How Long Does Pie Last in the Fridge – Definitive Guide
Whether you are making pie ahead of time, or you have some leftover, it definitely helps to know how long pie lasts in the fridge, to make sure you enjoy every last bite while it is still good.
How long does pie last in the fridge?
How long a pie lasts in the fridge depends on what type of pie it is. For example, pumpkin pie, and pies containing dairy or eggs, can be kept in the fridge for three to four days. Fruit pie, such as apple pie, can be left at room temperature for up to two days and then can be kept in the fridge for an additional two days.
You need to make sure that you store pie properly so that you get to enjoy it at its best quality before it goes stale or begins to spoil, so read on to find out how long pie lasts in the fridge, as well as some other helpful information!
Should All Pies Be Stored in the Fridge?
Before we cover how long pie lasts in the fridge, it really helps to acknowledge that there are many different types of pie, and they all require different storage.
Not all pies need to be kept in the fridge from the moment that they cool down, and there are a few that can be kept at room temperature for a little while.
There are so many pies out there, that we cannot list every single one and their individual storage requirements, but they can be broken down into categories to make it easier.
First, pies that contain eggs or dairy, such as custard or cream pies, need to be kept in the refrigerator. These should be wrapped up and placed in the fridge as soon as they have cooled to room temperature.
Fruit-filled pies, such as apple pie or berry pie, which do not contain eggs or dairy, can be kept at room temperature for up to two days, and then they can be refrigerated for two days.
This shows that there isn’t one rule to follow when it comes to refrigerating pies, and you do need to take into account what the pie is made with, and the ingredients it contains.
How Long Does Pie Last in the Fridge?
Once you have gone through the effort of baking a pie or even reheating one from frozen, you would want to make sure that you eat it in time before it begins to go stale, or even goes bad.
To do this, you need to keep track of how long the pie has been in the fridge and know how long the pie can actually be kept in the fridge for.
How long a pie can be kept in a fridge does depend on the type of pie, and what it is made with.
For pies made with egg and dairy, such as pumpkin pie, cream pie, custard pie, or even meringue, the pie can be kept in the fridge for up to two days. To allow the pie to last for up to four days, it needs to be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, keeping it fresher for longer.
Fruit pies, such as apple pie or berry pie, can be kept at stable room temperature for up to two days, and after this, they should be placed in the fridge, where they can be kept for a further two days. They should be kept in plastic wrap to keep them at their best quality.
The safest bet is to eat any pie that is in the fridge within two days. The pie will likely be fine after this, but it will begin to lose its quality, and it might become stale. So, to ensure you get the best of the pie, eat it within two days of being placed in the fridge.
How Long Does Pumpkin Pie Last?
Pumpkin pie is one of the most popular types of pie around, so it is definitely worth knowing how to store it properly at home!
Baked pumpkin pie often contains some sort of dairy, or eggs, which means that it needs to be refrigerated as soon as it cools down to room temperature.
To store pumpkin pie in the fridge, you can either use plastic wrap to cover the pie, or you can place the pie into an airtight container. When stored properly, pumpkin pie can be kept in the fridge for up to four days.
How Long Does Apple Pie Last?
Apple pie is another family favorite, and many families have their own special recipe for apple pie.
Apple pie, like other fruit pies, can be kept at room temperature for up to two days, as long as it is kept covered, and as long as room temperature does not fluctuate too much.
Once the apple pie has been kept at room temperature for up to two days, it can then be placed in the fridge for two days, covered with plastic wrap, or placed in an airtight plastic container.
Can I Make Pie Ahead of Time?
If you have an event coming up, and you want to get ahead of preparations by making pie ahead of time, you would want to know how best to store the pie so that it tastes great when it is time to reheat it and eat it!
If you are making pie ahead of time, and are going to store it in the fridge until you serve it, then you should try to keep the filling and the crust separate.
The crust can be rolled out and placed in the pie dish, covered in plastic wrap to keep it fresh and to prevent it from going stale.
The filling can be prepared too, with the fruit sliced or the ingredients mixed together, stored in an airtight container. If you are making apple pie, it is a good idea to have the apples sliced, but to only add in the spices and sugar when it is time to bake the pie.
When it is baking time, you can finish prepping the pie, add the filling to the crust, and bake as normal.
How Long Does Pie Dough Last in the Fridge?
Making pie dough for the crust of a pie can take some time, so it is likely something you would want to do beforehand, to save you time later on.
Pie dough can be kept in the fridge, which means you can prepare it before you get around to making the filling or baking the pie.
When storing pie dough, it needs to be wrapped in plastic wrap, making sure it is all covered. Stored this way, the pie dough can be kept in the fridge for up to three days.
