In summary: Yes, you can freeze pecan pie as its low water content and high sugar-fat combination make it freeze well; for best results, use a recipe without eggs or pre-bake the crust before freezing and add the fresh filling on the day of serving to maintain its quality.
Sticky, sweet, and nutty, who doesn’t love pecan pie? Great for dessert, tea-time, celebrations, and especially popular during the holidays, pecan pie can be homemade or bought in different sizes at bakeries or grocery stores.
Whether you are planning ahead to reduce the holiday madness, preparing for a big event, or simply have some leftovers that you cannot bear seeing wasted, pecan pie is a great freezer-friendly treat.
That means you can store whole or sliced pecan pie in the freezer, and simply thaw it when needed. No stress, no fuss. Just delicious on-demand indulgence.
There are a few important aspects you need to keep in mind when preserving this golden nutty pie in the freezer. Here is your ultimate guide to freezing pecan pie.
Can Pecan Pie Be Frozen?
Yes, pecan pie can be frozen. Due to its low water content and high sugar-fat combination, pecan pie freezes better than most other pies. The corn syrup and butter mixture keeps the pie moist, without it becoming soggy on thawing.
When freezing homemade pecan pie, it is best to use a recipe that does not include eggs. Alternatively, it is even better to prepare and freeze a pre-baked pie crust and add the fresh filling to bake on the day you are serving the pie.
Keep in mind that the better the pie is prepared before freezing, the better the quality will be when you thaw pecan pie.
If the pie crust was still moist after baking or the pie filling seeped through the crust prior to freezing, the pie can become a little soggy once thawed. If the pie is properly prepared before freezing, reheating won’t cause any change in texture or flavor.
How To Freeze Pecan Pie
If you are freezing leftover pecan pie, make sure you remove any whipped cream, ice cream or other toppings that may have been served with the pie before preparing it to go into the freezer.
Step 1: Cool Completely
After baking the pecan pie, remove it from the oven and let it cool completely on a cooling rack. Once cool to touch, you can put it in the refrigerator to speed up the cooling process if desired.
Covering the pecan pie while it is still warm will result in excess moisture forming inside the wrapping which will in turn lead to crystallization, freezer burn, and the spoiling of your pie.
Step 2: Slice
You can either freeze the whole pie or cut it into slices if you do not want to thaw the entire pie at once. Individual slices are ideal for snacks or lunch boxes.
Step 3: Wrap
Once fully cooled, wrap the pie, mini-pies, or squares with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Make sure the pie is covered completely with no open gaps which will allow air to enter.
You want to keep the pie completely safe from contact with air which will result in freezer burn and an off-taste. Wrap small pecan pies or slices individually.
Step 4: Seal
Place the wrapped pecan pie in a large freezer bag, pressing all the air out before sealing. If you do not have a zip lock freezer bag big enough for an entire unsliced pie, wrap it fully in another double layer of cling film.
Step 5: Date & Freeze
Write the date of freezing on the freezer bag to keep track of how long it has been stored.
How To Thaw Frozen Pecan Pie
Method 1: Refrigerate
When removing your wrapped pie from the freezer, check whether any filling has leaked. You do not want your pecan pie to be soggy on defrosting.
If you find that anything has leaked onto the wrapping, remove the plastic wrap or foil and rewrap it in a single clean layer so that the extra moisture does not ruin your pie texture.
Once you have checked the pie and rewrapped it if necessary, place it in the refrigerator to thaw overnight.
Method 2: Bake
Alternatively, remove the pie straight from the freezer, unwrap it, and place it on an oven safe pie plate. Let it cool on the counter for 10 minutes while warming the oven to 350˚F (180˚C).
Heat the pecan pie in the oven for 10 minutes more to crisp the crust and warm slightly without baking it further.
Types of Pecan Pie
Pecan pie can be served as a large pie, mini-pie, bite-size tartlets, or even bars. As its name suggests, a buttery pie crust is laden with pecan nuts mixed with a filling of butter, corn syrup, and eggs. There are also eggless varieties, which are the preferred type for freezing.
The fat and sugar content of the pecan pie is what allows it to freeze and thaw without much change. Corn syrup variations or replacements in pecan pie recipes may include white or brown sugar, cane syrup, molasses, maple syrup, or honey.
Variations of the traditional pie include the addition of vanilla, chocolate, or bourbon whiskey. A slice of pecan pie is often complemented with a light creamy element such as whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
FAQs
How long does pecan pie last?
Pecan pie will last well for 4 days in the refrigerator. Store it in an airtight container or wrap the pie tightly in cling film.
Frozen pecan pie will keep for two months in the freezer. The sooner you consume the pie, the better the flavor and texture will be.
How can you tell if pecan pie has gone bad?
Pecan pie that starts turning mushy, develops mold, or a slightly off-odor is no longer good to consume and should be discarded. Always store pecan pie in the refrigerator and never leave the pie at room temperature for too long as this will significantly shorten its shelf life.
Can you refreeze pecan pie?
No, pecan pie can only be frozen and thawed once. Freezing it the second time will degrade the quality of the ingredients, spoil the flavor and the texture.
Does pecan pie freeze good?
Yes, pecan pie freezes well due to its low water content and high sugar-fat combination, which helps maintain its texture and flavor upon thawing.
Conclusion
Now that you know pecan pie can be successfully frozen, you can bake your delicious pie ahead of time and save yourself a couple of hours when the holidays approach.
While you are at it, don’t hesitate to make a double batch, cut the pecan pie into small squares and wrap them individually for lunch boxes and picnic snacks.
As a qualified Holistic Nutritionist, Helga has also combined her passion for good food and healthy living in wellness coaching. After years practicing in the catering and hospitality industries, Helga now focuses on sharing her knowledge and experience with others through writing about food tips, cooking advice, wellness, global food trends, and travel.
