Marie Callender’s chicken pot pie in the air fryer gets a flaky, golden crust while keeping the filling hot and creamy. If you want to know how to cook marie callenders chicken pot pie in air fryer, this guide walks you through every step, from frozen to fully done.
The air fryer is faster then a regular oven and gives you a crisp top without drying out the inside. You just need the right temperature, the right time, and a little patience while it cools.
Why The Air Fryer Works So Well For Pot Pies
A standard oven takes 60 to 70 minutes for a frozen pot pie. The air fryer cuts that down to around 35 to 45 minutes depending on your model.
The moving hot air hits the crust from all sides. That means the top gets brown and flaky while the gravy inside stays thick and warm.
You also dont have to preheat a big oven, which saves time and energy. For one or two pies, the air fryer is simply the better tool.
How To Cook Marie Callenders Chicken Pot Pie In Air Fryer
Here is the full process broken into simple steps. Read it once before you start so you know what to expect.
What You Will Need
- One frozen Marie Callender’s chicken pot pie (10 to 16 ounces)
- An air fryer with a basket or tray
- Aluminum foil or a small baking pan that fits your fryer
- Tongs or a spatula
- A meat thermometer (optional but helpful)
Step 1: Check The Size Of Your Pie
Marie Callender’s sells pot pies in a few sizes. The small 10-ounce ones cook faster then the large 16-ounce family size.
Make sure the pie fits inside your air fryer basket without touching the top heating element. If it touches, the crust will burn before the middle is hot.
Step 2: Preheat The Air Fryer
Set your air fryer to 350°F and let it run for 3 to 5 minutes. Preheating helps the bottom crust start cooking right away.
If your model does not have a preheat setting, just run it empty for a few minutes. This small step makes a real difference in how even the pie cooks.
Step 3: Prepare The Pie For The Basket
Leave the pie in its original foil tray if it came with one. That tray holds the gravy and keeps the shape intact.
If your pie did not come in a tray, set it on a piece of foil or a small pan. Poke two or three small holes in the top crust with a knife. This lets steam escape so the top does not get soggy.
Step 4: Place It In The Air Fryer
Put the pie in the center of the basket. Do not stack anything on top of it.
Leave some space around the edges so air can move. If your air fryer is small, cook one pie at a time.
Step 5: Cook At 350°F
Set the timer for 25 minutes at 350°F. This is the safe starting point for most air fryer models.
After 25 minutes, check the crust. If the top is already dark brown, cover it loosely with foil. If it is still pale, keep cooking.
Step 6: Add More Time As Needed
Most frozen pot pies need 35 to 45 minutes total. Add time in 5-minute blocks so you dont overcook the crust.
Small pies may be done in 30 minutes. Large family-size pies can take up to 50 minutes in a smaller air fryer.
Step 7: Check The Inside Temperature
The filling should reach 165°F in the center. Stick a thermometer through the middle of the pie to confirm.
If you dont have a thermometer, insert a knife into the center for 5 seconds. It should come out hot to the touch.
Step 8: Let It Rest Before Eating
Take the pie out and let it sit for 5 minutes. The gravy is very hot and will thicken slightly as it cools.
Cutting too soon makes the filling run out onto the plate. A short rest keeps everything in place.
Tips For A Crispy Crust And Hot Filling
- Never cook a pot pie straight from a cold air fryer without preheating.
- Keep the temperature at 350°F. Higher heat burns the crust before the middle heats up.
- Cover the edges with foil if they brown faster then the center.
- Do not add oil or butter to the crust. It already contains plenty of fat.
- Shake the basket gently halfway through only if the pie is not in a foil tray.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Using The Wrong Temperature
Some people set the air fryer to 400°F to save time. This burns the top and leaves the center cold.
Stick with 350°F and be patient. The extra 10 minutes is worth it.
Cooking Two Pies At Once
Two pies block the airflow. They will cook unevenly and take much longer.
If you must cook two, add 10 to 15 minutes and rotate them halfway. Even then, the results are not as good as cooking one at a time.
Not Checking The Internal Temp
A golden crust does not mean the filling is hot. Always check the center before you serve it.
Cold gravy in the middle is a sign the pie needs more time. Put it back for another 5 minutes.
How Long Does It Take In Different Air Fryers
Air fryer wattage and basket size change the cooking time. Here is a rough guide.
- Small 2-quart air fryer: 40 to 50 minutes
- Mid-size 4 to 5-quart air fryer: 35 to 45 minutes
- Large 6-quart or bigger: 30 to 40 minutes
- Air fryer oven style: 35 to 45 minutes
These times are for a frozen 10-ounce pie. Add 10 minutes for the large size.
Can You Cook It From Thawed?
Yes, but the time drops a lot. A thawed pot pie cooks in 20 to 25 minutes at 350°F.
Watch it closely because the crust browns fast when the inside is not frozen. Check it at the 15-minute mark the first time you try it.
Serving And Storing Leftovers
Serve the pie right away while the filling is hot. It goes well with a simple side salad or steamed vegetables.
If you have leftovers, cover them and put them in the fridge within two hours. They keep for up to 3 days.
To reheat, put the pie back in the air fryer at 325°F for 8 to 10 minutes. The microwave works too, but the crust will get soft.
Final Thoughts
Cooking Marie Callender’s chicken pot pie in the air fryer is easy once you know the right temp and time. Preheat to 350°F, cook for 25 minutes, then add time in small blocks until the center hits 165°F.
Let it rest for 5 minutes, and you get a flaky crust with a hot, creamy filling every time. Try it once and you may never go back to the oven.