5 Things to Make in the KMart Pie Maker That Aren’t Pies

If you think a pie maker is just for making pies, think again! I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how many delicious things I can make in the pie maker and there’s not a pie in sight!

I got some great ideas from my Facebook community and I also joined the KMart Pie Maker Recipes, Tips and Ideas Australia Facebook group which is a great source of pie making tips and tricks and gave me some delicious recipe inspiration.

Using the pie maker means no fuss, low fat and almost no cleaning. If you’re sitting on the pie maker buying fence, here are 5 of my favourite recipes that might just sway you and there’s not a pie in sight! It might be the most delicious $29 you ever spend.

Frittatas

These are quick, healthy and totally delicious. The recipe is very forgiving and you can use whatever veggies you have to hand. These go great in a lunch box and they also make a great light lunch/dinner option served with some salad. Plus they’re delicious warm or cold.

Frittatas (makes 8)

Ingredients

4 eggs, beaten

3 spring onions, finely chopped

4 slices ham

handful of baby spinach

65g milk

40g self-raising flour

50g grated cheese

How to

Heat the pie maker.
Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
Use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to transfer mixture into pie holes.
Cook for 8 minutes or until golden.

Poached Eggs and Ham and Egg Pockets

I have never been able to nail the perfect poached egg… Until now! Making poached eggs in the pie maker is so quick and easy and we get perfect results every single time. You might need to tweak the timing – a little longer for eggs fresh from the fridge and a little less for room temperature eggs.

Poached eggs (makes 4)

Ingredients

4 eggs

How to

Heat the pie maker.
Break egg into a cup and place in pie hole.
Cook for 4 minutes for the perfect poached egg with a runny centre.

Ham and Egg Pockets

If you’re looking for a twist on poached eggs, this is it – a perfectly cooked egg, nestled in a ham pocket. However, if you cook the eggs longer, you get a hard boiled egg perfectly wrapped in ham – these go down a treat in a lunch box. For more lunch box inspiration, check out my easy and healthy lunch box ideas for grown ups.

Ham and Egg Pockets (makes 4)

Ingredients

4 eggs

4 slices of ham (if necessary, trim to fit)

How to

Heat the pie maker.
Place a slice of ham in each pie hole.
Break egg into a cup and place in ham pocket.
Cook for 4 minutes for the perfect poached egg or 8 minutes for a hard boiled egg.

Spinach, Feta and Ricotta Tarts

These are also super forgiving and really versatile. I like the texture of ricotta and the flavour of feta but you can use whatever combination of cheeses you have to hand. These are delicious warm or cold and go great in a lunch box. I like them best with puff pastry but for a healthier version you can swap the puff for filo, or even skip the pastry altogether!

Spinach and Ricotta Tarts (makes 8-10)

Ingredients

2 puff pastry sheets each cut into 9 squares

200g ricotta cheese

175g feta cheese

250g frozen spinach, thawed and strained

3 spring onions, finely chopped

2 eggs, beaten

sesame seeds, to decorate (optional)

How to

Heat the pie maker.
Mix ricotta, feta, spinach, spring onions and eggs in a large bowl. Season well.
In each pie hole, overlap 2 squares of pastry so that you get the 8 pointed pastry cups.
Top the pastry with the cheese and egg mixture and sprinkle with some sesame seeds on top.
Cook for about 6-9 minutes until golden. Timings will vary depending on how much filling you add.

Note: If you’re using filo pastry, you’ll need about 8 sheets of filo. Take 4 sheets and cut into 8cm squares. For every pie hole you’ll need 2 x 4 layered squares (or 4 squares of filo for every 1 square of puff.) Brush each of the 4 squares with melted butter as you stack them.

Mexican Beef Taco Cups

This is a great way to upcycle any left over bolognese sauce or spice up some regular mince. I usually use this recipe which uses left over bolognese, Mexican seasoning and some kidney beans to bulk things out. The wonton wrappers make deliciously crispy taco cups and although I like my cheese all melty on the top, if you like your cups a little neater, you might want to add your cheese on the bottom! It’s really hard to give quantities for this recipe because it depends on how much mince you have but I will say this, a pack of wonton wrappers is a pack that keeps on giving!

Ingredients

Wonton wrappers (you’ll need 2 for each taco)

Mexican mince (cold or at room temperature, not hot)

Grated cheese

Toppings – sour cream, chopped tomato, guacamole

How to

Heat the pie maker.
In each pie hole, overlap 2 wonton wrappers so that you get the 8 pointed taco cup.
Top with mince and a teaspoon of grated cheese.
Cook for 8-10 minutes until wonton wrappers are cooked through.
Serve and top with your sour cream, chopped tomato or guacamole – or all 3!

Jam Donuts

These were the first things I ever made in my pie maker and it was love at first bite. These doughnuts are light and fluffy and utterly irresistible. We make a batch of 6 because however many we make we always feel compelled to inhale them but the recipe can be easily doubled. They’re jamtastic!

Jam Donuts (makes 6, easily doubled)

Ingredients

75g self raising flour

25g caster sugar

pinch of salt

1 egg

30g sunflower oil

85g milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

6 teaspoons of your favourite jam

TO FINISH

30g melted butter

50g caster sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

How to

Heat the pie maker.
Mix the flour, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.
Mix the egg, oil, milk and vanilla in a jug.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
Use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to pour the mixture into the pie holes.
Add a teaspoon of jam to each donut. Cook for 8 minutes, turning half way through cooking.
Meanwhile, mix the sugar and cinnamon and place in a shallow bowl.
Remove the donuts from the pie maker and dip first in the melted butter, then into the cinnamon sugar before placing on to a wire rack. Delicious warm or cold.

Have you got a pie maker? Do you have a favourite pie maker recipe? What’s your favourite kitchen gadget?