freeze apple pie

Can You Freeze Apple Pie? How to Make It Last Longer

In short, yes, you can freeze apple pie, whether baked or unbaked, in a disposable tin foil pie pan for up to 6 months. Remember to leave it whole and make slits in the crust just before baking.

Apple pie is a well-loved dessert or tea-time treat. Its sweet, slightly tart, and fruity flavor is complemented by the warmth of cinnamon spice and a soft crunch of pastry. Served with cream or vanilla ice cream, it is the perfect balance of all things delicious.

The good news is that no apple pie leftovers ever have to go wasted again. Apple pie can be frozen to extend its shelf life. You can even make a double batch while baking and freeze one to use a few weeks down the line.

Here is your full guide to freezing apple pie.

Can Apple Pie Be Frozen?

Yes, you can freeze apple pie. Whether it is baked or unbaked, freezing apple pie will extend its shelf life for up to 6 months.

When freezing uncooked apple pie, leave it whole. Do not make slits in the top of the crust until right before you bake the pie. 

Preparing the pie in a disposable tin foil pie pan is the ideal option. The foil dish is both freezer- and oven-friendly. This way you don’t have to worry about transferring the pie between dishes due to extreme temperature changes.

Make sure you remove any cream, ice cream, or other toppings that may have been served with the pie before preparing leftover apple pie to go into the freezer.


How To Freeze Apple Pie

Step 1: Cool

If you are going to freeze baked apple pie, remove it from the oven and let it cool to room temperature on a cooling rack. Once the pie is cool to touch, you can put it in the refrigerator to speed up the cooling process.

Covering the baked pie while it is still warm will result in moisture droplets forming inside the wrapping which will, in turn, lead to crystallization, freezer burn, and a poor quality pie on thawing.

Step 2: Wrap

Wrap the pie, whether baked or unbaked, with a double layer of aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Make sure the whole pie is covered completely with no open gaps where air can enter. You want to keep the pie completely safe from contact with air to prevent freezer burn.

Step 3: Pack and Seal

Place the wrapped pie in a zip lock freezer bag, pressing all the air out before sealing. If you do not have a freezer bag big enough for an entire unsliced pie, wrap it fully in another double layer of cling film.

Step 5: Label and Freeze

Write the contents and date of freezing on the freezer bag with a permanent marker to keep track of how long it has been stored. Place the pie in the freezer.


How To Freeze Apple Pie Slices

Freezing slices is ideal if you don’t want to thaw a whole pie just for one piece. Remember that once the pie is defrosted you cannot freeze it again. Individual slices are great for snacks or lunch boxes.

Cut the apple pie into the desired size slices. Then, line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Place the slices on the lined baking sheet and put it in the freezer until they are frozen solid.

Once frozen, remove the tray from the freezer and wrap each slice individually with a double layer of plastic wrap or aluminum foil. 

Once wrapped, place the slices in an airtight container or resealable freezer bag for an extra layer of protection. Press out any air from the freezer bag before sealing it.

Write the date and contents on the container and place the slices back in the freezer.

How To Thaw Frozen Baked Apple Pie

For the best results, remove the frozen pie from the freezer, unwrap it, and place it on an ovenproof pie plate. Let it sit on the counter for 10 minutes and preheat oven to 350 °F (180 °C). Heat the apple pie in the oven to crisp the crust and warm through without baking it further.

If you do not want the pie warmed, place it in the refrigerator to thaw overnight. Keep in mind that not heating the pie in the oven may result in a slightly soft or soggy pie crusts due to the moisture released while defrosting.

How To Thaw Frozen Unbaked Apple Pie

To prepare unbaked pie, remove it from the freezer, unwrap it, and prick or make slits in a solid pie crust for the steam to escape while baking. 

Place the unwrapped pie straight from frozen into the oven to bake as per your recipe. You will have to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Types of Apple Pie

Apple pies can be made with different varieties of apples. The apples are peeled, chopped, and then cooked with butter, sugar, and cinnamon. This delicious apple pie filling is then placed into a pie shell and topped with a top layer of pastry. The top layer of pastry can be solid or a lattice of woven pastry strips. 

Apple pie is traditionally served with whipped cream, ice cream, caramel sauce, or cheddar cheese. The apple mixture for the filling can be made from fresh, canned, or rehydrated dried apples. Ingredients such as lemon juice, nutmeg, raisins, or honey are also included in some recipes.

Although homemade apple pie is traditionally known to have a top and bottom crust, variants include deep-dish apple pie with a top crust only and Tarte Tatin which is served with a crust on the bottom only.


FAQs

Conclusion

Now that you know apple pie can be frozen, you can prepare your delicious homemade apple pie well in advance for any occasion. While you are at it, don’t hesitate to make a double batch, cut the pie into small squares and wrap them individually for lunch boxes and picnic snacks.

Whether you are preparing for a big event, have too many apples, or don’t want to waste pie leftovers, freezing apple pie is a great solution to avoid waste, save time, and always have a treat on hand for unexpected guests.

Find more on apple pie’s shelf life and proper storage in our next article: Does Apple Pie Go Bad? Shelf Life Explained

Up next: How to reheat apple pie

frozen apple pie

*image by studioM/depositphotos

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