Is there a better way to round off a hearty dinner than with a warm slice of pie? Even though we adore this traditional fall dessert, there will inevitably be leftovers, especially if, for example, you had felt full from a large Thanksgiving meal. Even though you can always have a slice of cold pie, everyone agrees that the best pie recipes are best when eaten warm from the oven.
Here are Some Ways to Reheat Pie Properly, Including in the Oven, Microwave, Skillet, and Air Fryer
Oven Reheating
The ideal way to reheat pie is in the oven, as this will guarantee a crisp pie crust and an evenly warmed filling—the two essential components of a delicious pie. Heat your oven to 350°F, then put the pie on a baking pan and wrap it in foil to warm it thoroughly.
Heat for 15 to 20 minutes for a typical 9-inch pie. Insert a metal skewer or knife into the center of the pie, remove it, and (carefully) touch the filling to see whether it is hot enough. If so, your perfectly reheated pie is prepared and ready to be served.
- How to reheat a frozen pie in the oven: Use the instructions above to reheat an apple pie that you froze for a rainy day, but bake it for 25 to 40 minutes.
- How to reheat a piece of the pie in the oven: To reheat a single slice of pie, place it in a 350°F oven and cook it for 3 to 5 minutes, or until it is heated through to your preference. You can choose to heat it in your toaster oven at 350°F if heating the entire range for one slice is not always possible. Just keep in mind to check on it frequently because a smaller oven has more concentrated heat.
Microwave Reheating
Even while the oven is ultimately the most excellent method for reheating a pie, there are occasions when you want to devour your delicious (and warm) delicacy right away. The microwave is the fastest way to reheat apple pie, but you might have to trade off quality (i.e., there’s a chance the crust will go soggy) to save time.
If your apple pie is in a metal pin, take it out and place it on a dish that can be heated in the microwave before reheating. Then, microwave it for a further 30 to 1 minute on medium power until heated.
Fruit pies shouldn’t be reheated in the microwave because it can result in overcooking. Fruit pies should bubble for 3 to 4 minutes if they need to be reheated, and the bubbles will help the filling stay warm while adding a bit to the crust. Remove the pie from the microwave once the bubbles have subsided and let it cool to room temperature before slicing. Due to the microwave’s propensity to absorb wet and dry ingredients, this method is unsuitable for pies with mixed textures. Like a flaky pastry melts into a mushy filling, a moist pie keeps its crusty appearance.
Also, the microwave approach is not advised for frozen pies because heating them would make them less crisp. Additionally, pies with a crisp crust, such as shepherd’s pies or chicken pot pies, should not be prepared using this technique. Additionally, it would help if you never microwaved a cream pie since the pastry’s texture will change and become soggy. It is preferable to reheat a pie in the oven with a crispy crust.
Air Fryer Reheating
Yes, an air fryer can even be used to reheat apple pie. In reality, it’s one of the simplest techniques that won’t sacrifice quality if you only need to reheat a single or a few pieces of pie. Set the air fryer to 350 degrees and foil-wrap an apple pie slice. After that, air fried for about 5-7 minutes, or until the filling is thoroughly warmed. Then, serve and take pleasure.
Stovetop Pie Reheating
There is a quick way to reheat an old pie if you don’t have the time to make one from scratch. A skillet is best, but a cast iron pan will also do. Utilizing a pressure cooker is an additional choice. You may quickly reheat your pie using a pressure cooker because it has a fast cooking time.
It is straightforward to reheat roux, vegetables, chicken, and crust using the pressure cooker. The filling can be made while the pie is baking. After that, you can either freeze it for later or keep it in your refrigerator. On the stove, place a skillet over medium heat. Put the pan’s lid on top of the pie slice that was left over. You can lightly cover it with foil if you don’t have access to a cap. Give the pie about five minutes to warm up. Serve right away once the middle has warmed.
If you have time, we also advise letting your pie come to room temperature prior.
In a skillet, reheat pie as follows:
- On your stove, set a skillet to medium heat (add some butter for extra flavor).
