One of the delicious desserts you can take at any time of the year is pie, it is a dessert dish for holidays. Irrespective of if you have made pies in advance and then frozen them or you bought those that are already frozen, you steadily need to defrost and thaw your pies before you heat or reheat them.
Defrosting or thawing pies is not too challenging but it is good when you know the secrets and tips involved so that the frozen pies can be delicious when defrosted. What we want to find out in this article is how you can defrost and thaw pie. You can defrost your pies in very simple ways whether they are apple, cherry, chocolate, or any other pie. What you need to make sure is that the defrosted pie should not be soggy or have a taste that is not fresh.
The Pie Guide
You are likely to have some familiarities with pie or maybe you are not familiar with it. Pie is usually made with any kind of filling, they commonly contain fruits but some pies contain pudding instead. We also have shepherd’s pie commonly eaten as a major course meal for dinner.
What we will like to share is to check out pies used as dessert meals. Our tips can be used for all dessert pies. Check below for some of the different kinds of pies so that you will know how broad pies are. Do not forget that this list does not include all kinds of pies you can find out there:
- Banana Cream
- Coconut Cream
- Berry Pies
- Key Lime Pie
- Lemon Meringue Pie
- Apple Pie
- Chocolate Pudding Pie
- Peanut Butter Pie
- Pecan Pie
- Pumpkin Pie
- Cherry Pie
There are numerous types and compilations associated with many of the pies. There are filled pies, fruit pies, and pudding pies. The list goes on and on.
Store-Bought Pie
There are two basic categories for pies bought in the store and they are pre-made or frozen. Frozen pie can be tossed inside the freezer and thawed or defrosted when needed. Pre-made pies are often completely cooked and set to serve. You can also freeze the pie in case you are not ready to serve or use it immediately.
Homemade Pie
The best type of pie you can make is the one made at home. It is very fresh and enjoyable. Making homemade pie could consume time depending on the amount that is made from scratch. A lot of homemade pies require you to make a crust. There are two-crust pies having a base crust and also a topmost layer of the crust covering the filling. You can also find pies with a base crust with fillings and then toppings without crust cover. It all depends on your preference.
You can prepare homemade pies ahead and then freeze it to help you conserve your time. You may also bake and make your pie fully and then place the remaining slices inside the freeze to be defrosted and thawed for later use.
Irrespective of if you want to use homemade pies or store-bought pies, they can all be well frozen and can be thawed and defrosted well. To defrost or thaw is simple though it takes time to be done properly. There is a likelihood to experience alterations when you are serving or reheating they are not defrosted and thawed properly. It is not all pies that you need to heat after freezing, it depends on the kind of pie.
Prep and Baking
The preparation you will go through when you want to make your pie is different from when you purchase it, however, it is still a similar concept. What we will discuss in this article is more about having the mind that your pies are already made. It doesn’t necessarily mean that it has been baked, it only means that the pie has been assembled and you are ready to pass it through the next process irrespective of if it is homemade or store-bought.
Our focus is primarily on defrosting and thawing our pie, but we intend to cover all basic details. Whenever you want to use your frozen pie, the best thing to do is to plan. You will get the best outcome when you give the pie the appropriate time to thaw. You are allowed to defrost your pie in a microwave or an oven as long as you allow it an appropriate time to thaw.
You can then bake the pie when it has become fully defrosted and thawed. Pie bought at the store will most probably contain heating instructions on the package whether it has been pre-made before being frozen. If, however, your package does not have, always remember that you are not baking to get it cooked but just to heat.
Your Ultimate Guide to Thawing and Defrosting Pie
You must not skip the stage of allowing the appropriate time to defrost and thaw your pie. This step must be followed if you want the pie to turn out very delicious once it is served. The message is simple, allow adequate time to defrost and thaw your pie whether it is frozen leftovers, homemade, or pre-made.
