How to Store Apple Pie
Can you leave it on the counter, or do you have to put it in the fridge? Here's the answer.
Lesyy/Getty
By Krissy Downey for Food Network Kitchen
Krissy is a Digital Culinary Production Fellow at Food Network.
Apple pie is a true treasure of the autumn season, and we look forward to making it year after year. You want to make sure to enjoy every last bite of that warm apple goodness, but it can be difficult to know how to handle any leftovers. We’re here to help you learn how to store apple pie, ensuring your leftovers stay tasty and fresh.
How to Store Apple Pie
When it comes to storing apple pie, you're probably asking yourself: on the counter or in the refrigerator? Ideally, apple pie (or any fruit pie) should be stored in the refrigerator, either with a lid or covered tightly with plastic wrap. It will last up to 4 days in the refrigerator, but always be sure to check in on your leftovers to make sure they still look and smell good before diving in.
We recommend refrigerating right away, but if your pie sits out on the counter overnight, don’t fret. The pie will be just fine on the counter, but only for a day or two, at which point it needs to go into the fridge. The sugar and acid in apple pie will slow down bacteria growth in that 1-2 day period, but all bets are off after that. You’ll still want to cover the pie with a lid or plastic wrap on the counter to avoid the crust from going stale and the pie from collecting dust. The pie will still last up to 4 days, even if it sits on the counter for part of that time, so if it spends 2 days on the counter, it will last for 2 more days in the fridge.
Can I Freeze Apple Pie?
Yes; your apple pie will freeze beautifully and give you a taste of autumn well after apple season has hit its peak. Make sure it is sealed tight in an airtight container, and, if you really want to be thorough, put the airtight container in a large freezer bag. That will give you the most protection against freezer burn and will ensure the pie stays fresh, even in the freezer. The pie will last up to six months in the freezer, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the last remnants of fall. When you’re ready to finally enjoy it, first defrost the pie at room temperature, and then reheat it in a 350 degree F oven for about 30-45 minutes.
Can I Store Unbaked Apple Pie?
The holidays can be stressful, and one easy way to manage the stress of cooking is to do as much as you can ahead of time. Great news: you can give your apple pies the make-ahead treatment for easy, stress-free dessert prep. You can follow your apple pie recipe right up to when it goes in the oven, at which point you can use that same method of storing it in an airtight container or in tightly-sealed plastic wrap and stick it in the fridge. It will keep uncooked in the refrigerator for up to two days. When you’re ready to bake, bring it just to room temperature and then bake according to your recipe.
Our Favorite Apple Pie Recipes
All this talk of apple pie has us hungry! There are so many variations of apple pie, read on to find your favorite!
Tara Donne, FOOD NETWORK : 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.
You can’t go wrong with a classic. This recipe gives you not one, but two surefire ways to prep the dough, either by hand or in the food processor. All it needs is a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Tara Donne, 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.
Now this is a show-stopper. A little extra work goes a long way with this visually stunning pie, that tastes just as good as it looks.
Armando Rafael, 2015, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
This is our go-to Dutch apple pie recipe, which has many different variations and interpretations. Our version has a streusel topping that makes this an extra textured, crispy, golden apple pie.
Ryan Liebe, Ryan Liebe — 2016
Nothing says warm fall treat like crisp apples coated in rich bourbon. That bourbon gives an added dimension of flavor, perfect for a Friendsgiving potluck or classic Thanksgiving dessert.
Stephen Johnson, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.
Have a vegan eater coming to your holiday dinner? Keep them included in all the fun with this vegan version of classic apple pie. They will be so thankful you thought of them.
Glazed cinnamon buns morphed together with apple pie makes for the most decadent, warm, hybrid holiday treat. There won’t be a leftover in sight!
Related Links:
