Layers of crisp puff pastry on a ramekin filled with vegetables in a creamy Vegan sauce, this Vegetable Pot Pie is made in the air fryer and is a great holiday side!
Plus, it doubles up as an easy make-ahead brunch or dinner recipe too!
This is a sponsored post on behalf of iHerb. All opinions are mine alone.
Thanksgiving is such a great celebration. While there are plenty of aspects to it; food is definitely a prime one.
Thanksgiving food is always special. As a vegetarian, there is often a feeling of being left out of the food. However, it is no longer true. Now, with so many vegetarian and even Vegan recipes around; a vegetarian Thanksgiving feast is a reality.
If you are looking for a vegetarian feast too; consider having these on it for sure: Pumpkin Ricotta Stuffed Shells, Butternut Squash Red Rice Pilaf, Pumpkin shaped Bread Rolls, Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread and of course the star Instant Pot Whole Roasted Cauliflower.
Jump to:
What is Pot Pie
Pot pie is another popular dish for Thanksgiving. Known in America and Canada; it is made in ramekins or in a larger glass bowl and covered in a sheet of flaky pie crust.
This pie can be filled with an array of fillings like meat, vegetables, fish, seafood etc. Plus, the covering can vary largely too.
While these kind of pies are popular in North America; they may differ in definition across the globe.
This Air Fryer Pot Pie
Vegetable pot pie is a variation of the classic pot pie.
It is a mix of vegetables encased in a creamy sauce and filled in ramekins. This is covered by a sheet of flaky dough (puff pastry in our case) and baked to perfection. However, we are using the air fryer to do the job
This pot pie made in the air fryer will definitely be a star at the Thanksgiving table. Whether it is a completely Vegetarian spread or a couple of vegetarian dishes; this one would definitely be loved.
Moreover, it is an amazing recipe to enjoy for summer brunches, parties or even for a cozy family dinner.
Why this recipe works
- It uses a host of colorful vegetables.
- This vegetable pot pie is super easy to make.
- It is a great way to get kids and adults enjoy a lot of vegetables in one go.
- The recipe is Vegan friendly.
- Though Vegan, it is really creamy and cheesy thanks to a couple of ingredients.
- A make-ahead recipe; this recipe can easily be prepped before hand and air fried just prior to serving.
- The pot pie comes together in just one pot and the air fryer.
- Besides, it is super quick and easy.
- It helps keep the oven free on busy Holiday weekends.
- It makes a great Thanksgiving recipe as well as for parties, brunches, Holiday dinners or just a family meal.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Vegetables: This pot pie has a mix of vegetables. Either use pre-cut frozen vegetables or use fresh vegetables. They both work equally well in the recipe. I use carrot, peas, pepper, mushrooms, beans, onion, cauliflower and broccoli. Moreover, adding baby corn, jalapeños and olives work well too.
- Aromatics: I like to add some garlic, onions and pepper to the dish. Together these are great for texture and taste. Skip for a no-garlic no-onion version.
- Puff Pastry: We top the pie with puff pastry. Flaky, buttery and delicious, this is an easy replacement to pie crust. Plus, it is Vegan too. However, use traditional pie crust if you like.
- Roux: The roux makes the gravy thick and perfect. Using plain flour, coconut milk and some oil, we make the roux. This can easily be substituted with store bought Alfredo sauce. Though then, the recipe will not be Vegan.
- Nutritional yeast: This is the true star of this dish. A delicious Vegan ingredient that replicates cheese in many ways, this adds a LOT of flavor, creaminess and taste to the dish. The yeast is an essential ingredient here, I would not recommend leaving it out!
- Seasonings: As the recipe is full of delicious ingredients, we get away with minimal seasoning. I like to use salt, pepper and a garlic herb seasoning mix. Some chili flakes and smoked paprika do make the dish spicy if you want.
See the recipe card for detailed ingredient information, measurements and nutrition.
About iHerb
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Their website is full of daily essential grocery items, specialty products and more. From the brands you trust to newer brands, they are all available in an easy to view visual guide.
