Do You Need To Refrigerate Pecan Pie? The Debate Continues (2024)

FAQs

Can pecan pie be left unrefrigerated? ›

How Long Can Pecan Pie Be Left at Room Temperature? Pecan pies can stay on the counter for up to two hours before they need to be refrigerated, according to the FDA. After two hours at room temperature, your food is at risk for harmful bacteria growth.

The USDA recommends all pies rich in eggs and custard to be refrigerated after they've cooled. This includes pumpkin pie, lemon meringue pie, banana cream pie, and, yes, pecan pie.

Homemade egg-rich pies such as pecan, pumpkin, lemon meringue and custard must be kept refrigerated after cooking and cooling. Cream and chiffon pies must be stored in the refrigerator. These pies can be kept three to four days.

You should refrigerate any kind of pie with whipped toppings. 1 "If it's not refrigerated, it will begin to wilt, sweat, and spoil," explained Stephens and Wickenden. For the best results, you should wait and top fruit and pecan pies right before serving.

If a pie contains eggs or dairy products, it should be stored in the refrigerator and not left out at room temperature for more than two hours. Pies that do not contain dairy products, such as fruit pies can be stored, loosely covered at room temperature for up to two days.

McDowell says that fruit and custard pies are best eaten within the first 24 hours after baking, but can be stored at room temperature for up to two days—any longer than that, and the crust will start to get soggy.

Generally, pecan pie goes bad when you keep it at room temperature for more than 2 to 4 days. It may even become ingestible to eat if bacteria infest it. So, it's better to keep it in the fridge to enjoy eating it for more than 3 days. They even stay fresh, crunchy, and tasty when you freeze them.

Make the whole pie: allow the pie to cool to room temperature, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1-2 days, then let come to room temperature before serving or reheat at a 275°F for 10 minutes. This is my preferred method of making easy pecan pie because the flavors develop even further overnight.

How Long Can Pumpkin Pie Be Left at Room Temperature? Your pumpkin pie can safely sit out on the kitchen counter for up to 2 hours, says the FDA. After that, you run the risk of bacterial growth.

How do you reheat a refrigerated pecan pie? ›

We recommend storing Pumpkin and Pecan pies at room temperature for same-day use. For overnight storage, refrigerate pies in the box they came in. Reheat in 300 degree oven for 15 minutes. Let rest for 30 minutes before serving.

The exception here is some store-bought pies, which may contain preservatives that will allow the pies to be left unrefrigerated. However, before you leave a store-bought pecan pie out on the counter, be sure to check with the bakery or store (or check the label for storage instructions) to make sure it is safe.

The pies are considered fine to eat if they are cooled to a safe temperature, specifically in a refrigerator, after the time on their stickers. The pies must also be thoroughly reheated. You can reheat one of McDonald's famous pies in an air fryer or an oven without much trouble.

The pie filling will settle as it cools. Slice and serve pie warm or at room temperature. Top with whipped cream or ice cream. Cover and store leftovers at room temperature for 1–2 days or in the refrigerator for 4–5 days.

If the apple pie was store-bought at room temperature, then the pie can remain on the counter, covered properly until the sell-by date. "Afterwards it should be stored in the refrigerator," adds Tiner. "Likewise, if the pie was purchased refrigerated, then store the pie in the refrigerator."