Speck and Provola Potato Crumble Pie, Baked the Air Fryer Way

Posted on October 19, 2025

Potato Crumble Pie

A savory twist on the classic Italian sbrisolona, this potato crumble pie delivers the perfect balance of creamy and crisp. Made with mashed potatoes, speck, and provola cheese, it turns simple ingredients into a golden, flavorful dish that works as both a main course or an appetizer.

Unlike a traditional potato bake, the texture here is intentionally rustic โ€” crumbly on the surface and soft inside, similar to a sweet almond crumble but with a rich, cheesy filling. The air fryer ensures an even, crisp finish without weighing the dish down, making it ideal for those who love comfort food with a lighter touch.

This version combines speck and provola for a classic flavor, but itโ€™s also a great base for experimenting with other fillings and leftovers. A practical, hearty recipe that looks impressive and tastes even better.

Try it: Air Fryer Puff Pastry Bites โ€“ Two Savory Versions

Potato Crumble Pie (Air Fryer)

Savory potato crumble pie with speck and provola, air-fried until crisp on top and soft inside. Simple, hearty, and versatile.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 264

Ingredients
  

What youโ€™ll need for the Potato Crumble Pie
For the crumble and filling
  • 5 medium potatoes
  • 100 g speck, sliced 3.5 oz
  • 150 g provola cheese, diced 5 oz
  • 30 g Parmigiano Reggiano, grated 2 tbsp
  • 1 egg
  • 80 g cornstarch 1/2 cup
  • breadcrumbs as needed
  • extra virgin olive oil as needed
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Air fryer
  • Pot
  • Mixing bowl
  • Potato masher
  • Air fryer baking pan
  • Parchment paper

Method
 

How to make the Potato Crumble Pie
    Boil and mash
    1. Wash the potatoes and boil for 35โ€“40 minutes until tender. Drain, peel, and mash in a large bowl.
      Potato Crumble Pie
    Make the potato mixture
    1. When slightly cooled, add cornstarch, egg, and half the Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper. Mix by hand until compact but slightly crumbly.
    Assemble
    1. Line an air fryerโ€“safe baking pan with parchment. Press half of the potato mixture into the base.
    2. Distribute the diced provola and the speck. Cover with the remaining potatoes, crumbling the surface with your fingers.
    3. Top with a drizzle of olive oil, a light sprinkle of breadcrumbs, the remaining Parmesan, and a pinch of pepper.
    Air fry
    1. Air-fry at 360ยฐF (180ยฐC) for 25 minutes. Increase to 375ยฐF (190ยฐC) and cook 5 minutes more, until the top is golden and crisp.
    Storage
    1. Serve hot. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer to restore crispness.
    Potato Crumble Pie
    Potato Crumble Pie

    Extra Tips

    • For a richer flavor, replaceย speckย withย pancettaย orย guanciale.
    • Swapย provolaย for other soft cheeses such asย mozzarella,ย fontina, orย scamorza.
    • Addย sautรฉed mushrooms,ย spinach, orย zucchiniย to make a vegetable-packed version.
    • Use this recipe to clean out the fridge โ€” itโ€™s perfect for repurposing small bits of cheese or cured meat.
    • For a more structured crust, mix a spoonful ofย breadcrumbsย directly into the potato base.
    โ€” Some images featured in our recipes serve illustrative purposes only. Each preparation is carefully tested, yet the final outcome may vary depending on the ingredients you use and the equipment available in your own kitchen.

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