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How To Reheat Apple Pie – I Test 4 Methods [Pics]

Wondering how to reheat your leftover apple pie? I tested four different reheating methods to see which ones give a mouthwatering, flakey fresh apple pie with the least effort.

I also share some of my best practices for storing and freezing your apple pie – to keep it as fresh as possible, for as long as possible.

The best way to reheat apple pie is in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F and heat the pie for 10-15 minutes (for a slice). I cover the pie loosely in foil to stop the pastry browning too much. If you’re in a rush, you can also heat a slice of apple pie in the microwave for 15-30 seconds.

How I tested reheating apple pie

I baked a big apple pie over the weekend, and as hard as it was to resist, I kept some of it back for my reheating experiment.

After two days in the fridge, I tested the following reheating techniques:

  • In the oven: Best overall method, most consistent.
  • In the microwave: OK if you’re in a hurry.
  • In a skillet: Removed any trace of a soggy bottom.
  • In an air fryer: Best if you want crispy pastry.

Appl pie reheating tips


You can jazz up your leftover pie by sprinkling on a little extra nutmeg or cinnamon and serving it with a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream.

Reheating apple pie in the oven

Time: 10-15 minutes
Rating:
 9/10

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
  2. Take your apple pie out of the fridge and let it reach room temperature. This will cut down on heating time and ensure the pie heats evenly.
  3. Place your desired portion on a baking sheet or in an oven-safe dish.
  4. Optional: Cover your pie (lightly) with foil to prevent extra browning. Leave the foil off if you want a little extra color on your pastry.
  5. Warm it for 10-15 minutes.
  6. Once hot, serve immediately.

If you plan to cover your pie with foil, don’t wrap it too tightly or you’ll end up with soggy pastry.

To test if your apple pie is hot all the way through, stick a knife into the thickest part. Feel the metal when you pull the knife out. If it’s warm, the pie is ready.

Results: While this isn’t the fastest method, it delivers consistently good results and is great for bigger portions. My pie was steaming warm and crispy and tasted almost as good as new. This would be my go-to when reheating apple pie for a crowd.

Reheating apple pie in the microwave

Time: 30-60 seconds
Rating:
 8/10

  1. Remove your pie from its container (if necessary) and place it on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Warm it in 30-second increments.
  3. Once warmed through, let the pie rest for 30 seconds before serving it.

Psst… Never place any form of metal in a microwave because this is a fire hazard!

This process shouldn’t take longer than 90 seconds, depending on the size of your pie slice. In the microwave, it’s best to stick to single portions, as whole pies will end up unevenly heated with cold spots.

I also recommend that you only heat apple pie in the microwave if you plan to eat it immediately. Prolonged standing will turn your pie soggy and congealed.

Results: This method is super convenient, but you’ll end up with a softer, soggier pastry than you started with. The microwave is great if you want a quick indulgence, but not for much more.

Reheating apple pie in a skillet

Time: 5 minutes
Rating:
 8/10

  1. Place a skillet over medium heat on your stove (add some butter for extra flavor).
  2. Gently place a piece of apple pie in the center of the pan and cover it with a lid (or with foil).
  3. Allow the pie to warm for 5 minutes or until hot to the center.

Trapping the warmth inside the pan with a lid will help heat your pie evenly. That being said, keep your heat moderately low to prevent the bottom of the pie from burning.

Results: This method is fantastic for crisping up any soggy bottoms that your leftover pie may have developed from sitting in the fridge. While it doesn’t crisp up the rest of the pastry as much as the oven or air fryer, it’s a fast and fuss-free method if you’re craving some pie in a hurry.

Reheating apple pie in an air fryer

Time: 3 minutes
Rating:
 7/10

  1. Set your air fryer to 350°F (180°C).
  2. Place a slice of pie in your fryer basket.
  3. Warm it for 3-5 minutes or until hot to the center.
  4. Serve immediately.

Line your fryer basket with parchment paper or tin foil to limit mess and make it easy to remove the apple pie.

Note that air fryers heat quickly, so keep a close eye on your apple pie to prevent burning. And be aware the outside can get VERY hot very quickly, but this doesn’t mean the inside has warmed through.