For this recipe I needed nutritional yeast. The one from Simply Organic is my favorite and I got yet another bottle to make my favorite 'cheesy' delights!
Plus, I got the Simply Organic Garlic and Herb Seasoning, Frontier Co-Op Smoked Paprika, Edward and Sons Bouillon cubes and California Olive Ranch Avocado Oil Blend for my recipe.
How to make this recipe
1- In a pan add 3-4 cups water and all the vegetables.
2- Bring to a boil. Keep stirring intermittently.
3- Turn down the flame and drain the vegetables. Set aside.
4- In the same or another pan heat oil. Add garlic.
5- Sauté the garlic for a few seconds and then add onions and peppers. Mix well.
6- Once they cook add all purpose flour to the pan.
7- Mix well and let the flour cook.
8- Then add coconut milk and mix well.
9- Next season with salt, pepper and garlic herb seasoning.
10- Mix well and let the sauce thicken.
11- Then add vegetable stock and nutritional yeast and mix well. The sauce begins to turn creamy.
12- Add the vegetables.
13- Mix everything well.
14- Then transfer to heat resistant bowls or ramekins.
15- Place a round puff pastry on top, brush oil and sprinkle seasoning.
16- Then place in an air fryer pre heated to 390 F.
17- Air fry for 10 minutes; till the tops are crips and the puff pastry has risen.
18- Then remove and enjoy by dunking a spoon in and enjoying the creamy vegetables with the crunchy puff pastry.
Why Air Fry Pot Pie
Holiday season means lot of cooking and cleaning. Moreover, the oven is often occupied with truckloads of cookies and breads. So skip the oven and use the air fryer to make these. I can make 4 at a time which is perfect for my family.
Plus, the air fryer takes 4 minutes to heat up and 9-10 minutes to cook the puff pastry. Much shorter time compared to starting with a cold oven.
And the air fryer does not heat up the space like the oven does. So skip the oven for this recipe and use the air fryer.
Pro Tip: If you absolutely want to use the oven, preheat it to 400 F and bake the pot pies till the puff pastry is crisp, typically 15 minutes.
Why order from iHerb
A one stop shop for my grocery and specialty products; iHerb never disappoints in what they offer.
They have a LOT of different sections with so many products. I always buy some new products to try an I have loved them all.
Plus there are often promotions to help you save $$$. They have over 30,000 natural products and ships to 180 countries.
iHerb ships their orders from climate-controlled distribution centers to ensure the quality of their products.
Expert Tips and Notes
- Start to thaw the puff pastry before you start cooking. You can thaw the frozen puff pastry overnight by placing it in the refrigerator for a few hours. Alternatively use the thaw option of the microwave. However, ensure that it is not completely molten. Else it will not rise in the air fryer. It should be cool to touch yet pliable.
- Use vegetables that will remain firm after cooking. Tomatoes for example tends to make the pie soggy in a while.
- Only place the ramekin in a preheated air fryer. If placed in a cold air fryer, the puff pastry will not cook crisp.
- For the sauce, I used all purpose flour and coconut milk. Any plant based milk works but thick coconut milk yields a creamy base.
- If the recipe does not need to be Vegan, use regular milk or cream for a creamy sauce. Adding cheese further makes the sauce super creamy.
- The pleasure of cutting through the layers of puff pastry to dunk the spoon into a creamy mix of sauce and vegetables is unmatched! So make sure the proportion of pastry to vegetables is great.
- Most importantly; use ramekins that are oven safe. These are generally also safe to use in the air fryer. The last thing you want is the ramekins cracking under the heat of the air fryer.
Recipe FAQs
Yes certainly! The base can be cooked and added to ramekins a day or two before. Then cover with plastic and set in the refrigerator.
When ready to cook, remove from refrigerator and add the puff pastry hat. Air Fry and ready to serve!
The pie is easy to make gluten-free. Simply swap the puff pastry for a ready made gluten-free one. And do not forget to use your favorite gluten-free flour in place of the all purpose flour.
The pot pie is truly a canvas. Simply pop in the vegetables you like and leave out the rest. That way you can whip up a version that your family enjoys.
