Air-Fryer Magic: Making Banquet Pot Pie

Banquet pot pies are a type of frozen convenience food made up of a crust filled with meat and vegetables. They can be cooked in an air fryer, providing a quick and easy meal with minimal prep time and cleanup. The key to cooking a Banquet pot pie in an air fryer is achieving a crispy crust while ensuring the filling is cooked through. This can be done by preheating the air fryer, adjusting the temperature at different stages of cooking, and covering the pie with foil to prevent burning.

Preheat the air fryer to 350-380°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your food starts cooking at the right temperature as soon as it is added to the fryer. For cooking Banquet Pot Pie, you should preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 380°F.

Different sources recommend slightly different temperatures, but they all fall within this range. For example, one source recommends preheating to 360°F, while another suggests 350°F. If you are cooking a Banquet frozen pot pie, a temperature of 350°F is recommended. However, if you are cooking a Banquet Chicken Pot Pie, you might preheat your air fryer to 380°F.

Preheating your air fryer to the correct temperature will help ensure that your pot pie is cooked thoroughly and that the crust is crispy. It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of your pot pie and the specific model of your air fryer. Therefore, it is always a good idea to keep an eye on your pot pie while it is cooking and adjust the temperature or cooking time as needed.

Place the frozen pot pie in the air fryer basket

Placing the frozen pot pie in the air fryer basket is a crucial step in the cooking process. Here are some detailed instructions and tips to ensure you get it right:

Firstly, it is important to note that you should not thaw or defrost the pot pie before placing it in the air fryer. Banquet pot pies are designed to be cooked from frozen to ensure a crisp and evenly cooked crust. Starting with a frozen pie will also help you achieve the desired flaky and crunchy texture on the outside, while keeping the filling tender.

When you are ready to cook, open your air fryer and carefully place the frozen pot pie directly into the air fryer basket. Make sure that the pie is placed in the centre of the basket and that there is enough space around it for the hot air to circulate. If you are cooking more than one pot pie, ensure they are in a single layer and not overlapping.

Before closing the air fryer, check that the pot pie is secure and won't tip over during cooking. Some people like to wrap foil around the edges of the pie to prevent the crust from burning. This can be helpful if your air fryer runs particularly hot. However, the foil should be removed towards the end of the cooking time to allow the edges of the pie to crisp up.

Once you are satisfied that the pot pie is securely placed and any foil is in position, you can close the air fryer and proceed with the cooking process, following the timing and temperature guidelines provided by the pot pie manufacturer or your air fryer manual.

Cook for 19-25 minutes

Once your Banquet pot pie is in the air fryer, you'll want to cook it for 19-25 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of your pot pie and the power of your air fryer, so it's important to keep an eye on it. For a 7-ounce Banquet pot pie, 19-23 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit should do the trick. If you're cooking two pies at once, you may need to add a couple of minutes to the cooking time.

It's a good idea to check on your pot pie frequently to ensure it's cooking evenly and to prevent burning. Remember, you're aiming for a golden brown crust with no pink meat remaining in the middle. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit when it's ready.

If you're cooking a Banquet Chicken Pot Pie, it's recommended to wrap the edges of the pie with foil before placing it in the air fryer. This will prevent the crust from burning. Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes of cooking to allow the edges to crisp up nicely.

Once the cooking time is up, remove the pot pie from the air fryer and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your homemade air-fried Banquet pot pie!

Remove and let it cool for a few minutes

Once the Banquet pot pie is done cooking, remove it from the air fryer tray and let it cool for a few minutes. It will be very hot, so be careful not to burn yourself! This is an important step to ensure that the filling has a chance to cool down before serving. It also helps to keep the crust crispy.

The exact cooling time can vary, but it is usually recommended to let the pot pie sit for around 5 minutes. This will give it time to cool down slightly and make it safer to eat. It's important to remember that the pot pie will still be hot even after cooling for a few minutes, so be cautious when handling it and serving it to others.

Additionally, if you're making multiple pot pies, this cooling time gives your air fryer a chance to preheat again for the next batch. You can also use this time to prepare any sides or toppings that you plan to serve with your pot pie.

Remember, timing is crucial when air frying banquet pot pies. Make sure to keep an eye on them and remove them from the air fryer when they are cooked through and evenly heated.

Serve and enjoy

Once your banquet pot pie is ready, carefully remove it from the air fryer and let it cool for a few minutes. It will be very hot, so be cautious when handling it. The cooking process is the same for other types of pot pies, such as beef or turkey pot pies, as long as the size is similar.

You can serve the pot pie on its own, as it is a complete meal, combining meat with vegetables. However, if you want to add a side dish, a green salad or a fruit salad would go well, or a simple vegetable like asparagus or green beans.

Pot pies are best enjoyed fresh, straight out of the air fryer, as this is when the crust is at its crispiest. If you have any leftovers, cover them with foil and reheat them in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warm. Alternatively, you can microwave the leftovers for a few minutes, but be aware that this may affect the texture of the crust.

When serving the pot pie, be sure to remind your family or guests that the aluminium pie tin will be hot, so they should be careful not to touch it. Now, all that's left to do is to dig in and enjoy your delicious, crispy, and creamy home-cooked meal!

Frequently asked questions