Can You Freeze Apple Pie? Your Quick Guide to Freezer-Ready Desserts

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Can you freeze apple pie? Yes, definitely. In addition to saving time, freezing apple pie keeps the crust flaky and the filling soft. Know how to freeze baked or unbaked pies so they stay fresh and full of flavor. You can follow the simple, clear steps in this guide to make, store, thaw, and reheat apple pie.

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Is It Better to Freeze Apple Pies Cooked or Uncooked?

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How Freezing Affects Pie Texture and Taste

Can you freeze apple pie? Yes, but the outcome changes based on when you freeze it. Depending on when the apple pie is frozen, freezing changes the crust and filling in different ways. 

Baked pies may lose some flakiness if not wrapped or reheated correctly. Pies that are frozen before they are baked have better structure and flavor after they are baked.

• Crust Quality: Baked pies often thaw soft while freezing raw dough bakes into a flakier crust.

• Moisture Control: When you freeze baked pies, the juices leak into the crust. When you freeze a raw pie, the filling can cook fresh.

• Filling Texture: Before baking, thinly sliced apples hold their shape better in pies. It's common for baked frozen pies to fall apart.

• Ice Crystals: Apple pie that has been frozen softens at the bottom because ice crystals form when moisture is trapped during baking.

Expert-Recommended Method for Freezing Apple Pies

The best way to do it is to fill a metal or aluminum pie pan with apple mixture, put the pie together, and freeze it before baking it. For the best results, bake the frozen pie right out of the freezer.

• Use a Pie Pan: If you want to freeze or bake, pick a metal pie plate or an aluminum foil pan.

• Wrap Properly: Wrap the whole pie twice, once in plastic wrap and once in aluminum foil. To avoid freezer burn, get rid of as much air as you can.

• Freeze Until Solid: Put the frozen apple pie in a freezer bag or in an airtight container until it's solid.

• Bake the Pie From Frozen: Preheat oven to 425°F, then lower to 375°F and bake the pie on a rimmed baking sheet to catch drips.

Is It Better to Freeze Homemade Pie Before or After Baking?

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Baking Before Freezing: Pros and Cons

While freezing a homemade apple pie that is already baked is convenient, it changes the texture of the crust. It's great to make ahead of time, but when you reheat it, the crust might get soggy and lose its golden brown color.

• Convenience: You can quickly serve frozen pie for dessert after letting it thaw.

• Texture Loss: When you freeze and reheat the crust, it gets softer. The juices get into the crust's bottom.

• Reheating Tip: To get the crust to brown up again, heat the pie without a lid on a baking sheet.

• Optional Glaze: People who bake sometimes brush the top crust with butter or milk after it's been baked to bring back the golden color.

Freezing Before Baking: What to Know

Freezing a raw apple pie delivers the best results when you bake it later. The pie crust stays flaky and rises, and the apple filling cooks quickly. Put the pie together, wrap it up tightly, and freeze it before baking it.

• Filling Preparation: Use a thickener like flour or cornstarch in the apple mixture to absorb juices.

• Cooling Ingredients: Chill the apple pie filling before assembling the pie to reduce sogginess.

• Wrap Well: Line the pie plate with plastic wrap before adding crust, filling, and top crust. Freeze the entire pie solid.

• Baking Instructions: Bake frozen pie at 425°F for 15 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 375°F for 40–50 minutes. Do not thaw before baking.

How to Thaw a Frozen Apple Pie?

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Step-by-Step Guide for Thawing Baked Pies

To keep the texture, you have to be very careful when letting a frozen baked apple pie thaw. Before reheating, the whole pie should always be thawed in the fridge and then brought to room temperature.

• Fridge Thaw: Keep the wrapped pie in the fridge for 12 to 24 hours to thaw evenly.

• Counter Rest: Let the pie rest on the counter for about an hour before reheating.

• Reheat on Baking Sheet: Place on a rimmed baking sheet in a 350°F oven covered with foil until heated through.

• Microwave Warning: Only microwave individual slices to avoid soggy crust and uneven heat.

Thawing Unbaked Frozen Pies Before Baking

You shouldn't let frozen pies thaw before baking them. Baking the frozen pie right away keeps the texture of the crust and stops excess moisture from making the bottom crust soft.

• Bake From Frozen: Preheat oven to 425°F. Place the pie directly into the oven on a baking sheet.

• Adjust Bake Time: Bake the pie 20 to 30 minutes longer than a fresh pie to ensure apple filling is cooked through.