The defrosting method we want to share with you will help you when you are looking to quickly take your pie so that you will not have to wait for a lot of hours to thaw it. We will begin by checking out the pros as well as cons associated with freezing and thawing or defrosting of the pie.
Pros of Freezing, Defrosting, and Thawing Pie
- The pies will preserve very well inside your freezer with the ingredients still having the same taste.
- The taste of the pie will be like it is fresh from an oven and as if you made it that day.
- There is over one method and this includes a full defrosting process or something quicker when you are in a hurry.
- The process is simple and you cannot mess up.
- It is a simple fix whenever you want your unexpected dessert.
- You are allowed to make your pie in advance to get all process of compilation and mess off your way. You may then freeze and use any time you want.
Cons of Freezing, Defrosting, and Thawing Pie
- The pie may break or crumble during freezing if care is not taken.
- Pie could turn mushy or stale if you do not consider the steps properly.
- If not defrosted or thawed well, the pie may become soggy.
- Defrosting or thawing takes some time to be done properly.
Freezing Pie
Pies bought from the store can be frozen. Most come frozen, however, those pre-made bought from a grocery store or bakery can also be frozen. You can skip this step if you bought frozen pies.
We recommend that the pie you want to freeze is yet to be baked. You can, however, freeze pies that are already cooked. This is because you will get the best results when you freeze fresh pie. Check the steps below:
- Allow the pie to cool completely if it has been baked before freezing.
- Use plastic wrap to tightly wrap the pie or use an air-tight freezer bag to seal it.
- You may use aluminum foil (double layer) to tightly wrap the pie if you would like. We recommend plastic wrap because it helps to seal better and prevent potential freezer burn.
- For the best outcome, freeze the pies for about six months or even fewer.
- It may take about 24 hours for your fresh pie to become fully frozen.
What you need to importantly remember is to ensure the freshness of the pie is maintained by wrapping it air-tightly. Ensure you only freeze pie that is completely cool, don’t freeze warm pie.
In-Depth Instructions for Defrosting and Thawing Pie
We have two different methods you can use to defrost and thaw your pie.
Option 1: Defrosting & Thawing
You need to pre-plan to use this method because the pie will be allowed to thaw fully instead of the process being jump-started. Plan for a minimum of 24 hours so that the process will work perfectly.
- First, remove the pie from the freezer.
- Put the pie inside your fridge and leave it wrapped to defrost for up to 6 to 8 hours or overnight.
- You could alternatively set your pie to defrost on a counter for about 3 to 5 hours. Ensure you do not allow it on the counter overnight because some of the ingredients could become bad.
- Proceed to remove the plastic wrap on the pie or remove it from your freezer bag in a proper manner.
- Serve the pie if it doesn’t require heating.
- If you need to heat it, allow the oven to preheat at a temperature of 300°F and use a baking sheet to bake it until it has become warmed through or for up to 30 minutes when the crust becomes golden brown.
You can use the method for any pie size. Ensure you store any leftover pie inside the fridge after serving where it can stay fresh for about 5 to 6 days as long as it is properly covered.
Option 2: Defrosting & Thawing
In case you did not remember to plan or you need a quick fix, you can use this option. This method can also be used if you have no interest in the thawing time. This method will not work for any pie that does not need heat before you serve.
- Allow your oven to preheat to a temperature of 350°F.
- Remove the pie from your freezer bag or unwrap it.
- Brush off any frost accumulation to prevent any excess moisture in the crust. Use your hand to wipe off the frost or use a paper towel.
- Put your pie on your baking sheet before putting it inside the oven.
- Depending on the filling and size of the pie, cooking time will vary. A 5-inch pie is likely to take about 20 to 30 minutes to bake while a 10-inch pie will take about 50 to 70 minutes to bake.
- Insert a fork or knife into the middle of the pie to check the temperature and then pull it out. If it has become warm through at the center, the pie is now ready.
- Leave your pie to become slightly cool before serving.
