Cody Casey
Shepherd's Pie is a traditional British dish that can be made in an air fryer with minimal prep and cleanup. The recipe typically includes ground lamb, beef, or vegetarian alternatives, mixed vegetables, and a topping of mashed potatoes. The air fryer is perfect for cooking individual portions, and the pies can be frozen and then baked for a quick and comforting supper. With the right ingredients and an air fryer, you can have a delicious Shepherd's Pie on the table in minutes!
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What You'll Learn
Shepherd's pie ingredients
Shepherd's pie is a traditional British dish that can be cooked in an air fryer. The ingredients for a shepherd's pie include:
Meat
Traditionally, shepherd's pie is made with ground lamb. However, you can use other types of meat such as beef, leftover cooked turkey or chicken, or even lentils. For a vegetarian option, you can use tofu, seitan, or black beans instead of meat.
Filling
For the filling, you can use a can of cream of mushroom, celery, or chicken soup instead of brown gravy mix. You can also add frozen vegetables, gravy mix, Worcestershire sauce, thyme leaves, and water.
Mashed Potatoes
You can make your own mashed potatoes or use instant mashed potatoes, leftover mashed potatoes, or store-bought mashed potatoes. To make your own, simply mash potatoes with roasted garlic, heavy cream, butter, and salt. You can also add milk, melted butter, and cheddar cheese to your mashed potatoes for extra flavour.
Other Ingredients
Other ingredients you may need include onions, garlic, butter or margarine, oil, and various herbs and spices.
Shepherd's pie is a versatile dish that can be customised to your taste preferences and dietary needs. It can be made in advance and frozen, then cooked in the air fryer for a quick and easy meal.
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Air fryer settings
The air fryer setting you use will depend on the model of your air fryer and the type of shepherd's pie you are cooking. Some recipes recommend using the “Bake” setting at 180°C for 25 minutes, or 35 minutes if cooking from frozen. Other recipes suggest using the “Air Crisp” setting at 375°F for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. If your air fryer has a “Grill” setting, you may want to use this to brown the potato topping. If your air fryer doesn't have a grill setting, don't worry—you can still get a crispy topping by baking the shepherd's pie in the air fryer.
For a Ninja Dual air fryer, you can select the “Saute” setting on high temperature, then whisk in flour and water to thicken the mixture. After adding the remaining ingredients, select the “Roast” setting at 400°F for 25-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and bubbling.
If you are using an Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer, start by selecting the “Saute” setting and set it to a high temperature. Stir in the vegetables and seasonings, then add the meat and gravy. Finally, use the Air Fryer Lid to select the “Roast” setting at 400°F for 25-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden and bubbling.
It's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer, so you may need to adjust the timings accordingly. Always keep an eye on your shepherd's pie while it's cooking to ensure it doesn't overcook or burn.
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Cooking the filling
To cook the filling for a shepherd's pie in an air fryer, you can use ground lamb, leftover cooked turkey or chicken, or vegetarian alternatives such as tofu, seitan, or black beans. For a more budget-friendly option, you can also use textured vegetable protein (TVP) as a meat alternative.
Start by heating butter or margarine in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add in the onions and cook for about 5 minutes until they soften. You can also add other vegetables like carrots, celery, and mushrooms at this stage, cooking until they start to brown.
Next, add the meat and cook until there is no pink meat remaining. If using leftover cooked meat, simply heat it through. Drain any excess fat.
Now, add the remaining ingredients. This typically includes frozen vegetables, gravy or a can of cream of mushroom/celery/chicken soup, Worcestershire sauce, and herbs like thyme or rosemary. You can also add a cup of water or broth to create more sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil, then simmer over medium-high heat for 7-9 minutes or until thickened. You can also sprinkle flour and whisk with water to thicken the mixture.
Finally, pour the filling into an air fryer-safe pan and top with mashed potatoes.
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Preparing the mashed potatoes
To make the mashed potatoes from scratch, start by peeling and chopping your potatoes into evenly sized pieces. This ensures they cook evenly. Boil the potatoes in salted water until they are fork-tender, then drain them thoroughly. You can also bake the potatoes instead of boiling them, which some people prefer as it results in drier potatoes that are easier to mash.
