How to Bake Frozen Pie in Air Fryer? Crispy 15-Minute Pie

Introduction

There’s something deeply comforting about a warm, golden pie fresh from the oven. But when you’re short on time and staring at a frozen pie from the grocery store, the thought of heating up a full-size oven and waiting 45 minutes can be exhausting. That’s exactly why learning how to bake frozen pie in air fryer is a game-changer. Your air fryer delivers that same flaky crust and bubbling filling in a fraction of the time—often in as little as 15 minutes.

Whether you’re craving a sweet apple pie, a tart cherry pie, or a savory chicken pot pie, the air fryer can handle it all. The hot, rapidly circulating air creates a beautifully crispy exterior while warming the filling thoroughly. It’s fast, energy-efficient, and perfect for anyone who loves pie but values convenience.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to bake a frozen pie in an air fryer, including step-by-step instructions, baking time charts, pro tips for a perfect crust, and answers to your most pressing questions. By the time you finish reading, you’ll confidently pull a perfectly baked pie out of your air fryer—crispy crust, molten filling, and all.

Table of Contents

• Why Bake Frozen Pie in an Air Fryer?
• What Types of Frozen Pies Work Best?
• How to Bake Frozen Pie in Air Fryer: Step-by-Step
  • Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer
  • Step 2: Prepare the Pie
  • Step 3: Set Time and Temperature
  • Step 4: Check for Doneness
  • Step 5: Rest and Serve
• Air Fryer Frozen Pie Baking Times
• Tips for a Crispy Crust
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Why Bake Frozen Pie in an Air Fryer?

You might be wondering why you should bother using an air fryer instead of a conventional oven. The answer comes down to three things: speed, texture, and convenience.

Speed: A regular oven takes time to preheat, then the frozen pie often needs 40 to 50 minutes to bake through. An air fryer, on the other hand, preheats in just a few minutes and can bake a frozen pie in roughly 10 to 20 minutes. That’s a massive time-saving difference when you’re hungry now.

Texture: Air fryers are essentially compact convection ovens. The powerful fan circulates hot air around the food at high speed, which means a frozen pie’s crust gets crisper and more evenly browned than it would in a static oven. You get that satisfying crunch with every bite.

Convenience: Smaller than an oven, an air fryer is perfect for baking individual or small pies. It also uses significantly less energy, which is kinder to your wallet and the planet.

Of course, the exact results depend on your pie’s size and your air fryer’s wattage. But once you understand the basics, the question of how to bake frozen pie in air fryer becomes second nature.

What Types of Frozen Pies Work Best?

Not all frozen pies are created equal when it comes to air frying. The good news is that most types will work beautifully. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Fruit pies: Apple, cherry, blueberry, peach—these are classic choices. The filling is thick enough to hold up well, and the crust crisps beautifully. Make sure the pie is fully frozen before cooking.
• Pumpkin and custard pies: These work well too, but they need gentler heat to avoid overcooking the custard. A lower temperature with a shorter cook time is best.
• Savory pot pies: Chicken pot pie, beef pot pie, and vegetable pot pies are fantastic in an air fryer. The filling becomes rich and hot, while the top crust turns golden and flaky.
• Mini pies and hand pies: These are absolutely perfect for air frying. Because they’re small, they cook evenly and quickly with no guesswork.
• Deep-dish pies: These can be tricky because the center takes longer to heat. You’ll need to lower the temperature and extend the baking time.

If your pie comes in a metal or aluminum pan, that’s fine. If it’s in a glass or ceramic dish, double-check that your air fryer can accommodate it and that the dish is oven-safe up to the temperature you’ll be using.

Pro tip: If you’re baking a full-size pie in a standard air fryer basket, make sure the pie fits without touching the heating element. A 9-inch pie typically fits in a 5- to 8-quart air fryer, but it might not fit in a small basket model.

How to Bake Frozen Pie in Air Fryer: Step-by-Step

So, what’s the exact process? Let me walk you through it. This general method works for most frozen pies, from a 5-inch mini fruit pie to a 9-inch deep-dish delight.