- Carefully set a pie slice in the pan’s center and cover it with the lid (or foil).
- The pie should be warmed for five minutes or until it is heated.
Your pie will cook more evenly if you can keep the heat inside the pan. In light of this, maintain a moderately low heat to avoid burning the pie’s bottom.
Pre-Cooking Technique
Making sure the crust is properly baked is crucial when baking a pie. Pies are susceptible to slumping sides because the filling puffs up the dough. Consider putting a weight on top of the crust to prevent this. Beans, dried grains, or coins from a change jar are suitable alternatives. Consider including some aluminum foil if you cannot locate a pie weight.
To ensure that the top and bottom crusts are done before adding the filling, pre-cook pie crust. By doing this, you may fill the pie shell with additional filling and avoid cracking it. To enjoy a great pie before taking your first taste, pre-baking the crust before serving it helps the filling cook more quickly. When baking a pie, it’s worth a try to pre-cook the crust, even if it’s not necessary for all kinds of pies.
Does Pie Require Chilling Before Serving?
Traditional pies can be left out (covered) at room temperature for up to two days, and the pastry should be stored in the refrigerator for two days. If you used a sugar substitute or no additional sugar was added to your apple pie, you should put it in the fridge within two hours of it reaching room temperature. Additionally, you should store your apple pie in the fridge if it contains any dairy products or eggs.
How to Keep Pie Fresh?
Cover your pie with foil or plastic wrap after it has reached room temperature (or a pie dome). It can be kept in the refrigerator for five days or on the counter for up to 2 days. Pie can be held in the baking dish, or if there are any leftover pieces, they can be placed in an airtight container. Before you cover your pie, it must be at room temperature. If not, moisture will accumulate within the packaging, and the pastry will become soggy.
How to Keep Unbaked Pies Fresh?
Can Pies be Frozen?
Yes, both baked and unbaked pies can be frozen. The pie freezes nicely and keeps for about four months. After that, the pie will still be safe to eat, but the quality can deteriorate.
Pie freezing techniques:
1. If the pie has been baked, let it cool on a wire rack to room temperature.
2. To completely freeze a pie, leave it in the freezer uncovered for two to three hours (skip this step for slices).
3. Place a layer of foil on the tightly wrapped pie.
4. After labeling the pie, freeze it for up to 4 months.
Whole pies should be frozen first because it will help the pie freeze more quickly. Slow freezing should be avoided since large ice crystals may form and affect the pie’s texture. Ensure no air can get into the pie should be your top priority, and this will protect it from freezer burn and keep complete pies in their baking plates for simple reheating.
How to Thaw Frozen Pie?
The night before, take your pie out of the freezer and let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Alternatively, you can defrost it on the counter at room temperature for two to three hours. The pie should be unwrapped and warmed for 10 to 15 minutes in a 375°F (190°C) oven (or 30 minutes straight from frozen).
How to Prepare a Frozen, Unbaked Pie?
If you don’t want a soggy mess, bake an unbaked pie straight from the freezer. Thaw it only if necessary. Bake the pie for 15-20 minutes at 400°F (200°C) in the preheated oven. When the top is golden brown, lower the heat to 375°F (190°C) and continue cooking for up to an hour.
Remember: if your recipe calls for a different temperature, abide by it. Just extend the pie’s cooking time by 30 to 40 minutes. Before baking, don’t forget to make a few slits in your pastry to allow steam to escape. Cover the tart loosely with foil if it begins to turn too brown before the pie is entirely done.
Conclusion
If there is any pie left over, consider yourself lucky! It reheats well and preserves well. (Bonus Tip: Pie is a great candidate for freezing because of the sweetness in the filling and the buttery fat in the pie crust. Simply pre-cut it into convenient slices, freeze uncovered until set, then securely wrap in plastic wrap and preserve for a few months.)
You have a few alternatives for reheating your Apple pie when it’s time for a slice. The contrast between a cold piece of leftover pie and one that has been warmed up is immense, especially if you add a dollop of melted ice cream on top. We hope you liked this article.
