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Fall is officially here—and with it comes that cozy, warm‑spiced pumpkin magic I’ve been waiting for. One afternoon I was craving a sweet treat, didn’t want the oven blasting the kitchen, and thought: what if I shrank the classic pie into bite‑size and popped it in the air fryer? That’s how these little gems were born.
What you’ll get: creamy pumpkin‑pie filling, nestled in a crisp mini crust, hugging each bite with cinnamon‑and‑nutmeg comfort. And since you’re using your air fryer, you’ll have them ready in about 12 minutes—no mess, no sweat.
The texture is dreamy: the crust gives you that golden, flaky shell, and inside? Smooth, luscious pumpkin custard with a subtle warm spice hit. Top with whipped cream and you’re basically in autumn dessert heaven.
Whether you’re hosting friends, treating yourself, or looking for a sweet fall snack, these are perfect. They’re easy, quick, and so satisfying. Let’s dive in and get you baking (or frying!) with confidence.
🥕 Ingredients Overview
Here’s what we’ve got—and why each ingredient matters:
- Pumpkin puree (1 cup) – This gives you that classic pumpkin flavour right away. Use canned for ease, or homemade if you’re feeling ambitious.
- Sweetened condensed milk (½ cup) – Adds sweetness and richness. Because we want creamy, indulgent filling, this is the shortcut that makes it happen.
- 1 egg – Binds everything together so the filling sets nicely in the mini crusts.
- Pumpkin pie spice (1 tsp) – Comes packed with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger (or a blend). This is where the “cozy fall” flavour comes alive. If you don’t have a blend, you could use about ¾ tsp cinnamon + ¼ tsp nutmeg + a pinch of ginger or all‑spice.
- 1 package mini pie crusts – These are your vessel. You can buy pre‑made (makes it super fast) or roll your own if you like that extra homemade feel.
Prep tips & swaps: - If you want this gluten‑free, swap in a gluten‑free mini crust.
- For lower sugar, you could try using unsweetened condensed milk (though the texture might shift slightly) or reduce sweetened condensed milk and add a touch of maple syrup.
- If you’re dairy‑free: use a dairy‑free condensed‑milk alternative (if available) or try coconut condensed milk, and use dairy‑free crust.
- Make sure your pumpkin puree is plain pumpkin—not pumpkin pie filling (which already has sugars/spices) unless you adjust the sweet/spice levels accordingly.
- Let the egg come to room temperature for smoother mixing.
Alright, with ingredients prepped, let’s get to the fun part: air frying.
🔥 Step‑by‑Step Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 320 °F (160 °C) (or as close as your model allows).
Pro Tip: Preheating helps the crust start crisping out‑right and ensures more even cooking. - In a medium bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, sweetened condensed milk, egg, and pumpkin pie spice until smooth and fully blended.
Pro Tip: Scrape the sides so you don’t end up with pockets of unmixed spice. - Take your mini pie crusts and place them in the air fryer basket or individual mini tins (if using). Spoon the filling into each crust—fill just up to the edge, leaving a little space so it doesn’t overflow.
Pro Tip: Don’t overfill. Filling too high can cause spill‑overs and messy crusts. - Place the filled mini crusts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, not overcrowded. Air circulation is key to crispiness.
Pro Tip: If they’re touching, they’ll steam each other instead of crisping. - Air fry at 320 °F for approximately 10‑12 minutes, until the filling is set but still slightly wobbly in the centre (it will firm up as it cools).
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on the crust edges—they should be golden. If the tops brown too quickly, you can loosely cover with a bit of foil for the last minute. - Carefully remove from the air fryer and let the mini pies cool for a few minutes. Then chill in the fridge if you like them cold (which I personally love).
- Just before serving, top each with whipped cream (or a dollop of Greek yogurt for a less sweet option), perhaps a sprinkle of extra pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon. Serve and enjoy!
Pro Tip: These do taste better the next day chilled — the flavours mellow and deepen.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overfilling the mini crusts → leads to spillage and messy results.
