Cranberry desserts are one of my favorites for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the holiday season in general! They’re sweet, tart, vibrant, and delicious as well. I love making a mini crustless cranberry pie in my air fryer since it’s quick, and keeps the oven open for other things!
What is a Crustless Cranberry Pie?
Crustless cranberry pie is a simple and festive dessert made without the traditional pie crust! Instead, it features a cake-like batter combined with fresh or frozen cranberries, which give it a sweet and tangy flavor profile.
While traditionally baked in an oven, you can also make it in an air fryer for some time savings (or to free up oven space). Since I have a Dual Zone air fryer with smaller baskets, I make mini pies, but you can also make one larger pie if you have a bigger basket or rack to work with.
This cranberry tart has a soft, dense texture similar to a cake, making it a popular holiday dessert. It is seasoned with warm spices like cinnamon and vanilla, and is quick to prepare, as it doesn’t require rolling out a crust.
Crustless cranberry pie is best served warm or room temperature, and I like to add a dusting of powdered sugar for extra sweetness. It’s a great choice for Thanksgiving or Christmas as it highlights the tart, seasonal cranberries!
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Crustless Cranberry Pie Ingredients
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup white sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups fresh cranberries (washed and dried)
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- Toppings as desired (ice cream, whipped cream, or powdered sugar)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- You can also use frozen cranberries but will generally need to cook a couple minutes longer to account for the extra moisture and colder temperature
- The almond extract can be swapped for vanilla or orange!
- Feel free to add some chopped walnuts (about ½ cup) if you want to add some crunch and texture
- If you want to add some cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, or apple pie spice, feel free! About 1 tsp is good, and adds a nice, warming element
Equipment Notes
Like most pies and tarts, you’ll need an oven-safe pan, and in this case, one that also fits in your air fryer’s basket or rack. I use four 4-inch mini tart pans with removable bottoms as I find it helps you get the pie out easier.
However, I have a Dual Zone air fryer so my baskets are only about 5.5” wide overall. If you have a larger air fryer, you can make crustless cranberry pie in a normal 9” tart pan or pie plate.
How to Make Crustless Cranberry Pie in the Air Fryer
- Mix the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, and salt) in a bowl until well blended
- Add the wet ingredients (melted butter, almond extract, and beaten eggs) and stir until just mixed (do not overmix)
- Fold in the cranberries (and any nuts that you choose to use). The dough should be very thick
- Spray your pie or tart pan(s) with nonstick spray, then add the batter and spread it out evenly with a spatula or your fingers. If you’re using multiple pans, divide it evenly among them
- Add a sprinkle of extra sugar (about 2 Tbsp) on top if you want a crunchy crust, then place the cranberry pies into your air fryer’s basket or rack
- Cook on the air fry setting at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown, edges are set, and a toothpick in the center comes out with just moist crumbs (some people like it slightly underbaked, so you can pull it based on your preference). Note if you use one larger pan, it will usually take 25-30 minutes instead; adjust as needed
- Cool before removing from pan and cutting into slices
- Dust with powdered sugar, or top with ice cream or whipped cream if desired, and enjoy!
What to Serve With Crustless Cranberry Pie
Crustless cranberry pie pairs well with a variety of sides and toppings that only work to amplify its sweet and tart flavors. Here are some of my favorite options to serve with it!
- Whipped Cream or Ice Cream: A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream adds creaminess and balances the tart cranberries
- Warm Sauces: Drizzle with caramel sauce or a citrus glaze (like lemon or orange) for an extra layer of sweetness
- Fresh Fruits: Serve with fresh berries, sliced apples, or orange wedges to complement the cranberries!
- Coffee or Tea: A warm beverage like coffee, chai tea, or spiced apple cider pairs well with the pie, especially during colder months!
- Nuts: Top the pie with roasted chopped pecans or walnuts (I prefer salted) for added crunch and a nutty flavor contrast
- Cranberry Cobbler Smash
Recipe FAQs
Can You Use Frozen Cranberries In Crustless Cranberry Pie?
Yes, you can use frozen cranberries without needing to thaw them first.
Simply add them directly to the batter, which helps maintain the pie’s moisture and adds a burst of tartness. Cooking time may be slightly longer, though.
Can You Make Crustless Cranberry Pie Ahead Of Time?
Yes, crustless cranberry pie can be made a day or two ahead.
The flavors tend to meld and improve with time. Simply store it in the refrigerator and reheat before serving, if desired.
Is Crustless Cranberry Pie Gluten Free?
No, this cranberry tart recipe is not gluten free, as it includes all purpose flour.
However, you can easily make it gluten free by substituting the flour with a gluten free baking blend, and ensuring your other ingredients are all certified gluten free as well.
