Last Updated on March 28, 2024 by Share My Kitchen
This brief guide will help you answer the question “How long does pie last in the fridge?” This article discusses some of the most popular pies and their shelf life. Moreover, it discusses how to properly store pie.
How long does pie last in the fridge?
Any type of pie can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. The FDA states that fruit pie, pecan pie, pumpkin pie, and custard pie can remain good for 3 to 4 days.
What part of the pie goes bad first: The filling or the crust?
However, the pie tastes best if it’s fresh. So, it is a good idea to make the dough ahead of time and freeze it. You need to defrost it in the fridge for a day, then you can prepare the filling. Keep in mind that the filling is the first to go bad. Therefore, the fillings will tell you the most about how perishable pies are.
Why is my pie soggy?
The pie’s filling has high water activity. The filling loses the water and moves to the crust if the pie is kept for too long. This causes the crust to become soggy and lose its texture.
Some of the commonly eaten pies and their shelf-life:
Fruit Pie
Fruit pie can be kept in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Keep in mind that fruits are highly perishable, and will lose their flavor, texture, and nutritional content when stored. Fruit pies can be frozen, but it is better to keep them in the refrigerator for 2 days. If you don’t eat your apple pie within 2 days, they won’t be as delicious.
Fresh fruit pie lasts for only 1-2 days. This is because fruits have high water content, so they are more likely to spoil quickly.
Pumpkin and Pecan Pies
Pecan and pumpkin pies will keep well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. These pies can be stored in the refrigerator or the freezer. However, they will lose their quality significantly if they are frozen since the fillings separate, and the pie crust becomes soggy.
It would last 4 days at most if the pumpkin pie was baked at home or purchased from a bakery. On the other hand, if you buy a pumpkin pie from a store, the preservatives will extend the shelf-life by about 3-4 days further.
Cream Pie
Cream pies can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Remember that cream is a dairy product that has a very short shelf life. But, the added preservatives make store-bought creams last longer.
Chocolate Cream Pie
Chocolate cream pie can last 3-4 days in the refrigerator. It will keep for 7 days from when it was baked, but it will start to lose its freshness after a week.
How does the fridge help to prevent mold and fungus from forming?
Moderate temperatures are conducive to bacterial growth. A hot or cold environment stops the reproduction of microorganisms.
Therefore, refrigeration is important to avoid spoiling food. Keep in mind that food still goes bad in a refrigerator, but at a slower and safer pace. Moreover, the temperature of your fridge must be at least 40°F.
How long does meat pie last in the fridge?
Steak pie and kidney pie are two common meat pies. Fresh meat pie can last for approximately 3 to 5 days if they are stored properly in a container or plastic bag.
Meat-based products are a breeding ground for bacteria. Therefore, it is more likely to spoil faster if it was not properly handled or refrigerated.
Salmonella spp., Listeria, and Escherichia Coli attack meats. These will thrive slowly if you follow the operating procedures.
How to store pie?
Covering the pie prevents oxygen and microorganisms from entering your food. Otherwise, you invite bacteria to spoil food.
So, covering food in the refrigerator will prevent other foods’ flavors and smells from contaminating it.
Wrap the entire pie or slice in an airtight wrap, then place it in an airtight container.
Temperatures above 140°F promote bacterial growth. In its early stages, spoilage is not usually dangerous, and it cannot cause illness. However, the food becomes dangerous eventually.
Although the pies themselves aren’t a danger, the fillings can be. Most crusts contain eggs and dairy, which can spoil easily. So, keep your pie in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours after you prepare them, especially if there is pecan, pumpkin or other fruit filling.
How to tell if the pie has gone bad?
The pie develops visible signs if it has spoiled. There is a change in the taste, smell, and texture. However, mold formation is the most obvious sign. The appearance of fungus or mold in blue-black is a sign that the pie has gone bad.