Does Leftover Pie Need to Be Refrigerated? | Cook's Illustrated (2024)

FAQs

Does Leftover Pie Need to Be Refrigerated? | Cook's Illustrated? ›

Pie is safe to keep and will maintain its quality on the counter for up to two days. While it's safe to store it longer in the fridge, it won't taste as fresh and the crust will lose crispness.

If a pie contains eggs or dairy products, it should be stored in the refrigerator and not left out at room temperature for more than two hours. Pies that do not contain dairy products, such as fruit pies can be stored, loosely covered at room temperature for up to two days.

How Long Does Pie Last Unrefrigerated? According to the University of Illinois Extension, pies with eggs and dairy will only last about two hours without refrigeration, while pies without eggs or dairy can last for up to two days without refrigeration.

Why Are Store-Bought Pies Not Refrigerated? So that brings many of us to the question: Why are the pumpkin pies at the grocery store sitting out? Store-bought pumpkin pies include shelf-stable ingredients such as preservatives which allow them to last longer, even at room temp.

McDowell says that fruit and custard pies are best eaten within the first 24 hours after baking, but can be stored at room temperature for up to two days—any longer than that, and the crust will start to get soggy.

Apple and other fruit pies keep at room temperature for up to two days, then in the fridge for two more. Pumpkin, custard, or other egg/dairy-based pies can be stored in the fridge for up to four days. Pie dough can keep for two to three days in the fridge, or up to three months in the freezer.

Fruit pies keep at room temperature for two days; you can store them, loosely covered, in the refrigerator for up to two days longer. (In warm climates, always store fruit pies in the refrigerator.)

A basic apple pie made with sugar will last up to two days at room temperature in an airtight container. Afterward, it needs to go in the refrigerator and will last for up to two days. Apple pie made with a sugar substitute or without sugar will last up to two days in the fridge.

When the pie has cooled, it's time to decide: refrigerator or counter? "Apple pies that contain no eggs or cream can be stored on a kitchen counter for up to two days," notes Tiner. "Afterwards, if there is any left, the pie should be stored in the refrigerator."

“Once the pie is baked and fully cooled, store it at room temperature on a cool counter (i.e. out of direct heat), under a pie dome, in a pie box, or wrapped in plastic wrap,” says Lana, the office manager of Sister Pie in Detroit, Michigan.

What pies must be refrigerated? ›

Homemade egg-rich pies such as pecan, pumpkin, lemon meringue and custard must be kept refrigerated after cooking and cooling. Cream and chiffon pies must be stored in the refrigerator.

How Long Can Pumpkin Pie Be Left at Room Temperature? Your pumpkin pie can safely sit out on the kitchen counter for up to 2 hours, says the FDA. After that, you run the risk of bacterial growth.

According to FoodSafety.gov, homemade pumpkin pie can be stored in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. To keep your pie as fresh as possible, be sure to wrap it loosely in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

Commercially-produced pumpkin pies are typically made with preservatives that allow them to remain shelf-stable for longer at room temperature. Most store-bought pies will include a sell-by date, which gives you an idea of how long they will remain safe to eat—even stored at room temperature.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, pies containing perishable ingredients such as eggs or dairy must be refrigerated once cool. Fruit pies, however, are food-safe at room temperature for up to two days because they contain plenty of sugar and acid, which slow the growth of bacteria.

Loosely cover: After baking and cooling your pie, loosely cover it with aluminum foil. Store: store for at room temperature for up to two days, or up to seven days in the fridge according to USDA guidelines. Bake: Bake pie 10 to 15 minutes in a 375°F oven before serving to help re-crisp the crust and warm up the fruit.

Once you parbake or blind bake your pie shells, let them cool completely; then store in an airtight vessel or bag — an XLarge Ziplock (2-gallon) works well. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. From here, proceed with whichever pie recipe you are making.

You can only keep it at room temperature for two hours. Since pecan pies contain eggs, they have more chances to get bad and make you sick. So, if you have kept your pies in the fridge, put them back within two hours. On the other hand, store-bought pies contain preservatives that keep them from spoiling.