Yes for sure. Simply use a larger pie dish and proceed with the same recipe. The time required for cooking will definitely increase, so check after 12 minutes to see if the top is cooked and go from there.
Ensure that the pot pies are only placed in a preheated air fryer. If they are placed in a cold air fryer, they tend to become goopy and soggy as they heat up with the air fryer.
Pairings
This vegetable pot pie pairs wonderfully with many Thanksgiving recipes. Here are some to make a perfect meal.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Love this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the recipe card below & if you REALLY like it, consider a review in the comments whilst you are there, thanks!
Air Fryer Vegetable Pot Pie
Ingredients
- 3 square Puff Pastry sheets (thawed)
- 1 ½ cup Mixed Vegetables (I used carrots, green beans, mushroom, broccoli and corn)
- 2-3 cloves Garlic (minced)
- ½ medium Onion (diced)
- ½ medium Pepper (diced)
- 2 tablespoon Oil (I used Avocado blend)
- 2 teaspoon All purpose flour
- 2 tablespoon Nutritional Yeast
- 1 cup Coconut milk
- 1 cube Bouillon (mixed with ½ cup water)
- 2 teaspoon Garlic and herbs seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon Mixed Seasoning
- 3 cups Water
Instructions
- In a pan add water and all the vegetables.1 ½ cup Mixed Vegetables, 3 cups Water
- Bring to a boil. Keep stirring intermittently.
- Turn down the flame and drain the vegetables. Set aside.
- In the same or another pan heat oil. Add garlic.2 tablespoon Oil, 2-3 cloves Garlic
- Sauté the garlic for a few seconds and then add onions and peppers. Mix well.½ medium Onion, ½ medium Pepper
- Once they cook add all purpose flour to the pan.2 teaspoon All purpose flour
- Mix well and let the flour cook.
- Then add coconut milk and mix well.1 cup Coconut milk
- Next season with salt, pepper and garlic herb seasoning.2 teaspoon Garlic and herbs seasoning, 1 teaspoon Salt, 1 teaspoon Ground pepper
- Mix well and let the sauce thicken.
- Then add vegetable stock and nutritional yeast and mix well. The sauce begins to turn creamy.1 cube Bouillon, 2 tablespoon Nutritional Yeast
- Add the vegetables.
- Mix everything well.
- Then transfer to heat resistant bowls or ramekins.
- Place a round puff pastry on top, brush oil and sprinkle some more seasoning.3 square Puff Pastry sheets, 1 teaspoon Mixed Seasoning
- Then place in an air fryer pre heated to 390 F and air fry for 10 minutes. Remove and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Start to thaw the puff pastry before you start cooking. You can thaw the frozen puff pastry overnight by placing it in the refrigerator for a few hours. Alternatively use the thaw option of the microwave. However, ensure that it is not completely molten. Else it will not rise in the air fryer. It should be cool to touch yet pliable.
- Use vegetables that will remain firm after cooking. Tomatoes for example tends to make the pie soggy in a while.
- Only place the ramekin in a preheated air fryer. If placed in a cold air fryer, the puff pastry will not cook crisp.
- For the sauce, I used all purpose flour and coconut milk. Any plant based milk works but thick coconut milk yields a creamy base.
- If the recipe does not need to be Vegan, use regular milk or cream for a creamy sauce. Adding cheese further makes the sauce super creamy.
- The pleasure of cutting through the layers of puff pastry to dunk the spoon into a creamy mix of sauce and vegetables is unmatched! So make sure the proportion of pastry to vegetables is great.
- Most importantly; use ramekins that are oven safe. These are generally also safe to use in the air fryer. The last thing you want is the ramekins cracking under the heat of the air fryer.
Ra Tan says
Loved the idea… can you please tell me alternative for bouillon cubes and nutritional yeast
Smruti says
Thanks a lot. Homemade broth or even water can be used instead of bouillon cubes. Nutritional yeast is to get a creamy taste without cheese. However, use regular cheese if you do not need the recipe Vegan. Or skip it completely.