Air Fryer Pot Pie Perfection: How Long To Fry?

Cooking a pot pie in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a golden, crispy crust without having to turn on your oven. It's a great option for a busy weeknight dinner or a cosy lunch on a chilly afternoon. The cooking time will depend on the size of your pot pie and the temperature you're cooking at, but it usually takes around 20-25 minutes in the air fryer. You can use a variety of frozen pot pies, such as chicken, beef or vegetable, and brands like Marie Callender's, Banquet and Swanson are popular choices.

Preheat the air fryer to 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures your pot pie cooks evenly and efficiently. Here's a detailed guide on preheating your air fryer to the ideal temperature range of 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit for cooking pot pies:

Step 1: Understand the Benefits of Preheating

Preheating your air fryer ensures that your pot pie will cook evenly and efficiently. It allows the appliance to reach the desired temperature before the cooking process begins, so your pot pie spends the optimal amount of time at the right temperature. This helps prevent undercooking or overcooking, resulting in a perfectly cooked meal.

Step 2: Know Your Air Fryer's Features

Familiarize yourself with the preheat function on your air fryer. Some models have a dedicated preheat button, while others may require you to manually set the temperature and wait for it to reach the desired level. Check your air fryer's instruction manual if you're unsure about its preheat capabilities.

Step 3: Set the Temperature

Set the temperature of your air fryer to between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range is ideal for cooking pot pies, as it will ensure the filling is heated through without burning the crust. The specific temperature you choose within this range may depend on your air fryer's model and your personal preferences.

Step 4: Allow Sufficient Preheat Time

Give your air fryer enough time to reach the desired temperature. Depending on the model and its features, this may take a few minutes. Some air fryers will have a preheat light or indicator that lets you know when it has reached the set temperature. If your air fryer doesn't have this feature, you can use an external thermometer to check the temperature.

Step 5: Prepare Your Pot Pie

While your air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your pot pie for cooking. Remove the pot pie from its packaging and consider covering it with aluminium foil to prevent the crust from burning. You can also use this time to prepare any side dishes or set the table.

Step 6: Monitor the Temperature

Keep an eye on the temperature of your air fryer, especially if you're cooking multiple pot pies or if your model doesn't have an automatic shut-off feature. You may need to make adjustments to maintain the desired temperature range. Remember that the goal is to create a consistent cooking environment for your pot pie.

Step 7: Adjust as Needed

If you're cooking multiple pot pies or notice that your air fryer struggles to maintain the temperature, you may need to make adjustments. Consider reducing the temperature by a few degrees to prevent overheating or burning. You can always increase the temperature again for the final stages of cooking to achieve the desired crispness on your pot pie crust.

Cover the pot pie with foil

Covering your pot pie with foil is an important step in the air-frying process. By doing so, you can prevent the crust from burning and achieve that perfect golden, flaky texture that makes pot pies so irresistible. Here's a step-by-step guide to covering your pot pie with foil and ensuring it cooks evenly:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Before you place your pot pie in the air fryer, it's crucial to preheat the appliance. Set the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the ideal temperature for cooking most pot pies. This step ensures that your pot pie starts cooking at the right temperature from the moment it enters the air fryer.

Step 2: Prepare the Pot Pie

Take your frozen pot pie and remove it from its plastic packaging. Place it on a baking pan or directly into the air fryer basket, depending on the model of your air fryer. If you're using a baking pan, ensure it fits inside your air fryer. Alternatively, you can create a makeshift pan by folding several layers of aluminium foil.

Step 3: Cover with Foil

Now, it's time to cover your pot pie with aluminium foil. This step is crucial, especially if you're cooking a larger pot pie or one that requires a longer cooking time. Covering the entire pie with foil will prevent the crust from burning, ensuring it turns out golden and flaky rather than burnt and hard. Make sure to fold the foil over the sides of the pie to protect the edges as well.