Once your potatoes are cooked, it's time to mash them. You can use a potato masher, a hand mixer, or even a fork if you're feeling strong! For creamy mashed potatoes, add some milk, butter, and salt to taste while mashing. You can also add other ingredients like roasted garlic, heavy cream, or cheese for extra flavour. Mix until your desired consistency is achieved.
If you're using instant mashed potatoes, simply follow the package directions to prepare them. You can also add milk, butter, or cheese to instant mashed potatoes to enhance their flavour and make them creamier.
Once your mashed potatoes are ready, set them aside while you prepare the rest of your shepherd's pie filling. The beauty of making shepherd's pie in an air fryer is that you can prepare the mashed potatoes in advance and even use leftovers, saving time and effort.
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Cooking and serving
Cooking a shepherd's pie in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to prepare this classic dish. The process involves preparing the filling and mashed potatoes separately, assembling the pie, and then cooking it in the air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide to cooking and serving a delicious shepherd's pie:
Cooking:
Prepare the Filling: Start by cooking the filling on a hob. In a large frying pan, heat some butter or margarine and add chopped onions. Let the onions soften for about 5 minutes. Next, add other vegetables such as carrots, celery, and mushrooms, if desired. Cook until the vegetables are softened. Then, add your choice of meat. Traditionally, shepherd's pie is made with ground lamb, but you can also use ground beef or leftover cooked chicken or turkey. For a vegetarian option, use tofu, seitan, or black beans. Cook the meat until it is no longer pink, and then drain any excess fat.
Make the Gravy: To create a rich gravy, add a can of cream of mushroom, celery, or chicken soup, or use a brown gravy mix. You can also add flavour enhancers like Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, tomato paste, and herbs such as rosemary, thyme, or parsley. Bring the mixture to a boil and then simmer until the sauce thickens.
Prepare the Mashed Potatoes: While the filling is cooking, prepare your mashed potatoes. You can make them from scratch by boiling and mashing potatoes, or you can use instant mashed potatoes or leftover mashed potatoes. For a creamy texture, add milk, butter, and salt to taste. You can also include cheese, such as cheddar or Parmesan, to make it extra indulgent.
Assemble the Pie: In an air fryer-safe dish, such as an ovenproof casserole or enamel pie dish, start by adding the meat and vegetable filling. Make sure the filling is evenly distributed and levelled. Then, top the filling with spoonfuls of mashed potato, creating a thick coating. Use a fork to fluff up the potatoes, which will help achieve a crispy topping.
Cook in the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to the Bake setting at 180°C for 25 minutes. If your air fryer doesn't have a "Bake" setting, don't worry; the "Air Fry" function will also work. Simply air fry until the top is golden and crispy. If you're cooking from frozen, increase the cooking time to 35 minutes at the same temperature.
Serving:
Shepherd's pie is a hearty and satisfying dish that can be served as a complete meal. It combines meat, vegetables, and potatoes, providing a well-balanced and nutritious dinner. Here are some serving suggestions:
- Sides: While the shepherd's pie is rich and flavourful on its own, you can serve it with additional sides of vegetables, such as peas, spinach, or other greens. Some crusty bread and butter can also complement the meal.
- Leftovers: If you have any leftovers, they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply reheat the shepherd's pie in the air fryer or oven until warmed through.
- Individual Portions: Consider making individual pies in smaller dishes, which can be easily frozen and then baked when desired. This way, you can enjoy a comforting supper for one or two people without the need to prepare a large batch each time.
- Variations: Experiment with different types of meat, vegetables, and seasonings to create your own unique twist on this classic dish. For a lighter option, you can substitute ground chicken or turkey for the beef or lamb.
Enjoy your delicious shepherd's pie, freshly prepared and cooked to perfection in your air fryer!
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Frequently asked questions
You will need ground lamb, ground beef, or any meat of your choice, vegetables, and mashed potatoes. You can also add cheese and gravy.
The cooking time varies depending on the model of the air fryer and the quantity of the mixture. It can range from 10 to 35 minutes.
Set your air fryer to 180 degrees Celsius or 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Yes, you can cook shepherd's pie from frozen in an air fryer. Wrap the pie tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then thaw it overnight in the fridge before cooking as directed.
