You’ve got a pie that needs warming, and your air fryer is sitting right there. Learning how to heat up a pie in an air fryer is a fantastic way to get a hot, flaky result fast. This method is quicker than your oven and gives a much better texture than a microwave. Whether it’s a leftover slice or a whole frozen pie, your air fryer can handle it with ease.
This guide will walk you through the simple steps. We’ll cover different types of pies, the best temperatures, and how to avoid common mistakes. You’ll have a perfectly warmed pie ready to eat in no time.
How to Heat Up a Pie in an Air Fryer
This is the core process for heating most pies. The air fryer’s rapid circulation creates a crispy exterior while gently warming the filling. It’s important to adjust for your specific pie, but these steps provide a reliable foundation.
What You’ll Need
- Your air fryer
- The pie (whole, slice, or frozen)
- Air fryer basket or tray
- Parchment paper or a small foil sling (optional, but helpful)
- Tongs or a spatula
- A food thermometer (for checking meat pies)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare Your Air Fryer and Pie
Start by preheating your air fryer to around 300°F (150°C). This isn’t always strictly necessary, but it leads to more even heating. If your pie is frozen, you don’t need to thaw it first, but you will need to add more time. For a whole pie, placing it on a piece of parchment in the basket makes removal easier.
2. Place the Pie in the Basket
For a whole pie, center it carefully. For slices, lay them flat in a single layer. Don’t overlap them, or the crust won’t crisp properly. If you’re worried about the top burning, a loose tent of foil over the top can help.
3. Set the Time and Temperature
For a refrigerated fruit pie slice: 300°F for 4-6 minutes. For a whole refrigerated pie: 300°F for 8-12 minutes. For a frozen pie slice: 320°F for 6-9 minutes. For a whole frozen pie: 320°F for 15-25 minutes. These are starting points—always check early.
4. Check for Doneness
Carefully open the air fryer and check the pie. The crust should be golden and crisp to the touch. The filling should be hot all the way through. For custard or cream pies, the center should be just warm, not boiling. For meat pies, the internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
5. Let it Rest Before Serving
Remove the pie using tongs or the parchment sling. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes on a plate. This allows the filling to settle and stops you from burning your mouth. It also gives the heat a final chance to distribute evenly.
Adjustments for Different Pie Types
Not all pies are created equal. The high heat of an air fryer can be to harsh for some delicate fillings. Here’s how to adapt.
- Fruit Pies (Apple, Cherry): These are ideal. The crust crisps beautifully and the fruit filling heats perfectly. Just watch for sugary fillings that might bubble over.
- Custard or Cream Pies (Pumpkin, Key Lime): Use a lower temperature (280°F) and check often. You only want to take the chill off, not cook the filling further. A foil tent is recommended.
- Meat Pies (Chicken Pot Pie, Shepherd’s Pie): Ensure the internal temperature is safe. The pastry should be deep golden. If the top is browning to fast, lower the temperature slightly.
- Pre-Baked Frozen Pies: Follow the package instructions for oven temperature, but reduce the time by about 20-30% and start checking halfway through.
Why an Air Fryer is Great for Pie
You might wonder why not just use a microwave. The difference is in the texture. A microwave makes pastry soggy and heats unevenly. An air fryer solves these problems.
It uses hot air to replicate the effect of a convection oven, but faster and more efficiently. The result is a crust that stays flaky and crisp, not soft or tough. It also reheats the filling from the outside in, preventing a cold center.
It’s also more energy-efficient than heating a full-sized oven for one small item. For singles, couples, or anyone with leftovers, it’s the perfect portion-friendly tool.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A few small errors can lead to less-than-perfect pie. Here’s what to steer clear of.
- Overcrowding the Basket: This blocks air flow. Heat in batches if necessary.
- Temperature Too High: This burns the crust before the inside is warm. Start lower, you can always add time.
- Not Preheating: While you can cook from cold, preheating gives more consistent results, especially for whole pies.
- Skipping the Rest Time: The filling will be extremely hot and can run everywhere if you cut immediately.
- Using a Wet Filling: If your pie slice is swimming in juice, pat it gently with a paper towel first to avoid steaming the crust.
Advanced Tips and Tricks
Once you’ve mastered the basics, these tips can help you get even better results. They address specific situations you might encounter.
Reviving a Soggy Bottom Crust
If your pie has a soggy bottom after storage, the air fryer can help. Place the slice directly in the basket, so the hot air can hit the bottom crust directly. You can also preheat the air fryer with the basket inside, which creates a more intense initial heat.
Heating Multiple Slices at Once
You can heat two, maybe three slices at a time. Arrange them in a single layer with space between each piece. You will likely need to add 1-2 extra minutes to the total time. Avoid stacking.
From Frozen to Perfect
Frozen pie is a common scenario. The key is a lower temperature for a longer time. This thaws and heats the filling without incinerating the crust. Start at 320°F and be patient. Check it at the halfway point and tent with foil if the top is getting to dark.
What About Toppings?
For pies with streusel or crumb toppings, a loose foil tent is essential to prevent burning. For meringue-topped pies, it’s better to use a different method, as the air fryer will brown the meringue to quickly and potentially deflate it.
Cleaning and Maintenance After
Pie fillings, especially fruit ones, can drip and cause smoke or stick to your basket. A little prevention makes cleanup simple.
Always use parchment paper or a small foil sling under the pie. This catches any drips. If filling does spill, let the basket cool completely, then soak it in warm, soapy water. Scrubbing while it’s still hot can damage the non-stick coating.
Wipe the inside of the air fryer with a damp cloth to remove any grease or sugar splatter. This keeps it working efficiently and prevents smoke next time you use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I heat a pie in the air fryer?
Yes, absolutely. Heating pie in an air fryer is one of the best methods. It preserves the crust’s texture far better than a microwave.
What temperature do you heat pie in an air fryer?
For most refrigerated pies, start at 300°F. For frozen pies, start at 320°F. Always check your specific air fryer’s manual as models can vary.
How long to heat pie in air fryer?
For a single slice, 4-6 minutes from refrigerated. For a whole pie, 8-12 minutes. Times increase for frozen items. It’s always best to check early.
Can you put a foil pie tin in the air fryer?
Generally, yes, but with caution. Ensure the tin fits without touching the heating element. The intense air flow can sometimes cause lightweight tins to vibrate or shift. A disposable aluminum tin is usually fine.
Does air fryer pie get soggy?
No, that’s the main advantage. The air fryer’s method actually helps make soggy crusts crisp again. Just ensure you don’t add to much moisture and that air can circulate.
Can I reheat meat pie in air fryer?
You can, and it works very well. Just make sure the internal temperature of the filling reaches 165°F (74°C) for food safety. The pastry will become wonderfully flaky.
Conclusion
Your air fryer is a powerful tool for bringing leftover or frozen pie back to life. The process is straightforward: use a moderate temperature, allow for air flow, and always check a minute or two before you think it’s done. By following the guidelines for different pie types, you’ll avoid the common pitfalls.
The result is a warm, comforting slice with a crust that’s just as good as the first time it was baked. It’s a simple way to enjoy a classic dessert or savory meal without waiting for the oven to preheat. Next time you have pie, give your air fryer a chance to show what it can do.