Thanksgiving will not be complete without freshly baked pumpkin pies! And for any holiday, it’s a staple at the family dinner table. And because you love pumpkin pie so much, you could have made lots of it for the holidays. Better to have more pies than less for your guess right?

But what if you made a ton and were not able to finish it all off? How do you properly store them? Do you freeze or put them in the ref? And how long does pumpkin pie last in the fridge.

We will dabble on all of that in this article. You don’t want a good and delicious pie to go to waste! So let’s head on to know how long your fridge will be able to keep your pumpkin pies. 

What is the Shelf Life of Pumpkin Pies

Pumpkin pies are made of custard. So either you made one from canned pumpkin filling or fresh ones, it will have eggs and milk. And compared to fruit pies, pumpkin pies have a shorter shelf life. So you can’t let it sit on the counter at room temperature for too long. Otherwise, it’ll easily spoil.

Bacteria grow rapidly between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s why you should never leave pumpkin pies, or any food too long standing at room temperature. 

You will only be able to keep your pumpkin pies at the counter for a maximum of 2 hours. And if you want to enjoy pumpkin pies for more than 4 days you can extend the shelf life by freezing pumpkin pies. 

How Long Do Pumpkin Pies Last in the Fridge

When kept in the fridge properly, pumpkin pies can last in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. But of course, you have to properly store it so that it will retain its flavors.

How? Cover the pie loosely with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. And because pumpkin pie is best eaten when cold, you don’t have to be bothered by defrosting them! 

If you’re going to eat pumpkin pie for dessert, take them out of the fridge 2-3 hours prior. Then you can put a lot of whipped cream and enjoy a yummy slice of pumpkin pie.

But what if you need your pumpkin pie to last for more than 4 days? Easy peasy, you can always freeze them!

How to Freeze Pumpkin Pies

Is it okay to freeze pumpkin pies? Because pumpkin pies have a custard that’s quite high in fat, they will freeze beautifully. It’s similar to sweet potato pie in terms of texture. 

So if you’re worried if it will still taste the same even if it has been frozen, let’s help you. See below on how to freeze pumpkin pies properly.

1. Choose the proper container

If you intend to freeze pumpkin pies later, it’s best to make them in disposable aluminum trays. These trays are thinner and can freeze the pumpkin pie faster and evenly. Thus, it prevents the pie from forming ice crystals on the surface. Too many ice crystals mean it will accumulate water. And it can make your pumpkin pie soggy once you thaw them.

2. After baking the pie, allow it to cool down completely

You don’t want to put a warm pie in the freezer! That can melt the ice and it can also spike up your electric bill.

Wrap the pie in extra layers of the plastic wrapper. Seal it as well. Then get a resealable bag and pop in the pie wrapped in plastic. This will give it multiple layers of cover for added protection.

You may also like: Can you Freeze Sweet Potatoes

3. You can keep the pie in the freezer for 1 to 2 months.

But depending on the type of freeze that you’re using, it might have a frequent defrost cycle. So if your pie has been sitting in the freezer for more than a month, do check on it. 

See if ice crystals develop on the surface of the pie, then it’s best to consume the pie. Too much formation of ice crystals will make it soggy. 

How to Properly Thaw Frozen Pumpkin Pie

Like most foods, you shouldn’t defrost pumpkin pie on the counter. So take it out of the freezer and transfer it to the fridge. So you have to do that 8 to 12 hours before eating the pie.

Then once it has been thawed, pop it in the microwave or oven just for a few seconds. 

How to freeze pumpkin pie

Some people want to eat their pies cold and others like it at room temperature. But some want to savor a warm slice of pumpkin pie. And it’s easy to reheat one too. 

But remember to thaw the pie completely first before reheating them.

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Remove the pie from the plastic wrapping and cover loosely with tin foil.
3. Pop it in the oven for 15 minutes.
4. Test if the pie has been warmed all the way through. Slice it with a knife and feel the knife is warm to touch.
5. Let it sit for a few minutes before devouring it. 
6. Remember, once you reheat the pumpkin pie, you can’t freeze or store it in the fridge again.

How Long Do Store-Bought Pumpkin Pies Last

When not unopened, store-bought pumpkin pies can last on the counter as long as it’s not yet beyond their sell-before date. You can, however, put it in the ref to extend its shelf life. It can be eaten up to two days past the sell-before date if it has been kept in the ref. 

Also, it can last 6-9 months when kept in the freezer. 

How Can You Tell if Pumpkin Pie Has Gone Bad

You may have forgotten that you have pumpkin pie sitting in the fridge for too long. So how do you know when it’s gone bad?

Here are the signs

1. Mold has started to form on the surface of the pies.
2. It smells off. 

Facts on Storing Pumpkin Pies in the Ref and Freezer

1. Storing the pumpkin pie in the freezer may cause the texture of the pie to change. However, the taste will not be affected. 
2. Technically, frozen homemade pumpkin pie can last more than 2 months in the freezer it may last 6-9 months. But the taste and quality will not be that great anymore. But it’s still safe to eat. 

Ideas for Leftover Pumpkin Pie

If you have gone bored of eating leftover pumpkin pie from Thanksgiving, worry not. There are other ways to enjoy leftover pie aside from putting a dollop of whipped cream on top. 

1. Breakfast casserole

Pumpkin pie for breakfast, why not? And with our pumpkin pie breakfast casserole recipe, you might want to eat it for breakfast every day.

We’d be needing the following:

2 cups rolled oats

½ tsp salt

½ tsp baking powder

½ tsp ground ginger

½ tsp nutmeg

1 and ½ tsp cinnamon

 3-4 slices leftover pumpkin pie

For serving:

Maple syrup

Almond milk

And the procedure

1. Chop the 3-4 slices of pumpkin pie. It has to yield 2 1/2 cups of chopped pies.
2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl. Pour in the wet ingredients and mix well. Then gently toss in the sliced pumpkin pies.
4. You may also adjust the sweetness to your liking by adding sweeteners. 
5. Pour mixture into a greased casserole dish and bake for 30 minutes.
6. Pour almond milk on top and add a drizzle of maple syrup

2. Pumpkin pie milkshake

Yes, you heard it right! It’s pumpkin pie in a shake and here’s how to do it.

We’d be needing the following:

1 big slice of leftover pumpkin pie

1 cup vanilla ice cream

¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice

 3 tbsp vegan milk ( almond milk will do)

Garnish:

Whipped cream

Pumpkin spice

And the procedure:

1. In a blender, toss in the pumpkin pie, ½ cup of the ice cream, and milk. Pulse a few times until it’s well blended, but not too liquidy.
2. Add the remaining 1/2 cup of the ice cream. And using just a spoon, roughly mix it in. This will make the mixture thicker and creamier.
3. Pour into a glass. Put a dollop of whipped cream and/or a pinch of pumpkin spice. 

Final Say

Pumpkin pies are also a favorite comfort food of many. You can enjoy it with a hot cup of your favorite joe and it’ll chase the blues away. And storing pumpkin pie properly in the fridge or freezer will help you savor the comforting and warm taste of pumpkin pie longer. 

Just do not keep it in the fridge for too long to be able to enjoy it just as much.