There is no such thing as the best time to eat warm apple pie, because no matter what time and day of the year, warm apple pies always satisfy our cravings and melts our hearts like no other!
It is everybody’s comfort food, and it always perfect with delicious sweet ice cream or a savory slice of cheddar cheese on top.
If you have extra slices of apple pies on the fridge, we’re pretty sure you’re dying to warm it up and enjoy its crispy and sweet taste.
But what’s the best way to heat it up? The microwave? The oven?
Keep reading as we hook you up with tips and tricks for reheating apple pie.
Do You Have to Reheat Apple Pie?
People have different preferences when it comes to eating leftover apple pie. Some prefer to eat it cold, while the rest prefer to keep it warm.
You may think there is no significant difference between the two–but there actually is. Cold apple pie actually has a gummier texture than when it’s warm, a texture that doesn’t bother everyone.
Cold pie can be a hit for some. (I actually love cold apple pie.)
However, most people think that a hot apple pie is more delicious and irresistible, especially when it’s fresh from the oven!
How Can I Reheat Apple Pie?
There are two good options to reheat apple pie: either in your microwave or in your oven.
Both are capable of reheating or cooking various foods conveniently. Read on to find which way you think will be best for you and your family.
Reheating Refrigerated Apple Pie in the Oven
Reheating leftover refrigerated apple pie in the oven is, to be honest, the best possible method to achieve the crispy and tingly warm apple pie of your dreams.
The only downside to this method is that it takes longer for you to get it all warmed up. If you do not mind waiting, then you get the best warm apple pie results–way better than using a microwave.
To get started, follow the easy steps below to reheat an apple pie in the oven:
1. Preheat the oven. Set your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. If the pie is refrigerated, take it out and place it inside the oven.
3. Leave the pie inside for at least 20 minutes to ensure it gets warmed. You may adjust the time depending on the amount of pie you’re reheating.
4. Once the reheating is completed, you may remove the apple pie from the oven and serve while it is piping hot!
The best thing about this method is that the crust crisps up again. Leaving it in the refrigerator makes the crust soggy. The oven will take care of that problem; a microwave won’t. If that doesn’t bother you, though, read on to find out how to heat up your leftover apple pie in the microwave.
Reheating Refrigerated Apple Pie in the Microwave
Microwave ovens are considered the most convenient cooking appliance to reheat different kinds of food more quickly than in the oven.
As stated before, though, the disadvantage of using a microwave to reheat apple pies is that they can’t change the soft, soggy crust back to its original flakiness. But, that doesn’t bother everyone.
If you are okay with a softer crust, then you can reheat the leftover apple pie in the microwave through these easy steps:
1. Place the apple pie slice in the microwave.
2. Select the microwave’s reheat setting. Set to reheat for a minute or two.
3. Check the pie after one minute, then every 30 seconds after that. When it’s warm enough, remove the pie.
4. Leave the pie to cool for 30 seconds, then serve it with your favorite topping (I love cheddar cheese, but most people prefer a cold scoop of vanilla ice cream in contrast with the hot pie).
Reheating Frozen Apple Pie in the Oven
If you have frozen leftover (or an entire) apple pie sitting in your freezer, you should bring it back to life by reheating it in the oven.
Using a microwave for reheating frozen apple pie, frankly, is not be your best option. Frozen pies take more time to warm than is convenient; also, the microwave will spoil the frozen apple pie’s texture.
A tip, though: it’s best if you thaw the pie first safely. Thawing thoroughly before placing the previously frozen pie in the oven prevents the growth of harmful bacteria.
To reheat frozen pies in the oven, you need to follow these steps:
1. Thaw the frozen pie in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
2. Remove the pie from its container or plastic wrap.
3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Place a baking sheet in the oven.
5. Cover the pie with aluminum foil to prevent the crust from burning.
6. Place the pie on top of the baking sheet.
7. Let it sit inside the oven for about 20 minutes. If it’s not warm enough, check it every few minutes after that until it’s heated to your liking.
8. Once the reheating is completed, let the pie cool for a few minutes.
9. Serve it with your favorite ice cream.
Tips for Making the Perfect Apple Pie
Most of us believe that making a perfect apple pie is difficult and complicated. The truth is, you can easily make one from scratch by following these four simple tips:
1. Find and use firm apples, both sweet and tart.
Both the texture and taste of the apples are essential in making a great apple pie. Soft apples aren’t recommended. Firm apples help the pie keep its shape, while including both sweet and tart apples make a balanced-tasting pie filling.
2. Roll the apples with sugar, then drain them.
This tip is a pre-cooking strategy that helps keep the shape of the apples. Once you have sliced the apples, roll them in the sugar, set them aside to soften, and lastly, drain them to remove the liquid. This step enables a more tender apple, and it prevents a soggy crust.
3. Brush an egg wash inside the crust.
This is another secret technique to prevent soggy crust effectively. Before you add the apple filling, brush an egg wash on the crust, creating a protective layer to keep the apple’s juice from softening the crust.
4. Make sure you place the apples in the pie crust properly.
Avoid dumping in the apples. Instead, layer them. This may take more time, but it helps cook the apples more evenly for more apple goodness.
Conclusion
Did your grocer have a great sale on apples? Are those apple trees in your yard yielding tons of apples? If you have too many, bake a bunch of apple pies and freeze them.
You can leave frozen apple pie in your freezer for months and it’s there whenever your sweet cravings kick in. All you have to do is reheat those pies when you want them–either in the oven or microwave.
As long as you follow the easy steps above, then you’re good to go!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can you reheat a cooked pie?
Yes, you can reheat a cooked pie. If it is refrigerated, you can reheat it using an oven or microwave. If it is frozen, thaw it first and use the oven to warm it up effectively.
How do you reheat a slice of apple pie?
The number one rule when it comes to reheating is this: it can only be done once.
You cannot reheat a reheated pie. Once it is reheated, it needs to be eaten.
It is always best to reheat only one slice at a time if you have no plans to finish the entire pie. Cover the slice of pie with foil before placing it in the oven. Also, be mindful that reheating time depends on how much apple pie you’re reheating at one time.
Additional Resources:
- Delish.com: Making Apple Pie from Scratch
- YouTube: Recipe for Homemade Apple Pie Filling
Image Credits from Pexels: Photo by Spencer Davis from Pexels; Photo by Ivanna Kykla from Pexels
Rose Reinhard is a Thai-American foodie from Chiang Mai, Thailand. She's been a creative writer since she could speak and enjoys making vegetarian/vegan dishes and reading about food science. She claims her air-fryer is the best purchase she’s ever made to date.