This spicy pumpkin pie recipe couldn’t be easier to make in the air fryer. It comes together in minutes using canned pumpkin and evaporated milk, so there’s no fuss at all - just stir, pour, air fry and it's done!
Table of contents
- The Easiest Way to Make a Pumpkin Pie
- How to Make Spicy Pumpkin Pie in an Air Fryer - 3 Easy Steps
- Ingredients for Spicy Pumpkin Pie Recipe
- What Pie Case to Use for a Pumpkin Pie?
- What Size Pie Case for Pumpkin Pie?
- My Top Tip for a Mess-Free Pie
- How Long Does Pumpkin Pie Take in an Air Fryer?
- How To Tell if Pumpkin Pie is Cooked
- How to Make Air Fryer Pumpkin Pie
- What to Serve with Pumpkin Pie?
The Easiest Way to Make a Pumpkin Pie
Confession time - I have never made a pumpkin pie - until now! I always thought it would be difficult and time-consuming. Then I discovered this air fryer method for spicy pumpkin pie. It brings together a host of shortcuts, including a ready-made pastry case, canned pumpkin and evaporated milk.
A spot of gentle mixing is all that's needed. It cooks beautifully in the air fryer, and the result is a golden, gently spiced pie that tastes wonderfully homemade. It’s cozy, comforting, and makes the perfect dessert after your turkey roast dinner.
How to Make Spicy Pumpkin Pie in an Air Fryer - 3 Easy Steps
This spicy pumpkin pie requires just 3 steps:
You'll find the full ingredients list and method in the recipe card below. But here's an overview of what we'll be doing:
- Mix all the filling ingredients together
- Pour the mixture into the ready-made pie case (see my top tip below)
- Air fry for 20 minutes, then cool before serving
Ingredients for Spicy Pumpkin Pie Recipe
This spicy pumpkin pie recipe uses mainly storecupboard ingredients so you can make it whenever the craving strikes. Please see the recipe card below for full quantities and the cooking method. Here's what you'll need:
- Pastry Case: I used a ready-made 9 inch shortcrust pastry case. (This recipe makes enough filling for two pies, so you may wish to pick up two cases from the store).
- Sugar: You'll need white granulated sugar.
- Eggs: I used 2 medium free-range eggs, beaten.
- Spices: I used an Allspice which gives the flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. You can use a ready-made pumpkin spice mix, or mix up your own.
- Evaporated Milk: You can get this in cans. (Don't confuse this with condensed milk which is much sweeter and thicker and won't work with this recipe).
- Canned Pumpkin: I used the America's Finest brand of canned pumpkin. You could use cooked and pureed fresh pumpkin but the results will be slightly different.
- Salt: A teaspoon of salt helps to bring out the flavors of all the ingredients.
- Icing sugar and cream: (optional) to serve
What Pie Case to Use for a Pumpkin Pie?
When you're short on time, using a ready-made pie case is a perfect shortcut. Not only is all the pastry making done for you, the case is already cooked so you don't need to worry about blind baking. Just fill and cook!
What Size Pie Case for Pumpkin Pie?
You can either use a ready-made shallow pie case for a thinner pie (this is what I did), or you can use a deep fill pie crust if you prefer a thicker piece of pie. If you use the thinner version, you'll get enough mixture to make 2-3 pies. Or you could use the mixture for a different spicy pumpkin pie recipe.
My Top Tip for a Mess-Free Pie
Place the empty pie crust in the air fryer and then carefully pour the pie filling mixture in. This is much easier than trying to maneuver a filled pie into the air fryer without dripping.
How Long Does Pumpkin Pie Take in an Air Fryer?
The pie air fries in just 20 minutes at 350F (180C). Check it is thoroughly cooked by inserting a skewer or the tip of a sharp knife into the center of the pie. If the pie is cooked, the skewer should come out clean. If it comes out with filling stuck to it, let the pie cook for a few more minutes. These timings are for a thin pie - if you're cooking a deep-filled pie, allow an extra 5-10 minutes.
How To Tell if Pumpkin Pie is Cooked
You can tell pumpkin pie is cooked when the edges look set and slightly puffed, but the center still has a gentle wobble - not sloshy liquid. If you nudge the pie dish, the middle should jiggle just a little, not ripple.
The filling will continue to firm up as it cools, so don’t wait for it to look completely solid in the oven or it’ll overbake. Another good test: insert a thin knife or toothpick about an inch from the crust; if it comes out mostly clean, your pie is done.
Once your pumpkin pie is cooked, leave it to cool completely before slicing. This allows the cooking process to continue as the pie cools. And cutting the pie when it's cooled, gives you neater slices and a tastier pie.
