Quick Answer
Yes, you can cook many Marie Callender’s frozen meals in an air fryer. The air fryer’s hot air circulation and top-down heating can produce crispy, browned results similar to a traditional oven in less time. Not all Marie Callender’s meals may fit or cook evenly in every model air fryer though, so check your specific appliance’s capacity. Smaller Marie Callender’s items like pot pies, chicken noodle bowls, or mini pies often air fry well. Larger frozen entrees may require some trial and error to get the timing and cooking method right.
Air Frying Marie Callender’s Pot Pies
Marie Callender’s pot pies are one of the most popular items to make in an air fryer. The crust gets perfectly crisp and browned while the filling heats through. The circular shape fits nicely into round air fryer baskets too.
Here are air fryer cooking tips for Marie Callender’s pot pies:
- Remove any outer cardboard sleeve and plastic film cover.
- If the foil pan rim is tall, you can trim it down so the pie fits better in the air fryer.
- Air fry at 350°F for 18-22 minutes, checking frequently until the top is browned.
- Use cooking spray or foil to prevent any filling bubbling over.
- Let the pie rest 2-3 minutes before carefully removing from the air fryer.
The exact timing will vary based on your air fryer model. Start checking early and adjust the cook time as needed.
Air Fryer Marie Callender’s Pot Pie Cooking Times
| Air Fryer Basket Size | Cook Time (minutes) |
|---|---|
| 3 qt | 18-20 |
| 5 qt | 20-22 |
Air frying keeps the filling piping hot and the crust crispy without drying it out. Enjoy your Marie Callender’s pot pie straight from the air fryer for a quick and easy meal.
Cooking Other Marie Callender’s Bowls and Pies
In addition to pot pies, other Marie Callender’s frozen bowls and mini pie products can cook well in an air fryer. Options like chicken pot pies, macaroni and cheese bowls, chicken noodle bowls, and fruit or cream pies are air fryer-friendly.
Follow similar tips as for the pot pies:
- Remove any outer packaging.
- Air fry at 350°F, adjusting time based on contents.
- Bowls and deeper dishes may take 22-28 minutes.
- Fruit or cream pies only need about 12-15 minutes.
- Check frequently and adjust cook time as needed.
The air fryer can give the crust, noodles, or topping a quick crisping. But take care not to overcook the more delicate fillings and fruits.
Air Frying Tips for Marie Callender’s Bowls and Pies
| Marie Callender’s Item | Cook Time Range |
|---|---|
| Chicken pot pies | 18-22 minutes |
| Pasta or rice bowls | 22-28 minutes |
| Fruit or cream mini pies | 12-15 minutes |
Monitor closely and adjust times to prevent drying out the contents while crisping the outside.
Cooking Large Marie Callender’s Meals in an Air Fryer
Larger Marie Callender’s frozen entree meals may be trickier to cook evenly in an air fryer. Options like salisbury steak, turkey dinners, or lasagna can be done but require some workarounds.
Here are tips for the best results:
- Select meals that are 8 servings or smaller.
- Transfer contents to an oven-safe dish that fits your air fryer.
- Cover with foil and cook at 325°F for 35-45 minutes.
- Remove foil last 5-10 minutes if browning is needed.
- Total cook time can take 60+ minutes.
The indirect heating allows the food to cook through while preventing the top from overbrowning. You may need to stir or rearrange contents midway for even cooking.
Air Frying Tips for Large Marie Callender’s Meals
| Marie Callender’s Meal | Cook Time Range |
|---|---|
| Salisbury steak, turkey, ham | 45-60 minutes |
| Stuffed peppers, enchiladas | 35-45 minutes |
| Lasagna, ziti al forno | 50-60 minutes |
Times will vary greatly for these complex meals. Monitor texture, temperature, and browning to determine doneness.
Should You Air Fry Marie Callender’s Meals?
Air frying is a quick and convenient cooking method for a variety of Marie Callender’s frozen products. Smaller items like pot pies, bowls, and mini pies lend themselves well to air frying. Larger entrees may require special handling but can be adapted.
Benefits of air frying Marie Callender’s meals include:
- Shortened cook time compared to conventional oven.
- Crisp, golden textures on crusts and toppings.
- Doesn’t heat up kitchen as much as oven.
- Many products require no prep or changes.
Possible downsides include:
- Not all air fryers can fit larger dishes.
- Contents may not cook evenly.
- Trial and error to perfect times and methods.
- Easy to over/under cook some items.
Overall, an air fryer can deliver quick, crispy results for a variety of Marie Callender’s frozen foods. Pay attention to each product’s size, contents, and cook time needs for the best results.
Tips for the Best Results
Here are some top tips for successfully air frying Marie Callender’s meals:
- Refer to air fryer manual for capacity info before cooking.
- Remove any excess outer packaging.
- Reduce foil pan rim height if needed for clearance.
- Preheat air fryer fully before adding food.
- Use recommended cook times as a starting point.
- Frequently check and adjust cook times as needed.
- Allow proper rest time before removing food.
- Use foil or liners to contain any bubbling over.
- Rearrange or stir larger dishes midway through cooking.
- Adjust heat method and temp for larger, complex meals.
With some simple adjustments, an air fryer can deliver delicious results in record time for top-selling Marie Callender’s frozen foods.
Common Questions about Air Frying Marie Callender’s
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about cooking Marie Callender’s meals in an air fryer:
What Marie Callender’s meals work best in an air fryer?
Smaller items with exposed crusts or toppings like pot pies, mini fruit pies, chicken pot pies, and noodle or rice bowls air fry well. Larger entrees can be more difficult.
Do you need to preheat an air fryer for Marie Callender’s meals?
Yes, always preheat the air fryer fully before placing food inside to cook. This helps ensure even browning and cooking.
Should Marie Callender’s meals be flipped during air frying?
It’s not necessary to flip items like pot pies or bowls. You can gently stir or rearrange larger dishes halfway through cooking if needed.
Can you cook a Marie Callender’s family sized meal in an air fryer?
Very large meals may not fit or cook evenly. Opt for 8 serving entrees or smaller and transfer contents to an oven-safe dish to air fry if needed.
How long does it take to cook a Marie Callender’s pot pie in an air fryer?
On average, pot pies take 18-22 minutes at 350°F in an air fryer. Times vary slightly by model, so check frequently and adjust cook time as needed.
Conclusion
Air frying is a fast, convenient way to cook Marie Callender’s frozen classics like pot pies plus other bowls, pies, and smaller meals. While very large, complex entrees may require some special handling, many products need minimal preparation. Follow general guidelines for removing packaging, preheating, using recommended cook times, and adjusting as needed. With a little testing, you can easily air fry tasty Marie Callender’s meals any night of the week.