Should Pumpkin Pie Be Served Hot or Cold? Here is How to Reheat It

Pumpkin pie strikes all the right notes in terms of flavor—not too rich, not too sweet. The scent and taste of pumpkin pie are unmatched, which may explain why it is featured in almost all Thanksgiving meal sweets. However, should you reheat your pumpkin pie, or eat it warm or cold?

While pumpkin pie may be enjoyed cold or warm, the decision to reheat is personal. If you want a savory and spicy flavor, serve it warm; if you want a sweeter and crisper flavor, offer it slightly below room temperature.

Even so, while presenting homemade pumpkin pie, you should avoid extremes. A heated pie might be messy, while a very cold pie can bother those who have sensitive teeth.

Pumpkin pie is an incredibly tasty holiday dish. So, can you leave the pie out on the counter, does it need to be refrigerated, and how do you reheat it? Continue reading and learning; I’m dishing out wisdom.

Is Pumpkin Pie Better Cold or Warm?

Pumpkin pie may be eaten either warm or cold. Its delectable, creamier filling will fulfill your pie appetite when served warm. Yet, a heated pie may cause the toppings to spill. It is important to note that if you wish to serve a newly made pumpkin pie warm, you must first cool it fully before reheating it.

Cold pumpkin pie is also delicious, particularly when topped with whipped cream. It has a stronger filling with fantastic texture. A cold pumpkin pie, on the other hand, might be uncomfortable for someone with sensitive teeth.

How to Reheat Pumpkin Pie?

There is no comfort like the one that comes from biting into a warm piece of pie. Reheating your pumpkin pie is simple and will take the cold off of it. Nevertheless, before reheating, allow the pie to come to room temperature.

Warm a pumpkin pie in the microwave for at least 10 to 30 seconds on a microwave-safe dish. This technique of reheating enables you to cook just the slice of pie you wish to eat and keep the remainder warm for the next meal.

When you want to heat the whole pie, reheating it in the oven is convenient. Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake the pie for around 10-15 minutes. Wrap strips of aluminum foil around the outside crust edge to keep it from burning.

It should be noted that pumpkin pies are best reheated at room temperature. Let the chilled pie to sit on the counter for 30-40 minutes before cooking. Likewise, before reheating the pie, remove the metal or plastic layers.

Keep in mind, however, that reheating your pumpkin pie is not required. You may want to try a cold pumpkin pie. Nevertheless, it is preferable if you leave it to defrost to at least room temperature.

More Pie Reheating Tips

More spices may be added to the reheated pumpkin pie to make it even more delectable. For a more pronounced flavor, add more nutmeg on top or try a thin dusting of cocoa powder. Also, if you are concerned about having a dry pie, putting an appropriate sauce such as ginger, lemon, cinnamon, or honey via a slit in the crust may assist the pie exude moisture.

Toppings for your heated pie might include chopped candied nuts, a scoop of maple walnut ice cream, warm cinnamon applesauce, or a drizzle of hot fudge sauce.

To see whether the pumpkin pie has been thoroughly warmed, insert a knife into the center of the pie; if it comes out warm to the touch, the pie has been reheated. Let a few minutes for the pie to rest before serving.

If you’re concerned about a soggy pie, reheat it on the bottom rack of the oven. This traps heat between the pie bottom and the oven bottom, helping to keep the crust crisp.

Also, avoid reheating and refreezing the pumpkin pie many times. This is because the texture and quality of a pie diminish with each rewarming and freezing. Also, temperature changes stimulate bacterial development.

Can You Eat Pumpkin Pie Right Out of the Oven?

If you cut into the pie while it is still hot, the filling will not have set correctly, the pie will be runny, and you will most likely end up with a messe. Moreover, the center may come apart or melt, leaving you with an ugly treat. Also, the custard will not be thoroughly cooked, and you risk deflating or shattering it more than required.

Also, when the pumpkin pie filling cools, it will thicken. As a result, although it may be tempting to dive in right away when the oven timer goes off, you should wait for it to cool before serving. Chilling enables the pumpkin pie to complete cooking and makes it significantly simpler to slice and far less messy.

The newly made pumpkin pie should be allowed to cool for thirty minutes to two hours.

Should You Heat Store-Bought Pumpkin Pie?

It is also up to you whether or not to microwave a store-bought pumpkin pie. It might also depend on where you got it—on the shelf, in the refrigerator, or in the frozen area. If you want to eat your refrigerated or frozen pumpkin pie right away, reheat it up a little; otherwise, leave it cold.

But, I do not recommend cooking it more than once since you never know how many times the pie was warmed at the bakery.

Can You Cool Pumpkin Pie in the Fridge?

It is OK to place the pie in the refrigerator while it is still warm to chill. But, you should wait at least 30 minutes after removing it from the oven before storing it in the refrigerator to allow it to cool completely.

Letting the pumpkin pie to cool guarantees that the delicacy retains its flavor and texture. Following that, you may store the pie in the refrigerator for up to two days. The pie may still be edible after four days, but the taste and texture will have altered.

It is important to note that the pumpkin pie should not be refrigerated immediately after baking. This is because it may build ice crystals on the pie top, causing the delicious pie to turn mushy and sloppy when thawed. Let the pie to cool fully before covering it in aluminum foil or plastic wrap.

Can You Leave Pumpkin Pie Out All Night?

The FDA does not suggest leaving a homemade pumpkin pie out at room temperature for more than two hours after it has cooled. [1] This is due to the presence of eggs and milk, which enable germs to proliferate when kept at room temperature for an extended period of time.

A ready-made, store-bought pie, on the other hand, has preservatives that make it shelf-stable and enables you to keep it at room temperature for days. As a result, it may remain on the counter until the expiration date (provided you didnt pick the pie from the fridge or frozen section). Moreover, store-bought pumpkin pies may be eaten long after the best-by date on the label has passed.

Nevertheless, once arriving home, it is advised that the pumpkin pie be refrigerated. This will keep it secure in any case, and you may even be able to extend the best-by date.