How Long Does Pumpkin Pie Last in the Fridge?

Pumpkin pie is a classic holiday dessert. It’s a favorite of families everywhere, and it’s not hard to see why: pumpkin pie is delicious! But how long does pumpkin pie last in the fridge?

As it turns out, pumpkin pies don’t live forever. They can last in your fridge for about a week. However, the pie will only taste as good for first three to four days

Ready to get baking and planning out your Thanksgiving meal? I’ve got everything you need to know about storing your pumpkin pie, from the fridge to the countertop—and even in the freezer!

Ingredient Substitutions {freebie printable} for your pie can be found here.

🥧 A Small Bit About Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkins and squashes have a long history with the Native Americans, long before when they gave them to the early settlers.

This led to our modern-day craving for holiday pumpkin pies. But, we don’t eat them just because of their historical roots, right?

Let’s face it: pumpkin pies are a staple dessert in my home, especially during the holidays. And that’s because they’re delicious, easy to make, and can be eaten as a snack or dessert—no matter the time of day.

If you’re not into making your own from scratch, you can always buy one from the store. You’ll still get all that wonderful pumpkin pie flavor without having to go through the hassle of making it yourself.

So, how do you keep your pumpkin pie fresh and tasty for a long time? Plus, how long will your pumpkin pie last in the fridge? Or on the counter? I’ve got the scoop for you.

🎃 How Long Does Pumpkin Pie Last in the Fridge?

It’s generally known that pumpkin pies contain dairy products and eggs.

So, they should be kept in the refrigerator—just like any other food containing those ingredients. 

A pumpkin pie can last up to four days in a refrigerator before it begins to lose its tasty flavor. The first three days, the pie tastes almost as delicious as the day it was taken from the oven.

The fourth day is really the limit, though. Some people think that you can store it for about a week, but when it comes to the taste, I don’t think it tastes nearly as good!

These pie guidelines cross over to our Pumpkin Delight recipe which has cool whip, pumpkin purée, milk and pudding mix. The cool whip, being a dairy product, should be left out for a maximum of two hours. This dessert should never be re-frozen.

Snag the Turkey Cheat Sheet to know long long to cook your turkey (stuffed and unstuffed) and a simple brining technique.

👪 How Long Does Pumpkin Pie Last at Room Temperature?

This is a tricky question because the answer depends on where your pie came from.

If it’s homemade or from a local bakery, your pumpkin pie won’t have the preservatives that store-bought varieties do. But if it’s from a store, it may be safe for now. 

As we have stated earlier, pumpkin pies are a custard-like substance with milk and eggs as primary ingredients and can’t be left outside at room temperature for too long.

A pumpkin pie baked in your oven or the bakery’s oven will only stay fresh for about two hours at room temperature. After that, you can either put it in the refrigerator or, if it spoiled, throw it away.

Pumpkin pies from the store, on the other hand, are a little stronger than your previous options. Why? It’s because they contain preservatives.

Preservatives are added to foods that have a high risk of spoiling to reduce the likelihood that they’ll become unsafe for consumption.

If you happen to find a tasty pie sitting on a shelf in the store, chances are it contains preservatives. So, just as they can survive on store shelves, they can also survive on your kitchen countertop, but read the storage instructions on the packaging to confirm.

🍽️ How to Store Your Pumpkin Pie Properly

If you made the pie yourself you’ll have to let it cool completely after baking. You can’t just wrap and toss the pie into the fridge while it’s still warm. Condensation will form on the surface of the pumpkin pie, which will leave you with a soggy crust and a very undesirable wet film. 🤢

You can avoid this by simply allowing your pie to cool completely.

When it’s time to wrap the pie, be sure to cover the surface of the filling and then wrap the plastic wrap around the crust as well.

Plastic wrap is a boon to pie lovers everywhere because it keeps the air away from the pie, which keeps its delicious filling moist. It also reduces the chance that it will absorb the smells of other food from the fridge.

Of course, you can also store your pumpkin pie in a simple air-tight plastic container.

So what’s the best solution? Do both!

Save your pumpkin pie with a double layer of protection: wrap it in plastic first and then place it in a storage container.

🧊 Can You Freeze Pumpkin Pie?

Hey, we’ve all been there. You know, that moment when you’re making a pie and get carried away with how scrumptious it looks and then you bake one too many. That has to happen to a few of us out there.

Of course, you won’t be able to eat all those pies in just under four days. So, your best bet is to store them in the freezer.

If you’re not going to eat it all at once, wrap it up and put it in the freezer for up to two months!

The only problem you might encounter with this process is when it’s time to thaw the pie out. You’ll need to be careful so that the filling doesn’t separate.

Just take your pie out of the freezer and place it in the fridge for at least a day before eating it. This may seem like a waste because you’re taking it out of a frosty spot only to put it in another cold one, but his transition is important as it allows the pie to defrost slowly and keeps it from falling apart.

🥄 How to Tell When Your Pumpkin Pie Is Spoiled

You can tell when a pumpkin pie is spoiled by its smell, appearance, and texture.

The best way to tell if a pumpkin pie is spoiled is by its smell. Your eyes may deceive you, but your nose never lies! So, if your pumpkin pie smells rotten or sour, then it’s spoiled and needs to be thrown away.

Next, take a close look at it. If you notice any mold or discoloration on the surface of the pie, then it’s no good. 

The same goes for any liquid that might be present on the surface of the pie.

Finally, use your hands and feel around inside the pie’s crust to see if there is anything unusual or odd about its texture.

Remember, if you leave your pumpkin pie out of the refrigerator for more than two hours, it might turn into a mess.

The bottom line is you shouldn’t get to this point if you follow the guidelines of leaving out for less than two hours and storing it for four days max in the refrigerator. If you reached either of these two points, you should be safe and toss the pie.

Wrap Up

So, how long does pumpkin pie last in the fridge? Pumpkin pie has a shelf life of about 3-5 days in the refrigerator. If you’ve been storing it for longer than that, the taste will definitely disappoint.

Whether you’re planning a Thanksgiving dinner or just want to make a few pies for your friends, we hope this guide has been helpful and you stay safe.

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