Air Fryer Frozen Pie: Perfect Timing For Perfect Results

how long to cook small frozen pie in air fryer

Cooking a frozen pie in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to enjoy a delicious, crispy meal. The cooking time will depend on the size of the pie and the type of air fryer you are using. For a small frozen pie, the cooking time will typically range from 15 to 25 minutes at a temperature of around 350-400°F (160-200°C). It is recommended to preheat the air fryer for a few minutes before cooking and to let the pie rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the filling to settle and to prevent burning your mouth.

Characteristics Values
Temperature 380°F/190°C or 350°F or 360°F or 180°C or 400°F or 200°C or 320°F/160°C
Time 15-25 minutes
Resting time 5 minutes
Internal temperature 160°F/71°C or 165°F
Size 7-8 ounces

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Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is crucial for even cooking and achieving a golden, crispy crust. Set the temperature to around 320°F (160°C) and allow it to preheat for a few minutes. Alternatively, you can preheat your air fryer to 350°F for 3 minutes.

Before preheating your air fryer, ensure that your frozen pie fits comfortably in the air fryer basket without touching the sides or top. If your pie is small, it will likely fit comfortably in the basket. However, if you are cooking a larger pie, it may be too big for the basket and may not cook evenly. In this case, you may need to consider cooking your pie in the oven instead.

If your pie has a bottom crust, you may want to remove it from its foil container and place it directly in the air fryer basket. This will allow the hot air to circulate around the crust and make it crispy. Place the pie in the centre of the basket, ensuring it does not touch the sides.

Lightly grease the basket with cooking spray or oil before preheating to prevent your pie from sticking. Alternatively, you can use baking paper cut to fit the basket, ensuring the bottom of the pie doesn't stick.

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Grease the air fryer basket

To grease your air fryer basket, you can use cooking spray or oil. Alternatively, you can use baking paper cut to fit the basket, ensuring the bottom of the pie doesn't stick. You can also line your basket with parchment paper or tin foil, but make sure not to cover the holes in the basket, as this will prevent proper air circulation.

If you're looking to clean your air fryer basket, it's best to do so immediately after use, as allowing grease and food particles to sit overnight or for several days will make them harder to remove. You can use paper towels to blot up excess oil, then soak the basket in hot water with dish soap for 20 minutes. You can also try a mixture of vinegar and lemon juice, or a paste made from baking soda and water, to scrub away grease and grime.

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Place the pie in the basket

When you are ready to cook your frozen pie, place it in the basket of your air fryer. It is important to ensure that the pie fits comfortably in the basket without touching the sides or top. This will help to ensure even cooking and achieve that golden, crispy crust.

Before placing the pie in the basket, you may want to lightly grease the basket with cooking spray or oil to prevent the pie from sticking. Alternatively, you can use baking paper cut to fit the basket, ensuring the bottom of the pie doesn't stick.

If your pie has a bottom crust, consider removing it from its foil container and placing it bottom-side up in the air fryer for a few minutes at the end of the cooking process to crisp the bottom. This will ensure that both the top and bottom of the crust are golden and crispy.

Once the pie is in the basket, you can proceed to set the temperature and cooking time according to your specific air fryer and pie size. Remember to monitor the pie's progress to prevent overcooking, especially if your pie is on the smaller side.

When the pie is done, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the filling to settle, making it easier to eat, and give the pie a chance to cool down slightly so you don't burn your mouth!

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Cook for 15-25 minutes

Cooking a frozen pie in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to get a delicious, crispy pie in no time. The cooking time will depend on the size of the pie and the type of air fryer you are using. For a small frozen pie, you should aim to cook it for around 15-25 minutes.

Firstly, you will need to preheat your air fryer. Preheat to around 320°F (160°C) and allow it to preheat for a few minutes. If your air fryer does not require preheating, it is still recommended to do so to ensure even cooking. You can also preheat to 350°F or 360°F, depending on the model of your air fryer and the instructions you are following.

Once preheated, place the frozen pie in the air fryer basket. Make sure it is centred and not touching the sides. If your pie has a bottom crust, it is recommended to remove it from its foil container and place it upside down in the air fryer. This will help to crisp the bottom of the pie.

Cook the pie for 15-25 minutes, depending on the size. For a 7-ounce pie, cook for around 15 minutes. For an 8-ounce pie, check the temperature after 20 minutes. For a 7.5-ounce pie, check after 25 minutes. If your pie is bigger than 7 ounces, it may take longer to cook. Keep an eye on the pie as it cooks, especially towards the end of the cooking time, to ensure it does not overcook on the outside.

Once the pie is golden brown and hot throughout, it is ready to be removed from the air fryer. Be careful, as it will be very hot. Allow the pie to rest for a few minutes before serving. This will give the filling a chance to settle and cool slightly, making it easier to eat.

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Let the pie cool before serving

It is important to let your pie cool down before serving. This is because the filling is likely to be above the boiling point of water, having been cooked in a hot air fryer, and will need time to settle. This will also give the filling a chance to thicken and set. For example, the filling of a fruit pie will be runny when hot, but will gel up as it cools. Custard pies, in particular, need to cool to set fully.

Additionally, allowing your pie to cool will make it safer to eat. The hot sugar inside the pie can be dangerous, and the pie itself will be very hot, so letting it cool will make it easier to handle and prevent burns. It is recommended that you let your pie cool for about an hour, or until it reaches a warm/hot temperature of around 50°C/120°F.

While you may be eager to dig into your freshly cooked pie, it is best to be patient and let it cool. This will ensure that the pie is at a safe and pleasant temperature for consumption, and that the filling has set, resulting in a better overall taste and texture.

Finally, letting the pie cool will also give you time to prepare any desired toppings or accompaniments, such as ice cream or whipped cream, which can enhance the flavour and presentation of the pie.

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Frequently asked questions

It is recommended that you cook a small frozen pie in an air fryer for 15 to 23 minutes.

You can check if your pie is cooked by inserting a knife or skewer into the centre of the pie. If it comes out hot, your pie is cooked. You can also use a thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the pie has reached 160°F (71°C) for savoury pies or 165°F for chicken pies.

No, you do not need to defrost your small frozen pie before cooking it in an air fryer. It is recommended that you cook your pie straight from frozen.

It is recommended that you cook your small frozen pie at a temperature of between 350°F and 400°F.

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