Pecan pie is a popular favorite, and for good reason! This type of pie is delicious and suitable for bakers of all levels. Whether your baking skills are novice or experienced, this classic southern pie offers a variety of customizations, from crust ornaments to filling add-ins, or both!
Pecan pie seems to always be in season, though this type of pie seems to especially warm our stomachs during the cooler months. Whether you have a lot of gatherings to prepare for, or simply want to sharpen your kitchen skills, you may want to save time by baking ahead and you’re wondering – can you freeze pecan pie?
Here’s what you’ll find in this post:
- How to Freeze Pecan Pie
- How to Thaw and Reheat Frozen Pecan Pie
- Is it Best to Freeze Pecan Pie Before or After Baking?
- Where Did Pecan Pie Originate?
- What Makes Pecan Pie So Good?
- The BEST Pecan Pie Recipes
How to Freeze Pecan Pie
Pecan pie is a great go-to make-ahead pie because the dense texture and low water content make it great for freezing. Pecan pie holds up well when frozen and the texture doesn’t get mushy or watery when thawed. So this is great news for anyone who wants to have pecan pie on hand to enjoy a slice whenever your taste buds (and stomach) give you the urge.
The key to freezing pecan pie (and preserving its freshness) is to wrap it really, really well. And to make sure it doesn’t get crushed in the freezer. No amount of aluminum foil will protect your sweet pie from the massive frozen chicken (or another heavy item). Crushed pecan pie will surely taste amazing, but might not make for the best presentation for guests if that’s important to you.
Bake your pie according to the recipe and allow it to cool completely on the counter. We really love this butterscotch pecan pie recipe, if you’re looking for one to try! Completely cooling the pie is a really important step. If you don’t let it cool to room temperature before wrapping it, condensation will form from the trapped heat, which will create water that will turn to ice once it’s in the freezer and will mess up the texture.
Once cooled, wrap tightly with a double layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil. Then, place it in a freezer-safe ziplock bag or airtight container. An airtight container can help protect the pie from getting crushed under heavier frozen foods. Frozen pecan pie is best if eaten within 3 months of freezing.
How to Freeze Pecan Pie in 4 Easy Steps
- Bake pecan pie according to the recipe.
- Let cool completely on the countertop.
- Wrap pecan pie really well in foil and plastic wrap.
- Put the pie in a freezer bag or airtight container and place in the freezer.
How to Thaw and Reheat Frozen Pecan Pie
The best way to reheat frozen pecan pie is to leave it to thaw in the fridge overnight and then reheat it at 300°F in the oven for 10-15 minutes. Letting it thaw in the fridge helps maintain the firmness of the pie filling.
Or, if you don’t have time to wait overnight, then unwrap the frozen pie and leave it at room temperature for 15-30 minutes, then reheat it in the oven at 300°F for up to 30 minutes. You’ll want to check periodically to monitor the process and make sure the crust isn’t burning. Once it’s done, take the pie out of the oven and let cool slightly. Slice a serving, top with a heaping serving of whipped cream, and enjoy!
A wonderful thing about pecan pies is they’re easy to make in batches and freeze for later. No one will even realize they aren’t freshly baked! When you can make multiple pies at once, it sure saves time in the kitchen. And having homemade delicious pies while also freeing up time for fun fall activities sounds like a win-win!
Sweet tip: Freeze whole pies in an oven-safe disposable dish like aluminum pie tins so you don’t have to use your normal baking dishes for storing frozen pies. It also makes it easier to transport and reheat pies. And since these pie tins are made of eco-friendly recyclable aluminum, you can recycle them once you’re done.
How to Freeze a Whole Pecan Pie
- Keep the whole pie (or the remaining pie, if a slice or two was eaten) in its disposable aluminum baking tin or glass baking dish.
- Wrap the entire pie in the triple-layer wrap mentioned above.
- Place the wrapped pie in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container.
- Put it somewhere in the freezer where it won’t get smashed.
Freezing Pecan Pie Slices
- Cut the pie into the desired amount of slices.
- Wrap each individual slice of pie in the triple-layer wrap mentioned above.
- Place the individually wrapped slices of pie in small rigid containers to protect them from being crushed or from crumbling.
How Long Will Pecan Pie Last in the Freezer?
If you follow the steps mentioned above to freeze your pecan pie, it will retain its flavor and freshness for up to a year in the freezer. Once you thaw your pie it should be eaten within 2 days for the best flavor and texture. Also, don’t refreeze a pecan pie after thawing. If you think you won’t eat a whole pie after thawing, then freeze by the slice. The USDA says that pecan pie will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator, so be sure to indulge your taste buds by then, or freeze it!
Is it Best to Freeze Pecan Pie Before or After Baking?
You can do both, actually. Most recipes and guides call for baking the pie before freezing it, but you can slightly change your preparation methods if you choose to bake after freezing.
How to Freeze Pecan Pie Before Baking
If you want to freeze your pecan pie before baking, you first need to pre-bake your crust. Then follow the recipe to make your pecan pie filling. Let the filling cool completely. Once it’s cooled, pour the filling into the pie crust and wrap it tightly in the triple-layer wrap mentioned above and place it in a freezer-safe container or bag.
When it’s time to bake the pie, take it out of the freezer and remove the wrapping. Leave it at room temperature for 15-30 minutes, then reheat it in the oven at 300°F for 30 minutes longer than the recipe specifies. Remove the pecan pie from the oven and let it cool before serving.
How to Freeze Pecan Pie After Baking
To freeze a whole pecan pie after baking, first follow the directions for baking, then remove it from the oven and let cool completely before preparing the pie for the freezer. Once it’s cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil then place it in an airtight container or bag and place it in the freezer.
When you’re ready to bake your pie, take it out of the freezer and remove the wrapping to let it sit in the fridge overnight and then reheat it at 300°F in the oven for 10-15 minutes. If you don’t want to wait overnight, unwrap the frozen pie and leave it at room temperature for 15-30 minutes, then reheat it in the oven at 300°F for up to 30 minutes.
Where Did Pecan Pie Originate?
According to historical reports, pecan pie originated in the southern United States in the late 1800s. Pecan trees are native to this region, so it makes sense that someone would come up with the idea to make a dessert from this tasty nut. The earliest printed pecan recipes began popping up in Texas cookbooks in the 1870s and 1880s. Pecan pie became popular in the 1920s after the manufacturer of Karo syrup began printing a recipe for pecan pie on cans of the product. Pecan harvesting starts in September and goes through November, making the timing just right for holiday baking.
What Makes Pecan Pie So Good?
Pecan pie is the perfect mix of sweet, buttery, savory, and crunchy. The sweet filling is a silky blend of eggs, sugar, butter, and caramelized corn syrup. The buttery, flaky crust pairs nicely with the gooey filling. The mix of textures – crunchy pecans and melt-in-your-mouth filling – makes a wonderful combination that delights your palette. Pecan pie is a delectable holiday indulgence that will make you want more than just one slice!
[…] RELATED: Can You Freeze Pecan Pie? […]