minutes of resting time can make the difference between a neat slice and a messy one. It also ensures that the pie is not too hot when served, reducing the risk of burning your mouth.

Resting time is also beneficial for the pastry. While the air fryer is excellent at creating a crispy, golden crust, the intense heat can sometimes cause the pastry to continue cooking and even burn if left in the air fryer for too long. Removing the pie from the air fryer and allowing it to rest halts this cooking process, preventing over-browning and ensuring the pastry stays crisp and flaky.

Additionally, resting time gives you an opportunity to prepare any accompaniments to your pie. Whether it's a savoury pie served with a side of mash and gravy or a sweet pie with a scoop of ice cream, those few minutes allow you to plate your pie and add those finishing touches. It's also a good idea to let the pie rest if you need to transfer it to a serving dish, as this can be tricky to do when the pie is straight out of the air fryer and still very hot.

Finally, resting time lets you take a moment to savour the delicious aroma of your freshly cooked pie and build anticipation for that first mouthwatering bite. So, while it might be tempting to dive straight in, those few minutes of resting time truly enhance the overall pie-eating experience.

Frequently asked questions