- Crowding the basket → prevents proper air flow, crust may turn soggy instead of crisp.
- Skipping pre‑heat → crust might cook unevenly and filling may take longer.
- Removing too soon while centre is still overly liquid → note that a slight wobble is okay; it will set as it cools.
- Neglecting to chill (optional) → these really shine when chilled, so if you serve them warm you’ll miss that “next‑day” magic.
🎨 Variations & Add‑Ons
Want to mix things up? Let’s play around a bit:
- Spicy twist: Add ½ tsp cayenne or chipotle powder to the filling for a subtle heat that plays nicely with the sweet pumpkin.
- Maple glaze: After they cool, drizzle with maple‑syrup icing (maple syrup + powdered sugar + a little milk) for an extra layer of fall flavour.
- Nutty topping: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top of the whipped cream for crunch.
- Mini crust swap: Use phyllo cups or puff‑pastry bases instead of pre‑made mini pie crusts for a different texture.
- Vegan version: Use a flax “egg” (1 Tb flax + 3 Tb water) in place of the egg, dairy‑free condensed milk and dairy‑free crust. The texture will differ a bit but it can still be fantastic.
- Savory‑sweet combo: Mix a tablespoon of brown sugar into the filling and top with a small slice of salted caramel or sea salt after baking – kind of like a salted caramel pumpkin bite.
- Kid‑friendly version: Skip the spice blend and use just cinnamon plus a small bit of vanilla—simpler but still delicious for little taste buds.
📦 Make Ahead & Storage
These mini pumpkin pies are excellent for prepping ahead:
- You can fill the mini crusts and refrigerate them uncooked for up to 4‑6 hours before air‑frying. When ready, pop them straight into the air fryer—just add ~1 minute to cooking if very cold.
- Cooked mini pies: Let them cool to room temp, then chill in the fridge. They have the best flavour the next day as the spices deepen and the filling firms up nicely.
- Storage: Kept in an airtight container in the fridge, they’ll stay delicious for 3–4 days. Top with whipped cream just before serving to keep that fresh look.
- Freezing: After fully cooling, you can freeze them (without whipped topping) for up to 1–2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then refresh in the air fryer for 2‑3 minutes at 300 °F (150 °C) to crisp up the crust.
- Reheating: If chilled, you can serve cold (which is delicious). If you prefer warm, air fry at 300 °F (150 °C) for 2‑3 minutes until just warmed through—don’t overdo or the filling may lose its smooth texture.
🥗 Nutrition Highlights
Estimated per mini pie (assuming ~12 bites from one recipe) – approximate: ~150 kcal, ~6 g fat, ~20 g carbs, ~3 g fibre (varies based on crust brand and topping).
Contains egg and dairy (unless you swap).
Gluten‑free friendly if you use a GF crust.
Vegetarian as written.
Air Fryer Pumpkin Pie Bites
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your air fryer to 320 °F (160 °C).
- In a bowl, whisk pumpkin puree, sweetened condensed milk, egg, and pumpkin pie spice until smooth.
- Place mini pie crusts into the air fryer basket or mini tart tins. Spoon the filling into each crust, leaving a small border.
- Arrange in a single layer in the basket, ensuring air can circulate.
- Air fry for 10–12 minutes, until the filling is set around the edges and slightly wobbly in the centre.
- Remove and let cool for a few minutes; optional: chill in the fridge. Top with whipped cream and serve.
Notes
Estimated Calories: ~150 per mini pie (approximate)
If you give these mini pumpkin pie bites a go, I’d love to hear how they turned out! They’ve quickly become my favourite easy autumn dessert—especially when you want that pumpkin‑pie flavour but without hauling out the big oven or waiting forever. Feel free to tweak the spice level or topping to suit your taste, and if you’re looking for something snack‑sized and sweet next, check out my air fryer apple chips (crisp and addictive!). Thanks for cooking with me—happy air‑frying!
