If you ended up on this page, you probably want to know if you can you freeze pumpkin pie?
Well, you are in luck as today I present to you a detailed guide showing you how to properly prepare and store a pumpkin pie in the freezer.
With that said, let us get right into it.
Can You Freeze Pumpkin Pie (Should You Be Doing This?)
Quick Answer: Yes, you absolutely can freeze a pumpkin pie.
Traditional pumpkin pie recipes use a lot of eggs and cream, which makes this custard based dessert perfect for freezing due to the high fat content.
When packaged and frozen properly, pumpkin pie can last one to two months in the freezer.
This makes it ideal to bake it a couple of days before you plan on using it (Thanksgiving dinner) and thaw when needed.
Freezing the pie will be a time saver and you will have one less thing to worry about baking on the given day.
How to Freeze Pumpkin Pie: Step-by-Step Guide
Below, are step-by-step instructions for properly preparing and freezing pumpkin pie for future use.
Freezing a Whole Pumpkin Pie
- Bake in aluminum pans – If freezing your pumpkin pie, you should do it in an aluminum pie dish as opposed to a regular pan. Aluminum pans are thinner, which will help the pie to freeze quickly. There is also a reduction in the amount of ice crystals present, which can make the pie soggy when thawed.
- Cool After Baking – It is extremely important that you allow your pumpkin pie to full cool before freezing (2-3 hours). You do not want to put a warm pie in the freezer that has been wrapped, as the steam will get trapped, adding moisture, which will turn into ice crystals. This added moisture will destroy the filling and crust when thawed and you will end up with a totally different pie (taste wise) when you are ready to serve it.
- Wrap Properly – Before you place the pie in the freezer, you are going to ensure that it is wrapped properly. Take some plastic wrap and go around the pie, ensuring that it is fully covered.
- Wrap With Foil – This step is optional, but if you want extra protection, you can wrap the pie again with aluminum foil to create a secondary barrier.
- Place in a Freezer Safe/Bag Container – The thing about freezers is that weird odors can often linger. To further protect your pumpkin pie, you can place it in a freezer safe Ziploc bag or container. This will also help to protect the pie against freezer burn.
How to Thaw Frozen Pumpkin Pie
A day before you are ready to use your frozen pumpkin pie, you should remove it from the freezer so that it can defrost.
The way you are going to do this is by letting it thaw out in the refrigerator overnight.
Steps:
- Remove the pie from the freezer, removing from the freezer bag and taking off the plastic wrap.
- Let it sit in the refrigerator overnight to thaw (Around 8-12 hours).
- Once finished, you can reheat the pumpkin pie or serve cold.
- Thawed pie can be kept in the fridge for up to four days. Store-bought pies have preservatives and can last a few days longer in the refrigerator (or the counter, read the pie’s instructions)
You should never defrost pumpkin pie at room temperature for 2 reasons:
- Food Safety
- Pie Will Get Soggy
Food Safety
Traditional pumpkin pie recipes call for both eggs and milk, two perishable items that go bad when left out of the refrigerator.
According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USDA, perishable foods should never thaw on the kitchen counter and must not be left at room temperature for more than two hours.
As the pie thaws, it can reach the “Danger Zone,” the temperature range in which bacteria that causes food-borne illnesses can multiply rapidly.
When thawing your frozen pie, it’s best to let it thaw in the refrigerator as it will be able to remain at a safe and constant temperature — at 40 °F (4.4 °C) or below.
Pie Will Get Soggy
Aside from food safety concerns, you should not let the pie thaw at room temperature on the kitchen counter as excess moisture will ruin the pie.
Please Note: The above applies to traditional homemade pumpkin pies. If you have a store-bought/commercial pie, you should check the box to see if there are instructions as it relates to thawing.
Commercial pies contain stabilizers and preservatives, which allow them to stay outside out the refrigerator, without the fear of it spoiling.
Frequently Asked Questions: Freezing Pumpkin Pie
Below are some common questions received as it relates to putting a pumpkin pie in the freezer.
Can Pumpkin Pie be Frozen After Baking?
You definitely can freeze pumpkin pie after it has been baked. The key is letting the pie sit and cool properly, before it is prepared to to be stored in the freezer.
Wrapping it up
You have reached the end and now you should have a better grasp of how to go about freezing a pumpkin pie properly.
Now, I want to hear from you.
Was there anything unclear? Is there some more questions you want answered?
If so, leave a comment below.
