Pot pie in an air fryer requires adjusting the cook time based on whether it’s frozen, refrigerated, or homemade. So how long do i put a pot pie in the air fryer? The short answer is 20 to 35 minutes for most frozen and homemade versions, but the exact time depends on size, filling, and crust type.
This guide breaks it all down so your crust comes out golden and your filling stays hot all the way through.
Quick Answer: Air Fryer Pot Pie Cook Times
Here is a simple chart you can use as a starting point. Always check for doneness a few minutes before the timer ends.
- Frozen single-serve pot pie: 20 to 25 minutes at 360°F
- Frozen family-size pot pie: 30 to 40 minutes at 350°F
- Refrigerated pot pie: 18 to 22 minutes at 360°F
- Homemade pot pie (small): 15 to 20 minutes at 350°F
- Homemade pot pie (large): 25 to 35 minutes at 340°F
These times assume a preheated air fryer. If you skip preheating, add about 3 to 5 minutes.
How Long Do I Put A Pot Pie In The Air Fryer
This is the core question, and the honest answer is that no single time fits every pot pie. The variables below change everything. Once you understand them, you can nail the timing every single time.
Frozen Pot Pie Timing
Frozen pot pies are the most common type people cook in an air fryer. They are also the easiest to get wrong because the inside stays cold while the crust browns fast.
For a single-serve frozen pot pie, set your air fryer to 360°F and cook for 20 to 25 minutes. For a larger frozen pie, drop the temp to 350°F and cook 30 to 40 minutes. The lower heat gives the filling time to heat through before the crust burns.
You should also cover the crust with foil for the first half of cooking if it starts browning to fast.
Refrigerated Pot Pie Timing
Refrigerated pot pies are already thawed, so they cook quicker. Set the air fryer to 360°F and cook for 18 to 22 minutes.
Check the center with a thermometer. It should read at least 165°F before you pull it out.
Homemade Pot Pie Timing
Homemade pot pies vary a lot in size. A small ramekin version needs only 15 to 20 minutes at 350°F. A full-size homemade pie in a baking dish can take 25 to 35 minutes at 340°F.
If you use a raw, unbaked crust, add 5 minutes. If your filling is already cooked and warm, subtract a few minutes.
Step-By-Step: Cooking A Pot Pie In An Air Fryer
Follow these steps for the best results, no matter which type you have.
- Preheat your air fryer to the right temperature for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Place the pot pie in the basket. Leave space around it for air flow.
- If using a glass or ceramic dish, make sure it is air fryer safe.
- Cook for the lower end of the time range listed above.
- Check the crust at the halfway point. Cover with foil if it is browning to fast.
- Insert a thermometer into the center. It must reach 165°F.
- Let it rest for 3 to 5 minutes before serving.
That rest period matters. It lets the filling set so it does not run all over the plate.
Tips For Perfect Air Fryer Pot Pie
Use The Right Temperature
Higher heat does not mean faster cooking here. It just means a burnt crust and a cold middle. Stick to 340°F to 360°F for most pot pies.
Don’t Stack Pies
Air needs to move around the whole pie. If you cook two at once, give them room and add a few extra minutes.
Watch The Crust
The top crust browns quickly in an air fryer because the heating element sits close. A loose tent of foil protects it without blocking all the heat.
Check The Filling, Not Just The Crust
A golden crust does not mean the inside is hot. Always use a food thermometer. This is the single most important tip in this whole article.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Cooking at 400°F or higher, which burns the crust
- Skipping the preheat, which throws off your timing
- Not covering the crust when it browns early
- Pulling the pie out based on looks alone
- Using a dish that is not air fryer safe
Each of these mistakes leads to the same result: a pie that looks done but is cold in the middle.
Does Pot Pie Size Change The Cook Time?
Yes, and it changes it a lot. A 5-inch single-serve pie heats through much faster then a 9-inch family pie. As a rule, add roughly 10 minutes for every jump in size category.
Depth matters to. A deep dish pie needs more time then a shallow one, even if the width is the same.
Can You Reheat Pot Pie In An Air Fryer?
Yes. Reheating is actually one of the best uses for an air fryer because it keeps the crust crisp. Set the temperature to 320°F and heat for 8 to 12 minutes.
Small slices need less time. A whole pie needs more. Cover the crust if it is already browned from the first bake.
Frequently Asked Timing Questions
Can I Cook A Frozen Pot Pie Without Thawing It?
Yes. In fact, most frozen pot pies are designed to go straight from the freezer to the heat. Just add a few minutes to the cook time and lower the temperature slightly.
What If My Air Fryer Runs Hot?
Many air fryers run 10 to 20 degrees hotter then the dial says. If your crust burns often, drop your setting by 10 degrees and check the pie early.
Should I Use The Bake Or Air Fry Setting?
Use the air fry setting for a crisp crust. The bake setting works to, but it takes longer and gives a softer top.
Final Timing Checklist
Before you start, run through this quick list:
- Know if your pie is frozen, refrigerated, or homemade
- Preheat the air fryer
- Set temp between 340°F and 360°F
- Start with the lower time range
- Check the crust halfway
- Confirm 165°F in the center
- Rest for 3 to 5 minutes
Follow that order and you will get a hot filling and a golden crust every time. The exact minutes will shift a bit based on your machine, but the method stays the same.