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Crispy Air Fryer Chili Pot Pie

Air Fryer Chili Pot Pie: Your Ultimate Guide to a Quick & Comforting Meal

Transform your leftover chili into an unbelievably delicious and easy meal with our Air Fryer Chili Pot Pie recipe! This ingenious dish combines hearty chili with a golden, flaky cornbread topping, all cooked to perfection in your air fryer. It’s the ideal solution for a speedy lunch, a satisfying dinner, or even a fun, crowd-pleasing appetizer that comes together in mere minutes.

Spoon full of chili from a chili pot pie made in the air fryer, highlighting the golden cornbread topping and rich chili.

There’s nothing quite like a warm, comforting bowl of chili, especially as the weather turns colder in fall and winter. It’s a dish that truly warms you from the inside out. But what do you do with those inevitable leftovers? While Frito pies and chili dogs are classic choices, these Air Fryer Chili Pot Pies offer a fantastic and equally delicious alternative. They are incredibly simple to prepare, requiring just a few staple ingredients and a mere 15 minutes of your time.

If you’re eager to get straight to cooking, you can scroll down to the end of this post for the complete printable recipe card. However, if you’re looking for extra tips, customization ideas, and details to perfect your chili pot pies, keep reading!

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Chili Pot Pie

  • Quick & Effortless: With minimal prep and a quick air frying time, these pot pies are on your table in under 20 minutes.
  • Perfect for Leftovers: A brilliant way to repurpose any leftover chili, preventing food waste and creating a brand new exciting meal.
  • Irresistible Comfort Food: The savory, spiced chili topped with a golden, slightly sweet cornbread crust is the epitome of cozy, satisfying fare.
  • Versatile Serving: Ideal as a hearty individual lunch or dinner, and equally fantastic served as a fun appetizer for gatherings.
  • Air Fryer Magic: The air fryer ensures the cornbread topping gets perfectly crispy and golden brown without drying out the chili below, offering consistent, even cooking.

Ingredients:

One of the best parts about this recipe is its simplicity. You only need a handful of ingredients to create this comforting dish:

  • Chili: Whether you prefer a rich, homemade chili or a convenient canned variety, either works wonderfully. We highly recommend this homemade chili recipe for an extra special touch.
  • Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix: This ready-made mix makes the cornbread topping incredibly simple and quick to prepare.
  • Egg: Binds the cornbread mixture together.
  • Milk: Adds moisture to the cornbread mix, creating a perfect consistency.
  • Nonstick Cooking Spray: Essential for preventing the pot pies from sticking to your ramekins.
Ingredients laid out for Air Fryer Chili Pot Pie: a bowl of chili, a box of Jiffy corn muffin mix, an egg, milk, and empty ramekins.

Don’t feel pressured to make chili from scratch if time is short. Store-bought or your favorite canned chili will work perfectly. The key is to have a robust, flavorful chili as your base.

You’ll also need appropriate ramekins or small, oven-safe bowls that fit comfortably in your air fryer basket. Ensure they are made from a material safe for high temperatures, like ceramic or glass.

How to Make Chili Pot Pie in the Air Fryer: Step-by-Step

Making these chili pot pies is straightforward and quick. Follow these easy steps for a perfectly cooked dish every time.

  1. Prepare the Ramekins: Lightly coat the inside of your ramekins or small, air fryer-safe bowls with nonstick cooking spray. This crucial step ensures your delicious pot pies won’t stick and will release easily once cooked. Set them aside while you prepare the topping.
  2. Mix the Cornbread Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the Jiffy corn muffin mix, one egg, and 1/3 cup of milk. Whisk these ingredients together until they are just combined and smooth. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough cornbread topping.

    Bowl with corn muffin mix ingredients, next to a bowl of chili and empty ramekins, ready for assembly.

  3. Fill with Chili: Spoon your prepared chili into the bottom of the greased ramekins. Fill them a little over halfway, leaving enough room for the cornbread topping to rise without overflowing. Ensure the chili is evenly distributed among your chosen ramekins.

    Chili added to the bottom of a ramekin, showcasing the base layer of the pot pie.

  4. Top with Cornbread Mixture: Carefully spoon the prepared cornbread mixture over the chili in each ramekin. Aim for an even layer that covers the chili completely. Don’t worry if it doesn’t look perfectly flat, it will expand and brown beautifully.

    Corn bread mix added to the top of the chili in a ramekin, ready for air frying.

  5. Load the Air Fryer: Carefully place the chili pot pies into the basket of your air fryer. Depending on the size of your ramekins and air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding. Ensure there is enough space for air to circulate around each ramekin for even cooking.

    Individual chili pot pies placed in the basket of an air fryer, ready for cooking.

  6. Air Fry to Perfection: Air fry the chili pot pies at 320 degrees Fahrenheit (160°C) for 12-15 minutes. The exact cooking time may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and the size of your ramekins. Cook until the cornbread topping is beautifully golden brown and fully cooked through. A toothpick inserted into the cornbread should come out clean.

    Freshly air fried chili pot pies in the air fryer basket, with golden brown cornbread toppings.

  7. Serve Hot: Once cooked, carefully remove the hot ramekins from the air fryer. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving, as the chili inside will be very hot. Enjoy your comforting homemade Air Fryer Chili Pot Pie!

NOTE: This recipe was developed and tested in a basket-style Cosori 5.8 qt. air fryer. Air fryers can vary significantly in terms of size, wattage, and heating elements. Therefore, you may need to adjust the cooking time by 1-2 minutes, or even slightly alter the temperature, to achieve the best results with your specific air fryer model.

