8 Pies that Don’t Require Refrigeration
I don’t know about you, but I always love a good pie. And by good, I mean delicious and the one I could eat whenever I wish and however I want to. The problem is that most pies require refrigeration, so I have to either eat them all in one sitting or put them in the fridge and hope they last long enough for me to return to them. What if I told you there was a type of pie that didn’t require refrigeration and tasted just as good as the ones that do? It’s true! So, which pies don’t require refrigeration?
Pies with eggs and dairy must be refrigerated, while a counter pie, like pecan or fruit, that doesn’t contain eggs can be stored in the refrigerator but doesn’t need to. Such pies include peanut butter pie, coconut cream pie, apple pie, rhubarb pie, pecan pie, banana cream pie, cherry pie, and lemon meringue pie.
Since I’ve discovered that you can enjoy many types of pies at room temperature, my life has never been the same. If you’re looking for a delicious and refreshing pie to enjoy this summer without refrigeration, check out the list below.
Peanut Butter Pie
As for me, peanut butter pie is a sweet treat for any occasion. Now, I’m not talking about the kind you find at the grocery store that’s made with hydrogenated oils and sugar. I’m talking about the real thing: a peanut butter pie made with organic ingredients that’s delicious and doesn’t require refrigeration.
It might sound contradictory, but this pie is perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, hosting Thanksgiving, or just want a sweet treat, this pie is always a hit. It’s also great for potlucks and parties because you can transport it easily, and it doesn’t need to be refrigerated.
Coconut Cream Pie
As a coconut lover, I’m always on the lookout for new coconut-flavored recipes. When I came across this recipe for a delicious and decadent coconut cream pie, I knew I had to try it.
What makes this pie so decadent? Well, it starts with a rich and creamy custard made with coconut milk, cream, and sugar. This is then layered with a whipped cream topping and shredded coconut. The result is a pie that’s bursting with flavor and texture.
Best of all, this pie doesn’t require refrigeration, so you can enjoy it at room temperature. It’s the perfect dessert for any occasion.
Apple Pie
There’s a reason apple pie is a classic American favorite. It’s delicious. But it’s also versatile. You can enjoy it at room temperature or heat it up for a warm, comforting dessert.
Plus, apple pie is one of those pies that doesn’t require refrigeration. That means you can take it with you on your next picnic or potluck, and you don’t have to worry about it spoiling in the heat. It also means keeping a few in your freezer for those unexpected guests.
However, this applies to those apple pies that only contain sugar, while if it’s prepared with custard or cream or contains eggs, it should be refrigerated.
Rhubarb Pie
Rhubarb pie is the perfect combination of tart and sweet, and it happens to be one of my favorites. The key to a great rhubarb pie is getting the right balance of sweetness and tanginess, which can be a bit tricky.
I like to pair rhubarb with sweeteners like sugar, maple syrup, or honey. Still, some recipes also call for orange or lemon juice to give it that slight extra tartness. Plus, it adds a nice citrusy flavor as well.
The most important thing to remember is that you don’t need to refrigerate rhubarb pies for safe consumption. That’s because the high acid content in the rhubarb helps preserve the pie crust, so you can wrap it in foil and serve it at room temperature.
Pecan Pie
Pecan pie is a Southern classic that’s enjoyed almost everywhere and is an excellent option if you don’t have access to refrigeration. You can make it with sugar, corn syrup, butter, eggs, and of course, pecans. It’s oh-so-sweet and absolutely delicious.
Store-bought pecan pies are usually not refrigerated because the filling is more like a soft cookie than a custard – it relies on the butter and sugar mixture to set up rather than eggs. Plus, it’s more shelf stable when left out of the fridge!
Making your own pecan pie will take a bit of effort if you don’t already have the ingredients on hand – but trust me, it’s worth it! The filling is quite simple to make, and having all that freshly baked goodness in your home will be rewarding after all that work.
Banana Cream Pie
Banana cream pie is a refreshing twist on the classic pudding-filled treat. Although it is often refrigerated, you can easily enjoy it at room temperature.
The ingredients are simple: a pre-made graham cracker crust, cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and bananas. Just whip together a quick mixture of the cream cheese and condensed milk until it is smooth and creamy, spread it over the crust, top it with sliced bananas, and you have an instant crowd-pleaser!
This pie doesn’t require baking, so you don’t have to worry about turning on the oven and heating up your kitchen! Plus, its creamy texture won’t suffer from being served at room temperature. Enjoy it with a dollop of freshly whipped cream for an extra special treat!
Cherry Pie
Ah, cherry pie. This classic is a favorite among many and a great option for those looking to avoid refrigeration. It’s one of the few pies that don’t require a custard filling, which is what usually needs to be refrigerated. Instead, you can use canned or freshly-made cherry pie filling and press it into a pre-baked crust.
Cherry pie also doesn’t need an extravagant topping. While there are creative recipes out there, you can just sprinkle some sugar or maybe even cinnamon on top and get that delicious crunchy texture on the top layer of the pie. Although you have to bake it for at least an hour, you can enjoy it at room temperature or warm it with your favorite ice cream!
Lemon Meringue Pie
Lemon Meringue Pie is a classic recipe that is so light and airy you don’t have to worry about refrigerating it. This pie is made with a sweet graham cracker crust, an incredibly creamy lemon custard, and topped with meringue that’s been browned to perfection.
This delicious tart has a zesty lemon zing balanced by the meringue’s sweetness. It’s also surprisingly easy to make since all you have to do is mix together the ingredients for the crust and filling, bake it, let it cool, make the meringue topping, and then broil it until lightly golden brown.
If you’re looking for a refreshing dessert that doesn’t require refrigeration, this Lemon Meringue Pie should be your go-to! Even better – it tastes just as delicious on day two as when freshly baked.
Why Are Store-Bought Pies Not Refrigerated?
Store-bought pies, such as a thawed-out frozen pie or a pre-made one from the grocery store shelves, don’t require refrigeration. This is because those pies are filled with preservatives that help keep them safe and stable at room temperature.
The preservatives used in store-bought pies (and other similar desserts) mainly include sugar, salt, and sometimes even artificial sweeteners. These ingredients increase the shelf-life of the pastry and make it safe to consume at room temperature.
Other pre-baked pies don’t need to be refrigerated because they contain extremely low moisture content in their filling. For example, a meringue-based pie that has been baked until golden brown doesn’t need to go in the fridge either.
So next time you’re looking for an easy dessert option, don’t forget about these delicious pies that don’t need to be refrigerated!
