Air Fryer Christmas Sweet-Filled Pies

• shortcrust pastry↗500г g

  ready-made or homemade

• plain flour↗

  for dusting

• Christmas filling350г g

  (vegetarian, optional)

• egg↗1
• icing sugar↗

  for dusting

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 0.5 cm. Use a round cutter 8–10 cm in diameter to cut as many circles as possible, then re‑roll the scraps and cut again, using all remaining dough.

2. 2

   Place 1 tbsp of the Christmas filling in the center of half of the circles. From the remaining circles cut small stars (or other festive shapes) and set them aside.

3. 3

   Beat the egg. Lightly brush the edge of each filled circle with the egg wash. Cover them with lids – some lids with the cut‑out stars, others plain. Brush the tops again with egg wash, then attach the reserved star pieces onto the tops of the unfilled pies and brush them as well. Poke a small hole in the center of each covered pie to allow steam to escape during baking.

4. 4

   To seal the edges, press them with a fork or create a pattern with your fingers. Place the pies on a plate or tray, chill for at least 30 minutes. Frozen pies will keep for up to two months.

5. 5

   Preheat the air fryer to 180 °C. Place a square of parchment paper in the basket, arrange the pies (you can cook several at a time). Fry for 8–10 minutes, then flip and fry for another 2–3 minutes. If cooking frozen pies, increase the time to 13–15 minutes. The pies should become golden‑brown and hot. Let them cool for 5 minutes, dust with icing sugar and serve. Stored in an airtight jar, they keep for up to two days.