Air-Fried Apple Pie: Perfect Timing For A Quick Treat

Air fryer apple pies are a delicious and easy-to-make treat. They are a fun, portable, and less messy alternative to traditional apple pie. The pies are filled with a sweet and tart apple mixture and covered with a simple cinnamon and sugar glaze. The cooking time for these apple pies in an air fryer varies depending on the brand, but on average, they take around 8 to 10 minutes to cook. The pies are done when the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.

Air fryer apple pie cooking times and temperatures

Air fryer apple pies are a quick and easy dessert, perfect for those who want a tasty treat without the lengthy preparation. The pies can be made in a variety of sizes, from mini hand pies to full-size pies, and can be cooked in batches. The cooking time will depend on the size of the pie and the brand of your air fryer, but on average, they will take between 5 and 23 minutes to cook.

Mini Apple Pies

For mini apple pies, prepare your pie crust and filling as desired. Cut the crust into circles or rectangles, fill with apple pie filling, and seal with a second crust. Brush with egg wash or oil, and cook in the air fryer at 360°F for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown. Alternatively, you can cook at 385°F for around 8 minutes, or 320°F for 8-10 minutes.

Full-Size Apple Pie

For a full-size apple pie, prepare your pie crust and filling. Place the bottom crust in a pie plate, fill with apple filling, and top with the second crust. Brush with melted butter or egg wash, and cook in the air fryer at 320°F for 18-23 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.

Tips

• If your pie is browning too quickly, cover loosely with aluminium foil for the last few minutes.
• If you are cooking your pies in batches, keep the cooked pies warm by placing them in an oven preheated to 200°F.
• Different air fryer brands will cook at slightly different rates, so keep an eye on your pies to avoid overcooking.
• If you are making the pies in advance, they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, or frozen for up to 3 months.

How to make apple pie filling

Apple pie filling is a delicious, versatile dish that can be used in many recipes, including apple pies, crisps, and even as a topping for pancakes and waffles. It is also a great substitute for canned apple pie filling in any recipe. The filling can be made in less than 15 minutes and has a great homemade flavor. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make apple pie filling:

Ingredients:

• Apples (Granny Smith, Braeburn, Golden Delicious, or Honeycrisp)
• Sugar (white or brown)
• Water
• Spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, or a blend of warm spices)
• Lemon juice (optional)
• Salt
• Cornstarch

Instructions:

• Peel, core, and chop or slice the apples into thin, even pieces. The size of the apple pieces can vary according to your preference.
• Place the apples in a large skillet or stockpot.
• Add lemon juice (optional), sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and water to the pot. If using other spices, add them according to your preference. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
• Cook the mixture over low to medium heat for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender and slightly softened.
• In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Mix until smooth.
• Gradually add the cornstarch slurry to the apple mixture, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens.
• Remove the apple pie filling from the heat and set it aside to cool.
• The filling can be used immediately or stored in the refrigerator or freezer for later use.

Once you have prepared the apple pie filling, you can use it to make delicious air fryer apple pies. Here are the additional steps for assembling and cooking the apple pies in an air fryer:

Additional Ingredients:

• Pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
• Egg (beaten)
• Cinnamon sugar (optional)
• Cooking spray

Instructions:

• Place the pie crust on a lightly floured surface and roll it out with a rolling pin.
• Using a round biscuit or cookie cutter, cut the pie crust into circles.
• Fill about half of each circle with the prepared apple pie filling.
• Place a second pie crust circle on top, creating a mini pie. Ensure that the pies are not overfilled.
• Press down and crimp the edges of the mini pies with a fork to seal them.
• Brush the tops of the pies with beaten egg and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar (optional).
• Preheat the air fryer to 360-385 degrees F (depending on the manufacturer's instructions).
• Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
• Place 1-2 pies in the basket, leaving space between them for air circulation.
• Air fry the pies for about 8-10 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
• Carefully remove the pies from the basket and place them on a wire rack to cool.
• Repeat the process with the remaining pies.
• Serve the apple pies warm or at room temperature.

How to make the pie crust

To make the perfect pie crust, you will need the following tools: a food processor, pastry cutter, or two forks; a mixing bowl; a rolling pin; and a glass pie plate. In terms of ingredients, you will need flour, butter, salt, sugar (optional), and ice water.

First, mix the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl or pulse them together in a food processor. Next, cut the butter into the dry ingredients. You can do this by hand using a pastry cutter or two forks, or in a food processor with a few brief pulses. The secret to making the best pie crust is to coat a portion of the flour with cold butter before adding in the rest of your flour. This simple step guarantees a super flaky, light pie crust.

