Making Cornish pasties in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy this delicious pastry without turning on the oven! Here’s a simple recipe for making these classic handheld meat and vegetable pies in your air fryer.
Ingredients:
- 1 package pre-made shortcrust or puff pastry (about 1 lb/450g)
- 1/2 lb (225g) ground beef (or a mix of beef and lamb)
- 1 medium potato, peeled and diced small
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 small carrot, peeled and diced small
- 1/4 cup frozen peas (optional)
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Filling:
- In a skillet, brown the ground beef (or meat mixture) over medium heat until cooked through. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the diced potatoes, carrots, and onions to the pan, then season with dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and cook for about 5 minutes, just until the vegetables start to soften. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool for a few minutes.
2. Prepare the Pastry:
- Roll out the pastry dough on a floured surface. If using store-bought pastry, you may need to roll it out slightly to make sure it’s the right thickness (about 1/8 inch).
- Cut the dough into circles (roughly 5-6 inches in diameter). You can use a bowl or plate as a guide to get even shapes.
3. Assemble the Pasties:
- Spoon about 2-3 tablespoons of the filling onto one side of each pastry circle, leaving a border around the edges.
- Fold the pastry over to create a half-moon shape, and then crimp the edges with your fingers or a fork to seal the pasty closed.
- Brush the tops of the pasties with a beaten egg to create a golden, glossy finish.
4. Air Fry the Pasties:
- Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (180°C).
- Place the pasties in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they aren’t overcrowded. You may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Air fry for 15-20 minutes, or until the pasties are golden brown and crispy. Check halfway through and flip the pasties if necessary to ensure even cooking.
5. Serve:
- Once done, remove the pasties from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
Enjoy your perfectly crispy, savory Cornish pasties made in the air fryer! They’re great as a snack or a meal and can be served with some gravy or a side salad if desired.