Does Pumpkin Pie Need to Be Refrigerated?

So you've baked up a beautiful homemade pumpkin pie from scratch. Or maybe you just got home from Costco and have carried a store-bought pumpkin pie from the car to the kitchen. Now what? Can that pumpkin pie stay on the counter, or do you need to refrigerate it? Read on to find out!

Does Pumpkin Pie Need to Be Refrigerated?

The short and easy answer: Yes, pumpkin pie needs to be stored in the refrigerator. The USDA advises that all "egg-rich pies" must be kept refrigerated after baking and cooling. Pumpkin pie falls into this category, along with custard, pecan, and meringue pies.

This holds true whether you've baked your own pumpkin pie or brought a pumpkin pie home from the store. Both homemade and store-bought pumpkin pies need to be stored in the refrigerator, not on the kitchen counter.

How Long Can Pumpkin Pie Be Left at Room Temperature?

Your pumpkin pie can safely sit out on the kitchen counter for up to 2 hours, says the FDA. After that, you run the risk of bacterial growth.

How Long Does Pumpkin Pie Last?

The USDA says that pumpkin pie will last safely in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Some store-bought pumpkin pies may have preservatives that could affect this, but in general, pumpkin pies that are homemade or baked fresh at the bakery or store will follow this general rule.

How to Store Pumpkin Pie

If you have a store-bought pumpkin pie, you can simply place it in the fridge as soon as you bring it home. You can keep it in the box or container you bought it in, or you can wrap it loosely with plastic wrap. For a freshly baked pumpkin pie, you'll have to cool it properly first.

To store a homemade pumpkin pie after baking:

1. Remove the pumpkin pie from the oven and place it on a cooling rack.
2. Let the pumpkin pie cool at room temperature for up to 2 hours.
3. Once the pumpkin pie is cool to the touch, loosely wrap it in plastic wrap.
4. Place the pumpkin pie in the refrigerator and store it there for up to 4 days.

An important cooling tip: Ensure that your pumpkin pie is completely cool before covering. If you wrap or cover the pumpkin pie while it is even slightly warm, condensation will occur on the plastic wrap, which will lead to a soggy crust. To avoid this, you can certainly place your pumpkin pie in the fridge uncovered and then wrap it later.

If you know you won't be serving your pumpkin pie within a few days, you can easily freeze it so it lasts longer. You can choose to freeze the whole pie, half a pie, or even a slice or two.

More Inspiration

• Our Entire Pumpkin Pie Recipe Collection
• How to Make the Best Pumpkin Pie
• All Thanksgiving Pie Recipes