Easy Air Fryer Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

This easy Air Fryer Shepherd’s Pie recipe layers savory seasoned ground meat, tender vegetables, and creamy mashed potatoes into one cozy, comforting dish. The air fryer creates a beautifully golden, slightly crispy potato topping while keeping the filling rich and hearty.

This Easy Air Fryer Shepherd’s Pie is comfort food without the long bake time.

Savory ground meat and mixed vegetables are topped with creamy mashed potatoes, then cooked in the air fryer until the top is golden and lightly crisp. It’s a simple, no-fuss dinner that delivers all the classic flavors you love in a fraction of the time.

If you have been looking for a GREAT meal to cook up in your air fryer, this is one of my favorites, and this St. Patrick’s Day, surprise your family and cook up this classical dish right in the air fryer!

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

• Quick & Easy: The air fryer speeds up cooking time, making this comfort classic faster than ever!
• Crispy, Golden Topping: The air fryer creates a perfectly crisp mashed potato topping without needing the oven.
• Less Cleanup: Everything comes together in one dish, reducing mess and making cleanup a breeze.
• Packed with Flavor: A rich, savory filling and creamy potatoes make every bite satisfying and delicious.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: Make it ahead of time and reheat in the air fryer for a quick, hearty meal any day of the week!

Ingredients Needed

• Russet Potatoes: Russet potatoes make creamy mashed potatoes for the topping, providing a comforting and fluffy layer.
• Butter: Butter is added to the mashed potatoes to make them rich and creamy.
• Milk: Milk is mixed with the mashed potatoes to achieve a smooth and velvety texture.
• Ground Beef: Ground beef is the main protein in the filling, contributing savory flavor and hearty texture.
• Onions: Onions are sautéed with garlic to create a flavorful base for the filling.
• Garlic: Garlic adds aromatic depth and a savory note to the filling.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Worcestershire sauce enhances the umami and savory flavors of the filling.
• All-Purpose Flour: All-purpose flour is used as a thickening agent to create a cohesive filling.
• Tomato Paste: Tomato paste adds richness and a touch of sweetness to the filling.
• Beef Broth: Beef broth creates a flavorful sauce that binds the filling ingredients together.
• Frozen Peas and Carrots: A classic combination of frozen peas and carrots adds color, texture, and a hint of sweetness to the filling.
• Frozen Corn: Frozen corn kernels contribute sweetness and a pleasant crunch.
• Herbs (Rosemary, Thyme, Sage): A blend of rosemary, thyme, and sage imparts aromatic and earthy flavors to the filling.
• Black Pepper: Ground black pepper adds a mild heat and depth to the filling.
• Salt: Salt enhances the overall flavors in the dish.
• Parsley: Fresh parsley is a garnish to add a bright and fresh herbal note to the finished Shepherd’s Pie.

How To Make Easy Air Fryer Shepherd’s Pie

Step One: Peel and dice the Russet potatoes. Place potatoes in a pot of cold, salted water. Bring to a boil and simmer until tender. Drain.

Step Two: Mash the cooked potatoes with butter and milk until smooth and creamy—season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

Step Three: Meanwhile, crumble ground beef into a casserole dish that will fit in the basket of your air fryer.  Mix in diced onions. Bake in the air fryer at 400 degrees F with a cook time of 8-10 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Step Four: When the meat has cooked for 10 minutes, stir again, using a wooden spoon to break apart clumped pieces.  Add herbs, pepper, ½ teaspoon salt, Worcestershire, flour, tomato paste, and broth to the cooked meat mixture.  Stir well. Mix frozen peas, carrots, and corn into the mixture and press the meat/vegetable layer down into the pan to create a smooth top.

Step Five: Mound the prepared mashed potatoes on the meat mixture and spread them evenly.  Create peaks and valleys in the mashed potatoes by dipping the rounded side of a spoon into the potatoes. Cut small pieces of the remaining four tablespoons of butter and place them all over the top of the potatoes. Return the casserole dish to the air fryer and bake an additional 5-10 minutes or until the butter has melted and the top of the potatoes are golden brown.