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Just like with an oven, preheating your air fryer is important. It ensures the hot air starts working on the pie immediately, which helps create that crispy crust. Set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for most standard pies. For custard or pumpkin pies, use 320°F (160°C). Preheat for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the air fryer signals it’s ready.

Step 2: Prepare the Pie

While the air fryer preheats, take your frozen pie out of the freezer. Remove any plastic wrap, cardboard packaging, or crimped foil edges. If the pie came with a foil rim that covers the crust edges, you can leave that on to prevent over-browning.

If you want an extra-special finish, brush the top crust with a little beaten egg mixed with a teaspoon of water. This gives the crust a glossy, golden-brown sheen. A light sprinkle of coarse sugar on top adds a delightful crunch and sweetness.

Step 3: Set Time and Temperature

Place the frozen pie directly into the air fryer basket. There’s no need for a separate pan or tray unless the pie is especially deep. If your air fryer has a rack, you can place the pie on it to allow air to circulate underneath.

Set the temperature and time based on the pie’s size:

• Mini pies (4–5 inches): 350°F for 8–12 minutes
• Personal pies (6–7 inches): 350°F for 10–14 minutes
• Full-size pies (8–9 inches): 325°F for 15–20 minutes

Start with the lower end of the time range. You can always add a few extra minutes if the pie isn’t done, but you can’t undo an overcooked, burnt crust.

Step 4: Check for Doneness

At the halfway point, carefully pull the basket out and check the pie. Rotate the pie 180 degrees if your air fryer has hot spots. Check the crust color—it should be turning light golden brown. If the crust is browning too fast, consider covering it loosely with a piece of foil or a silicone pie shield.

To check the filling, insert a thin knife or skewer through the center of the pie. If it comes out hot to the touch and the filling is bubbling around the edges, the pie is done. For custard pies, give the pie a gentle shake—the center should be mostly set, with a slight wobble.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

Once the pie is done, carefully remove it from the air fryer basket using oven-safe silicone tongs or a spatula. Use caution—the pie and the basket will be extremely hot. Place the pie on a cutting board or wire rack and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

Resting is essential because it allows the filling to set, preventing the pie from becoming a runny mess when sliced. It also helps the crust retain its crispness. After the rest, slice, serve, and enjoy your perfectly baked air fryer pie.

Air Fryer Frozen Pie Baking Times

To make things even easier, here’s a handy reference table for common frozen pie varieties and sizes. These are general guidelines based on a 1,500-watt air fryer. Your results may vary slightly depending on your specific model.

The air fryer frozen pie baking times listed above are a great starting point. If you are at a high altitude or your air fryer runs hot, drop the temperature by 10–15 degrees and add a couple of extra minutes.

Tips for a Crispy Crust

Every home cook wants that perfect, shatteringly crisp crust. Here are my time-tested tips to ensure your air-fried frozen pie comes out crunchy and beautiful:

• Brush with egg wash: Beat one egg with a splash of water or milk and brush it over the top crust before baking. It creates a golden, glossy finish and helps crisp the surface.
• Spritz with oil: For a savory pie, a light spray of avocado or olive oil on the crust will help it crisp up without burning.
• Don’t overcrowd: Give the pie space in the basket. Hot air needs to circulate freely around the entire pie. If baking multiple mini pies, leave at least an inch between each one.
• Use a perforated parchment liner: This allows bottom airflow and prevents the bottom crust from becoming soggy. Just don’t block the airflow with a full sheet of parchment.
• If the bottom crust looks pale: Once the top is golden and the filling is hot, carefully flip the pie out onto a parchment-lined tray and air fry the bottom for another 2–3 minutes. This is a pro trick for extra crispness.
• Avoid foil shields unless necessary: Pie crust protectors work well, but wrapping the edges too tightly in foil traps heat and can cause the crust to steam instead of crisp.

Pro tip: If your air fryer has a mesh rack or a second rack, place the pie on the lower shelf to keep it farther from the top heating element. This reduces the risk of the crust burning before the center is fully cooked.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced cooks can run into problems when baking frozen pies in an air fryer. Here are the most common pitfalls and how to steer clear of them.

