How to Cook a Pie — Oven, Air Fryer & From Frozen

By Christian, Chief Pie Maker — Mud Pies, Chichester

Wondering how to cook a pie properly? Here's the definitive guide — oven, air fryer, from chilled or from frozen — straight from the back of our box. A pie made properly deserves to be cooked properly, and it only takes a few minutes to get it right.

Quick answer: how to cook a pie

From chilled: 25–30 minutes at 160°C fan (180°C non-fan / gas mark 4), on a preheated baking tray.
From frozen: 50–55 minutes at the same temperature.
Air fryer: 18–20 minutes at 180°C from chilled, or 35–40 minutes from frozen.
However you cook it — take it all the way to golden. That's when a pie is at its best.

How to cook a pie in the oven

Preheat your oven to 160°C (fan) or 180°C (non-fan), or gas mark 4. Remove all packaging, place the pie on a preheated baking tray, and cook for 25–30 minutes from chilled or 50–55 minutes from frozen. The preheated tray matters — it gives the pastry base heat from the moment it goes in, so you get a crisp bottom rather than a soggy one.

How to cook a pie in an air fryer

Air fryers are brilliant for pies — fast, energy-efficient, and they crisp the pastry beautifully. Preheat to 180°C, remove all packaging, place the pie in the basket, and cook for 18–20 minutes from chilled or 35–40 minutes from frozen.
One of our customers, Bob from Denbigh, does exactly this with his Steak & Kidney Pie in a Ninja Dual — and if your air fryer has two drawers, you can do pie in one and veg in the other, side by side. Dinner, sorted.

Can you cook a pie in the microwave?

Here's the honest answer from me: it's not how I'd choose to do it. The pastry goes a bit soft and soggy, and that's the bit we work hardest on. But if you're in a rush, 8 minutes at 800W will get you fed. Just don't expect the crisp, golden finish you'd get from the oven or air fryer.

Can you freeze pies?

Yes — all our pies and Squiches freeze beautifully. Just check the date on your box, and you're good to freeze right up until then. Then cook straight from frozen using the times above — no need to defrost first.

Cooking times at a glance

How do you know when a pie is done?

Look for two things: the pastry should be deep golden brown all over — not pale, not blonde, golden — and the filling should be piping hot in the centre. If the top is colouring too fast but the pie needs longer, loosely cover it with a little foil and keep going. Take it all the way to golden. That's when a Mud pie is at its best.

Frequently asked questions

How long do you cook a pie from frozen?

50–55 minutes at 160°C fan (180°C non-fan / gas mark 4), or 35–40 minutes in an air fryer at 180°C. No need to defrost first.

Should I defrost a pie before cooking?

No — our pies cook perfectly straight from frozen. Just use the longer cooking times above.

Why does my pie have a soggy bottom?

Usually one of two things: the oven wasn't fully preheated, or the pie went in on a cold tray. Always preheat the baking tray — it crisps the base from the first second.

Can you reheat a cooked pie?

Our pies arrive chilled and ready to cook, so you're baking rather than reheating. If you do have leftover cooked pie, reheat it in the oven until piping hot throughout — avoid the microwave if you want to keep the pastry crisp.

What temperature do you cook a pie at in the UK?

160°C fan, 180°C conventional, or gas mark 4 — the standard for shortcrust pastry pies like ours.

Now pick your pie

These times work for every pie we make in our Chichester bakery — from the Steak & Ale and Chicken, Ham & Leek to the award-winning Chip Shop Chicken Curry. With nearly 100 awards behind our butter-rich shortcrust pastry, all that's left is to cook it golden. Browse the full range here — delivered chilled across the UK.