Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Pot Pie: Quick, Easy Comfort Food

Chicken pot pie is a staple comfort food for many, and cooking it in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a delicious, golden-brown and crispy crust with a hot and creamy filling. It is a convenient method for those busy weeknights when you crave a comforting meal without the hassle of a lengthy cooking process. With an air fryer, you can achieve the perfect pot pie without having to turn on your oven or microwave, which can heat up the entire kitchen.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. While some air fryers claim that preheating is unnecessary, it is still strongly recommended. Preheating your air fryer ensures that your chicken pot pie cooks evenly throughout.

The ideal temperature and duration for preheating your air fryer to cook a frozen chicken pot pie seem to vary depending on the size of the pie and the type of air fryer. Some sources suggest preheating to 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes. Others recommend 360°F for 5 minutes, while another suggests 400°F for an unspecified duration.

If you are cooking multiple pies, it is important to ensure that they fit in a single layer in the air fryer basket. This will help ensure even cooking.

Once your air fryer is preheated, you can proceed to place your frozen chicken pot pie inside and adjust the temperature and timing according to the recipe you are following.

Place the frozen chicken pot pie in the air fryer

Cooking frozen chicken pot pie in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and delicious way to prepare this comfort food. It gives you a golden-brown and crispy crust and a hot and creamy filling.

To start, preheat your air fryer to 350°F for 3 minutes. Some sources suggest preheating to 360°F or even 400°F. The cooking time will depend on the size of the pot pie.

Now, place the frozen chicken pot pie in the air fryer. Make sure that it fits in a single layer. If your pie has a bottom crust, remove it from its foil container and place it upside down in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to crisp the bottom. You can make a makeshift pan out of a few layers of foil if you don't have a baking pan that fits inside the air fryer.

Once the chicken pot pie is in the air fryer, it's time to air fry! Cook the pie for 15 to 25 minutes, or until it's heated through and golden brown on top. The cooking time will depend on the size of the pot pie, with larger pies taking longer to cook.

Air-fry at 350°F for 25 minutes

Cooking frozen chicken pot pie in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and delicious way to prepare this comfort food. It is a convenient method that gives you a golden-brown and crispy crust with a hot and creamy filling.

To air-fry at 350°F for 25 minutes, you will first need to preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Different sources suggest preheating for 3 minutes or 5 minutes. This timing is for 10 oz. pot pies cooked 1 or 2 at a time. Larger pies will take longer to preheat and cook.

Once your air fryer is preheated, place your frozen chicken pot pie in the basket. Make sure that it fits in a single layer. It is important to note that some sources recommend placing the frozen pie on a baking pan that fits inside the air fryer, especially if you are using a foil container. If you don't have a baking pan, you can create a makeshift one by folding several sheets of foil together.

Now, you can begin the process of air-frying at 350°F for 25 minutes. Keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of your pot pie. For larger, family-sized pies, you might need to increase the cooking time beyond 25 minutes to ensure the filling is hot and the crust is golden brown.

During the cooking process, keep an eye on the crust to ensure it doesn't brown too quickly. If the crust is browning faster than the filling is cooking, you can cover the pot pie with aluminum foil.

Once the 25 minutes are up, use an instant-read thermometer to verify that your pot pie has reached an internal temperature of 165°F. If it has not reached this temperature, you may need to cook it for a few more minutes.

Finally, let your pot pie sit for at least 5 minutes before serving. Remember that it will be very hot, so exercise caution when breaking into it and allow the filling to cool down to avoid burning your mouth.

Check the internal temperature

Checking the internal temperature of your chicken pot pie is a crucial step in ensuring it is cooked thoroughly and safely. It is important to make sure that your chicken pot pie has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F before serving. This is the temperature at which the pie's filling will be hot and ready to eat.

To check the internal temperature of your chicken pot pie, you can use an instant-read thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the centre of the pie to get an accurate reading. If the pie has not reached an internal temperature of 165°F, it needs to be cooked further.

If your chicken pot pie is browning too quickly on the outside but is not yet fully cooked on the inside, you can cover it with foil or aluminium foil while it continues to cook. This will help to prevent over-browning and ensure that the pie is cooked evenly throughout.

Once your chicken pot pie has reached the desired internal temperature, it is important to let it rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to cool down slightly so that you don't burn your mouth when taking a bite. Remember that the pot pie will be very hot when you first take it out of the air fryer, so use caution when handling and serving it.

Let the pot pie cool before serving

It is important to let the chicken pot pie cool before serving for several reasons. Firstly, the filling will be extremely hot, and you risk burning your mouth if you don't let it cool down. Secondly, allowing the pot pie to cool will give it time to finish cooking. Even after removing it from the air fryer, the centre of the pot pie is still hot, and the chemical and physical changes associated with cooking continue until the centre cools down. This is especially true for thick, dense recipes.

Additionally, letting the pot pie cool will help it retain its shape and structure. For example, cakes and breads give off water vapour as they cool, and if they are not allowed to cool properly, they may become soggy or fall apart. Similarly, letting baked goods cool completely before frosting or adding toppings helps keep the structure intact and prevents the toppings from melting or sinking into the food.

Finally, letting hot food cool down before refrigerating is important for food safety and the proper functioning of your refrigerator. Placing hot food directly into the refrigerator can raise the internal temperature, creating a breeding ground for bacteria and putting other stored food at risk of spoilage. Therefore, it is recommended to let the chicken pot pie cool to room temperature before storing any leftovers in the fridge.

Frequently asked questions