Overhead shot of a ready-to-eat chili pot pie with a spoon scooping out some chili and cornbread.

Tips for Success with Air Fryer Chili Pot Pie

  • Don’t Overfill: Leave a small gap at the top of the ramekin for the cornbread to rise. Overfilling can lead to spills in your air fryer.
  • Preheat Your Air Fryer: While not strictly necessary for all air fryer recipes, preheating for a few minutes can help ensure more even cooking and a crispier crust from the start.
  • Cook in Batches: If you’re making several pot pies, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cook them in batches to allow proper air circulation, which is key for that perfect golden cornbread.
  • Chili Temperature: Ensure your chili is at least warm, if not hot, before adding the cornbread topping. This helps everything heat through evenly during the quick air fry.

FAQs:

What if my corn muffin mixture is browning too much on top?

If you notice the cornbread topping browning too quickly before it’s fully cooked through, you have a couple of options. You can try lowering the air fryer temperature by 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit and adding an extra minute or two to the cooking time. Alternatively, you can loosely cover the tops of the pot pies with a small piece of aluminum foil to shield them from direct heat and prevent excessive browning while the inside finishes cooking.

What other toppings can I add to chili pot pie?

The beauty of chili pot pie is its versatility! Before adding the cornbread mixture, you can layer your chili with a variety of delicious additions for extra flavor and texture. Some popular options include:

  • Shredded cheddar cheese or a Mexican cheese blend.
  • A dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt for creaminess.
  • Sweet kernel corn for a burst of sweetness.
  • Diced green onions or chives for a fresh, oniony kick.
  • A sprinkle of fresh or pickled jalapeños for a touch of heat.
  • Crushed tortilla chips or Fritos for added crunch inside.

These toppings will meld into the chili as it heats, creating an even richer and more dynamic flavor profile for your pot pies.

Can I use other crusts instead of cornbread?

Absolutely! While cornbread is a classic and highly recommended topping for chili pot pies, you can get creative. Refrigerated biscuit dough or puff pastry sheets cut to size can also make for a delicious and golden topping. Adjust cooking times as needed for these alternatives, ensuring they are cooked through and golden brown.

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Chili Pot Pies

If you happen to have any leftover chili pot pies (which is rare!), they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, place them back in the air fryer at 300°F (150°C) for 5-8 minutes, or until heated through and the topping is crispy again. This method will bring back their fresh-cooked appeal much better than a microwave.

We truly hope you and your family enjoy this savory and comforting dish as much as we do. It’s a fantastic, easy, and satisfying way to reinvent your favorite leftover chili, making mealtime exciting and effortless.

A perfectly air fried chili pot pie with a golden cornbread top and a spoon, ready to be enjoyed.

MORE AIR FRYER RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE:

  • Air Fryer Green Bean Casserole
  • Air Fryer Ham and Potato Casserole
  • Air Fryer Ham and Cheese Sliders
  • Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwich
  • Air Fryer Grilled Tomato and Cheese
  • Easy Air Fryer Nachos
  • Crispy Air Fryer Quesadillas

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Chili pot pie with a bite missing, showing the rich chili and golden cornbread.















5 from 1 vote
Servings:
4

Air Fryer Chili Pot Pie

By
Jen
Air Fryer Chili Pot Pie is a GREAT way to use up leftover chili and the perfect meal for an easy lunch, dinner, or even a quick and fun appetizer.
Prep:

5 minutes
Cook:

10 minutes
Total:

15 minutes
Pin
Rate
Print

Equipment

  • 1 Air Fryer
  • Ramekins or Small Oven-Safe Bowls

Ingredients



  • 2
    cups
    chili,
    homemade or canned (warmed is best)



  • 1
    Jiffy cornbread mix



  • 1
    egg



  • 1/3
    cup
    milk



  • Nonstick cooking spray

Instructions

  • 1. Prepare the ramekins with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
  • 2. Add the egg, milk, and Jiffy corn muffin mix to a small bowl. Mix until combined.
  • 3. Scoop the chili into the bottom of the ramekin, filling them a little over halfway.
  • 4. Top the chili with the corn muffin mixture.
  • 5. Place the chili pot pies into the basket of the air fryer.
  • 6. Use the air fry feature and cook for 12-15 minutes at 320 degrees Fahrenheit, or until the corn muffin topping is golden brown and fully cooked.
  • 7. Carefully remove the ramekins from the air fryer and serve.

Notes

This recipe was made in a 5.8 quart basket style Cosori air fryer. If you are using a different air fryer model, you may need to adjust the cooking time and temperature slightly.

If the cornbread mix is browning fast, consider lowering the temperature and adding additional time. You can also use foil to cover the tops of the pies to keep them from browning too fast.

I love to layer my chili with a little sour cream, kernel corn, and diced green onion before adding the cornbread mixture. It gives the final pot pies a little extra flavor. Feel free to add cheese, jalapeños, or other favorite chili toppings.

Nutrition


Calories:
235
kcal

,

Carbohydrates:
8
g

,

Protein:
3
g

,

Fat:
2
g

,

Saturated Fat:
1
g

,

Polyunsaturated Fat:
0.4
g

,

Monounsaturated Fat:
1
g

,

Trans Fat:
0.01
g

,

Cholesterol:
43
mg

,

Sodium:
33
mg

,

Potassium:
287
mg

,

Fiber:
1
g

,

Sugar:
5
g

,

Vitamin A:
806
IU

,

Vitamin C:
108
mg

,

Calcium:
42
mg

,

Iron:
1
mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.





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