Does Apple Pie Need to Be Refrigerated? (2024)

Here's what you need to know.

By

Sarra Sedghi

Sarra Sedghi has more than 10 years of experience as a food writer. She covers cooking, restaurants, and food culture, as well as travel, design, and lifestyle.

Updated on September 27, 2023

Fridge space becomes scarce around the holidays. After all, you need somewhere to store all those ingredients and leftovers. Until that overcrowding clears up, you'll want to utilize any space you can, and that means your countertops and freezers are about to become much more valuable. Unlike your holiday ham and casseroles, many desserts, including fruit pies, don't need to be refrigerated immediately, but they do need to be refrigerated eventually. Read on to find out which apple pies need to be refrigerated right away and which can stay on the countertop temporarily, how long apple pies last on the counter and in the fridge, and how to freeze apple pie.

Does Apple Pie Need to Be Refrigerated?

Well, it depends — a regular apple pie that just contains sugar will last up to two days at room temperature, but an apple pie that is made with custard or cream or has egg in the filling needs to be refrigerated in order to prevent foodborne illness. Additionally, apple pie made without sugar or with a sugar substitute such as Splenda needs to be refrigerated right away.

How Long Does Apple Pie Last?

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. Apple pie with custard, cream, or eggs in the filling will also last up to two days in the refrigerator.

Can You Freeze Apple Pie?

Standard apple pies (as well as pecan pie, pumpkin pie, and other fruit pies) freeze quite well. Apple pies made with custard, cream, eggs, or dairy should not be stored in the freezer because the temperature will alter their taste and texture. As long as apple pie (with no custard, cream, eggs, or dairy) is tightly wrapped and stored in an airtight container, it will last up to three months in the freezer.

How to Store Apple Pie

On the counter: Store apple pie at room temperature by placing it in an airtight container or sealing it tightly with plastic or aluminum foil. (Again, we're talking about apple pie made with no eggs or dairy.)

In the fridge: Place your pie in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to two days.

In the freezer: If you're making and freezing a pie ahead of time, let it cool completely before storing. This will prevent warm air from getting trapped and creating moisture. Tightly wrap the pie in two layers of plastic wrap and one layer of aluminum foil. Store in an airtight container, such as a large zip-top bag, or cover in another layer of foil. Squeeze out as much air as possible, label clearly, and freeze for up to three months.

Hungry for more? Check out our collection of apple pie recipes.

Related:

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!

Does Apple Pie Need to Be Refrigerated? (2024)

FAQs

Does Apple Pie Need to Be Refrigerated? ›

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.

How long can apple pie be left unrefrigerated? ›

How Long Does Apple Pie Last? 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.

Will pies go bad if not refrigerated? ›

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.

Does apple pie from Costco need to be refrigerated? ›

Promptly refrigerate any unused heated portion. FOR FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY, FOLLOW THESE COOKING INSTRUCTIONS. THIS PRODUCT MUST BE COOKED TO AN INTERNAL TEMPERATURE AT THE CENTER OF THE PIE OF 185°F PRIOR TO EATING. * The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet.

How long do apples last unrefrigerated? ›

At room temperature, apples will last about 5 to 7 days.

Beyond that, they begin to degrade in quality and nutritional content. They begin to lose their flavor and freshness and either shrivel or get mushy.

How to know if apple pie has gone bad? ›

When apple pie has gone bad, it may start to grow mold, typically a fuzzy white or green substance appearing on the surface. Additionally, if the pie has a sour, off smell, then it's a sure sign that it's spoiled. The taste can also be off, sour, or simply not as fresh.

How long can baked apples sit out? ›

The quick baked apple slices can stay at room temperature for up to 2 hours. After that time period, you will need to freeze or refrigerate them. Baked apple slices will last in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Why don t stores refrigerate their pies? ›

According to the Food and Drug Administration, homemade pies containing eggs should be refrigerated. 2 However, you've probably noticed that a lot of grocery stores and restaurants serve and store them at room temperature. This is because, quite simply, they taste better that way.

Does apple cobbler need to be refrigerated? ›

Does apple cobbler need to be refrigerated? According to the USDA, fruit pies and cobblers can stay out at room temperature for up to 2 days. That said, we think the cobbler lasts longer and tastes fresher if it's been refrigerated. It's easy to warm in the microwave before serving.

How should I store a pie overnight? ›

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.

Do apple and blueberry pies need to be refrigerated? ›

Should You Refrigerate Leftover Pie? In a side-by-side test, we found that it's not necessary to refrigerate leftover fruit pie—but that if you do, your pie won't suffer for it. We made two apple and two blueberry pies and stored one of each in the refrigerator and the others on the counter overnight.

Should apple pie and pumpkin pie be refrigerated? ›

"Homemade ones all need to be stored in the fridge because they do not have the preservatives and such that commercial bakeries use to make something room temp safe."

Why is Costco apple pie so good? ›

Costco's apple pie is frequently praised for its pleasing crunchy texture and nice balance between sweetness and tanginess when it comes to the filling. In fact, lots of people claim that this pie tastes like it was made from scratch.

How long can an apple pie sit out? ›

How Long Can Apple Pie Sit On The Counter? Apple pie can be stored on the counter in an airtight container for up to two days. "After two days the quality starts to diminish," notes Tiner. "The problem is the natural yeast in the air as well as other airborne molds.

What happens if you don't put apples in the fridge? ›

Apples are safe at room temperature, but their higher ethylene content contributes to faster ripening. Apples stored in the refrigerator can last for several weeks. Cut produce is more susceptible to pathogens, so storing in the refrigerator can limit pathogen growth.

Is it better to refrigerate apples or leave them out? ›

They can quickly become overripe on the counter, which means they will degrade much faster. The refrigerator keeps apples fresh anywhere from three weeks to three months (or longer) - making it the wiser choice for storing apples you buy in bulk. There is NO substitute for refrigeration to properly store apples.

Can cooked apples be left out overnight? ›

Havern explains: "The maximum amount of time perishable foods can [spend] in the danger zone is two hours. At two hours, the food must be consumed, stored correctly, or thrown away. This includes all cooked leftovers, [chopped] fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products."

How long can a baked pie crust sit out? ›

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.

Can you leave apple cobbler out overnight? ›

How to Store Apple Cobbler. The best way to store apple cobbler is by keeping it at room temperature for three days. Just like apple pie, this easy apple cobbler recipe does not need to be refrigerated. So if you leave it out overnight, you're in the clear.

Can you leave an apple crumble out overnight? ›

While not an exact match, Still Tasty indicates up to 2 days for an apple pie at room temperature; one would expect the baked apple to have similar properties. So yes, I would expect eating your baked apple the next day should be fine.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Carmelo Roob

Last Updated:

Views: 6344

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (45 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Carmelo Roob

Birthday: 1995-01-09

Address: Apt. 915 481 Sipes Cliff, New Gonzalobury, CO 80176

Phone: +6773780339780

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Gaming, Jogging, Rugby, Video gaming, Handball, Ice skating, Web surfing

Introduction: My name is Carmelo Roob, I am a modern, handsome, delightful, comfortable, attractive, vast, good person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.