Air Fryer Mini Pierogies with Warm Apple Pie Dip Is the Fall Treat You and the Fam Deserve
Even if it feels like summer will never end, fall is quickly approaching. Come September, temperatures will start to drop and apples will suddenly be abundant. What better way to celebrate this fall favorite than with a warm and cozy treat your whole family will love?
With the help of Mrs. T’s Mini Classic Cheddar Pierogies and your air fryer, you can pull together a sweet-and-savory apple-filled treat in minutes that truly tastes of the season and is the perfect weekend or after-school snack.
If you’re not familiar with Mrs. T’s Pierogies, they’re pasta pockets stuffed with creamy whipped potatoes, sharp cheddar cheese, and just the right amount of spices. There are so many ways to prepare them, including boiling, baking, and sautéeing. But tossing them into the air fryer to become crunchy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside just might be the fastest way to make them extra delicious — especially when paired with warm, brown sugar-sweetened apple pie dip. It’s a fun recipe that busy moms can use to get the whole family cooking together in the kitchen.
A Family-Approved Treat That’s Fast and Easy
Leah Bergman of Freutcake is the brains behind this clever recipe. As a busy mom of twins, Leah loves creating easy and delicious recipes for her whole family. “I wanted to think outside of the box in terms of how savory pierogies could be used. Cheddar cheese and apples are a classic flavor combination, so I knew this dish would be crave-worthy,” she says. Leah came up with the smart idea to cook the pierogies in the air fryer because she happens to do it all the time. “Air frying is my favorite way to enjoy Mrs. T’s Pierogies because it gives an irresistible crisp to the outside and cooks them fast!”
Leah adds: “As a mom of young kids, I’m always looking for new snacks and easy meal ideas that I can keep on hand. These air fryer pierogies are so good, my kids will eat them with or without the apple pie dip, which makes this recipe a winner in my book. If I’m feeling like giving them a real treat, I toss these mini pierogies in cinnamon sugar after frying. Delish!” These are a kid-approved snack everyone in your family will love.
Air Fryer Mini Pierogies with Warm Apple Pie Dip
Serves 4
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
For the apple pie dip:
- 2 cups
peeled, diced apples
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
- 1/4 cup
brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon
ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon
ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon
unsalted butter
Pinch of kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon
cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon
water
For the pierogies:
- 1
(16-ounce) box Mrs. T's Mini Classic Cheddar Pierogies (no need to thaw)
- 1 tablespoon
Olive oil
- 1 cup
granulated sugar, optional
- 1 tablespoon
ground cinnamon, optional
Instructions
Make the apple pie dip:
Combine 2 cups peeled, diced apples, juice of 1/2 a lemon juice, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, then reduce heat and simmer until apples are tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon unsalted butter and stir until melted.
Whisk together 1 teaspoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl. Add to the apple mixture and simmer until thickened, about 1 minute. Remove dip from heat and reserve.
Make the pierogies:
Set air fryer to 400°F for 8 minutes.
Empty 1 (16-ounce) box Mrs. T's Mini Classic Cheddar Pierogies (no need to thaw) into a large bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and toss to coat. Place the pierogies in a single layer in the bottom of the air fryer basket. Air fry for 4 minutes, flip and fry for 4 more minutes on the second side.
If dusting with cinnamon sugar: While the pierogies fry, combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon in a small bowl. When pierogies are done, toss in cinnamon sugar immediately and serve with apple pie dip.