Do You Have to Refrigerate Apple Pie? The 2-Day Rule
How long apple pie can stay at room temperature, when it needs the fridge, and how long it keeps refrigerated or frozen.
No, not right away. A baked apple pie made with fruit and sugar, and no egg or dairy filling, can sit covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, then it belongs in the refrigerator. If your pie has a custard, cream cheese or whipped cream layer, put it in the fridge sooner.
So do you have to refrigerate apple pie? Not for the first day or two, and the reason is the sugar and the fruit.
Do you have to refrigerate apple pie?
Not immediately. NC State food safety specialists explain that apple pie has enough sugar and a low enough pH to keep harmful bacteria from growing, which is why it doesn't need the fridge right away. USDA's FoodKeeper lists 1 to 2 days at room temperature for fruit pies such as apple, and University of Maine Cooperative Extension says a sugar-based fruit pie with no eggs can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 2 days.
The fridge still helps. Refrigerated apple pie keeps longer, though America's Test Kitchen says it won't taste as fresh and the crust loses crispness.
How long does apple pie last?
| Storage | Apple pie (fruit and sugar, no egg or dairy filling) | Custard or cream pie |
|---|---|---|
| Counter, covered | Up to 2 days | No more than 2 hours |
| Fridge | 2 more days after the counter, or up to 7 days straight from baking | 3 to 4 days |
| Freezer | Up to 4 months for best quality | Do not freeze |
The fruit pie counter and fridge times match USDA FoodKeeper (1 to 2 days at room temperature, 1 week in the fridge) and University of Maine Cooperative Extension (2 days on the counter then 2 more in the fridge, or up to 7 days straight in the fridge). FoodKeeper lists a longer freezer time for fruit pies, 8 months, so the 4 months here is Maine's more cautious figure for best quality. The custard and cream row comes from the FoodSafety.gov cold storage chart. Our can you freeze apple pie guide covers the freezer in detail.
When should you refrigerate apple pie right away?
Skip the counter and use the fridge if:
- The pie has any egg, custard, cream cheese or whipped cream, since those are perishable. FSIS says perishable food left out more than 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F) should be thrown away.
- The pie is made with sugar substitutes. Maine Extension says pies with less sugar have a shorter shelf life and should be refrigerated and eaten within 2 days.
- You bought it from a store and the package says to refrigerate it. Follow the label.
- Your kitchen is very warm. The 2-day window assumes a normal room, so don't push it in a heat wave.
How should you store apple pie?
- Let it cool completely first.
- Cover it loosely with foil or plastic wrap, or use a pie dome.
- Keep it in the original pan if you can.
- To bring back a fresh-baked feel, King Arthur Baking suggests reheating a chilled slice or pie in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes.
How can you tell if apple pie has gone bad?
Look for mold, a sour or fermented smell, or a filling that has turned slimy. FSIS says bread and baked goods with mold should be discarded, since porous food can be contaminated below the surface. If the pie sat out longer than 2 days, or you can't remember, play it safe.
What about Thanksgiving?
Apple pie can ride out dinner on the table. Pumpkin pie is a different story, because it is an egg-and-milk custard. See do you have to refrigerate pumpkin pie before you set both out.
Can apple pie sit out overnight?
Yes, a sugar-based fruit pie can sit covered overnight, since USDA FoodKeeper and extension guidance allow 1 to 2 days. If it has a dairy or egg layer, no.
How long does apple pie last in the fridge?
About a week straight from baking, per USDA FoodKeeper and University of Maine Extension. If it sat on the counter for 2 days first, Maine Extension says 2 more days in the fridge.
Do you have to refrigerate store-bought apple pie?
Check the label. Many store pies are fine for a day or two at room temperature, like homemade, and Maine Extension notes that commercial pies may have preservatives that change storage instructions.
Can you freeze leftover apple pie?
Yes. Fruit pies freeze well for up to 4 months, according to Maine Extension. Wrap it well and thaw it in the fridge.
When in doubt, throw it out
If the pie sat out for days, smells off, or has mold, throw it away. When in doubt, throw it out. The sugar helps, but it is no guarantee.
Track it so you never guess
Well Stockd estimates an expiration date for the fridge and pantry food you add and sorts what is closest to expiring to the top, so leftover pie doesn't hide at the back of the fridge. Try it free and add three foods from your kitchen to see what to use first. For more, see our shelf life guide, how long leftovers can sit out, and our best app for tracking expiration dates.