Air Fryer Frozen Pot Pie: The Ultimate Guide for a Flaky, Flavorful & Fast Dinner
Craving a warm, comforting pot pie but short on time? Your air fryer is about to become your new best friend! Cooking your favorite frozen pot pie in the air fryer delivers a remarkably quick and easy dinner solution, featuring that coveted perfect flaky crust and a wonderfully bubbly, creamy filling. Forget lengthy oven preheating and extended baking times; with an air fryer, you can transform a frozen meal into a delicious, golden-brown delight in a fraction of the time, making it ideal for busy weeknights or whenever you need a quick, satisfying meal.
Why the Air Fryer is Perfect for Frozen Pot Pies
If you’re constantly on the hunt for easy dinner ideas, especially ones that offer maximum comfort with minimal effort, then cooking frozen pot pie in your air fryer is an absolute game-changer. Here’s why this method has become a personal favorite and a staple in our household:
- Speed & Convenience: The air fryer significantly cuts down on cooking time compared to a conventional oven. You can have a hot, delicious meal ready in under 30 minutes, which is ideal for those demanding weeknights when every minute counts.
- Unbeatable Crust: One of the biggest advantages is the incredibly flaky and golden-brown crust it produces. The circulating hot air crisps up the pastry beautifully, achieving a texture that often surpasses oven-baked results. No more soggy bottoms!
- Perfectly Cooked Filling: While the crust gets crispy, the internal filling heats evenly and thoroughly, becoming wonderfully bubbly and creamy without drying out.
- Comfort Food at Its Best: A warm pot pie is the quintessential comfort food, perfect for chilly evenings or when you need a hearty, satisfying meal. Brands like Marie Callender’s offer convenient, perfectly portioned frozen chicken pot pies that are just the right size for a fulfilling dinner.
- Energy Efficiency: Air fryers generally use less energy than large ovens, making them a more economical choice for cooking smaller meals.
If you enjoy this quick and easy method, you might also want to explore other air fryer comfort food recipes like this homemade air fryer chili pot pie.
Ingredients: What You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Besides your air fryer and a bit of aluminum foil, you only need one core ingredient:
- Frozen Pot Pie: Choose your favorite! Whether it’s a classic Marie Callender’s Frozen Chicken Pot Pie, a hearty Beef Pot Pie, or a savory Veggie Pot Pie, the air fryer method works wonderfully for all types. Ensure it’s a standard individual serving size (typically 10-15 ounces).
- Aluminum Foil: Essential for preventing the crust from burning while the filling cooks through.
How to Make Frozen Pot Pie in Your Air Fryer: Step-by-Step Instructions
Achieving a perfectly cooked frozen pot pie with a golden, flaky crust and a hot, bubbly filling in your air fryer is incredibly simple. Follow these easy steps for a delicious meal:
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Prepare the Pot Pie:
Carefully remove your frozen pot pie from its cardboard packaging. Do not remove it from its aluminum pie pan. Take a piece of aluminum foil and gently cover the top of the pot pie, pressing the foil around the edges of the pie to secure it. This step is crucial to prevent the crust from browning too quickly before the filling is heated through.
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Initial Air Frying:
Place the foil-covered pot pie directly into the air fryer basket. Cook at 400 degrees F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes. The exact time may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and the size of the pot pie. The foil ensures the filling has ample time to heat through without the crust burning.
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Crisp the Crust:
After the initial cooking time, carefully remove the aluminum foil from the pot pie. Return the uncovered pot pie to the air fryer basket and continue to air fry for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the crust is beautifully golden brown and the filling is visibly bubbling hot. For best results and food safety, ensure the internal temperature of the filling reaches 165°F (74°C) using a meat thermometer.
Important Notes on Air Fryer Performance
I typically use my Cosori 5.8 qt. air fryer for this recipe, which yields fantastic results. However, it’s important to remember that air fryer cooking times can vary. Factors like the specific model, its wattage, and the internal capacity can all influence how quickly and evenly your food cooks. Therefore, treat the recommended cooking times as a guide, and be prepared to adjust by a few minutes as needed to achieve your desired golden-brown crust and a thoroughly heated filling. Always monitor your food, especially during the last few minutes, to prevent overcooking.
Tips for Making Pot Pie from Scratch (and Saving Time!)
While this guide focuses on the ultimate convenience of frozen pot pies, you might occasionally want to create a homemade version. Even then, your air fryer can be a fantastic tool, and there are several ways to streamline the process for a quicker, made-from-scratch meal:
- Pre-cooked Protein: Save significant time by using pre-cooked protein. Shredded rotisserie chicken from your local grocery store is a perfect choice for chicken pot pies. Alternatively, use leftover cooked chicken breast, turkey, or even beef from a previous meal.
