Air Fryer Mincemeat Tart
Air Fryer Mincemeat Tart combines crisp shortcrust pastry with a deep filling of delicious spicy mincemeat. It’s like a great big Christmas mince pie and you can bake it in your air fryer!
Why should I make a Mincemeat Tart?
I love mince pies, they are a classic British pastry for the Christmas season. I don’t know about you but I start eating mince pies in November and don’t stop until after New Year.
However, sometimes mince pies seem to be all pastry and not much mincemeat. Whereas Mincemeat Tart gives you just enough pastry to hold the star of the show, the mincemeat.
What is an Air Fryer?
Air fryers were originally sold for their ability to create ‘fried’ food with less fat. The heating element is at the top of the air fryer and it uses a powerful fan to circulate the heat. This combination of intense heat and circulation means that food crisps up quickly. But really an air fryer is a bit like a mini oven and has the potential to cook and bake all kinds of foods.
Why should I make the Mincemeat Tart in my Air Fryer?
I’ve been experimenting with baking in my Air Fryer and it is really versatile. An Airfryer will heat up much more quickly than an oven due to the smaller size and the fan. And cooking in an air fryer is about half the cost of cooking in a standard oven. And the circulating heat in the air fryer helps to ensure that the pastry bakes evenly all over.
What ingredients do I need to make Air Fryer Mincemeat Tart?
Most of the ingredients you will need are standard baking ingredients that you will have in your larder and fridge. Here is what you need:
A full list of quantities and cup conversions is located in the recipe card at the bottom of this article.
- flour
- salt
- butter
- sugar
- egg
- water
- mincemeat
- Brandy (optional)
- flaked almonds to sprinkle
What kind of flour do I need?
I use plain (all-purpose) flour to make the shortcrust pastry for the tart. You want your pastry to be firm and crisp to hold the mincemeat but you also want it to be easy to eat and not tough. Plain flour is the best for these qualities.
Can I use an alternative to butter?
I use butter in this pastry because it adds a lovely flavour. You can use alternative fats such as shortening (vegetable fat) or block baking margarine. At a push, you can use a full-fat soft spread, but the pastry will not be as crisp.
What kind of sugar should I use?
I use caster (superfine) sugar as the fine granules dissolve into the pastry as it bakes. It doesn’t matter if it is white caster sugar or golden caster sugar, either is suitable.
Can I make the pastry by hand?
I use a food processor to make my pastry but you certainly can make it by hand. Put the flour, salt and butter into a bowl and rub the butter into the flour until the mix is like fine breadcrumbs. Add the egg and water and bring the mixture together into a dough, kneading lightly. Then follow the rest of the instructions for the tart.
Can I use ready-made shortcrust pastry?
If you are short of time or don’t want to make your own pastry, then ready-made shortcrust pastry will make a very good tart.
Do I have to blind bake the pastry case?
No, this tart doesn’t need to be blind baked. The circulation of the fan in your air fryer will bake the bottom as well as the top.
What is mincemeat?
Mincemeat is a rich mixture of dried fruits, spices, apples, citrus zest and juice, alcohol and suet or butter. You can make your own or you can buy it ready-made.
What kind of mincemeat should I use in the Air Fryer Mincemeat Tart?
Make your own mincemeat for the best flavour. You can customise the recipe to suit your own tastes too. I have several different recipes that you can try:
- No Suet Mincemeat replaces suet with butter. It is fresh and fruity, easy to make and the butter adds a rich luxurious taste to your mince pies.
- Slow Cooker Mincemeat is so simple to make, all the ingredients go into the slow cooker and it cooks itself.
- Dark Chocolate Mincemeat combines the rich fruity flavours of traditional mincemeat with dark chocolate for a decadent sweet treat.
- Instant Mincemeat is a quick and easy recipe that you can make and use immediately. It has a fresh light flavour but still packs a fruity punch.
If you don’t want to make your own mincemeat there are lots of different brands available. If you don’t have a favourite brand then I recommend that you buy the best you can afford.
I don’t have brandy can I add any other liqueurs to the mincemeat?
I like to add a little extra brandy to mincemeat, especially store-bought mincemeat as i really lifts the flavour. If you don’t have brandy then you can use Scotch whisky or Irish whiskey or bourbon. A coffee liqueur such as Tia Maria or Kahlua works well, particularly with chocolate mincemeat. However, it really is optional and the tart will still be delicious without the extra alcohol.
Do I need any special equipment to make the Air Fryer Mincemeat Tart?
You will need:
- Air Fryer
- Loose-based tart tin that fits your Air fryer. I use an 18 cm (7 in) fluted tart tin and it fits perfectly.
- Bowl
- Blunt knife
- Rolling pin or a glass bottle if you don’t have a rolling pin.
- Pastry Brush to brush the edges and top of the tart.
- Piece of aluminium foil to cover the tart and prevent the almonds from burning.
Can I make the Mincemeat Tart in my oven?
You certainly can make the tart in your oven. Pre-heat the oven to 190 C/170 C Fan/375 F and bake for 35- 40 minutes.
Can I make the Air Fryer Mincemeat Tart ahead of time?
You can make up the pastry and store it in the fridge for two to three days. You could even roll it out and line the tin and store it in a sealed plastic bag in the fridge.
After you bake the Mincemeat Tart you can store it in an airtight container for up to 4 days. If I plan to serve it warm with cream then I refresh it in the oven or the air fryer for a few minutes.