Once you have cut the butter into the dry ingredients, slowly add in the ice water. Use your hands to bring the crust together, scattering the cold water over the mixture a tablespoon at a time until the dough is wet enough to hold together. If you prefer to do this by hand, that is also an option! It will be just as easy to roll out and will turn out super flaky.

Now, you are ready to roll out your dough. Place one pie crust onto a lightly floured surface and roll out the dough with a rolling pin. Using a round biscuit or cookie cutter, cut the pie crust into circles. Repeat with the second pie crust.

How to assemble the apple pie

To assemble an apple pie to cook in an air fryer, start by preparing your pie crust. You can make your own by mixing flour, salt, and sugar in a large mixing bowl, then adding butter and cutting it into the mixture until it resembles a coarse meal with pea-sized flakes of butter. Gradually add water until the texture starts to clump together. Alternatively, you can use a store-bought pie crust. If your pie crust is frozen, let it come to room temperature before using it.

Once your pie crust is ready, roll it out on a lightly floured surface with a rolling pin until it is smooth and slightly flattened. If you are making mini pies, use a round biscuit or cookie cutter to cut the crust into circles. For larger pies, cut the crust into rectangles or use a bowl or glass to create circles.

Next, prepare your apple filling. Combine apples, brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon in a nonstick skillet. Cook over medium heat until the apples have softened, about 5 minutes. Dissolve cornstarch in cold water and stir into the apple mixture, cooking until the sauce thickens, about 1 minute. Set the filling aside to cool.

Now it's time to assemble the pie. Place one pie crust circle or rectangle into the bottom of your pie plate, lightly pressing it down. If making mini pies, fill about half of each circle with apple pie filling. For larger pies, scoop a heaping tablespoon of filling into the center of each crust. Top the filling with another crust, crimping the edges with a fork to seal. Cut a few slits in the top of the pie to release steam while it's cooking.

Before placing your pie in the air fryer, brush the top with melted butter or an egg wash to help it turn golden. You can also sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top. Preheat your air fryer according to the manufacturer's instructions, usually to around 360-385 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Place the pie in the air fryer basket and cook until golden brown. The cooking time will depend on the size of your pie, with mini pies taking around 5-10 minutes and larger pies taking around 18-23 minutes. Once cooked, remove the pie from the air fryer and allow it to cool before serving.

How to store and reheat apple pie

Storing and Reheating Apple Pie:

If you have leftover apple pie, consider yourself lucky! Apple pie keeps well and reheats beautifully. You can store it in the fridge and eat it cold, but if you prefer your pastry flaky, you might want to reheat it. The longer a pie sits in the fridge, the more the fruit juices will seep into the bottom, which can make the pastry soggy.

To store your apple pie, you can keep it in the fridge, tightly covered, for up to two days. You can also freeze it for a few months. If you're freezing a whole pie, it's best to pre-slice it first, then freeze it uncovered until it's firm. Once it's solid, you can cover it tightly with plastic wrap.

When you're ready to reheat your apple pie, you have a few options: the oven, toaster oven, microwave, air fryer, or cast-iron skillet. The trick is to reheat it without making the crust soggy.

Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (or 335-350°F if the pie is frozen).
• Place the pie, sliced or whole, on a baking sheet. If it's a whole pie, cover it with foil.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is flaky and the middle is hot.
• If you're reheating individual slices, check on them every 3-5 minutes.
• If the edges start to burn, cover them with foil.

Toaster Oven:

• All the same rules apply as the oven, but because the heat is more contained, it may take less time, and your crust may brown faster.
• Check the pie after 10 minutes. If it starts to brown on top, loosely cover it with foil.

Microwave:

• This is the quickest method, but you might end up with a softer crust.
• Place the pie on a microwave-safe plate and heat in 30-second to one-minute intervals until it's heated to your liking.
• If you're reheating a whole or partial pie, use a microwave-safe pie plate (not a metal tin!).
• Heat in two to three-minute intervals, checking for hot spots and rotating the pie as needed.

Air Fryer:

• Heat the air fryer to 350ºF.
• Wrap the apple pie slice with foil.
• Air fry until the filling is warmed through, around 5-7 minutes.

Cast-Iron Skillet:

• Heat the skillet over medium heat.
• Place the pie in the skillet and cook for a few minutes on each side, or until warmed through.

Enjoy your leftover apple pie!

Frequently asked questions