Can you cook frozen chicken pot pie in air fryer? Yes, you can, and it works better than most people expect. A frozen chicken pot pie in an air fryer raises questions about whether the crust will cook properly and whether the filling will heat evenly without making a mess.
The short answer is that it depends on the size of your pie and the size of your air fryer basket. A small individual pie fits fine. A full family-size pie usually does not.
Below you will find everything you need to know, from prep to cooking times to the mistakes that ruin the crust.
Can You Cook Frozen Chicken Pot Pie In Air Fryer
Yes. An air fryer can cook a frozen chicken pot pie from frozen to finish. The moving hot air browns the crust and heats the filling at the same time.
But there are two big conditions. The pie has to fit inside the basket without touching the heating element. And you need to cover the crust at the start so it does not burn before the middle is hot.
Why The Air Fryer Works For Pot Pie
An air fryer is basically a small convection oven. It moves hot air around the food at high speed. That is good news for pastry.
- The top crust gets crisp and golden
- The sides cook faster then a full size oven
- No need to preheat a big appliance
- Less energy used for one small pie
The catch is the bottom crust. In a regular oven, the pie sits on a rack and heat reaches the bottom. In an air fryer, the basket blocks some of that heat. So the bottom can stay pale and soft if you rush it.
Which Frozen Pot Pies Fit In An Air Fryer
Size matters more then anything else here. Check your pie against your basket before you start.
- Individual pot pies (10 to 12 ounces) fit in most baskets
- Two small pies fit side by side in a 5 to 6 quart model
- Family size pies (30 ounces or more) rarely fit
- Pies in foil pans with tall rims can block airflow
If the pie touches the top heating coil, do not cook it in the air fryer. The crust will burn and the filling will stay cold.
How To Cook A Frozen Chicken Pot Pie In An Air Fryer
Follow these steps for a pie that is golden on top and hot all the way through.
- Take the pie out of the box but leave it in its foil pan if it came in one.
- Check that the pie fits your basket with at least half an inch of space around it.
- Set the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not use a higher temp for a frozen pie.
- Place the pie in the basket. Do not stack anything on top.
- Cover the top loosely with a small piece of foil for the first 15 minutes.
- Remove the foil and keep cooking so the crust can brown.
- Check the center with a thermometer. It should read 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Let the pie rest for 5 minutes before you cut into it.
Total time is usually 30 to 40 minutes for an individual pie. A larger pie that barely fits may need 45 to 55 minutes.
Temperature And Time Chart
- Small pie (10 oz): 350 F for 30 to 35 minutes
- Medium pie (16 oz): 350 F for 35 to 45 minutes
- Large pie (30 oz, if it fits): 340 F for 45 to 55 minutes
- Foil on top: first 15 minutes for all sizes
These times are a starting point. Every air fryer runs a little different. Your first pie is a test run. Adjust from there.
Do You Need To Thaw The Pie First
No. You can cook it straight from the freezer. In fact, thawing first can make the crust soggy because the pastry absorbs moisture as it sits.
If you already thawed it, that is fine. Just cut the cooking time by about 5 to 8 minutes and watch it closely.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Most failed air fryer pot pies come down to one of these problems.
Using A Temperature That Is To High
A lot of people set the air fryer to 400 F because that works for fries. For a frozen pot pie, that is a mistake. The crust burns on top while the filling is still cold in the middle. Stick with 340 to 350 F.
Not Covering The Crust
The top of a frozen pie is already baked. It browns fast. Fifteen minutes of foil protection gives the inside time to catch up. Skip this step and you will get a dark, dry top crust.
Crowding The Basket
Air needs to move around the pie on all sides. If the pie touches the basket walls, those spots steam instead of crisp. Cook one pie at a time unless your basket is truly wide.
Forgetting The Rest Time
The filling is lava hot right out of the fryer. Five minutes of rest lets it thicken and cool slightly. It also keeps the bottom crust from falling apart when you serve it.
Tips For A Better Result Every Time
- Put the pie on a small piece of parchment with holes poked in it for easy lift out
- Spray the top crust with a little cooking oil for extra browning
- Rotate the pie halfway through if your air fryer heats unevenly
- Use a meat thermometer instead of guessing on doneness
- If the bottom is pale, flip the pie onto a piece of foil for the last 5 minutes
One more tip. If your pie comes with a soggy bottom even after all this, next time let it sit in the fridge overnight. A cold, firm pie holds its shape better in the basket.
Final Verdict
So, can you cook frozen chicken pot pie in air fryer? Yes, and it is a fast, easy way to get a hot meal with a crisp crust. Keep the temperature low, cover the top at the start, and check the middle with a thermometer.
If your pie fits your basket, you are set. If it does not, use the regular oven instead. A pie that touches the heating element will not end well.