Step Six: Carefully remove the Shepherd’s Pie from the air fryer, garnish with fresh parsley, and let it cool for a few minutes. Slice and serve your delicious Air Fryer Shepherd’s Pie.

Recipe Notes

• Mashed Potatoes: Use leftover mashed potatoes for even faster preparation.  You will want to heat leftover mashed potatoes in the microwave to be hot when added to the top of the meat mixture.
• Frozen Vegetables: If you take your frozen vegetables out of the freezer when you begin to prep all your ingredients, they should be pretty thawed by adding them to the meat mixture.  As long as everything is hot (the meat is just out of the air fryer), there should be enough heat to cook/heat everything through with the short amount of time back in the air fryer.  If your ingredients are cold, you may wish to cover the dish with aluminum foil and cook until it’s heated through, then remove the foil to finish the dish off with a golden brown top.
• Tip: Don’t skip the pats of butter on top of the potatoes – this makes a beautiful dish and a delicious topping to the potatoes.
• Making This Recipe Gluten-Free: The flour helps to thicken the meat mixture but can be omitted for a gluten-free dish. (Some types of beef broth contain gluten, so check that the broth is gluten-free if that is of concern.)

Easy Air Fryer Shepherd’s Pie Recipe Tips

• Use day-old mashed potatoes if you want an even fluffier topping—they hold up better in the air fryer.
• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; it needs airflow to crisp the potato topping. If your dish is too big, cook in batches or use a smaller pan that fits comfortably.
• Add a little extra butter on top before the final air frying step to get those golden peaks everyone loves.
• Mix veggies wisely: frozen peas, carrots, and corn work perfectly, but if using fresh, chop small so they cook evenly.
• Season in layers: a little salt and pepper in the meat, veggies, and mashed potatoes makes a noticeable difference in flavor.

Storing Instructions

• Refrigerator: Let the pie cool completely, then cover tightly with foil or an airtight container. Keeps well for 3–4 days.
• Freezer: Wrap the cooled pie in plastic wrap and foil, or store in an airtight freezer-safe dish. Freeze for up to 2 months.
• Reheating: Air fryer works best, heat at 350°F for 5-10 minutes until warmed through and the top is crisp again. Microwaving is faster but may make the potatoes a little soggy.

Easy Air Fryer Shepherd’s Pie Recipe Faqs

Can I use fresh vegetables instead of frozen? Absolutely! Just chop them into small, uniform pieces so they cook evenly in the air fryer. You may need to slightly increase cook time for harder veggies like carrots.

Can I make this ahead of time? Yes! You can assemble the meat and vegetable layer a day in advance. Keep the mashed potatoes separate and add them just before air frying for the freshest topping.

What type of potatoes work best? Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes are ideal—they mash smoothly and get nicely golden on top.

Can I freeze leftovers? Definitely. Let the pie cool completely, then wrap tightly in foil or store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Reheat in the air fryer or oven for best results.

How do I get a golden, crispy topping? Spread the mashed potatoes evenly, create small peaks with a spoon, and dot with butter before air frying. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer so the heat circulates properly.

Can I make a vegetarian version? Yes! Swap the ground beef for lentils, plant-based crumbles, or finely chopped mushrooms. Season well to keep the savory flavor profile.

More Air Fryer Recipes

• Air Fryer Pull-Apart Rolls
• Air Fryer Soft Dinner Rolls
• Easy Air Fryer Jiffy Cornbread
• Air Fryer Baking Powder Biscuits
• Air Fryer Yorkshire Pudding

Don’t Forget To Pin!

Share Your Creations! Are you active on Facebook? Join our Air Fryer Recipes Group, where hundreds of thousands of Air Fryer enthusiasts gather and share your photos! I’m always thrilled to see what you’ve made. For those on Instagram, don’t forget to tag me @forktospoon – I can’t wait to admire your culinary adventures!​