Not Preheating the Air Fryer

Starting with a cold air fryer means the pie will take longer to cook, and the crust may not crisp up properly. Always preheat for at least 3–5 minutes before adding the pie.

Setting the Temperature Too High

Cranking the air fryer to 400°F might seem like a good idea for speed, but it will likely burn the crust while leaving the filling frozen in the center. Stick to 320°F–350°F for balanced cooking.

Forgetting to Rotate the Pie

Air fryers have hot spots, and the side facing the fan or heating element often browns faster. Rotate the pie halfway through the cooking time for even browning.

Overfilling the Basket

If you’re baking multiple mini pies at once, don’t stack them. Air can’t circulate through stacked pies, resulting in soggy spots and uneven cooking. Cook them in a single layer.

Baking a Glass-Dish Pie in a Tiny Air Fryer

Glass dishes can shatter if they touch the heating element or experience extreme temperature swings. Always check that the dish fits with clearance on all sides and that it’s rated for oven use.

Skipping the Resting Period

I know it’s tempting to cut into that steaming pie immediately. But if you rush it, the filling will run out like soup. Let the pie rest for at least 5 minutes. Your patience will be rewarded.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you really bake a full frozen pie in an air fryer?

Yes! Full-size frozen pies, up to 9 inches in diameter, bake beautifully in larger air fryers (5.8 quarts or bigger). Just lower the temperature to 325°F and extend the baking time. Use a foil ring if the crust edges start to over-brown.

Do I need to thaw the frozen pie before air frying?

Absolutely not. In fact, you should keep the pie frozen. Baking it directly from frozen is the whole point—the air fryer converts ice-cold pastry into a golden, crispy crust in minutes. Thawing first will make the crust soggy and increase the risk of uneven baking.

What is the best temperature to air fry a frozen pie?

For most fruit and savory pies, 350°F is ideal. For more delicate custard, pumpkin, or cream pies, use 320°F. If your air fryer runs hot, drop the temperature by 10–15 degrees and adjust the time accordingly.

Can I put a frozen pie in a glass pie dish inside the air fryer?

Yes, as long as the glass dish is oven-safe and fits comfortably in the basket with at least 1 inch of space on all sides. Even oven-safe glass can break if exposed to sudden drastic temperature changes, so avoid touching the cold dish with anything very hot right out of the fryer.

How do I keep the pie crust from burning?

Use a lower temperature (325°F) and check the pie at the halfway mark. If the edges are browning too quickly, craft a loose ring of foil around the crust, leaving the center exposed. Alternately, you can use a reusable silicone pie shield that sits over the crust rim.

Why is my pie’s center still cold after air frying?

This usually means the temperature is too high, so the outside cooks before the inside has time to warm. Lower the temperature by about 25°F and add 3–5 minutes to the baking time. Also, make sure the pie is fully frozen and not partially thawed when you start.

Can I air fry pie at 400°F?

I don’t recommend it. 400°F will crisp the top crust quickly, but it won’t give the heat enough time to penetrate a thick frozen filling. You’ll end up with a dark crust and a cold center. Stick to 320°F–350°F for best results.

Should I cover the pie during air frying?

Only if the crust is browning too quickly. You can loosely tent a small piece of aluminum foil over the top, but leave the sides open so air can still circulate. For most pies, covering isn’t necessary.

Conclusion

Learning how to bake frozen pie in air fryer is one of those kitchen skills that saves you time, energy, and stress. In just 15 minutes or so, you can transform a rock-hard frozen pie into a golden, flaky masterpiece with a center that’s bubbling hot and full of flavor.

The basic formula is simple: preheat your air fryer to 325°F–350°F, place the pie directly in the basket, bake for the appropriate amount of time based on the size, and always let the pie rest for a few minutes before slicing. For the crispest crust, remember to use an egg wash, rotate the pie, and avoid overcrowding.

Experimenting with different pie varieties will help you fine-tune times for your specific air fryer model. Before long, you’ll have your own perfect routine down pat, and those frozen pie emergencies will become a thing of the past. So go ahead—grab that frozen pie from your freezer, preheat your air fryer, and treat yourself to a homemade-tasting dessert or a comforting savory meal in record time.