This is your complete guide on how to store pie! Whether it's single or double crust, apple, pecan, or custard or pumpkin, this is how to keep your pies tasting fresh!
We all love a slice of pie for dessert, but it's rare that you can finish one in a whole serving!
Whether you want to bake a pie in advance for the holiday celebrations or you want to store leftover pie for later, here are some tips on how to store different types of homemade pie properly.
How to Store Pies After Baking
If you want to keep your pies fresh for the longest amount of time possible, the best thing to do is keep them in the refrigerator. While not all pies have to be refrigerated, it is the best way to preserve their freshness.
Important: Before wrapping and refrigerating, be sure the pie is completely cool.
The best way to store pie is to double wrap it with one layer of plastic wrap and a layer of foil. If you can put the pie in an airtight container as well, that's even better.
The plastic wrap and foil will prevent the pie from drying out, but the airtight container will further keep it fresh and prevent it from taking on any flavors/scent from the fridge.
How to Store Fruit Pies
The method is the same, whether it's a double crust apple pie or a single crust blackberry crumble pie.
Room Temperature
Fruit pies can be left on the counter at room temperature for 1-2 days if covered with plastic wrap or foil.
Refrigerator
Fruit pies can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.
How to Freeze Fruit Pie
Most fruit pies freeze well for up to four months. To store it properly, start by freezing the uncovered pie first. After it's frozen solid, wrap it in a layer of plastic wrap, the an outer layer of foil.
To defrost a frozen pie, thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Then, you can eat it cold, or reheat it at 325°F for 20 minutes.
How to Store Custard Pies and Cream Pies
Because they don't have a top crust to protect the filling, cream and custard pies like pumpkin can be a bit trickier to wrap and store.
Important: Be gentle when covering a cream or custard pie with plastic wrap so that you don't squish the soft topping.
Refrigerating
Because pies like this have eggs in them, do not store them at room temperature. They must be kept cold at all times.
If they are wrapped well, custard pies will stay fresh for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Freezing a Custard Pie
Although pies like this will last up to two months in the freezer, they do not freeze well. The texture of the crust often becomes soggy, and the eggs in the filling tend to separate.
Refrigerating and Freezing Unbaked Pies
You can store an unbaked pie in the fridge for up to 4 days. Be sure to store it covered in plastic wrap or in an airtight container to prevent the pie from taking on odors from nearby foods.
To freeze: Wrap the pie tightly in an airtight container and place in the freezer for up to three months.
Important: Do not cut slits on the top crust of the pie until just before baking.
Storing Pie Crusts
Both baked and unbaked pie crusts are freezer-friendly.
How to Store a Baked Pie Crust
At room temperature: If wrapped well, baked pie crusts will keep for 4 days at room temperature. In the freezer, a baked crust will keep for four months.
How to Store an Unbaked Pie Crust
Unbaked pie crusts will keep for two months in the freezer. Make sure to wrap the crust well before freezing it.
How to Keep Pies Fresh FAQ
Be sure to let the pie cool for at least 30 minutes before properly covering the pie for refrigeration.
Some store bought pies need to be refrigerated. Check if the ingredients contain egg. Any pies that have egg must not be left at room temperature for more than two hours. Otherwise, you can keep them at room temperature. Store-bought pies usually contain preservatives that keep the pies safe and fresh for longer.
Yes, egg custard pie needs to be refrigerated. Pies with eggs in them can not stay out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours.
How to Store Pumpkin Pie
The best way to store pumpkin pie is to cover it with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. You can press the saran wrap gently against the pumpkin filling to prevent the filling from drying out.
Pumpkin Pie usually does not freeze well. The filling texture can become very soggy when frozen/defrosted.
Storing Apple Pie
You can store apple pies at room temperature for up to two days and up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Cover the top with a plastic wrap or foil to maintain its freshness and avoid absorbing any scent from the refrigerator.
Storing Pecan Pie
Pecan pie is must be stored in the refrigerator because of the eggs in the filling. Cover in saran wrap & foil and it will stay in the fridge for up to 5 days.
To freeze, wrap in saran wrap, then foil. It will last for 3 month sin the freezer
How to Store Lemon Meringue Pie
Lemon Meringue Pie must be stored in the refrigerator. It can't be stored at room temperature. It will last in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Do not freeze lemon meringue pie. It will ruin the texture and taste.
How to Store Cherry Pie
You can store cherry pie (or cherry pie tarts) at room temperature for up to two days and up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Cover the top with a plastic wrap or foil to maintain its freshness and avoid absorbing any scent from the refrigerator.
Sweet Potato Pie Storage
Sweet potato custard pie is best stored in the refrigerator. It will last for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Sweet Potato Pie does not freeze well. The filling consistency becomes very soggy when frozen/defrosted.
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