The Aussie meat pie just got more exciting

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Pie makers to suit every occasion, budget and hungry appetite

You can't get more Australian than the humble meat pie - the ideal snack, lunch or meal on-the-run. And perfect fare for the beach, school, watching the footy, on a road trip … okay, just about anywhere you’re likely to build up a decent appetite. And more importantly, kids love them (not to mention their parents!). Fortunately, now with the invention of the pie maker, we can now make pies at home that look every bit as good as the bought ones. And not just the meat variety but any filling you like from savoury to sweet and everything in between. You can even make quiches, muffins, doughnuts - the list is endless.

We bought a pie maker a couple of years ago and it has been the best thing ever. We make pies for dinner, dessert, snacks, even stocking up the freezer. It’s great for using up leftovers and for whipping up a last-minute family meal. In fact, I might get it out tonight …

This handy appliance is generally lightweight and easy to stow away. Plus it's straightforward to use so good for kids who like to get creative in the kitchen - or at least give Mum a helping hand. Ultimately, you no longer have to pop up the street for a pie, you simply get the pie maker out of the cupboard and plug it in. 

And to make your life as 'easy as pie', we’ve rounded up the best pie makers available, so you too will be able to whip up delicious pies at a moment's notice (and whatever else you can think of) to fill those very hungry tummies.

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

This is a popular choice when it comes to pie makers. Many customers have reported excellent results and find it both easy to use and clean. Plus, the pie size is fairly  generous, making it ideal for a dinner-size serve.

"This is effectively a A+ Grade sandwich press for pies," commented one reviewer. "It takes the effort out of making pies."

"Very impressed with the pie maker," said another. "The cooking of the pastry has been perfect every time so far ... It cleans up in a breeze. Just wipe with paper towel. Pies don't stick, just lift straight out. I've never used oil." 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

This pie maker has a stylish retro design that looks smart on the kitchen bench. It also makes deep pies, which are suitable for a meal-size serve and dings to let you know when they're ready. Featuring non stick plates that are easy to clean and a compact size that's easy to stow away, this will be a welcome addition to your kitchen appliance cupboard.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

This large size pie maker is ideal for creating large family pies at a fraction of the cost of a bought one. It comes with cool touch handles, a stainless steel decorative top panel and pastry cutter to make the exact sized top and bottom. "Bought the family size Smith and Noble pie maker," said one reviewer. "Is easy to use and heats up fast and cooks the perfect family size pies."

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

This budget-friendly pie maker is ideal when you have a few moths to feed at the one time. You make make all sorts of individual treats, either sweet or savoury in no time at all. It comes with recipes suggestions including things like mini quiches, biscuits and apple cranberry mini pies. The options are endless - many purchasers even used the pie maker to make mince pies for Christmas.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

This pie maker is slightly larger, allowing you to make eight mini pies in one go. Great for making snacks for the freezer or for making lunch when there are more than a few kids around. It has non-stick plates, a handle lock and a power/heating light.

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Okay, so this isn't strictly speaking a pie maker but it will certainly enhance your pie-making skills. This innovative recipe book by Kim McKoster (creator of 4 Ingredients) offers heaps of great ideas to try out on your pie maker, both sweet and savoury. And not just pies, it also shows you how to create crumpets, donuts and cupcakes, poached eggs, scones, quiches and much much more. 

I know that sometimes it feels like you can't possibly fit another appliance into the kitchen. We certainly can't - but then last week I finally got an air fryer and I'm very excited about it. Just not sure where I'm going to put it yet. The pie maker on the other hand is much more compact and doesn't take up much space in the cupboard or on the bench. If your family isn't into pies, then maybe it's not the appliance for you. But if you have a few hungry mouths to fill, and plenty of leftovers to use up, then a pie maker might be your next best friend. Plus, there's so much more you can make with a pie maker than just pies. Think quiches, pizza pies, doughnuts, pikelets, crumpets and cupcakes - and that's just for starters. You might be wondering if you need a pie maker but if you're anything like me, once you get one, you'll wonder how you lived without it.

If you're in the mood for shopping household appliances, why not check out our list of the best cordless vacuums you can buy this year, our favourite air fryers for healthy eating and the best selection of freezers available