You have made a delicious pie and want to store it to keep its tasty flavor as long as you want.
So, how long does pie last in the fridge?
For how long you can leave it on the counter and is it possible to put the pie in the freezer? Or is it the best to eat it right now and tomorrow is a new day. Joke, but let’s solve this crucial mystery.
IN THIS ARTICLE:
Why You Should Put The Pie In The Fridge?
All food, which includes pies, last for a shorter period of time if they aren’t stored properly.
Usually, there is sugar and acid in the filing that impairs bacteria growth. If sliced pie sits on the counter, you can expect mold in a day or so.
Pies made with cream, eggs, sour cream, and cream cheese give bacteria an ideal environment to grow and they will quickly become spoiled at room temperature. A temperature above 140°F will encourage bacteria growth. The pie crust is usually made of eggs and dairy, which are both prone to spoilage. So if you want to prolong the pie’s life – putting it in the fridge is the best thing you can do.
How Long Does Pie Last In The Fridge?
You don’t need to refrigerate pie as long as it’s whole and baked less than two days ago. But once you cut it or it sits on the kitchen counter for more than two days – it’s time for the fridge!
Of course, you want to avoid foodborne illnesses and other consequences caused by incorrect storage. If you bought a pie, read the ingredients on the label first and store it accordingly.
It is important to note that food still spoils in the fridge, but at a slower and safe pace. Basically, it slows down food spoilage. While moderate temperatures encourage bacteria growth, a cold environment will hinder bacteria reproduction for on average 3-4 days so it’s recommended time your pie should spend in the fridge.
Quick Tip: How long does the pie last – It last only as long as its quickest expiring ingredient.
Commonly Eaten Pies And Their Respective Fridge-life
Firstly, we think about apple pie when it comes to pies. But there are many various pies made from different ingredients which determine the refrigerating time of each type of pie. So let’s go through the most common pies and their shelf lives.
- Fruit Pie – Since fruits are highly perishable items, they easily lose their texture, taste and quality. Fruit pie will last 2-3 days in the fridge and after that time, it won’t be appetizing. Also, pies made with fresh fruits last even shorter, 1-2 days.
- Pumpkin And Pecan Pies – These pies will stay good in the fridge for 3-4 days. However, if you place them in the freezer, the pecan and pumpkin pies will deteriorate in quality significantly.
- Cream Pie – The cream is a dairy product with a short shelf life, so any cream pie will last for 2-3 days in the fridge.
- Chocolate Cream Pie – Although it will be edible after 7 days in the fridge, the chocolate cream pie will lose its freshness. So store it for 3-4 days.
- Meat Pies – Here, we refer to steak and kidney pie. Properly stored meat pie will last for about 3-5 days in the fridge. But, be careful with meat, it is usually attacked by Escherichia coli, Salmonella or Listeria.
How To Store Pie?
We recommend covering your pie before you store it in the fridge (as well as the freezer or on the kitchen counter). The reason behind this is that you will prevent ambient microorganisms and oxygen from your pie. When you leave your pie uncovered, the bacteria will spoil it quickly.
Also when your pie in the fridge is covered, that prevents the flavor and smell of other stored food from defiling it. It is best to use air-tight film to wrap the pie and then you can transfer it to an airtight container.
How To Tell If Pie Is Bad, Rotten Or Spoiled?
Of course, everyone wants to avoid this, but sometimes the pie gets spoiled even before 3-4 days in the fridge. There are some signs you can look for that will help you to recognize if your pie is rotten. Although they aren’t perfect, you should use your senses to check.
Fortunately, there are some signs when pie spoils such as changes in smell, taste, appearance and texture. Also, the most obvious sign is mold appearance – there is a fungus or mold of blue-black appears. If you notice that, you can be sure your pie is spoiled. Check also the crust, because the filling will lose water and the crust will absorb it and become soggy.
What About Freezing Pies?
If you think you won’t eat your pie within these 4 days it can be left in the fridge, then yes, you can freeze it. You need to portion the pie, wrap it and package the pieces. Then you can leave it in the freezer for months. Here are more details:
- Cut the leftovers into portions. This step is important because you can thaw only a small amount you will eat
- Wrap each portion. Each piece of the pie should be wrapped tightly. You can use freezer bags, freezer wraps or even plastic wrap. Then you can place them in an airtight container.
- Freeze. It will last for at least 4 months.
Which Pies You Shouldn’t Freeze?
Don’t think about freezing a custard pie. Pies with custard or chiffon should only be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days. Also, don’t freeze mousse and meringue pies.
How Do You Defrost Frozen Pie?
Well, you can thaw pie on the counter or in the fridge. If you put it on the counter, it will take about two hours to defrost. If you want to place it in the fridge, put it there in the evening.
Also, you can thaw and reheat it in the oven. Go with a relatively modest temperature and check the pie after 20 minutes.
To Wrap It Up
Of course, the pie tastes the best when fresh. But, you can store it and consume it for a certain period without losing its quality. Here you learned all about storing various pies in the fridge. Enjoy your pie before its shelf life has expired.
