Can You Cook Pot Pies in an Air Fryer?

Yes, you can cook pot pies in an air fryer, and the results often rival what you get from a conventional oven. The key is knowing which conditions change the time, temperature, and technique you need to use.

Per USDA guidelines, the filling must reach an internal temperature of 165°F to be safe to eat. That single number is the foundation for every decision you make when cooking pot pies in an air fryer. As of 2026, air fryer technology has become standard enough that most models handle this task well, but the details matter.

Let's walk through exactly what you need to know.

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Quick Answer

Yes. You can cook frozen or homemade pot pies in an air fryer. Use 350°F for 12 to 18 minutes.

Check the internal temperature. It should reach 165°F. Adjust time based on pie size and air fryer wattage.

Core Explanation / How It Works: Why the Air Fryer Works (and Where It Struggles)

An air fryer is essentially a small, powerful convection oven. A fan circulates hot air at high speed around the food. This rapid air movement transfers heat more efficiently than a still oven.

That is why the crust browns faster and gets crispier than it would in a full-size oven.

But that same efficiency creates problems if you are not careful. The crust can burn before the filling is fully heated. This is especially true for frozen pot pies, where the filling starts at 0°F and the crust is already partially cooked.

The air fryer hits the outside with intense heat while the inside lags behind.

The type of pan matters too. Thin aluminum foil pans conduct heat very quickly. They can cause the bottom crust to brown too fast or even burn.

Ceramic or glass dishes hold heat differently and can crack if subjected to rapid temperature changes. The air fryer's small chamber also means you cannot just toss in a family-size pie and hope for the best. Insufficient airflow around a large dish leads to uneven cooking.

Manufacturer specs confirm that most air fryers work best with single-serving items. A standard 5.8-quart basket can hold one standard frozen pot pie comfortably. Two pies will fit if you rearrange them, but they should not touch each other or the sides.

For homemades, you have more control over the dish size and crust thickness, which gives you better results.

How to Cook Pot Pies in an Air Fryer (Step-by-Step Workflow)

The process changes depending on whether you start with a frozen pot pie or a homemade one. The table below gives you the quick reference. Then we break down each path.

If You're Cooking a Frozen Pot Pie

Start by removing the outer plastic wrap. Leave the pie in its foil pan. Do not peel off the foil lid if it has one.

That lid traps steam and helps the filling heat through.

Cut a few small vent holes in the top crust. Use a knife tip or a fork. This prevents the crust from bursting and lets steam escape.

Place the pie in the air fryer basket. Do not preheat if your air fryer does not require it. Most models heat up fast enough within the first few minutes.

Set the temperature to 350°F. Cook for 12 minutes. Then check the internal temperature by inserting an instant-read thermometer through the vent hole into the center of the filling.

If it reads below 165°F, cook in 3-minute increments until it reaches that number.

If the crust is getting too dark before the filling is hot, cover the top loosely with a small piece of foil. This shields the crust while the inside catches up.

If You're Cooking a Homemade or Leftover Pot Pie

Homemade pot pies give you more control. Use a dish that fits inside your air fryer basket. Ceramic ramekins, small cast iron skillets, and silicone baking dishes all work well as long as they are oven-safe.

Check the manufacturer's label on the dish. Avoid glass that is not rated for rapid temperature changes.

Preheat the air fryer to 375°F for 3 minutes. Place the dish in the basket. Cook for 10 minutes, then check.

The filling should be bubbling around the edges. The crust should be golden brown. If the crust is pale, give it another 2 to 4 minutes.

For leftovers, reheating is simpler. A pre-cooked pot pie only needs to reach serving temperature. Set the air fryer to 350°F and cook for 8 to 12 minutes.

The crust will crisp up again without drying out.

If Your Pot Pie Won't Fit (Pan Size Solutions)

This is a common frustration. A family-size frozen pot pie is often too tall or too wide for a standard air fryer basket. Do not force it in.

The pie needs at least one inch of space around it for air to circulate. Without that space, the center will stay cold and the edges will burn.

Your options are:

• Transfer the filling to a smaller, oven-safe dish. Remove the crust, spoon the filling into a dish that fits, then top with a new piece of pastry or biscuit dough.
• Cook the pie in a conventional oven instead. The air fryer is not the right tool for every job.
• Buy single-serving pies next time. They are designed to fit standard baskets.

If you decide to use the oven, you can still get a crispy top by finishing the pie under the broiler for a minute or two. That technique works well when you have a large pie that simply will not fit in the air fryer.

5 Common Mistakes That Ruin an Air Fryer Pot Pie

These mistakes come up repeatedly in aggregate reviews and verified buyer feedback. Avoid them and your results will improve dramatically.

Mistake 1: Not Checking the Internal Temperature

This is the most common error. People rely on time alone. But cooking times vary based on air fryer wattage, pie size, and starting temperature.