What Is The Best Way To Serve Crustless Cranberry Pie?
Crustless cranberry pie is best served warm or room temperature, either plain or with a side of ice cream.
It pairs well with hot beverages like coffee, tea, or spiced cider.
Can You Add Nuts To Crustless Cranberry Pie?
Yes, adding nuts like pecans or walnuts can give the pie a nice crunch and complement the tart cranberries.
Simply fold in chopped nuts to the batter along with the cranberries, before baking.
Recipe Pro Tips For the Best Crustless Cranberry Pie
- Depending on the size of your specific pan(s) you may have some leftover dough. I can usually make around 7-8 4” tarts with the amounts here, so feel free to make some extras if desired
- I do not preheat my air fryer for this recipe. If you do, you can generally cut 2-3 minutes from cooking time
- Don’t mound the pans, but you can fill them up to the top – this cake rises a little but not tremendously (though the number of mini pies it makes will vary by how much dough you add). It’s also normal for stronger air fryers to blow strong enough to make the top a little uneven and slanted to one side (but still delicious)!
- Remember that cooking times will vary between different air fryers, pan sizes, and materials (metal, glass), so you’ll likely need to adjust a bit for your specific setup!
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Crustless cranberry pie can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, refrigerate it for up to a week or freeze it for up to three months!
- To reheat your cranberry tart, air fry at 350°F for about 2 minutes, until warmed through. Alternatively, microwave for about 30-45 seconds, though note it will lose the crunchy edges this way
Final Thoughts
These mini crustless cranberry pies are such a fun, sweet, and tart dessert, made even faster thanks to your air fryer!
You can make them in multiple mini pans like I do (which are great individual servings), or go ahead and make one larger 9” pie or tart depending what size air fryer you have. No matter which route you go, they’re sure to be delicious!
Cranberry pie is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the holiday season alike, making it a versatile dessert for many occasions throughout the fall and winter!
Katie’s tip
Check out all of my amazing Air Fryer Thanksgiving Recipes for inspiration on how to complete your holiday meal!
Mini Crustless Cranberry Pie (Air Fryer)
Equipment
- Mini tart pans (or a single 9” tart or cake pan, depending what fits in your air fryer)
- Spatula (or spoon)
- Nonstick spray
Ingredients
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 cups fresh cranberries (washed and dried)
- ½ cup butter (melted)
- 2 large eggs (beaten)
- 1 tsp almond extract
- Toppings as desired (ice cream, whipped cream, or powdered sugar)
Instructions
- Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl until well blended1 cup all purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, ½ tsp salt
- Add the wet ingredients and stir until just mixed (do not overmix)½ cup butter, 2 large eggs, 1 tsp almond extract
- Fold in the cranberries (and any nuts that you choose to use). The dough should be very thick2 cups fresh cranberries
- Spray your pie or tart pan(s) with nonstick spray, then add the batter and spread it out evenly with a spatula or your fingers. If you’re using multiple pans, divide it evenly among them
- Add a sprinkle of extra sugar (about 2 Tbsp) on top if you want a crunchy crust, then place the cranberry pies into your air fryer’s basket or rack
- Cook on the air fry setting at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown, edges are set, and a toothpick in the center comes out with just moist crumbs (some people like it slightly underbaked, so you can pull it based on your preference). Note if you use one larger pan, it will usually take 25-30 minutes instead; adjust as needed
- Cool before removing from pan and cutting into slices
- Dust with powdered sugar, or top with ice cream or whipped cream if desired, and enjoy!Toppings as desired
Notes
- You can also use frozen cranberries but will generally need to cook a couple minutes longer to account for the extra moisture and colder temperature
- The almond extract can be swapped for vanilla or orange!
- Feel free to add some chopped walnuts (about ½ cup) if you want to add some crunch and texture
- If you want to add some cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, or apple pie spice, feel free! About 1 tsp is good, and adds a nice, warming element
- Depending on the size of your specific pan(s) you may have some leftover dough. I can usually make around 7-8 4” tarts with the amounts here, so feel free to make some extras if desired
- I do not preheat my air fryer for this recipe and 15 minutes was perfect. If you do preheat, you can generally cut 2-3 minutes from cooking time
- Don’t mound the pans, but you can fill them up to the top – this cake rises a little but not tremendously (though the number of mini pies it makes will vary by how much dough you add). It’s also normal for stronger air fryers to blow strong enough to make the top a little uneven and slanted to one side (but still delicious)!
- Remember that cooking times will vary between different air fryers, pan sizes, and materials (metal, glass), so you’ll likely need to adjust a bit for your specific setup!
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or toppings added, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
