If you have leftover sweet potato pie, you might be wondering whether it’s something that you need to keep in the fridge, or if it is okay to store it on the counter or in your pantry. Overcrowded fridges are a real problem, so any food that doesn’t need to be kept in there is worth knowing about!
Does sweet potato pie need to be refrigerated? Sweet potato pie does need to be kept in the fridge, unfortunately. It contains both milk and eggs, and therefore it should not be kept at room temperature for longer than a couple of hours. As soon as it has cooled enough from baking, you should put some aluminum foil over the top and place it in the fridge.
Do You Have to Keep Sweet Potato Pie in the Fridge?
Yes, sweet potato pies must be kept in the fridge. Although raw sweet potatoes don’t need refrigeration, both eggs and milk do, and therefore you cannot leave the pie or its filling at room temperature for very long, or you risk compromising the food.
Bacteria often starts to grow in food that is not stored at 40 degrees F or less, and if you leave sweet potato pie out for too long, it could make anyone who eats it very sick. Even cooked potatoes should be refrigerated to preserve the integrity of the food, and all dairy and egg products should be kept in the fridge.
What are the Risks?
Although there is no meat in a sweet potato pie, you can still get food poisoning from one if it isn’t stored properly. Bacteria will grow in the food, just as it will in meat products, and if you consume this in any notable quantity, it could make you very sick.
The symptoms of eating sweet potato pie with bacteria growth include vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea, and they can be very unpleasant. It isn’t something you want to risk! Always handle sweet potato pie according to food hygiene recommendations, and put it in the fridge before two hours have passed.
You need to reduce this time if you live in a hot place, and no food should be unrefrigerated for more than one hour. If you accidentally leave food out, you need to throw it away. Although the risks may be lower than with meat, they are still significant!
What If You Need to Make Sweet Potato Pie in Advance?
Many things like pies are made in advance of big meals like Thanksgiving, and you might be wondering how you can deal with making it in advance if it has to be stored so carefully. The best way to store sweet potato pie that has been made in advance is in the freezer.
You can simply place it in an airtight container and leave it in the freezer until the day before the celebration. Take it out and then place it in the fridge to defrost slowly. It should then be ready for the big day!
It is worth noting that the texture of sweet potato pie that has been frozen may not be quite as good as with a fresh pie. You should make sure you wrap the pie thoroughly to minimize the amount of air that can get at it.
How Do You Refrigerate Sweet Potato Pie?
You can refrigerate sweet potato pie by allowing it to cool completely after it has been baked. This may take around three hours, because it must be room temperature all over before you put it in the fridge.
Cover the top with some aluminum foil, or place the pie in an airtight container with some kitchen towel to absorb any excess moisture. The foil is the ideal option, because it will reduce the airflow without trapping too much moisture against the pie and making it soggy. Nobody wants soggy pie!
How Do You Reheat Sweet Potato Pie?
It’s important to reheat a pie properly so that you know it is going to be both safe to eat and enjoyable! You should set your oven to 300 degrees F, and then put the pie on a baking sheet. Cover the edges of the pie with aluminum foil, bake for twenty minutes, and then remove the foil and allow it to bake for a further ten minutes.
This should leave you with a deliciously hot and succulent pie. If you want to bake it from frozen, rather than defrosting it first, you can follow the same process, but bake it for about 35 minutes before you remove the foil, and then bake it for another ten minutes.
Check that the pie is piping hot in the center before you serve it.
Can You Store Pie Filling in the Fridge?
If you just want to make the pie filling in advance and do the crust on the day, you might be wondering how to store the filling. You can pour this into sealable containers or glass jars and place it in the fridge for three to four days.
If you would rather freeze it, remember to leave space for expansion if you are freezing it in glass jars. You can then place the jars in cool water to defrost, or in the fridge. Don’t leave them at room temperature, because bacteria may start to form in the milk and eggs in the filling.
Can You Serve Sweet Potato Pie at Room Temperature?
Yes. If you want to serve your sweet potato pie without heating it, it’s fine to just take it out of the fridge and let it warm up until it reaches the desired temperature. If you are defrosting it, you should still do this in the fridge, and only allow it to warm up once it has unfrozen.
Final Thoughts
Sweet potato pie needs to be stored in the fridge as soon as it has cooled down from being baked. It is a good idea to give it a loose foil cap to reduce the airflow, and then place it in the fridge. It should then keep for three to four days. If you need longer than that, freeze the pie.