- Store-Bought Crusts: Skip the hassle of making pie dough from scratch by opting for refrigerated store-bought pie crusts. These are readily available and provide a quick, reliable base and top for your mini pot pies.
- Quick Roux & Veggies: Prepare your filling with basic, readily available ingredients. A simple roux made with butter, flour, and chicken broth, combined with frozen mixed vegetables, comes together in minutes.
- Adjust Air Frying Times: When cooking fresh, homemade pot pies (not frozen), the air frying times will be considerably shorter. Expect to reduce the cooking time by approximately 5-10 minutes. Always monitor closely to ensure the crust is golden and the filling is hot.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Pot Pies
Frozen pot pies are a common staple in most grocery stores. You’ll typically find a wide variety of brands and flavors in the frozen foods aisle, usually alongside other frozen meals and desserts. Our personal favorite for consistency and flavor is Marie Callender’s, but don’t hesitate to explore other popular brands like Banquet Pot Pies or store-brand options. They often come in different sizes and fillings (chicken, beef, turkey, vegetable), so you can pick one that suits your taste!
Pot pies are undoubtedly best enjoyed fresh from the air fryer, with their crust at peak flakiness. However, if you find yourself with leftovers, allow the pot pie to cool completely to room temperature before storing. Then, cover it tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. Properly stored, it will remain fresh for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can use your air fryer again at 350 degrees F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes, or until the filling is warm and the crust regains some crispness. A microwave can also work, but the crust won’t be as crispy.
Given that pot pies are typically packed with a medley of meat, vegetables, and a rich gravy, they often serve as a complete and satisfying meal on their own, especially with their individual serving sizes. However, if you’re looking to round out your meal or add a little something extra, simple side dishes work best. Some popular and easy ideas include a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette for a fresh contrast, a side of fluffy mashed potatoes (if not already in the pie), steamed green beans, or even some quick dinner rolls to soak up any extra creamy filling. For a more indulgent touch, French fries or sweet potato fries can also be a delicious accompaniment.
Yes, you can often cook multiple pot pies simultaneously, but it depends on the size of your air fryer basket. The key is to ensure that you do not overcrowd the basket. Air fryers work by circulating hot air, so there needs to be enough space for the air to flow freely around each pot pie for even cooking and crisping. If your air fryer is large enough to fit two or three individual-sized pot pies with adequate spacing, go for it! You might need to add a few extra minutes to the total cooking time and consider rotating them halfway through for optimal results.
While some air fryer recipes suggest preheating, for frozen pot pies, it’s often not strictly necessary. The initial phase of cooking involves covering the pie with foil, which allows it to heat up gradually. However, if your air fryer has a dedicated preheat function and you prefer to use it, a 3-5 minute preheat at 400°F (200°C) won’t hurt and might slightly reduce the overall cooking time. Just be sure to monitor the pie closely.
Explore More Delicious Air Fryer Recipes:
The air fryer is a versatile kitchen appliance that can handle much more than just savory meals. If you’re loving the convenience and results, be sure to check out some of our other fantastic air fryer recipes:
- Air Fryer Apple Pie
- Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Seasonal Air Fryer Pumpkin Pie
- Classic Air Fryer Green Bean Casserole
- Easy Air Fryer Stuffing
We’re confident that once you try cooking frozen pot pie in your air fryer, you’ll never go back to the oven method. It’s truly the easiest way to enjoy this classic comfort food with minimal fuss and maximum flavor!
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2
Frozen Pot Pie in Air Fryer
Becky
2 minutes
25 minutes
Rate
Equipment
-
1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
-
2
Frozen Pot Pies,
10 ounce Chicken, Beef, or Veggie
Prevent your screen from going dark
Instructions
-
To make air fryer pot pie, begin by removing the pot pie from it’s packaging and cover the pie with aluminum foil, folding the foil over the sides of pie.
-
Place the pot pie in the air fryer basket and air fry at 400 degrees F for 20-25 minutes.
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Remove the foil, and continue to air fry for an additional 3-5 minutes, until you have golden brown crust.
Nutrition
Serving:
1
g
,
Calories:
440
kcal
,
Carbohydrates:
40
g
,
Protein:
11
g
,
Fat:
26
g
,
Saturated Fat:
11
g
,
Trans Fat:
-1
g
,
Cholesterol:
20
mg
,
Sodium:
650
mg
,
Potassium:
190
mg
,
Fiber:
2
g
,
Sugar:
2
g
,
Vitamin C:
30
mg
,
Calcium:
30
mg
,
Iron:
3.5
mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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