A 1200-watt air fryer cooks slower than a 1700-watt model. A frozen pie that has partially thawed in the freezer door will cook faster than one buried in the back.

Always use an instant-read thermometer. Insert it through the vent hole into the center of the filling. The USDA standard of 165°F is your safety net.

Do not guess.

Mistake 2: Using the Wrong Pan Material

Aluminum foil pans are convenient but tricky. They heat up fast and can cause the bottom crust to burn. They also collapse easily if you lift them with food inside.

Ceramic and glass dishes can crack if they go from freezer to hot air fryer. Always check that the dish is labeled oven-safe and air fryer safe.

If you regularly use your air fryer for this kind of cooking, consider investing in a small silicone baking dish or a mini cast iron skillet. Both handle the heat well and clean up easily.

Mistake 3: Overcrowding the Basket

Two pot pies touching each other in the basket will not cook evenly. The air cannot flow between them. One side will be golden, the other pale.

The filling will be hot in one pie and lukewarm in the other.

Cook one pie at a time. If you need to serve multiple people, stagger the cooking times. Start one, then start the next when the first comes out.

Mistake 4: Skipping the Vent Holes

A sealed crust traps steam. As the filling heats, the steam expands. Eventually, the crust splits open unevenly.

You end up with a mess and a pie that looks like it exploded.

Cut three or four small slits in the top crust before cooking. This lets steam escape and keeps the crust intact. It also gives you a convenient spot to insert the thermometer.

Mistake 5: Cranked the Temperature Too High

It is tempting to set the air fryer to 400°F and hope for a faster cook. That almost always backfires. The crust will burn before the filling thaws and heats through.

The outside will look done while the inside is still cold.

Stick to 350°F for frozen pies and 375°F for homemade. Lower temperatures give the heat time to penetrate the thick filling. Patience is the secret to a good pot pie.

Safety First: Pan Materials, Load Limits, and Fire Prevention

Air fryers get hot. Very hot. And a pot pie is a dense, heavy item that sits in the basket for 15 to 30 minutes.

That combination requires some basic safety precautions.

Pan Materials

The safest choice is the original foil pan that comes with a frozen pot pie. It is designed for cooking and can handle the heat. Just make sure the pan does not touch the heating element.

Most air fryers have a raised element at the top. Leave at least an inch of clearance.

For homemade pot pies, use oven-safe ceramic, stoneware, or silicone. Check the bottom of the dish for a stamp that says "oven safe" or "dishwasher safe." If it does not have a stamp, do not use it. Glass dishes are a gamble.

Some are tempered and handle the heat, others shatter. When in doubt, use a small metal pan.

Never use plastic containers, paper bowls, or disposable aluminum trays that are not rated for air fryer use. The heat will melt, warp, or ignite them. This is a real fire risk.

Load Limits

Do not exceed the maximum weight capacity of your air fryer basket. This information is in the user manual. A standard frozen pot pie weighs about 7 to 10 ounces.

That is fine for most baskets. A family-size pie can weigh 16 ounces or more. Check the manual before you attempt it.

Overloading the basket can cause the air fryer to tip over or the basket to warp. It also restricts airflow, which creates a fire hazard as the heating element works harder to compensate.

Fire Prevention

Never leave the air fryer unattended while cooking a pot pie. The filling can bubble over and drip onto the heating element. This creates smoke and can ignite.

If you see smoke, turn off the air fryer and let it cool. Do not open the basket immediately. The sudden rush of oxygen can feed a flame.

Keep the air fryer on a flat, heat-resistant surface. Away from curtains, paper towels, and cabinets. The exhaust vent at the back blows hot air and can damage nearby surfaces over time.

Clean the basket and the heating element regularly. Grease and food debris build up and can catch fire. A quick wipe after each use prevents buildup.

If you are unsure about the compatibility of your dish, there is a related article that covers pan safety in more detail. Check the guide on what materials can and cannot go in an air fryer to avoid damaging your appliance or creating a hazard.

Your Top Questions Answered (FAQs)

Can I cook two pot pies at once in the air fryer?

It depends on your air fryer size. A standard 5.8-quart basket can fit two single-serving pot pies side by side. They must not touch each other or the basket walls.

If they touch, the air cannot circulate properly. The result is uneven cooking with one pie done and the other undercooked. For larger baskets, two pies work fine.

For smaller ones, cook one at a time.

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

No. You can cook a frozen pot pie directly in the air fryer. Thawing is not required and can actually make the crust soggy.

The air fryer handles frozen pies well because the rapid air circulation thaws and cooks the filling evenly. Just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time compared to a thawed pie. Always check the internal temperature at the end.

How do I keep the crust from burning?

Cover the top loosely with a small piece of aluminum foil. This shields the crust from direct heat while the filling continues to cook. Place the foil over the pie after the first 8 to 10 minutes.