Can I freeze Air Fryer Mincemeat Tart?
Although it is possible to freeze the unbaked Mincemeat Tart it would take a significantly longer time to bake and I haven’t tried to do that in the air fryer. So I cannot advise on baking time from frozen.
Vegetarian
Not all mincemeat is suitable for a vegetarian diet. I use vegetable suet in my mincemeat recipes and most store brands will also use this. However, please check the label.
Gluten Free
The pastry for the Air Fryer Mincemeat Tart contains wheat flour and is not suitable for a GF diet. This Gluten Free Pastry recipe from Gluten Free Alchemist would be a good alternative. Please also check any store-bought mincemeat for ingredients that may not be suitable for a GF diet.
For more information regarding any dietary information provided on this website, please refer to my Nutritional Disclaimer.
How should I serve Air Fryer Mincemeat Tart?
I like to serve Mincemeat Tart warm with pouring cream for dessert. However, you can serve it with whipped cream, ice cream or a spoonful of my delicious Brandy Butter. Mincemeat Tart is also delicious at room temperature, serve it in slices with tea or coffee just as you would with Mince Pies.
More Mincemeat Recipes
Christmas Mini Mince Pies are small buttery pastry pies filled with a delicious mixture of dried fruit, and warming spices. They are bite-sized versions of the traditional British mince pies that are such a feature of Christmas holiday feasts.
Mincemeat and Apple Crumble is a festive twist on the classic apple crumble dessert. Tangy slices of apple combine with rich mincemeat and a delicate crumble topping, it’s perfect comfort food for the darkest days of winter.
Apple and Mincemeat Streusel Muffins are simply made with ingredients you probably already have in your larder. You can make them to serve for Christmas breakfast or as a sweet treat at any time of day. I think you’ll love them!
More Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Scones
- Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
- Air Fryer Shortbread Round – Petticoat Tails
- Air Fryer Apple Crumble
PIN FOR LATER
Air Fryer Mincemeat Tart
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Large bowl
- blunt knife
- 18 cm ( 7 in) loose based tart or flan tin
- Pastry brush
- Aluminium Foil
Ingredients
For the pastry
- 200 grams (1 ¼ cups) plain flour all-purpose
- 1/2 tsp (1/2 tsp) salt
- 120 grams (½ cups) butter
- 2 tbsp (2 tbsp) caster (superfine) sugar
- 1 medium (1 medium) egg
- 2 tbsp (2 tbsp) water approximately
To Assemble
- 500 grams (1½ cups) mincemeat 1 ½ jars ready made
- 1 tbsp (1 tbsp) Brandy optional
- 1 tbsp (1 tbsp) milk
- 2 tbsp (2 tbsp) flaked almonds
- 1 tbsp (1 tbsp) Icing (confectioners) sugar
Instructions
For the pastry
- 200 grams plain flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 120 grams butterPut the flour, salt and butter into a food processor.
- 2 tbsp caster (superfine) sugarProcess until the mix resembles fine bread crumbs. Add the caster sugar.
- 1 medium egg, 2 tbsp waterAdd the egg and 1 tbsp of the water and process again. if the mixture still seems dry add the extra tbsp of water and process until the mixture starts to clump together.
- Bring the pastry together with your hands and place in a plastic bag or wrap in plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 20 minutes to rest.
- Cut the pastry into two pieces 1/3 and 2/3. Use 2/3 to line the tart tin. Dust the surface of your work top and your rolling pin with a little flour and roll out the pastry.
To assemble the Air Fryer Mincemeat
- Line your tart tin with the pastry and trim any excess from the edges.
- 1 tbsp Brandy, 500 grams mincemeatMix the brandy into the mincemeat, if using. Fill the pastry case with mincemeat. You do not have to blind bake the pastry case.
- 1 tbsp milkBrush the edge of the pastry with a little milk.
- Roll out the 1/3 piece of pastry and place it over the mincemeat. Trim off the excess pastry.
- Pinch the edges with your thumb and forefinger to seal the pastry case.
- 2 tbsp flaked almondsBrush the top of the tart with milk and sprinkle over the flaked almonds.
- Pre heat your air fryer (if required)
- Place the tart into the Air Fryer and set at 180C/ 350F for 30 minutes.
- After 10 minutes cover the top of the tart with a piece of aluminium foil to prevent the almonds from burning.
- After 30 minutes remove the drawer of the air fryer or open the lid and leave to cool for 20 minutes before lifting the tart from the air fryer.
- Carefully run a knife around the edge of the tart, then place the loose base on a jam jar and the tin should ease away. Slide the tart off the base with a spatula and place it on a serving plate.
- 1 tbsp Icing (confectioners) sugarDust with icing sugar and serve warm with cream for dessert or at room temperature with tea or coffee.
Totally delicious and such a smart use of the air fryer!
Thanks, I, really enjoying experimenting with my air fryer.
Unfortunately, I don’t have an air fryer yet. Could you please advise me how to make this in my regular oven. I am all electric and need US Fahrenheit temperatures.
Thank you in advance, Maureen.
Hi Maureen, you can bake the Mincemeat Tart in the oven at 375 F for 35-40 minutes. I’ll add this information into the recipe card for future reference ?
Genius idea – both the recipe and to cook it in the air fryer. It’s like a huge mince pie but with even more mincemeat which is my idea of heaven. I’ll be making this recipe year after year.
Absolutely brilliant dessert for mince pie fans. Loved making it.
Aw thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it.