Step 4: Initial Cooking

Once your pot pie is prepared and covered with foil, it's time to start cooking. Place the pot pie in the centre of the air fryer basket and set the timer. For most pot pies, cooking at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes is a good starting point. This initial cooking time will ensure the filling is heated through and the crust starts to cook.

Step 5: Adjust Foil and Continue Cooking

After the initial 20 minutes, carefully remove the pot pie from the air fryer and make some adjustments to the foil. Use scissors to cut a hole out of the middle of the foil, leaving the foil over the edges to protect them from burning. This step will allow the crust to cook more evenly and achieve that desired flakiness. Return the pot pie to the air fryer and continue cooking for an additional 40 minutes.

Step 6: Final Touches

Once the cooking time is complete, let the pot pie sit in the air fryer for an extra 5 minutes. This resting time will allow the filling to set, making it less messy when you cut into it. Finally, remove the pot pie from the air fryer, take off the foil, and serve it hot!

Remember, these instructions are general guidelines, and the exact cooking time may vary depending on the size and brand of your pot pie, as well as the specifics of your air fryer. Always keep an eye on your pot pie while it's cooking to ensure it doesn't overcook or burn. Enjoy your flaky, golden pot pie!

Cook for 20-25 minutes

Cooking a pot pie in an air fryer is a fast and easy way to get a delicious, golden-brown, and crispy crust. It is also a convenient way to avoid heating up your kitchen, especially during the summer.

To cook your pot pie in an air fryer, first, remove it from its packaging and cover the pie with aluminium foil, folding the foil over the sides. Place the pot pie in the air fryer basket and air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes.

After 20-25 minutes, remove the foil and continue to air fry for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown.

Once the pie is done, let it stand in the air fryer for another minute before serving. This is an important step as it allows the filling to settle and ensures the pie won't be as messy when you cut into it.

If you are cooking for children, it is recommended to let the pie cool down for 10-15 minutes to avoid any burnt mouths.

Additionally, if you are short on time, you can speed up the cooking process by first cooking the pot pie in the microwave for 5 minutes and then placing it in the preheated air fryer to crisp up the crust.

Remove the foil and cook for another 3-6 minutes

Once you've removed the foil from your pot pie, it's time to put it back into the air fryer for the final stage of cooking. This last stage is all about crisping up the crust and giving it that golden-brown finish that makes it look and taste so good.

Depending on your air fryer model and the size of your pot pie, you'll want to air fry it for an additional 3-6 minutes. Keep an eye on it, as you don't want the crust to burn. Aim for a nice, golden brown colour.

If you're cooking a larger pot pie, it may take a little longer to reach this stage, so be prepared to add a couple of extra minutes to the cooking time. It's always better to check and add more time if needed, rather than overcooking and ending up with a burnt crust.

Once the crust is golden and crispy, remove the pot pie from the air fryer and let it stand for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the filling to cool down slightly and thicken up, making it the perfect consistency for eating.

Now you're ready to enjoy your delicious, flaky pot pie! It's a quick and easy meal that's perfect for busy weeknights or a cosy night in.

Let the pot pie stand for 5 minutes

Leaving the pot pie to stand for five minutes after cooking is an important step in the cooking process. This is because it gives the filling time to set, so the pie won't be as messy when you cut into it. It also allows the middle to continue warming up completely, ensuring that the pie is cooked through and safe to eat.

Leaving the pot pie to stand for a few minutes is also a good idea from a safety perspective. This is because the pie will be extremely hot straight out of the air fryer, and leaving it to stand will allow it to cool down slightly, reducing the risk of burns when handling or eating the pie.

It is important to note that the pie will continue to cook slightly as it stands, so it is best to remove it from the air fryer just before it reaches the desired level of doneness. This will prevent overcooking and ensure that the pie is still hot by the time you are ready to serve it.

Finally, letting the pot pie stand for a few minutes gives you a chance to prepare any sides or garnishes to accompany the meal. For example, you could serve the pot pie with a fresh salad, cooked vegetables, or dinner rolls. This ensures that the meal is well-rounded and provides an opportunity to add some colour and extra flavour to the plate.

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