Ahh Pies! At Clubnomnomnom, we love pies. This is because pies are so versatile. You can have them as a starter, as a main course or as a dessert. Alternatively, you can have a pie as a snack, sweet or savoury. There is a very easy way to prepare pies, in the form of a mini pie maker. In this post, we highlight what to look for in a mini pie maker, some tips on how to use them and give you some great examples for you to add to your kitchen.
What to look for when buying a mini pie maker
To be honest, there isn’t a lot to them. But, there are a couple of things that your mini pie maker should have.
1. Non-stick Surface
This is the main characteristic you cannot live without when it comes to mini pie makers. If your mini pie maker doesn’t have a non-stick surface, your pies will be difficult to remove and you will have to scrub it clean all the time. The idea of a mini pie maker, is to make pie production easy, so make sure yours has a non-stick surface.
2. Number of Pies
You are going to want to make a few mini pies at a time. There are mini pie makers that can produce different amount of pies. Whatever you choose, is whatever will feed your family and guests better.
However, mini pie makers with lots of pie slots doesn’t necessarily mean more pie! You also need to check the size of the pie slot, or you will feel unsatisfied with undersized pies.
Recommended Mini Pie Makers
With these things in mind, we have put together a list of the best mini pie makers available.
Unibo Electric Deep Fill Non-Stick Double Pie Maker
Pros
- Great crispy pies
- Can be used for wraps
- Convenient
Cons
- Only two pie slots
- Some reports say that it isn’t as “deep fill” as the name suggests. But it is a “mini pie maker”
- No way to check if the pies are cooked
If you are in the market for a mini pie maker that will neatly give you a couple of pies, this is the a great option. It is actually quite versatile, some users have cooked tortillas and wraps in it as well as pies.
Some people say that the pies from this maker are not particularly big. However, this is a mini pie maker, so don’t expect a gut busting meal from it. It is designed to make pies as snacks and treats. Eat one pie, save the other for later, or wolf them both down. With this one, be careful to not overfill it, as it tends to get messy. But, with a bit of practice, you will be able to put in just the right amount of filling.
Salter EK1691N Deep Fill Double Non-Stick Electric Pie Maker
Pros
- Fantastic pies
- Versatile
Cons
- Difficult to get second batch of pastry in to the deep fill version when hot
If you are willing to spend a little more on a double mini pie maker, this one is for you. In fact there are two versions of this, the double and the deep fill. They both make excellent pies and are quite versatile. This is because, if you are creative enough, you can cook other items in it, such as bread.
The pastry is cooked evenly and perfect with no sogginess. If you are expecting to make more than two pies at a time, you may want to go for a different pie maker. This is because, getting the pastry in to a hot pie maker for the second batch isn’t very easy. Ideally, you will wait for it to cool down for the best results. However, if you are happy with two pies, this is a great machine.
Tower T27006 Large Deep Fill Pie Maker
Pros
- Proper large pie
- Non-stick
- Power and ready light indicator
Cons
- The outside gets hot
- Instructions are not great
OK this isn’t a mini pie maker, but if you want a good feed, you can’t beat this bad boy!
The non-stick surface of this pie maker allows you to easily extract your hot steaming pie. A top tip, is to make sure the pie maker is properly cold before putting in the pastry. If you don’t, it goes quite flimsy when it gets hot. However, if you want to feed your family with slices of tasty pie for a main course or desert, this is a convenient way of doing it.
Tower T27014 Homemade Deep Fill Pie and Quiche Maker
Pros
- Makes 8 small pies
- Great for quiches
- Deep fill
- Ideal for mince pies
Cons
- Doesn’t crimp the pastry like in the picture, you have to do this yourself
If you want to make multiple mini pies, this is a great option. It makes up to 8 pies at at time. This makes it great for mince pies at Christmas. It will make a batch of mini pies within 15 minutes, so you can quickly feed unexpected guests.
The size of these pies are also great for a lunchbox. This will give a nice treat when at work or school.
Tips for using a Mini Pie Maker
Now you have some recommended mini pie makers to buy, here are some tips on how to get the best out of them.
Fillings
Don’t make your pie filling too watery. It needs to have some thickness to it. If it is too thin, it will leak out and burn to your mini pie maker.
You get a lot of people complaining that their mini pie makers are not deep enough, but they are missing the point. It is a MINI pie maker. Therefore, you should make sure you don’t try to stuff too much filling in to the pastry. Only fill up the pie slot just over a third full. This will make sure the pastry top will go a nice golden brown.
It is best to use a pie filling that expands when it cooks. If you add a little cornstarch to it, it will expand. This expanding filling will push out the pastry to ensure it cooks evenly. When people complain about uneven cooking, it is usually because they haven’t filled the pies properly.
Pastry
You need to remember that the pastry needs to touch the casing of the mini pie maker (this is why filling it correctly is important). If the pastry doesn’t touch the lid, it won’t cook properly. Check out the video below for Jamie’s shortcrust pastry recipe.
If you are wanting to put lattice tops on to your mini pies, we wouldn’t advise it. This is because the filling will seep out and burn on the cooking surface. However, if you want to put some kind of design on it, you can!
Before building your mini pies, roll the dough as thin as you can without it falling apart. Cut a few strips of dough from the excess and put your design on the top. This could be initials, Christmas designs etc . Then carefully lower the lid and bake till finished.
What are your thoughts on a mini pie maker?
Are you craving for a mini pie, fresh from your very own mini pie maker? Let us know which one you are going for in the comments section below.
