How To Cook Frozen Pierogies In An Air Fryer As Well As How To Make Them From Scratch

Are you looking for tips on how to perfectly cook frozen pierogies using an air fryer? If that’s the case, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’re going to explore:

• What are pierogies?
• The method to freeze pierogies?
• Preparing frozen pierogies?
• How to cook your frozen pierogies in an air Fryer?
• And delicious pierogi recipes for the whole family.

So without further ado, let’s dive right in.

What Are Pierogi?

Pierogi are dumplings made of unleavened dough and are traditionally stuffed with cheese, sauerkraut, mashed potato fillings, cabbage, spinach, ground beef, and fruit. Pierogi can be boiled, fried, or baked. Modern Polish pierogi are semicircular or crescent shaped.

While you can find a variety of pierogi in Poland, traditional ground meat, cabbage, and mushroom pierogi are still most popular. They are usually boiled and served with melted butter and crisp bacon bits.

How to Freeze Pierogi

You can easily freeze-filled pierogi. I personally do not freeze raw pierogi dough. I’ve never found defrosted, raw pierogi dough to have the same softness and elasticity as fresh-made dough. However, for those who want to try to freeze raw dough here is a tried-and-true method to freeze your filled pierogi.

How To Create Frozen Pierogies To Cook In An Air Fryer

The first way is to take an airtight, freezer-safe container and line it with plastic freezer wrap. Lightly spray the bottom of the container with non-stick cooking spray. Put the pierogi in a single layer in the container. Lightly spray the pierogi with the non-stick cooking spray.

Cover the pierogi with another layer of plastic freezer wrap. Spray this layer of freezer wrap with the non-stick cooking spray. Add another layer of pierogi. Continue with the layers of plastic wrap, spray and pierogi until the container is filled. Put the top on. Put the container in a freezer bag and put it in the freezer. Label the bag with the date the pierogi was made.

How To Cook Frozen Pierogies?

When I cook frozen pierogies, I always transfer them to the refrigerator to defrost them first. My frozen pierogi has always been blanched before freezing and I prefer the texture if I defrost them before boiling.

• Pierogies can be:
• Boiled
• Air Fried
• Sautéed
• Baked
• Broiled

How To Bake Pierogies

Put the pierogi in a buttered baking dish. Cover the dish with aluminum foil. Bake at 400°F for 25 to 35 minutes or the filling is cooked through. Take the dish out of the oven. Drizzle some melted butter over the pierogi. Serve with your favorite toppings or sauce.

How To Cook Frozen Pierogies In An Air Fryer

Now that we know how to make pierogies from scratch, it’s only fair to teach you how to cook frozen pierogies in your air Fryer. The process is incredibly simple. If you’ve already bought your frozen pierogies from your grocery store, you are halfway there.

Steps To Cook Frozen Pierogies In An Air Fryer

1. When you’re ready to cook, transfer your frozen pierogies to your air fryer basket.
2. Lightly spritz your pierogies with cooking oil spray.
3. Set to air fry at 400°f for eight minutes. If you would like to get a crispier finish on your pierogies, start with the pre-heated air fryer. This recipe will work either way. Be sure to flip your pierogies halfway through the cooking time.
4. Believe it or not, your pierogies should now be done!

Bonus Recipes For Cooking Pierogies From Scratch

Cream Cheese Pierogi Dough

This is a wonderful dough for dessert pierogi like sweet cheese, strawberry, or plum. I’ve also used it successfully savory pierogi fillings.

Yield: 36 Pierogi

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 8 oz unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 ½ cups all-purpose unbleached flour

Method:

1. Put a sheet of plastic wrap on the work area.
2. Put the sour cream, cream cheese, and butter into a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Add the salt and pulse a few times.
3. Sift the flour into a medium bowl.
4. Add the flour 1 cup at a time to the butter-cheese mixture and pulse to blend.
5. After all the flour has been added and combined, turn the dough out onto the sheet of plastic wrap.
6. Sprinkle your hands with flour and form the dough into a ball.
7. Tightly wrap the dough with the plastic wrap and chill overnight.

Assembling Your Pierogies

1. When you’re ready to make the pierogi, divide the dough into halves. Wrap 1/2 of the dough with plastic wrap and return to the bowl.
2. Flour your work surface. Put the 1/2 piece of dough on the work surface. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough out to 1/8” thickness. If you like thicker pierogi, you can roll it to as much as 3/8” thickness.
3. Cut out 3” circles using a round cookie cutter or glass.
4. Place a ball of filling on the center of each dough round. You can use a 1 tablespoon scoop which is 1/2 ounce. Or you can use a 3/4 ounce scoop for more filling.
5. Wet the inside edge of 1/2 of the pierogi dough with water.

Sealing Your Pierogies

1. Fold your dough so that closes over the filling. Seal the edges with your fingers. Ensure that you get a good seal. You can opt to gently seal it with a fork for a fancier finish
2. If the dough doesn’t seal apply some water on the inside edges of the dough and press to seal again.
3. Air frying your pierogies
4. Lightly spritz your air fryer basket with cooking oil spray.
5. Transfer your pierogies to your air fryer basket
6. Set your pierogies the cook in your air fryer at 400°f for 8 to 10 minutes. For a crispier finish, start in a preheated air fryer.
7. Serve warm with your favorite sauce.

Final Thoughts

Pierogies are delicious, simple to make, and just about perfect when you make them in your air fryer. So don’t be afraid to go all out experimenting and creating new recipes.

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