Air-Fried Pies: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Making a pie in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy a delicious, home-cooked meal or dessert. Whether you're craving a sweet treat like apple pie or something more savoury like a bacon and egg pie or a classic Aussie meat pie, an air fryer can help you achieve the perfect golden crust. The key to success is ensuring your filling is cooked and your pastry is sealed before placing the pie in the air fryer, which is preheated to a temperature of around 350-385°F (175-195°C). Depending on the size of your pie, it should take between 5-25 minutes to cook through, with smaller pies taking less time. So, if you're short on time or want to enjoy a tasty treat without heating up your entire oven, an air fryer pie is a great option!

Choosing your pie crust

Choosing the right pie crust is essential for making a delicious pie in your air fryer. Here are some tips and options to consider:

Store-Bought vs. Homemade Pie Crust

You can choose between using a store-bought refrigerated pie crust or making your own homemade pie crust. Store-bought pie crusts offer convenience and can be a good option if you're short on time. However, making your own pie crust allows you to customise the flavour and texture to your liking.

Type of Pastry

The type of pastry you choose will impact the overall texture and taste of your pie. Here are some options:

• Shortcrust Pastry: This type of pastry is versatile and can be used for both sweet and savoury pies. It has a crumbly and melt-in-the-mouth texture.
• Puff Pastry: Puff pastry is made with layers of butter that create a flaky and airy texture when baked. It's a good choice for pies as it can hold fillings well and creates a crispy crust.
• Flaky Pastry: As the name suggests, flaky pastry is characterised by its flaky texture. It's often used for pies and tarts and can add a nice crunch to your air-fried pie.

Crust Thickness

When preparing your pie crust, you can decide how thick or thin you want it to be. A thinner crust will cook faster in the air fryer and result in a crispier texture. On the other hand, a thicker crust may require a longer cooking time and will have a softer, more doughy texture.

Size and Shape

The size and shape of your pie crust will depend on the size of your air fryer and the type of pie you're making. For individual-sized pies or hand pies, you can cut the pie crust into circles or rectangles to fit your air fryer basket. For a larger pie, you may need to roll out the dough to fit a pie dish that can be placed in the air fryer.

Egg Wash

An egg wash is a mixture of beaten egg and a small amount of water or milk. Brushing an egg wash on your pie crust before air frying will give it a golden, glossy finish. It also helps to seal the crust, preventing the filling from leaking out during cooking.

Preparing the filling

The first step in preparing the filling for your pie is deciding on the flavour. You can go for a sweet option, such as apple, blueberry, cherry or peach, or opt for a savoury filling like Aussie-style meat pie, bacon and egg, or chicken pot pie.

If you're short on time, you can use a store-bought, pre-made filling, or leftover stew/beef. Alternatively, you can make your own filling from scratch. Here are some tips for preparing a few different types of filling:

• For a meat pie, mix your meat with Worcestershire sauce and tomato paste.
• For an apple pie, combine apples, brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon in a non-stick skillet. Cook over medium heat until the apples have softened, then stir in some cornstarch dissolved in water and cook until the sauce thickens.
• For a bacon and egg pie, cook diced onion in the air fryer for five minutes, then add the bacon and onions to the pie base. Break in the eggs, pricking one yolk, and season with salt and pepper.
• For a chicken pot pie, you can use leftover chicken and vegetables.

Remember to ensure your filling is properly cooked before placing it in the pie crust and air fryer.

Assembling the pie

To assemble the pie, start by preparing the filling. For a meat pie, this could be diced or minced beef with gravy, or you could use your leftover stew. For an apple pie, cook diced apples with brown sugar, butter, cinnamon and cornstarch in a non-stick skillet.

Next, prepare the pie crust. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface, cutting it into circles or rectangles, depending on the shape of your air fryer basket. For a meat pie, you could use shortcrust pastry or puff pastry. For an apple pie, you can use store-bought refrigerated pie crust or make your own.

Now it's time to fill and seal the pies. Place your filling in the centre of the crust, leaving enough space around the edges to seal. If making mini pies, place a second circle of crust on top and press down the edges, crimping with a fork to seal. For a larger pie, cover with a second sheet of pastry, pressing the edges to seal, and trim any excess.

Brush the top of the pie with an egg wash—this will give it a golden glow. You can make a simple egg wash by whisking together an egg with a splash of water or milk. You can also sprinkle the top of the pie with coarse sugar, cinnamon sugar, or any other topping of your choice. Finally, cut a few slits in the top of the pie to allow air to escape during cooking.

Cooking the pie

The cooking time and temperature will depend on the type of pie you are making, and the size of your air fryer. For example, a mini apple pie will take around 5 to 10 minutes at 350-360°F (175-180°C), whereas a meat pie will take around 15-25 minutes at 360°F (180°C).

Before cooking your pie, you should always preheat your air fryer. Depending on the model, this should take around 3 minutes. You should also grease your air fryer basket or tin with cooking spray, or another type of oil, to prevent sticking.

When cooking your pie, it is important to ensure that it is not overcooking on the outside, and that the inside is piping hot. You may need to adjust the cooking time and temperature to suit your air fryer.

For a meat pie, it is recommended to check the internal temperature by placing a knife or skewer in the centre of the pie. For an apple pie, you will know it is done when the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.

If you are cooking a pie with a pastry base and top, it is a good idea to flip the pie halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.

Serving suggestions

Air fryer pies are a quick and convenient way to make a delicious dessert or meal. Whether you're serving apple hand pies, meat pies, or a classic bacon and egg pie, there are several ways to elevate your dish and impress your guests.

Apple Hand Pies

Apple hand pies can be served warm or at room temperature. For an indulgent treat, serve them with a side of homemade caramel sauce for dipping. A simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk drizzled over the pies is another tasty option. If you're serving these pies to guests, consider making a variety of fruit fillings, such as peach, blueberry, or cherry, to cater to different tastes.

Meat Pies

Meat pies are a classic Australian dish, and they're best served with tomato sauce. The filling typically consists of succulent steak with gravy, but you can also add other ingredients like pepper beef, onions, mushrooms, or even chicken. To ensure your meat pie is cooked to perfection, make sure the filling is properly cooked before placing the pie in the air fryer.

Bacon and Egg Pie

This savoury pie is best served warm. To enhance the flavour, serve it with a side of chutney. You can also experiment with different types of pastry, such as flaky or puff pastry, to find your preferred texture.

No matter which type of pie you choose to make in your air fryer, these serving suggestions will surely impress your guests and elevate your dining experience.

Frequently asked questions