If you ever find yourself in a situation where apple pie isn’t gone within an hour, you’ll need to store it in the fridge. This will help to keep the pie fresh for longer than it would at room temperature, but how long is that?
When stored properly, apple pie will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to five days. However, some factors affect this including the ingredients of the pie and how it is stored before refrigeration.
To keep your pie fresh for as long as possible, you’ll want to understand the factors that impact exactly how long it will last.
How Long is Apple Pie Good for in the Fridge?
Normally, a fresh apple pie will stay good in the fridge for 4 to 5 days as long as it is stored correctly. However, this number will depend on the ingredients and if the pie is homemade or store bought.
Store bought pies will typically last slightly longer than homemade pies. This is because both the pie crust and the filling of the pie are filled with preservatives. This will help the pie to stay fresh a little bit longer and prevent mold from growing on the pie.
Homemade pies will usually not contain any of these chemicals. Although this is better for your health as consuming synthetic chemicals is rarely good, the pie will not last as long. Mold will rapidly grow on the crust and in the filling.
Regardless, the time should be similar and by the time you’ve passed the five day mark, almost all apple pies will have started to go bad.
Basic Tips on How to Store Apple Pie in the Fridge
To keep your apple pie fresh as long as possible, you’ll want to store it correctly. This will ensure that the crust of your apple pie stays intact and does not dry out while it’s in the fridge.
- Wrap tightly with plastic wrap
- Store inside an airtight container or plastic bag
- Keep away from moisture
By following these steps you will keep the outer layers of the crust from becoming soggy. It will also help to keep the inside of the pie moist while you are waiting to eat it.
The most important part of this whole process is to make sure the pie is wrapped so it is not exposed to the air. This is what will cause the decomposition process to occur more quickly.
How Can You Tell If Apple Pie Went Bad in the Fridge?
Once you get closer to the five day mark, you’ll want to start looking for signs that your apple pie has gone bad. The most obvious signs will be the smell and the appearance of mold.
If your apple pie is still fresh it should still smell like apple pie, fruity with cinnamon notes along with whichever other spices you added. If the pie has already gone bad it will have a rotten smell which comes from the fruit starting to decompose.
The easiest way to tell if the apple pie has gone bad is if you notice mold on the crust of the pie. This is a surefire sign that the pie has gone bad. Not all mold is dangerous, but it is almost impossible to tell the difference between the safe and dangerous varieties without a microscope. For this reason, as soon as you see mold you should assume that the pie has gone bad.
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Final Thoughts
The exact length of time that apple pie will last in the fridge depends on how the pie was prepared. A homemade apple pie does not contain preservatives so it may only last for 3-4 days before it begins to spoil, even if stored properly.
However, a storebought pie usually contains high levels of preservatives. Preservatives help to prevent the pie filling and pie crust from spoiling as quickly as they normally would. For this reason, storebought pies may last for up to 5-6 days before you’ll need to throw them out for food safety reasons.