Top Tip
These ingredients will give you enough pie filling to make two thin pies, or one deep-filled pumpkin pie. The mixture will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for up to two days.
How to Make Air Fryer Pumpkin Pie
Please see the recipe card below for quantities.
First, beat together all of the filling ingredients. You can do this by hand using a fork, or use an electric whisk. Make sure they are well mixed. Then place the mixture in a pouring jug.
Take your pastry case out of the packaging and place it in the basket of your air fryer.
Carefully pour the filling mixture into the pastry case. Fill the case to the top. (If you're using a thin case, you will have leftover mixture to make a second pie).
Cook the pumpkin pie in the air fryer at 350°F (180°C) for 20 minutes. Check it is cooked by inserting a skewer or the tip of a sharp knife into the center of the pie. The skewer should come out mainly clean. If it comes out with filling stuck to it, let the pie cook for a few more minutes.
The pumpkin pie is done when the edges are firm and lightly puffed, while the center still has a soft wobble. When you gently nudge the pie dish, the middle should move with a slight jiggle rather than a ripple. Don't worry if it doesn't look perfect - icing sugar will fix that!
When the pie has completely cooled, I like to add icing sugar before cutting into slices. Then serve with a dollop of whipped cream.
What to Serve with Pumpkin Pie?
- I love to serve pumpkin pie with whipped cream. A sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg on top makes it extra special.
- If you want extra sweetness, add a little caramel or butterscotch sauce – drizzled lightly over the slice.
- For a fruity twist, add apple or pear compote. Or for a Thanksgiving vibe, add a little cranberry sauce.
- Love nutty flavors? Add toasted pecans or walnuts for a crunchy texture on top.
I hope you love making this spicy pumpkin pie recipe in your air fryer this Thanksgiving. Let me know how it turns out by leaving a comment below. Happy air frying!
Spicy Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Ingredients
- 220 g Pastry Case: I used a ready-made 9 inch shortcrust pastry case. This recipe makes enough filling for two thin pies or one deep-fill pie
- 170 g White granulated sugar
- 2 Eggs lightly beaten
- 2 teaspoon Allspice (or your own mix of ground cinnamon, ground ginger and ground cloves)
- 0.5 pint Evaporated Milk (from a can)
- 425 g Canned Pumpkin
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- Icing sugar and cream: optional to serve
Instructions
- First, beat together all of the filling ingredients. You can do this by hand using a fork, or use an electric whisk. Make sure they are well mixed. Then place the mixture in a pouring jug.
- Take your pastry case out of the packaging and place it in the basket of your air fryer.
- Carefully pour the filling mixture into the pastry case. Fill the case to the top. (If you're using a thin case, you will have leftover mixture to make a second pie).
- Cook the pumpkin pie in the air fryer at 350°F (180°C) for 20 minutes. Check it is cooked by inserting a skewer or the tip of a sharp knife into the center of the pie. If the pie is cooked, the skewer should come out clean. If it comes out with filling stuck to it, let the pie cook for a few more minutes.
- When the pie has completely cooled, I like to add icing sugar before cutting into slices. Then serve with a dollop of whipped cream.
Notes
Nutrition
Yes, if you prefer, you can make your own pastry for this recipe. You'll just need to blind bake it before following the recipe.
You can but it's a lot more effort and the results won't be the same. If you do still want to use fresh pumpkin, you'll need to roast or boil it until soft, then scoop out the flesh and blend it into a puree. To reduce the water content, strain the puree through cheesecloth or paper towels.
Traditionally, pumpkin pie is flavored with warm, cozy spices that give it that classic autumn aroma. The most common blend includes cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. You can use a pre-mixed pumpkin spice blend, use allspice or make your own combination to suit your personal preferences.
You can enjoy pumpkin pie in moderation as part of a healthy diet. The pumpkin component is rich in vitamins and minerals. However, the pie also contains sugar, pastry and dairy so you probably wouldn't want to eat a whole one in one sitting!
Even though pumpkin itself is technically a vegetable, pumpkin pie is made with sugar, spices and evaporated milk. These ingredients give it a dessert-like, sweet flavor rather than a savory one.
Allspice is a spice made from the dried berries of the Pimenta dioica tree, which is native to the Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico. Despite its name, it isn’t a mix of spices — it’s a single spice that tastes like a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. That’s why it got the name “allspice.” If you don’t have allspice, you can mix equal parts ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves.
Jenny
I can't believe how easy this spicy pumpkin pie was to make in the air fryer! Have you made it yet? Let me know by leaving a comment below. I'd love to hear from you!
Michael
I'd never tried pumpkin pie in an air fryer before but this method was really easy - and very tasty!
Jenny
I know! I couldn't believe how easy this method was either!