There’s something incredibly comforting about pot pies—especially when you don’t even have to turn on the oven to get that flaky, golden crust. If you’ve got a box of frozen chicken pot pies sitting in your freezer and an air fryer on the counter, you’ve already got dinner sorted.
I started cooking frozen pot pies in the air fryer when I was in the middle of a kitchen renovation and couldn’t use the oven for weeks. I figured I’d miss that classic crisp crust, but honestly? The air fryer nailed it. It’s quicker than baking and gives you that golden top we all love—no soggy bottoms here.
Can You Really Make Frozen Pot Pies in the Air Fryer?
Absolutely. The air fryer is surprisingly good at handling frozen pot pies, especially the mini ones you get from the freezer section. You just need to watch the crust so it doesn’t over-brown while the filling catches up.
I’ve tested several brands, and most 6-7 ounce and 8-10 ounce pot pies cook up great in a 6-quart air fryer. I usually pop in two at a time for dinner, especially on those weeknights when I don’t feel like making anything from scratch.
Oven cooking still works, sure, but the air fryer is faster, doesn’t heat up the kitchen, and uses less electricity. And let’s be honest—nobody wants to wait 45 minutes for dinner when you’re already tired.
Let’s Cook: How I Make Frozen Pot Pies in the Air Fryer
Here’s how I do it at home:
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
- Add the frozen pot pies—right from the freezer. Make sure they sit flat in the basket.
- Air fry for 25 minutes if they’re around 8–10 ounces.
- Check the temperature. I always poke a thermometer into the center—look for 165°F. If the crust is browning too quickly, just lay a bit of foil over the top.
- Let them rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. This step matters. The filling gets piping hot and needs a moment to settle or you’ll end up burning your tongue—I’ve learned that the hard way!
My Favorite Things to Serve With Pot Pies
Honestly, chicken pot pies are pretty filling on their own, especially since they already have veggies and protein tucked inside. But I do like to round out the plate a bit.
Here are a few things I usually serve with them:
- A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette
- Steamed green beans or asparagus with a bit of lemon
- Or if I’m feeling fancy, a small fruit salad for something cool and refreshing on the side
When we have guests, I’ll sometimes plate the pot pies with roasted carrots or sautéed spinach just to make it feel a little more “home cooked,” even though it came straight from the freezer.
How I Store and Reheat Leftovers
If you end up with half a pot pie left, don’t toss it. Cover it with foil and reheat it in the air fryer at 350°F for about 7–10 minutes. It’ll never be quite as crisp as the first time around, but it’s still pretty satisfying.
I don’t recommend microwaving it unless you don’t mind the crust going a bit soft. And once a frozen pot pie is cooked, don’t try freezing it again—it won’t hold up.
Quick Reference: Air Fryer Cooking Times for Pot Pies
| Size | Temp | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 6–7 oz | 350°F | 20 minutes |
| 8–10 oz | 350°F | 25 minutes |
| 15–16 oz | Not recommended for air fryer – best to use the oven |
I’ve stuck mostly with the mini pot pies you find in the freezer section. The family-size ones are a bit too bulky for an air fryer, and they tend to cook unevenly.
How I Reheat Leftover Pot Pie in the Air Fryer
Like I mentioned above, pot pies are best the first time around, but if you want to reheat one, here’s what works:
- Cover the top loosely with foil
- Air fry at 350°F for 7–10 minutes
- Check the middle to make sure it’s hot and bubbling again
It won’t be quite the same as fresh, but it’s still better than tossing it or microwaving it to mush.
Some Real-World Tips That Help Me
- If your pot pie starts browning too quickly on top, I just gently lay a small piece of foil on it. No need to seal it—just shield it from direct heat.
- Always let it rest for a few minutes before serving. The filling turns into lava and needs time to cool down. I usually flip it onto a plate and poke a small vent in the crust to let the steam escape.
- This method also works great for turkey or beef pot pies. Even those little sweet dessert pies—like cherry or apple—turn out great in the air fryer if you want to sneak in a quick dessert.
Air Fryer Chicken Pot Pie
Sometimes, dinner just needs to be effortless—and nothing beats the comfort of a flaky, golden chicken pot pie straight from the air fryer. With a buttery crust and creamy, savory filling, this is the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug at the end of a busy day.
Ingredients
- 2 frozen chicken pot pies (about 10 oz each)
Instructions
- Start by preheating your air fryer to 350°F—just a quick 3-minute warm-up will do. While it heats, remove the pot pies from any packaging (but keep them in the foil tins if they come in one).
- Carefully place the frozen pies into the air fryer basket in a single layer, giving them a little space to breathe. No stacking or crowding—just let that air circulate for a perfect crust.
- Air fry for about 25 minutes, or until the tops turn beautifully golden and the filling is piping hot. If you’ve got a thermometer on hand, check that the center hits 165°F for food safety.
- Once done, remove them gently and let the pies rest for about 5 minutes. This gives the filling a chance to settle and keeps your tongue from getting singed on molten gravy (we’ve all been there!).
Notes
- If the crust starts to brown too quickly, just tent it with a little foil.
- This method also works for similar-sized beef or turkey pot pies.
- Cooking a smaller 7–8 oz pot pie? Trim the cook time by 5 minutes.
- Bigger pies (15–16 oz) don’t cook evenly in most air fryers—best to use the oven for those.
- Sweet mini pies like apple or cherry? Yep, those work too—just watch the time!
Nutrition Information
Yield
2Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 851Total Fat 49gSaturated Fat 18gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 29gCholesterol 63mgSodium 1639mgCarbohydrates 80gFiber 5gSugar 9gProtein 21g
All Chicken Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
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