Last Updated on 17th December 2021 by
We all make way too much food at Thanksgiving, and there tends to be plenty of leftovers afterwards. Some of that can be eaten over the next week until everyone in the house is tired of turkey sandwiches and mashed potatoes with everything they eat.
It’s also common to make way too many desserts. From the peach cobbler to the pumpkin pie to the ice cream to the cookies, it seems like it would cause anyone’s blood sugar to spike if they tried to eat all the desserts before they spoiled. Sometimes, an excess of food just happens, but you still don’t want any of it to spoil.
If you are like us and are looking for ways to preserve some of the Thanksgiving food, then you may be wondering does pumpkin pie freeze well. Some people just like to save a part of the pie for later on in the year or even for the following year, just to experience the Thanksgiving dessert all over again. Others like to store up leftovers in such a way so that they don’t feel compelled to gorge themselves every day for the next week.
So, can you freeze a pumpkin pie? Yes, you can, and it’s not that difficult to keep it tasting great and ensure it has the right texture when you go to eat it later. You just have to know some proper storage techniques.
How to Freeze Pumpkin Pie
If you are making the pie yourself or you are using a store bought pie, you always make sure the pie has cooled sufficiently before you try to store it in the freezer. Even fridge storage is a bad idea until the pie has cooled all the way. From hot out of the
To store the pie, be sure to place it in an airtight, freezer-safe container. The original pie dish will probably have a plastic cover, but it may not work very well. Those containers tend to not be airtight. It’s better to place the pie into a separate container, preferably one that will accommodate the pie dish.
You can remove the pie from the aluminium foil dish or baking dish, if you like. Just be careful that you don’t break it apart and damage the crust. To lift the pie out, wedge a spatula underneath and tilt the pie dish slightly. Lift the pie out onto a counter or rack and then from there you can place it into another dish that is suitable for the freezer.
You can freeze the pie in an aluminium pie dish. Those are actually really good, since they are thin and allow the pie to freeze quickly. Faster freezing is preferable, since it ensures the texture and taste are preserved. If you can’t find a dish to place the pie into that is safe for the freezer, then you can place the pie (dish and all) into a freezer bag. Just rest the pie on a shelf in the freezer so that it will be safe from damage.
Pie can be wrapped in plastic wrap and aluminium foil as well. It’s always best to have a layer of plastic covering around it, though, as that keeps air out and keeps the pie fresher for longer.
Can You Freeze Homemade Pumpkin Pie?
Homemade pie is just as easy and safe to freeze as store bought pumpkin pie. It is possible that there will be more preservatives in the pumpkin pie you get from the store, but that won’t really affect how long it lasts in the freezer or how effective freezing is as a long term storage option.
You can freeze homemade pumpkin pie the same way you would freeze any other kind of pumpkin pie.
Which Pie Crust Freezes Best?
There are lots of different kinds pf pie crusts you can use to make pumpkin pie with. One of our favourites is graham cracker crust, and some people even use an Oreo crust or other chocolate pie crust.
The best one for freezing your pumpkin pie with, though, is the standard pastry dough. It will retain is flavour and form very well even after a long time in the freezer.
How Long Does Pumpkin Pie Last in the Freezer?
Once you freeze pumpkin pie, you need to be aware of how long it is good for while stored there. It would be a shame for it to go to waste after all the work that was put into it.
If you store your pumpkin pie in the freezer, it is best to eat it within four weeks. Any longer than that and it might not be good, losing its texture and becoming soggy when you thaw it out. No one wants a soggy pie, so keep in mind how long your pie is good for and plan to consume it before it goes bad. Four weeks is definitely long enough for you to be able to pull it back out during Christmas, if you want to save yourself some work then and bake an extra pie for Thanksgiving.
Can You Freeze Pumpkin Pie Filling?
You may have not used all of the pumpkin pie filling after you made your pumpkin pie, so what do you do with that? If you don’t plan to use it within a couple of days, then it needs to go into the freezer. It is perfectly okay to store pumpkin pie filling in the freezer over the long term. The freezer will do a great job of helping it last longer by stopping the oxidation and enzyme processes, ensuring a long shelf life and helping to last until you are ready to use it.
This won’t last long, though. You can store it in resealable freezer bags, but it only lasts for up to five days. When you are ready to use it, just transfer the filling to the fridge and let it thaw out before use.
Can I Freeze Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Topping?
If you served out the pie with whipped topping and you want to save it for later, it is best to put it into the fridge. The whipped topping won’t keep very well on the pie, and it can lose its texture and taste while being stored in the fridge. If there is a chance that the pie won’t be eaten in the next day or two, it is best to leave off the whipped topping until you absolutely need it.
I'm Pauline, a mother of four grown children, my passion for cooking stemmed from the joy i get cooking for my family. I love to try new dishes, especially when dining out but creating and sharing my own recipes is my favourite thing to do!