Who doesn’t love apple pie? It is delicious and brings summer vibes to your dining room.
Whether having leftovers or planning to bake in advance, these scenarios raise one question: can you freeze apple pie?
Absolutely, yes. Like other nuts and fruit pies, apple pie should be the next on your freezer-friendly desserts.
If you often crave this sweet-tart, freezing apple pie is definitely a must-try. If you’re curious, keep reading to find out the nitty-gritty of storing and freezing this delectable dessert.
Does Apple Pie Need to Be Refrigerated?
Before we go further, let’s tackle one of the most asked questions on storage procedures. That is whether or not you should refrigerate it.
We have great news! According to the USDA, fruit pies such as cherry and apple pie can stand at room temperature for up to 1 to 2 days.
Fruit pies don’t contain perishable ingredients such as eggs and dairy. Plus, the sugar content and acid in the fruit are enough to inhibit bacterial growth that otherwise spoils the baked goods.
So, you don’t need to worry whenever you accidentally leave out this tasty dessert overnight. However, if you want to enjoy one piece at a time, better refrigerate it immediately. Refrigeration prolongs its shelf life up to a week. (*)
On the other hand, custard-based pastry such as pumpkin and pecan pies should be refrigerated promptly. Don’t leave them on the counter longer than two hours to prevent spoilage.
Is It Better To Freeze Apple Pie Before or After Baking?
Like other fruit and nut pies, apple pie freezes beautifully. Freezing unbaked pie yields a slightly better result in terms of flavor. However, the bottom crust can be on the soggy side because it absorbs the liquid from the filling during freezing.
Regardless of the soggy crust (which you can fix during baking), this tasty dessert is the right candidate—either baked or unbaked.
The former is considered the best method. So, if you want to impress guests, freezing unbaked pie is your way to go.
But, if you want to put all the hard work upfront and have the dessert ready whenever the craving strikes, freezing fully baked pie is absolutely worth trying. (*)
How To Freeze Baked Apple Pie: A Whole Pan and In Slices
There is always a reason to freeze this fruit pie. If your family is a true lover of this baked good, freezing home-baked pie should definitely be your kitchen hack. With this little trick, you will always have this tasty dessert ready on the go.
Freezing is also a great way to salvage leftovers as well as a money-saving tip. If you see your favorite brands on sale, purchase an extra amount, and freeze it for future meals.
Follow our instructions below to freeze leftover and baked-ahead pie without compromising its taste and texture.
- 1. Prepare and bake the pie as usual.
- 2. Let it cool rapidly before wrapping.
- 3. To freeze a whole pan, wrap it carefully in 2 to 3 layers of plastic wrap. If you plan to keep it longer than 1 to 2 weeks, re-wrap it in aluminum foil or pack it in a resealable freezer bag.
- 4. To freeze pie slices, flash freeze them for a few hours until frozen solid, so they are easier to wrap and pack without making a lot of mess. Wrap individual slices in aluminum foil and pack them in a freezer bag.
- 5. Label with name and freezing date.
- 6. Transfer the package into the freezer.
How To Freeze Unbaked Apple Pie
Freezing unbaked apple pie is totally easy and straightforward. When you are ready to bake, you can pull it out from the freezer and bake it in the oven—no need to thaw.
Here is how you can do it.
- 1. Prepare pie shell and filling as usual.
- 2. Assemble them in an oven-safe metal dish. Avoid using glass or Pyrex dishes because they may shatter from sudden temperature change when the pie is transferred from the freezer to the oven.
- 3. Leave the upper crust uncut. You can cut the vents later shortly before baking.
- 4. Wrap the entire pie in 2 to 3 layers of plastic wrap, followed with another layer of aluminum foil for extra protection. Make sure it is thoroughly and tightly wrapped.
- 5. Write the name and freezing date.
- 6. Place it on a flat surface of the freezer. Don’t stack anything on top of the pie.
How To Freeze Apple Pie Filling
Here comes another great news! Apple pie filling also freezes well!
If you have bountiful fresh apples from your backyard, make them into pie filling, and freeze them for future baking.
Here is our simple guide to doing it.
- 1. Make the filling as usual.
- 2. Pack into freezer bags.
- 3. Leave an appropriate headspace and seal tightly.
- 4. Don’t forget to label with the name and freezing date.
If you prepare a big batch, it is better to pack it into several smaller containers enough for one recipe. When you’re ready to bake, simply pull out one package, thaw, and bake—no need to deal with leftovers.
How To Defrost Frozen Apple Pie
When it’s time to eat, remove the frozen baked pie from the freezer and let it thaw at room temperature. Reheat it in the oven at 350 °F to 425 °F for 15 to 30 minutes or until it is warm.
If you prefer a slightly chilled dessert, simply thaw it in the fridge overnight.
For the unbaked one, you can bake it straight from the freezer. Thawing is not necessary. Here is how to bake a frozen apple pie.
- 1. Cut the vent holes on the top crust.
- 2. Heat the oven to 450 °F.
- 3. Place a cookie sheet in the oven and put the pie on it. The cookie sheet helps to cook the bottom crust, so it is less soggy.
- 4. Bake at 450 °F for 15 to 20 minutes.
- 5. Reduce the temperature to 375 °F and continue baking for 20 to 30 minutes or until the top crust turns golden brown.
For the frozen filling, thaw it until it is soft enough to pour on the pie shell, and bake as usual.
See more: How to reheat apple pie
How Long Can You Freeze Apple Pie?
Both baked and unbaked apple pie remain fresh up to 3 to 4 months after freezing. Of course, you can still keep it longer if you prefer. Just be aware of adverse changes in the texture and flavor, mainly the soggy crust.
On the other hand, the filling can last longer up to 12 months. But, it is best to use it within 6 to 8 months after freezing. (*)
| Apple Pie | Freezer |
|---|---|
| Baked | 3 to 4 months |
| Unbaked | 3 to 4 months |
| Apple Pie filling | 6 to 8 months |
FAQs
After a few days in the fridge, the crust tends to become soggy and mushy. At this point, it is less tasty but relatively safe to eat. Some common signs to examine to determine spoiled pie include off smell, unpleasant taste, and visible molds. Don’t eat the dessert if one of these symptoms is evident.
Refrigeration prolongs shelf life by slowing down bacterial growth, but it doesn’t entirely stop the growth. Therefore, foods can still be spoiled and go bad in the fridge. Avoid storing foods longer than recommended time because of these risks. The USDA suggests keeping the pie up to 7 days in the refrigerator. (*)
Before reheating a frozen baked apple pie, thaw it first in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat in the oven at 350 °F till heated through. Remember to shield the crust to prevent over-browning.
Summary
Apple pie is a scrumptious dessert to serve any time of the year, let alone a special holiday dinner.
Technically, this sweet-tart can be frozen before and after baking. For the best result, consider freezing the unbaked one. Prepare it in advance, freeze, and bake it on the big day.
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*image by studioM/depositphotos
