Does Apple Cobbler Need to Be Refrigerated? [Storing Tips]

Is there any better dessert than a warm apple cobbler straight out of the oven, topped with vanilla ice cream, honey, and cinnamon, on a fall afternoon? Probably not. I want to get up from my computer, go to the kitchen, slice some apples, prepare that gorgeous crispy crust, and just enjoy a delicious and warm dish of apple cobbler. But first, I will share some tips on how to store your apple cobbler. So, the big question on the table is, does apple cobbler need to be refrigerated? 

Your apple cobbler doesn’t need to be refrigerated in a specific circumstance. That makes this a yes and no type of answer. Yes, if you have leftovers and want to extend your apple cobbler’s life. No, if you are going to eat it straightaway or in the two days after you baked your cobbler. 

Apple cobbler is always at its best when eaten warm out of the oven, but normally, you’ll have some leftovers. Leaving it at room temperature, storing it in the fridge for later, or freezing it are all good options. Before running to the kitchen to prepare your favorite apple cobbler, read this article. You’ll thank me later for not having to debate whether you should refrigerate the leftovers or just leave them on the kitchen top. 

How to Store Apple Cobbler?

You can store apple cobbler in 3 different ways: leave it out at room temperature, in the fridge, or the freezer. In the table below, I’ve summarized everything you need to know about how and for how long you can store your apple cobbler in three different ways.

Should You Keep Apple Cobbler in the Fridge?

The question is, can you eat all the apple cobbler you made in 2 days? If the answer is yes, then you can leave it at room temperature. If the answer is no, then you just need to cover your apple cobbler with plastic wrap or foil and keep it in the refrigerator. You can also choose to transfer your apple cobbler to an airtight container for better storage. 

Remember, you can only wrap or transfer your cobbler once it has completely cooled down; otherwise, you will ruin it. 

How Long Is Apple Cobbler Good for in the Fridge?

Five days is how long your apple cobbler will be good for after you bake it and store it in the fridge. 

You need to consider that once you cut into your apple cobbler, the moisture from the apples will get into your crust, turning your topping into something a bit gooey and soggy. I can give you two tips to solve this: one, eat the apple cobbler in one day; two, before serving, put the cobbler back in the oven at 350 °F, so the crust gets its crispness back. 

Can You Refrigerate Apple Cobbler Before Baking?

The apple filling will save you a lot of time if you are making it to a dinner party you’re going to through at your house or if you were the assigned dessert bearer for a friend’s birthday party. Even better than that, your make-ahead apple filling can be stored in a food container for up to 3-4 days in the fridge.

As for the entire cobbler, you can, but the topping will not be perfect. You have other options. Keep on reading to know more.

Can You Leave Apple Cobbler Out Overnight?

You can leave your apple cobbler out overnight if you intend to eat it in the first two days following its baking. In my opinion, it’s doable, but I’m me. I don’t even know if I’ll have apple cobbler leftovers to worry about. If after those two initial days, you still have some apple cobbler, then you should store it in the fridge or freezer. It will be good for two more days after that if stored in the fridge and for 3-4 months if you choose to freeze your apple cobbler leftovers. 

Make sure you cover your apple cobbler with foil and leave it in a cool and dry place with no direct light so the apples won’t go bad. Reheat in the oven for a couple of minutes before serving to give some crispiness back to your crust, and enjoy! 

Can You Freeze Apple Cobbler? 

You can freeze both cooked and uncooked apple cobbler. To freeze an already-baked cobbler, you must first allow it to cool completely. Then, you just need to tightly wrap your pan in a double layer of plastic wrap and foil. You can freeze your baked apple cobbler for up to 3-4 months. Remember, because the crust will absorb the liquid from the apples, it won’t be as crisp as a newly made one. Still, it will be delicious and a welcome dessert any time.  

You can also make the apple filling part and freeze it in an airtight container or a Ziplock bag for 3-4 months. Next time you fancy an apple cobbler, you just need to take your apple filling from the freezer, allow it to come to room temperature, make your crust, and cook as if you just finished making your filling. 

Another very good idea, if you know you won’t be eating your whole cobbler in a couple of days, is to prepare individual portions of your favorite apple cobbler recipe. Bake them and freeze them after they have completely cooled. Then, you can appreciate a warm and comforting apple cobbler whenever you want. You just need to take your apple cobbler out of the freezer and warm it in the oven for 20-25 minutes.

Can You Make Apple Cobbler in Advance?

Yes, you can! And for it to be deliciously crisp, I have a very special tip for you: make the filling and the crust separately. I know this might sound odd, but it’s the best way to prevent your crust from going soggy and gooey, losing its crispiness and splendor. 

For the perfect apple filling storage tips, just follow the advice I’ve shared above on “can you refrigerate apple cobbler before baking?” or “can you freeze apple cobbler?”. 

For the perfect, crispy crust, you just need to follow your go-to recipe, and instead of baking it, as usual, on top of the apple filling, you’ll cook it separately on a piece of parchment paper. Allow it completely cool and then store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. 

Before serving, spread your filling on an oven-proof dish, cover it with your crust and bake at 350 for 15 minutes. This will help your apple cobbler to come together, and no one will tell you to prepare it ahead or apart. 

How to Tell If Apple Cobbler Has Gone Bad?

It seems impossible, but it can happen. If left for too long on the kitchen counter or even in the refrigerator, your apple cobbler can good bad. How do you know if it did? 

Mold

Unfortunately, if your apple cobbler has visible mold, you will have to throw it away. Don’t try to salvage parts that are not moldy yet, as the entire cobbler is already affected. 

Texture

You know what your apple cobbler feels like. So, if you start to feel that the apple filling is starting to get a mushy texture, almost as if you are mixing a jam, then it is because your apple cobbler is not ok to eat anymore.

Smell

Even if it looks fine, your apple cobbler can have gone bad. If it smells rancid, you must say goodbye to your apple cobbler.