Apple pies are classic desserts that can be enjoyed on various occasions. You’ll never go wrong with bringing a freshly baked apple pie to any gathering.
Don’t you hate it though when that delicious pie has to go to waste because there are leftovers? Storing leftover desserts is tricky because you want to keep the flavor and freshness for as long as possible.
You’re in luck; this guide will show you how to store apple pie to keep it tasty for several days. We’ll also tell you the duration of each storing method.
Ways to Store Apple Pie
There are two ways to store an apple pie, in the fridge or freezer. Your choice should depend on how long you wish to store it. In the freezer, the pie will last longer than in the fridge.
However, many bakers recommend against freezing a pie because it might lose its consistency and turn soggy.
That said, it’s still useful if you have lots of leftover pie you don’t want to waste. So, let’s go over both storing methods and see how to do them.
Storing Apple Pie in the Fridge
Keeping apple pie in the fridge is common, and it’ll last for up to four days. After four days, it might still be good but will become a little soggy.
To store the dessert in the fridge, let the pie cool down first until it reaches room temperature. If you don’t let it cool first, the pie will begin to sweat and spoil.
Now, place the pie on a dish and cover it lightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. If you only have a small piece or a slice of the pie, you can place those in an airtight container.
Storing Apple Pie in the Freezer
Apple pie can last in the freezer for up to six months, giving you plenty of time to enjoy it. To store the apple pie in the freezer, wrap it tightly in plastic or foil.
You can either freeze the whole pie or cut it into pieces and store them individually. Cutting up pieces is better, as you can grab as much as you need each time.
After you wrap the pie, place it in a freezer bag to help prevent freezer burns.
Another storing method is to place the pie pieces in airtight containers. For an extra step, you can place the containers in freezer bags to give them an added layer of protection.
When it’s time to take the pie out of the freezer, thawing will be an essential step.
There are two ways to defrost the pie. You can keep it in the fridge overnight, then take it out the next morning. Give it some time to bring it to room temperature, and then heat it in the oven if you want to.
The other way is to let it completely thaw on your kitchen counter till it reaches room temperature. Then, you can heat it in the oven at 350℉ for around 20 minutes.
Can Apple Pie be Stored at Room Temperature?
You might have wondered if you can skip the hassle of refrigerating or freezing apple pie, and if it’s possible to leave it on the kitchen counter.
Yes, you can keep an apple pie at room temperature, but there are a few exceptions.
If your apple pie contains dairy products such as eggs or custard, store it in the fridge. The reason is that dairy ingredients spoil quickly, so you shouldn’t leave them out on the counter.
However, if you made your pie with regular sugar or cinnamon, you can keep it on the counter for up to two days. Simply cover the pie with plastic wrap or a lid to keep it protected.
How Long Do Store-Bought Apple Pies Last?
If you’re like me, you like to buy your apple pies—not enough time in our schedules to bake, right? But since you didn’t bake the pie, you might wonder how long it’ll stay fresh. Well, that’ll depend on a few factors, but the same rules with freshly baked pie will apply.
Expiration Date
The great thing is that a store-bought pie has an expiration date. So it’s easy to know how long to store it. Most store-bought pies expire after around five days.
You can follow the same storing techniques and either keep it in the fridge for five days or freeze it to keep it longer.
The Ingredients
If you want to keep your store-bought apple pie on the counter for a couple of days, you could do that but it’ll also depend on the ingredients.
If the pie has fresh apples or dairy products, don’t let it sit out, or the ingredients will spoil.
So, if you don’t like refrigerating pie, either make sure the amount will all be eaten or read the ingredients to ensure they won’t spoil.
Storing an Unbaked Apple Pie
Do you have to bake many apple pies for the holidays or a special event? Then you might need to store unbaked pies and pop them in the oven any time.
Well, lucky for you it’s possible to store unbaked pies, you can also freeze them to extend their shelf life! So, let’s go over the methods of storing an unbaked apple pie.
Storing an Unbaked Apple Pie in the Fridge
To store an unbaked apple pie in the fridge, keep it on its plate and wrap it loosely with plastic or aluminum foil. The wrap prevents air from getting inside to keep the pie from drying.
Your unbaked pie should last in the fridge for two days. If you didn’t bake the pie within two days, then you should freeze it.
Storing an Unbaked Apple Pie in the Freezer
Storing unbaked pies in the freezer can save you a lot of time. However, it’s important to store them correctly so they stay fresh.
When you freeze an apple pie, don’t cut slits in the top crust as you normally do. Instead, do this step before baking to keep the filling fresh when you freeze it.
Wrap the pie tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum. Make sure that you cover the pie well enough so no air gets inside.
You can put the wrapped pie in a freezer bag for extra protection. Finally, place the pie on a flat surface like a tray so it doesn’t get squashed by items in your freezer.
Using this technique, you can freeze your unbaked pies for up to three months.
When you’re ready to bake your pie, defrost it until it reaches room temperature. After that, cut the slits on the top crust and bake as you normally would.
If you have leftover pie after baking, you can store it using any of the previous techniques. Just remember to bring it to room temperature first.
Summary
To make things simpler for you, here’s a table that sums up the average storage times of each type of pie.
Pie | Storage time in the fridge | Storage time in the freezer | Storage time at room temperature |
Freshly Baked | Four days | Six months | Two days |
Store-bought | Five days | Six months | Two days |
Unbaked | Two days | Three months | – |
Final Thoughts
Now you know how to store your freshly baked, store-bought, or even unbaked apple pies. You can store a baked apple pie in the fridge, freezer, or on the counter for a couple of days.
Storing apple pie in the fridge is the most common method, and it’s great if you want to keep the pie for a few days. The freezer, on the other hand, is a great solution if you intend on storing a pie for several months.
You can always keep the pie on the counter for two days if it doesn’t have dairy ingredients.
Whatever method you choose will add to the shelf life of your delicious pie and help you enjoy it for longer. Happy baking!
Sarah is the founder of Baking Kneads, LLC, a blog sharing guides, tips, and recipes for those learning how to bake. Growing up as the daughter of a baker, she spent much of her childhood learning the basics in a local bakery.