Air Fryer Perogies: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Pierogies are traditional Polish dumplings, filled with either sweet or savoury fillings. They are usually boiled or pan-fried, but cooking them in an air fryer is a healthier alternative that gives them a crispy texture. You can cook frozen pierogies in an air fryer in just a few minutes, making them a quick and easy meal option.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C)

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures your appliance reaches the desired temperature before you begin cooking your pierogies, which is key to achieving the best texture.

To preheat your air fryer, simply turn it on and set the temperature to 400°F (200°C). Allow it to heat up for 3-4 minutes. This is a crucial step, as it ensures your pierogies will cook evenly and achieve the desired crispiness.

Once your air fryer has preheated, you can proceed with the next steps of cooking your frozen pierogies.

Use oil to prevent sticking and add crispness

Using oil is an important step in achieving the perfect crispy texture for your pierogies. It also helps to prevent sticking, ensuring your pierogies come out of the air fryer basket with ease.

There are a few ways to apply the oil to your frozen pierogies. You can use a basting brush to lightly brush the oil onto the pierogies, ensuring both sides are coated. Alternatively, you can toss the pierogies in a bowl with the oil, or place them on a baking sheet and coat them that way. You can also use cooking spray to spritz the oil onto the pierogies, or directly onto the air fryer basket. If you don't have cooking spray, you can pour a little oil onto the pierogies and toss them until they are coated.

When applying oil to your pierogies, be sure to use a high smoke point oil such as avocado, peanut, or vegetable oil. Olive oil is also a good option, but if you are heating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) or above, you may want to opt for an oil with a higher smoke point to avoid smoking.

Once your pierogies are coated in oil, it's time to cook them. Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. This allows the hot air to circulate effectively and cook the pierogies evenly.

After cooking your pierogies, you may find there is some oil residue left in the air fryer basket. Not to worry! The oil will help to season the basket and improve the non-stick properties over time.

Arrange pierogies in a single layer

When arranging the pierogies in the air fryer, it's important to ensure they are in a single layer. This is to allow the hot air to circulate evenly around each pierogi, ensuring they cook consistently and efficiently. Overlapping or stacking the pierogies will result in uneven cooking, so it's best to cook them in batches if necessary.

When placing the pierogies in the air fryer basket, make sure they are not overcrowded. This is crucial to achieving the desired crispy texture and preventing them from sticking to the basket. It's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size and brand of the pierogies, as well as the model of the air fryer. Therefore, it's recommended to keep an eye on them periodically to prevent burning.

Before arranging the pierogies in the air fryer, make sure they are generously coated with oil on both sides. This will help to enhance their crispiness and flavour. You can use a variety of oils, such as avocado, peanut, vegetable, or olive oil. Additionally, you can season the pierogies with your favourite spices or herbs to add extra flavour, but be mindful of the salt content as pierogies may already contain salt.

Cook for 10-12 minutes

Once you've laid out your pierogies in the air fryer basket, brushed them with oil, and set the temperature, you're ready to start cooking.

Cooking times may vary depending on the brand and size of the pierogies, but generally, they take about 10-15 minutes at 400 degrees F. Check on them periodically so they don’t burn. You want your pierogies to be golden brown and crispy, but not burnt.

Halfway through the cooking time, be sure to flip the pierogies over. This will ensure they cook evenly on both sides and get that crispy texture.

If you want your pierogies to be extra crispy, you can cook them for a couple of minutes longer. 11 or 12 minutes should be enough to get that perfect golden colour and crunchy texture.

Once they're done, remove the pierogies from the air fryer and enjoy them while they're still hot and crispy!

Flip halfway through

Flipping your pierogies halfway through the cooking process is an important step to ensure even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the pierogies in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket. This is because flipping them halfway through ensures that both sides get equal exposure to the hot air in the air fryer, resulting in an even, golden brown crispiness.

When flipping your pierogies, use tongs to handle them carefully. You can also shake the air fryer basket gently to ensure that the pierogies are evenly distributed and not sticking to the basket.

Additionally, make sure to preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature of 400°F (200°C) before adding the pierogies. This will help you achieve the best texture for your dish.

By following these simple steps, you'll be able to enjoy perfectly cooked, crispy, and fluffy pierogies every time!

Frequently asked questions