• Crisp the Crust: Remove foil during the last 15 minutes of baking to brown the top crust.

• Oven Tip: Place pie on a hot baking sheet to promote a firm bottom crust and prevent sogginess.

How Do You Reheat a Frozen Apple Pie?

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Reheating From Frozen vs. Thawed

How the frozen pie was stored affects how it can be heated up again. To make sure they heat up evenly, pre-baked pies should be thawed first. For the best crust and filling, unbaked pies should be baked straight from the freezer.

• Thawed Pies: First let the whole pie thaw in the fridge. Then, heat it up at 350°F on a foil-covered baking sheet.

• Frozen Solid Pies: Bake directly without thawing. Cover with foil for the first half of baking time.

• Temperature Guide: Baked pie: 350°F for 30–40 minutes. Raw frozen pie: 425°F for 15 minutes, then 375°F for 45–60 minutes.

• Test Doneness: Filling should bubble and crust should turn golden brown before removing from the oven.

Tips for a Flaky, Golden Crust When Reheating

Manage the moisture with foil and keep an eye on the oven heat to get a crispy top crust and a firm bottom crust. With these tips, your apple pie will bake or reheat just like it did in the bakery.

• Use Foil Shield: Wrap edges of the crust in aluminum foil to prevent overbrowning.

• Apply a Glaze: Brush the top crust with milk or butter before reheating to boost shine and color.

• Crisp the Bottom: Place the pie on a hot rimmed baking sheet or pizza stone to avoid a soggy crust.

• Use a Convection Oven: If available, convection baking improves airflow and makes the entire pie crust evenly crisp.

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FullyHealthy is an online store that focuses on snacks and pantry items that are good for your health. We support clean eating by using ingredients that allergen-conscious and are paleo or AIP-friendly.

• Product Focus: Our offerings include fruit bars, hot cereals, and apple-based spreads.

• Diet-Friendly: We focus on gluten-free, dairy-free, and low-sugar alternatives.

• Freezer-Friendly Items: Many products can pair with fruit pies or be enjoyed while your frozen pie bakes.

Popular Apple-Based Products

We have many apple-based treats that are great for dessert or as a healthy snack. Pure ingredients and real fruit, like apple filling and apple slices, are used to make these.

• Wild Zora Apple Pie Hot Cereal: Perfect as a quick, warm breakfast or snack, this grain-free cereal is packed with cinnamon and apple zest flavor.

• That’s It Apple Strawberry Fruit Bar: A chewy, two-ingredient snack made from just apples and strawberries, no added sugar or preservatives.

• That’s It Apple Banana Fruit Bar: A soft fruit bar made only with apples and bananas. 

• That’s It Apple Blueberry Fruit Bar: Naturally sweet and slightly tart, this blend of apples and blueberries is great for a light, healthy snack.

• That’s It Apple Pear Fruit Bar: A subtly sweet, smooth-textured fruit bar made from apples and pears.

• Eden Organic Apple Butter: A rich, smooth apple spread made from peeled, organic apples. 

• Eden Organic Apple Butter: A rich, smooth apple spread made from peeled, organic apples. 

• Perfect Pairings: Serve any of these alongside homemade apple pie, or use them to preserve apples, reduce waste, and extend your apple-loving pantry.

Final Thoughts

You can only make a good pie if you take the time to prepare it ahead of time. To freeze fruit pies with a lattice top, mix the filling in a large bowl with lemon zest and juice, then wrap it tightly in tin foil. Prepare a floured work surface and a pie shell. Next, use a pastry blender to blend the butter into the flour and salt.

Cut the granny smith apples into thin slices for the recipe. Add the cinnamon, and you're ready to go. Bake it right, and enjoy every slice.

FAQs

Can you freeze apple pie with lemon juice and tin foil?

Yes, freeze fruit pies with lemon juice, tin foil, pie shell, stir filling, and sprinkle dry ingredients.

Can you freeze pies that are already cooked using pastry blender?

Yes, you pie can be baked then frozen with a lattice top after you mix dough using pastry blender and salt.

How far in advance can I bake an apple pie with paring knife?

You can bake apple pie 3 days early with granny smith, paring knife, and mix lemon zest in large bowl.

How to bake cooked frozen apple pie using floured surface?

Place frozen pie shell on floured surface, cover with tin foil, stir filling, and bake with dry ingredients.

What’s the best prep time for you pie with dry ingredients?

The best prep time is under 1 hour using dry ingredients, mix in lemon juice, sprinkle salt, and stir apples.