Results: The air fryer definitely delivers in terms of crisping up the pastry. It’s also a remarkably fast method, making it more convenient than the oven, with equally fresh-tasting results. The only downside is that it’s difficult to warm up a whole pie at once unless you have a bigger air fryer.

Does apple pie need to be refrigerated?

Traditional apple pie can sit out (covered) at room temperature for up to 2 days. After two days you should put the pie in the fridge. But if your apple pie doesn’t have any added sugar or you used a sugar alternative, you should refrigerate it within 2 hours of it cooling down to room temperature.

Also, if your apple pie contains any eggs or dairy, you should keep it in the fridge.

Related: Does Apple Crisp Need To Be Refrigerated?

How to store apple pie

Let your apple pie cool to room temperature, and then cover it with plastic wrap or foil (or a pie dome). You can leave it on the counter for up to 2 days or in the fridge for 5 days. You can leave your pie in its baking dish, or if you have slices, you can transfer them to an airtight container. 

Your apple pie must be at room temperature before you cover it. Otherwise, moisture will build up inside the wrapping and leave the pastry soggy.

If you haven’t baked your pie yet, the best thing to do is freeze it in its baking dish and cook it straight from frozen. You can leave it covered in the fridge for up to two days, but I find that liquid from the filling seeps out and makes the pastry a bit mushy. 

Can you freeze apple pie?

Yes, you can freeze both baked and unbaked apple pie. Apple pie freezes well for up to 4 months. The pie will still be safe to eat after that, but the quality may start to decline. 

How to freeze apple pie:

  1. If the pie is baked, let it cool to room temperature on a wire rack. 
  2. For a whole pie, place it uncovered in the freezer for 2-3 hours so it can freeze solid (skip this step for slices).
  3. Wrap the pie tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of foil. 
  4. Label the pie and place it in the freezer for up to 4 months. 

I recommend freezing whole pies uncovered first because the pie will freeze quicker that way. You want to avoid slow freezing because big ice crystals can form and mess with the pie’s texture. Your main concern is making sure no air can get to the pie. This will protect it from freezer burn.

For easy reheating, keep whole pies in their baking dishes. I keep a few aluminum trays on hand for precisely this purpose because then I don’t have to use one of my actual baking dishes.

How to reheat frozen apple pie

Take your pie out of the freezer the night before and thaw it in the fridge overnight. Alternatively, you can thaw it for 2-3 hours on the counter at room temperature. Then unwrap the pie and rewarm it in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 10-15 minutes (or 30 minutes straight from frozen).

You can also use the defrost setting on your microwave, but I don’t recommend this because the pie can get slightly soggy.

How to cook unbaked frozen apple pie

Bake an unbaked apple pie straight from frozen, don’t thaw it first unless you want to end up with a soggy mess. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake the pie for 15-20 minutes. Then reduce the temperature to 375°F (190°C) and heat for up to an hour, until the top is golden brown. 

Note: if your recipe specifies a different temperature, follow the recipe. Just add an extra 30-40 minutes to the cooking time for the pie.

Remember to cut a few slits in your pastry before baking it so steam can escape. If the pastry starts to get too brown before the pie is cooked through, cover it loosely with foil.

How To Reheat Apple Pie

In this short recipe, I show you the best way to revive and reheat your leftover apple pie.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 0 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 1 person
Calories 237 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 slice apple pie
  • 1 whole apple pie

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
  • Take your apple pie out of the fridge and let it reach room temperature. This will cut down on heating time and ensure the pie heats evenly.
  • Place your desired portion on a baking sheet or in an oven-safe dish.
  • Optional: Cover your pie (lightly) with foil to prevent extra browning. Leave the foil off if you want a little extra color on your pastry.
  • Warm it for 15-20 minutes.
  • Once hot, serve immediately.

Notes

To test if your apple pie is hot all the way through, stick a knife into the thickest part.
Feel the metal when you pull the knife out. If it’s warm, the pie is ready.
 
Keyword apple pie, reheat apple pie

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