How to thaw a frozen baked apple pie

How to Thaw a Frozen Apple Pie:

If you’ve baked an apple pie ahead of time to save time for the holidays, knowing how to thaw it correctly is clutch to preserving its flaky crust and sweet apple filling. This post will walk you through thawing a frozen apple pie, (baked or unbaked!) ensuring the best results for a fresh apple pie perfect for serving.

Thawing an Unbaked Frozen Apple Pie

1. Thaw in the Fridge: Take your frozen apple pie out of the freezer. If you want to bake it the next day, allow it to thaw in the fridge for 24 hours. This will keep the crust chilled and let the filling slowly thaw. When ready to bake follow the baking instructions below. 
2. Thaw at Room Temperature: If you want to bake your pie the same day, remove your frozen pie from freezer and remove any plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or freezer bag it might be stored in. Place the pie on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, allowing it to thaw for about 1-2 hours at room temperature. This step will ensure the pie crust softens enough for baking while maintaining its structure. Once the pie has thawed slightly, check to make sure that the edges of the crust and the top crust have softened but not fully thawed, become warm or softened. You don’t want the pie to be completely defrosted before baking, as baking it from a cold state helps create a flakier, crispier crust.
3. Use a Baking Sheet: For best results, place your pie pan or pie plate on a cookie sheet to catch any spills from the bubbling apple pie filling. This also ensures even heat distribution, helping your pie bake to perfection.
4. Bake in a Preheated Oven: Preheat your oven to the temperature listed in your apple pie recipe. If desired, give the pie an egg wash for an extra golden crust, (unless you have a crumb-topped pie.) Place the pie on the center rack in the oven and bake until the top of the pie is golden brown and the apple pie filling is bubbly. The bottom crust should also be crispy and flaky.

Thawing a Frozen Baked Apple Pie

If you’re working with a frozen pre-baked pie, the process is a bit different.

1. Remove from Freezer: Like with an unbaked pie, start by removing the frozen baked pie from any plastic wrap or freezer bag it was stored in.
2. Thaw in the Refrigerator: The best way to thaw a frozen baked pie is to place it in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing process helps retain the pie’s flaky crust and avoids any crust sogginess that can result from rapid thawing at room temperature.
3. Reheat for Warm Apple Pie: Once the pie has thawed in the fridge, place the pie on a baking sheet and reheat it in a preheated oven at 350°F until it’s warmed through. 

Avoiding Freezer Burn

To prevent freezer burn and preserve your pie for a later date, wrap your unbaked apple pie tightly in plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil or a large freezer bag before placing it in the freezer.

Serve and Enjoy

After you’ve baked or reheated your pie, serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream,  or enjoy it on its own for the ultimate comfort dessert. Whether it’s Caramel Apple Pie, Rosemary Apple Pie, or Apple Custard Pie or Classic Apple Pie these tips will help you make your pie ahead to save time. You can also freeze and reheat/bake this Apple Galette recipe! (Pictured below.)

This method would also work well for Blueberry Pie, pot pies, or any other double crust fruit pie.

The next time you want freshly made Apple Pie for a holiday or special occasion, consider freezing it baked or unbaked. This saves time and still results in a delicious and comforting fresh pie. Happy Baking!