After three days, you should rather not use the pie dough. It might not show signs that it has spoiled, but it will begin to oxidize and turn a grayish color, and be more difficult to work with.
If you are going to be making pie dough ahead of time, then you should make it up to two days before you will be baking the pie, for the best quality crust.
How Should You Store Pies in the Fridge?
The way you store pies in the fridge really does make a difference to how they keep in the fridge, and how they taste when you get around to eating them.
There are two ways to store pie in the fridge. The first is to wrap the pie in plastic wrap and make sure it is wrapped well. You can cover this with an extra layer of aluminum wrap, but it isn’t always necessary. This protects the pie from exposure to moisture and stops it from absorbing odors from other foods in the fridge.
The other option is to place the pie in an airtight container. The lid should close tightly, and keep out any excess air or moisture.
When the pie is stored this way, it prevents the crust from absorbing moisture, which means that it will not go stale too soon, and you get to enjoy a moist filling and a crispy crust. Make sure to note when you place the pie in the fridge, so you get to enjoy it before it starts to go stale.
Which Pies Can Be Frozen?
It helps to know how long certain pies can be kept in the fridge for. Fruit pies can be kept at room temperature for two days, and then kept in the fridge for two days, and pies with dairy or egg can be kept in the fridge for up to four days if stored properly.
If you do not think that you will be able to eat the pie within this timeframe, you might be tempted to freeze the pie, to ensure that you get to enjoy all of the pie without any going to waste.
The first thing to note is that all pies are not suited to be frozen, and there are a few that you should avoid freezing.
Pies that do not do well frozen are those that contain dairy and eggs, such as custard pies, mousse pies, and meringue pies. These can separate when frozen, and when reheated, will not have that same smooth texture that you would have hoped for.
Pies that do freeze well include fruit pies, pecan pies, and pumpkin pies. These do need to be wrapped and protected properly in the freezer, but they do tend to do well when frozen and reheated.
How Should You Store Pies in the Freezer?
It is so important to store pie properly in the freezer, otherwise, there is a good chance that the pie will experience freezer burn, which can really ruin both the taste and the texture.
To prepare pie for freezing, it should be wrapped well in a layer or two of plastic wrap, and then wrapped in a layer of aluminum foil. Alternatively, the pie can be placed into a resealable freezer bag, and as much air as possible should be removed before the bag is sealed.
There should be no way for moisture or air to come into contact with the pie when it is stored in the freezer, to prevent freezer burn. When prepared and stored properly, pies can be kept in the freezer for up to three months.
Be sure to label the pie packaging with the date of freezing, so you use it while it is at its best quality.
How Do You Reheat Pie?
Pie is best served warm, and you would more than definitely want to warm up the pie you have sitting in your fridge!
The best way to reheat pie that has been kept in the fridge is to use the oven. The pie (or piece of pie) should be wrapped in foil. The oven should be preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Once the oven reaches 375 degrees Fahrenheit, the pie should be placed in the oven for 10 minutes. After this, remove the foil from the pie and leave it to warm for another 5 minutes until reheated thoroughly.
It isn’t the best idea to microwave leftover pie that has been kept in the fridge, as this could cause the crust to soften and become soggy, which can make it quite unappetizing!
How Long Does Meat Pie Last in the Fridge?
Meat pie should be kept in the fridge from the moment it cools down to room temperature. Meat pie should be kept in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap, to keep it fresher for longer.
Meat pie can be kept in the fridge for between three to five days, but it is best eaten within three days to ensure that it still has its best quality.
You can freeze meat pie if you are not going to eat it within three to five days, and stored properly, it can be frozen for up to two months.
How Long Does Pie Last in the Fridge?
There are many different types of pie, and all have different storage requirements. Pies that contain dairy or eggs, such as cream or custard pies, need to be kept in the fridge right after they reach room temperature. They can be kept in the fridge for up to four days if packaged properly.
Fruit pies, such as apple or berry pies, can be kept at room temperature for up to two days, whereafter they need to be placed into the fridge, where they can be stored for another two days.
You should always keep a check on the quality of the pie when it is stored in the fridge, and if it shows any signs of spoiling, then it is best to discard the pie.
Related Questions
How Do You Know if Pie Has Spoiled?
The best way to know if pie has spoiled is through smell. If there are any off odors, or if there is discoloration or a change in texture, then it is best to throw the pie away.
How Long Does Store-Bought Pie Last in the Fridge?
Store-bought pie can be kept in the fridge for up to two to three days. It is best to take a look at the best-by date and make sure to use it within this time frame.
Do Store-Bought Pies Need to Be Refrigerated?
If a store-bought pie contains egg or dairy, then it needs to be stored in the fridge, and it should not be left at room temperature for longer than two hours.
