If you mostly bake fruit pies, you may not be familiar with how to store pumpkin pie. Pumpkin pie is custard-based, so it requires slightly different treatment than, say, apple pie. But how long can you keep pumpkin pie in the fridge? Can you freeze pumpkin pie? Should you leave pumpkin pie out on the counter? Read on for the answers to all these questions and more.

How Long Does Pumpkin Pie Last?

If stored properly, homemade pumpkin pie can be kept in the fridge for three to four days. That’s perfect for enjoying your pie along with leftover stuffing and turkey in the days after Thanksgiving. Store-bought pumpkin pie has preservatives that help it last longer. Check the sell-by or best-by date on the packaging to see how long it lasts.

Some signs to look for in a pumpkin pie you’re unsure about involve smell, taste, and texture. If it smells funky, toss it. If it is moldy or the filling is separating, toss it. If the filling texture is coagulating or feels gummy or jelly-like, toss it. Also, if you know for sure how long you’ve left the pie out, you can gauge whether or not it’s a good idea to eat it.

Refrigerating Pumpkin Pie

Homemade pumpkin pie should be refrigerated if not eaten right away. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says that egg-rich pies (such as pumpkin) need to be refrigerated after cooling. Luckily, pumpkin pie tastes great served cold, right out of the fridge.

Sometimes, store-bought pies have different storage guidelines that apply to them because they have preservatives. However, in the case of pumpkin pie, you should follow the same rules for homemade and store-bought pies. Always refrigerate your leftovers once the pie has cooled to avoid illness (or just biting into bad pie!).

Pumpkin Pie at Room Temperature

You may think that because pureed pumpkin and pumpkin pie filling come in cans that can sit on the shelf in the pantry, pumpkin pie can sit out on the counter. Don’t let the shelf stability of the canned filling fool you, though. The addition of other ingredients to pumpkin pie filling is what necessitates refrigeration.

Pumpkin pie lasts on the counter at room temperature for only about two hours. Since pumpkin pie is a custard made of eggs and milk, you should think of it more like a quiche than a fruit pie (for storage purposes). Would you leave cooked eggs out overnight? Not likely—and it’s definitely not advisable.

How to Store Pumpkin Pie

Storing pumpkin pie properly will ensure that it lasts for at least a few days. However, store-bought and homemade pies have different rules when it comes to storage.

Store-Bought

Your local supermarket is stocked with a ton of pumpkin pies in the fall, and you may have noticed them lined up on tables rather than sitting in the fridge or freezer sections. That’s because store-bought pumpkin pie has preservatives. If you buy pumpkin pie that’s already been sitting out, you can continue to store it on your kitchen counter until the sell-by date, and generally a few days past that.

Homemade

Homemade pumpkin pies should cool to room temperature once out of the oven. Then, if you are not planning to eat them within two hours, store them in the refrigerator. Refrigerating your homemade pie is easy, and it’s the best way to store pumpkin pie. Follow these steps:

1. Cool the pie. Place your freshly baked pumpkin pie on a cooling rack and allow it to cool for up to two hours.
2. Wrap the pie. Once the pumpkin pie is completely cool (or at least cool to the touch), wrap it in food-safe plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
3. Store in the fridge. Place your wrapped pie in the refrigerator. Keep it covered for up to four days.

Can You Freeze Pumpkin Pie?

Yes, you can freeze pumpkin pie so it lasts longer or to help save time. You can freeze both store-bought and homemade pumpkin pies. Frozen pumpkin pies will be good for a month or two. Baking your pie ahead of time and storing it in the freezer is a perfect way to get a head-start on Thanksgiving preparations.

If you plan to freeze your pumpkin pie, you should bake it in a disposable aluminum pan instead of a regular reusable pie pan. The thinness of the aluminum will help the pie freeze more easily. Allow it to cool completely before you put it in the freezer, and wrap it in three layers of food-safe plastic wrap and one layer of aluminum foil so it doesn’t get freezer burn.

How to Warm or Defrost Pumpkin Pie

To warm refrigerated pumpkin pie, you can use the oven or microwave. Heating individual slices in the microwave (15 to 30 seconds) will be the quickest way to enjoy your treat.

If you have more time or prefer the oven for reheating, place the amount of pie you want to warm up in a 350° F oven. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and lightly cover the pie with aluminum foil. Ten minutes in the oven should yield a perfectly warm slice of pie.

For frozen pumpkin pies, you’ll need at least 12 hours of defrosting time. Place the frozen pie in the refrigerator and let it thaw. Avoid defrosting at room temperature on the counter, as it can lead to a soggy crust.