People have been enjoying double/single-crust apple pie for a very long time. It makes us realize that one can never have enough apple pie. If you want to enjoy this flavorful dessert anytime you want, you might want to know, can you refreeze apple pie?
Apple pie is considered one of those pies which refreeze exceptionally well. A properly refrozen apple pie will last you for 5-6 months. You can refreeze it more than once, but it is not an ideal option. Refreezing the pie once won’t mess with the quality, but doing it several times might diminish overall quality.
Refreezing the pie is a great way to extend its shelf life and help the pie retain optimum flavor and taste. To learn more about the healthy refreezing of apple pie, you can check out this guideline.
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Is it Safe to Refreeze Apple Pie?
Apple pie topped with ice cream or whipped cream is a tasty treat. If you have thawed your baked frozen apple pie and still have some pie to spare, you might be thinking of how you can store it for a long time.
If you are also one of those who want to enjoy apple pie whenever the craving hits, you can easily do so by refreezing the apple pie. It would delight you to know that refreezing apple pie thawed in a refrigerator is entirely safe.
So if you want to refreeze the pie, make sure you don’t thaw it on the counter or in a microwave. You may defrost it in a microwave or at room temperature if you are sure you’ll be eating it immediately. But, for refreezing, these methods are not considered secure.
The refreezing of apple pie that you left to sit at room temperature less than (40 F) for 2 hours is safe. However, make sure you don’t let it sit out for too long before refreezing. Air exposure can lead to food contamination and cause health risks.
However, each time you thaw and refreeze the apple pie, the quality will further decrease. So to ensure your apple pie refreezes well and holds most of the taste and flavor, you can refreeze it in portions.
You can safely refreeze baked/unbaked apple pie as long as you cautiously follow the refreezing instructions. But, keep in mind, that the unbaked pie will last better and longer in the freezer.
Refrozen pie won’t taste as good as a freshly baked one, but a slight difference in taste or texture. Still, it doesn’t mean the apple pie is now inedible.
Suppose you think the refrozen pie has gone bad or has started showing spoilage signs. In that case, it’s better to discard it immediately as risking your health is not a good idea.
How to Refreeze Apple Pie? Learn The Best Method
Refrozen apple pie will not show a huge overall difference. However, it’s still essential to follow the refreezing instructions properly so that your pie can safely hold the quality and flavor.
You can follow these simple steps if you want to refreeze your apple pie successfully.
- First of all, let the pie thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- In the case of freshly baked apple pie, make sure you let it cool down completely before proceeding.
- Next, cut the pie into slices. It will ensure you quickly take out just the required pieces.
- After that, start wrapping the slices individually in cling film or aluminum foil. Individually wrapping them will enable you to take out the required number of pieces only quickly.
- Once you have tightly wrapped the pie slices, go ahead and place them in a sturdy freezer-safe container. Double sealing will ensure no extra air in contact with the pie.
- Now, label the container with the exact date you refreeze it.
- Place the labeled container into the freezer until you are ready to eat some of the pie the next time.
How Long Can You Refreeze Apple Pie?
Cautiously refrozen apple pie will last you for an extended time in the freezer. However, it’s best to utilize your apple pie soon as refreezing can affect the freshness. You should also know that unbaked pie won’t last you as long as baked apple pie.
Unbaked apple pie will last you for about 3-4 months after refreezing. Sometimes, it can live out even longer, but the quality won’t be up to the mark. So it’s advised to throw it out after it meets the 4-month limit.
Properly refrozen baked apple pie, on the other hand, will last you for at least 6-8 months, depending on how well you refroze it. Baked pie will remain safe for almost six months, but the crust might become soggy.
Once the recommended time limit crosses, it’s advised not to eat the pie, as it may have gone bad. If you don’t see any obvious spoilage signs, but the pie still tastes off, you should toss it out.
Can You Refreeze Apple Pie more than Once?
It is perfectly safe to refreeze apple pie more than once; however, the quality will be negatively affected. Before freezing the pie repeatedly, you should know that the more you refreeze it, the greater the quality loss.
The continuous cycle of freezing and thawing the pie will change its flavor and texture. If you are OK with a slightly compromised taste, you can go ahead and do it.
However, if you want to enjoy the pie to the fullest, it’s best to refreeze it in portions. This way, you can save the unneeded pie from unnecessary thawing and help it hold the taste and texture in a better way.
Conclusion
Apple pie is one of those pies which tolerates freezing remarkably well. A properly frozen baked pie will last you anywhere from 6-8 months. In contrast, an unbaked variant will last you for 3-4 months after refreezing.
Baked apple pie will last you more time than unbaked pie, but it will not retain the overall texture that well. You can also safely refreeze store-bought pies. Just make sure you don’t let them sit out for too long.
You can refreeze homemade/store-bought apple pies more than once; however, it might alter the quality. To ensure the pie holds most of the taste and flavor, you can refreeze it in portions.