You can also lower the temperature to 325°F and cook longer. The lower heat gives the filling more time to heat through without over-browning the crust.

Can I use a glass dish in the air fryer?

Only if the dish is labeled oven-safe and tempered for high heat. Most Pyrex and Anchor Hocking dishes are safe. But rapid temperature changes can cause glass to shatter.

Do not put a cold glass dish straight from the refrigerator into a hot air fryer. Let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes first. When in doubt, use ceramic or metal instead.

What temperature should I set for a pot pie?

Use 350°F for frozen pot pies and 375°F for homemade or leftover pies. These temperatures balance crust browning with filling heating. Higher temperatures like 400°F will burn the crust before the center is hot.

Lower temperatures like 325°F work but take longer. The sweet spot is 350°F for most situations. Adjust by 25°F based on your air fryer's wattage.

Air Fryer Pot Pie: The Pros and Cons Compared to Oven and Microwave

Each cooking method has tradeoffs. The table below breaks down the key differences so you can choose the best approach for your situation.

The air fryer wins on speed and crust quality. It delivers a crispy, golden top in about half the time of a conventional oven. The microwave is faster but turns the crust into a rubbery mess.

The oven gives the most consistent results for multiple pies but takes the longest.

When the air fryer is best: You are cooking one or two single-serving pies. You want a crispy crust. You are short on time.

You do not want to heat up the whole kitchen.

When the oven is better: You are cooking family-size pies. You need to cook four or more pies at once. You want the most even heating possible.

You have time to wait.

When the microwave wins: You are in a hurry and do not care about the crust. You are reheating a leftover slice. You have no other option.

For most home cooks, the air fryer is the best everyday choice. It balances speed and quality better than the other two methods. But if you are cooking for a crowd, the oven is still the right tool.

The Pot Pie Air Fryer Decision Guide: Which Path to Take

This section pulls everything together into a simple decision tree. Follow the path that matches your situation.

Starting Point: What type of pot pie do you have?

Frozen single-serve pot pie:

• Remove outer plastic wrap. Keep foil pan.
• Cut vent holes in the top crust.
• Cook at 350°F for 12 to 18 minutes.
• Check internal temperature. It must reach 165°F.
• If the crust browns too fast, cover with foil after 10 minutes.

Frozen family-size pot pie:

• Check if it fits in your basket with 1 inch of clearance on all sides.
• If it fits, cook at 325°F for 22 to 30 minutes. Rotate halfway.
• If it does not fit, transfer the filling to a smaller oven-safe dish and top with fresh pastry. Or use the conventional oven.

Homemade pot pie:

• Use an oven-safe dish that fits in the basket.
• Preheat the air fryer to 375°F for 3 minutes.
• Cook for 10 to 14 minutes.
• Check for bubbling filling and golden crust.

Leftover pot pie:

• Reheat at 350°F for 8 to 12 minutes.
• Cover with foil if the crust is already dark.
• Check that the center is hot throughout.

Trouble Spots: What to Do When Things Go Wrong

Crust is burning but filling is cold:

• Lower the temperature by 25°F.
• Cover the crust with foil.
• Cook in 5-minute increments until the filling reaches 165°F.

Filling is hot but crust is pale:

• Remove any foil cover.
• Increase the temperature to 375°F for the last 3 to 4 minutes.
• Brush the crust with egg wash before cooking for better browning next time.

Pot pie is bubbling over in the basket:

• The filling is too full. Use a slightly larger dish next time.
• Place a small piece of foil under the dish to catch drips.
• Clean the basket immediately after cooking to prevent smoke.

Bottom crust is soggy:

• Cook the pie directly on the air fryer basket rack, not on a solid tray.
• Preheating the basket helps the bottom crust start cooking immediately.
• For homemade pies, brush the bottom crust with egg white before adding the filling.

Final Recommendations

For most people: Cook frozen single-serve pot pies at 350°F for 15 minutes. Check the temperature. Add 2 to 3 minutes if needed.

This works for 90 percent of situations.

For air fryer beginners: Start with a single pie. Follow the temperature and time guidelines exactly. Use an instant-read thermometer every time.

Once you get a feel for how your model performs, you can adjust confidently.

For experienced air fryer users: Experiment with homemade pies. You have full control over the crust thickness and filling ingredients. Lower the temperature slightly for deeper dishes.

Use a mini cast iron skillet for the best crust-to-filling ratio.

When to skip the air fryer entirely: If you are cooking a very large pie, if you need to cook four or more pies at once, or if you are in a rush and the crust does not matter to you. The oven and microwave are better in those specific cases.

The air fryer is a fantastic tool for pot pies. It delivers better results than the microwave and faster results than the oven. As long as you follow the basic rules about temperature, pan safety, and internal temperature checks, you will get a hot, crispy, satisfying pot pie every time.