Have you ever wondered, can you freeze key lime pie? I know I have.
After all, so many of my favorite desserts simply don’t freeze that well.
This is always so disappointing when you want to save it for a while.
Making desserts is hard work, so I’d like them to last longer than a week.
And for me, Key limes are seasonal.
So, when I want some of that delicious tart pie, the ingredients are hard to find.
That’s why I like to keep some pie for when the lime craving hits… in winter.
Now, to answer your question…
Can You Freeze Key Lime Pie?
The answer is a resounding yes!
Key lime pie freezes very well. Since it’s meant to be served colder, it takes to the freezer like green on grass.
Or should I say like green on limes?
Bad jokes aside, a Key lime pie will freeze without any significant changes to texture or taste.
You just need to be sure it’s wrapped properly. I’ll dig into that a little more later.
And whether they’re homemade, semi-homemade, or store-bought, you can freeze them all!
HOWEVER…
I would not recommend freezing your topping. Generally, Key lime pie is loaded with whipped cream or meringue.
It’s part of what makes it so amazing.
But those ingredients do not freeze well. When they thaw, they become watery and very unappetizing.
So, it’s best to save those elements for when you are ready to eat your pie.
How to Freeze Key Lime Pie
Step 1: First Freeze- Let your baked pie cool completely.
When it’s ready, set the pie, container, and all, into the freezer, unwrapped and uncovered. You will freeze it for 2-4 hours.
It’s ready for the next step when it’s no longer soft to the touch. It should be mostly frozen by that point.
Step 2: Wrap– Wrap your pie completely in plastic wrap, with no exposed areas. Then, wrap it again in a layer of tin/ aluminum foil.
For an added layer of protection, place the wrapped pie in a freezer bag. But this is totally optional.
Step 3: Label– It’s important to label and date your pie, so you know it’s still fresh.
You can use a permanent marker and write right on the foil layer.
If you opt to use a freezer bag, I’d label that instead.
Step 4: Final Freeze– Make some room for your pie and settle it in. It can stay in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How Long Does a Key Lime Pie Last in the Freezer?
Key lime pie lasts a pretty long time in the freezer, especially compared to the 5 days it survives in the fridge.
(And the 1 day it lasts around my family.)
Technically, it could last a year. However, your ideal time frame is 3 months.
One to three months in the freezer guarantees delicious, perfectly textured pie.
Anything beyond that is technically safe to eat. But I can’t make any promises about how good it’ll taste.
Except for one promise: it won’t be nearly as good.
And after 5 months, it’ll be downright sad. If you’ve had old ice cream, you know what I’m talking about.
How to Thaw Key Lime Pie
Thawing is super easy because you just let time do its thing. You can do it in the fridge or on the counter.
You can leave it out at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
This allows it to soften enough to cut it easily. It’ll still be cold and delicious.
Or you can thaw it in the fridge. This will take a few hours.
While it’s thawing, you can whip up a batch or whipped cream to top it! (Or meringue, if you’re feeling ambitious.)
If you want to make it really easy on yourself, you can use canned whipped cream!
And there’s one more thing you can do, eat your pie frozen!
It’s a deliciously cool treat. Especially if you’re enjoying it in the summer months.
Can I Refreeze Key Lime Pie After Thawing?
That depends. If you put the pie immediately back into cooler temps, you totally can.
Ideally, you’d put it back in the freezer. But a short time in the fridge will be just fine.
However, if you let it thaw completely, it simply will not refreeze as well. You may find the texture is a little wonky.
One time may be okay, but multiple rounds of freezing and thawing will ruin it. So, it’s best to play it safe and keep it cold.
Best Tips for Freezing Key Lime Pie
- Use disposable pie tins. This way you can freeze your pie right in its tin. And you don’t lose access to your non-disposable baking equipment.
- Be sure your pie has fully cooled before you try to freeze it.
- Freeze your pie within 1-2 days of baking.
- Cut your pie into slices before the first freeze. This will make the thawing process go a little faster. It also makes for easier serving.
- This is great if you’re eating solo. That way you can take out a slice without thawing the whole pie. Because that’s not worth the risk!
- You can keep them all together in the tin and wrap the whole thing. Or you can wrap each slice individually.
- Wrap your pie really well. For best results, I’d use three layers of plastic wrap, followed by one of tin foil. You could also put it in a freezer bag or air-tight container.
- This goes for the whole pie or individual slices.
- BUT! Wrap it gently. You don’t want to squish your pie.
- Store your topping separately or make it when you need it. Meringue and whipped cream will not keep well in the freezer.
- If you plan to eat your pie frozen, it could work. The main problem comes with thawing the topping. Both kinds can get really runny and that’s simply no good.
- Once frozen, keep your frozen pie cold between servings.
Can You Freeze Key Lime Pie? (Easy Guide)
Can you freeze Key lime pie? This guide will tell you everything you need to know about enjoying your pie at a later date.
Ingredients
Key Lime Pie, Baked and Cooled
- Equipment
Pie Tin
Plastic Wrap
Tin/Aluminum Foil
Freezer Bags, Optional
Instructions
- Take your baked and cooled pie and put it in the freezer, uncovered, and in the tin. Freeze it for 2-4 hours or until it’s mostly solid.
- After the first freeze, take your frozen pie out of the freezer. Use plastic wrap to fully cover the pie, with no exposed areas.
- Wrap it in another layer of plastic wrap, making sure to get out as much air as possible.
- Now, wrap it in tin/aluminum foil completely. You shouldn’t see any pie. If you’re using freezer bags, put the foil-wrapped pie into the bag.
- Label and date the pie.
- Return your pie to the freezer. It will last up to 3 months.
