Can You Freeze Egg and Bacon Pie? A Complete Guide

Egg and bacon pie is the ultimate savory treat. With a buttery pastry crust filled with fluffy eggs crispy bacon onions, and herbs, it’s a mealtime favorite. But like all homemade pies, leftovers happen. So can you freeze egg and bacon pie to save those leftovers from going to waste?

The short answer is yes, you can absolutely freeze leftover egg and bacon pie However, there are some precautions to take and tips to follow for best quality Below I’ll cover everything you need to know about freezing and thawing egg and bacon pie.

With the right techniques, you can enjoy delicious freshly-baked egg and bacon pie flavor from your freezer weeks later. Let’s dive in!

Can You Freeze Egg and Bacon Pie?

Egg and bacon pie can successfully be frozen either baked or unbaked. The cooked custard filling and flaky pastry freeze well for 2-3 months when properly stored.

Freezing stops food spoilage that can happen with refrigeration. It prevents bacterial growth as well as chemical reactions that lead to off-flavors.

Freezing egg and bacon pie has several advantages:

• Lets you bake pies ahead of time for holidays or parties
• Saves leftovers rather than throwing excess away
• Allows making multiple pies at once and freezing extras
• Keeps homemade pies fresh if you don’t eat them quickly
• Lets you take advantage of seasonal or sale ingredients

Baked or unbaked, egg and bacon pies behave well in the freezer. Follow proper packaging and thawing methods for best results.

How to Freeze Egg and Bacon Pie

These steps will help you successfully freeze egg and bacon pie:

1. Cool the pie completely

Whether baked or unbaked, the pie should be completely cooled before freezing. This prevents condensation or ice crystals inside the packaging.

For baked pies, refrigerate first then allow to come to room temperature. Place unbaked pies in the refrigerator to chill before freezing.

2. Wrap the pie tightly

Wrap the pie tightly in two layers to prevent freezer burn:

• First wrap completely in plastic wrap, pressing it against the surface.

• Then wrap again in foil, sealing seams.

For unbaked pies, poke a few vent holes in the top crust before wrapping. This allows steam to escape as the filling freezes.

3. Label the package

Write the name of the pie and the freeze date clearly on the foil. Add any other important details like bake temp or time.

4. Freeze flat

Place wrapped pie on a flat surface in the freezer, rather than standing up. Freeze until completely hard, at least 12 hours.

5. Store frozen pies stacked

Once frozen hard, you can stack the pies to save freezer space. Wrap in an additional layer of foil if stacking.

This completes the freezing process! Now let’s look at how to thaw and bake frozen egg and bacon pies.

Thawing Frozen Egg and Bacon Pies

Improper thawing leads to weepiness and soggy crusts. Here are some recommended methods:

• Refrigerator: Unwrap the pie and place on a tray or plate to catch drips. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.

• Cold water: Submerge the wrapped pie in a large bowl of cold water, changing water every 30 mins. Thaw 2-3 hours.

• Microwave: Only for small individual pies. Microwave on defrost 15 secs at a time until thawed. Watch carefully.

• Room temperature: Don’t thaw pie at room temp more than 1-2 hrs to prevent bacterial growth.

Thawed pies should be baked immediately for food safety. Follow recipe instructions for baking temperature and time from frozen. The filling may puff more than usual.

Let the baked pie rest at least 15 minutes before slicing to allow filling to set. Enjoy your fresh-tasting egg and bacon pie!

Storing Baked Egg and Bacon Pie

Once you’ve gone to the trouble to bake an egg and bacon pie, you want to store it correctly. Here are some guidelines:

• Fully cool baked pies within 2 hours of removal from oven.

• Refrigerate whole pies loosely covered in foil. Use within 3-4 days.

• Tightly wrap leftovers in plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate. Use within 3-4 days.

• Freeze extra baked pies up to 2 months. Double wrap and thaw in fridge before serving.

• Store pie wedges at room temperature up to 2 hours. Refrigerate longer storage.

Follow these storage tips and your egg and bacon pie will maintain its just-baked taste for several days after baking.

Can You Freeze Other Custard Pies?

The custard filling in egg and bacon pie is similar to other custard-style pies. So the guidelines here apply generally to freezing custard pies such as:

• Quiche
• Buttermilk pie
• Chess pie
• Chocolate or coconut cream pie

All benefit from a fully cooled and tightly wrapped double layer of plastic wrap and foil. Allow to thaw overnight in the fridge before serving frozen custard pies.

Custards with very high milk or cream content are most prone to weeping after thawing. Drain off any excess liquid before serving.

Storing Unbaked Pie Dough and Fillings

Freezing unbaked components lets you quickly assemble pies later. Here are some tips:

• Pie dough: Wrap dough discs tightly in plastic wrap then foil. Thaw overnight in fridge before rolling out.

• Fillings: Most fillings like cooked bacon or caramelized onions freeze well for 2-3 months. Portion into recipe amounts and freeze flat in freezer bags.

• Raw eggs: Don’t freeze raw egg-based fillings or custards. The texture changes with freezing.

With pie dough and prepped fillings in your freezer, you can have fresh egg and bacon pies ready in no time.

Troubleshooting Freezing Egg and Bacon Pie

Freezing pie is simple, but there can be some hiccups. Here are solutions to potential issues:

• Soggy bottom crust: Allow pie to cool completely before freezing to prevent moisture migration. Use foil and plastic wrap layers.

• Runny filling: Thaw slowly in the fridge overnight to prevent weepiness. Drain liquid before serving if needed.

• Tough, cracked crust: Don’t refreeze after thawing. Use pastry designed for freezing like shortcrust or oil-based doughs.

• Dry, crumbly texture: Avoid freezer burn by double wrapping. Use frozen pies within 1-2 months for best moistness.

• Loss of flavor: Seal air-tight and freeze for under 3 months. Prevent flavors from staleing.

With proper freezing methods, egg and bacon pie holds up beautifully for months of frozen storage.

Freezer Burn on Frozen Pies: How to Prevent It

Freezer burn is one of the biggest threats to frozen pie quality. Here are tips to avoid it:

• Double wrap pies in plastic wrap pressed to surface, then foil. Ensure there are no openings where air can penetrate.

• Wrap tightly so pie holds shape with no sagging areas. Don’t rely on rigid containers which can crack.

• Avoid overstuffing freezer, which can damage wrappings. Leave space between items.

• Store pies in a deep freezer at 0°F or below. The colder the temperature, the less freezer burn occurs.

• Use frozen pies within recommended window, ideally 2-3 months maximum.

With proper freezer habits, you can eliminate the dried out spots and off-flavors of freezer burn.

Answering Common Freezing Questions

Freezing egg and bacon pie may seem confusing if you’ve never done it before. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

How do you thaw a frozen pie? Thaw overnight in the refrigerator still wrapped. This prevents weeping.

Can you freeze raw pie fillings? Fillings with raw eggs like pumpkin or custard don’t freeze well raw. Freeze baked fully cooked fillings instead.

Is it better to freeze pie baked or unbaked? Both baked and unbaked pies freeze well, so choose whichever is more convenient.

Can you freeze pie twice? Avoid refreezing pie after it has thawed, as this dries out the pastry. Only freeze once for best texture.

Do all pies freeze well? Fruit and custard pies freeze best. Follow guidelines for meringue, chiffon, or cream pies which are more delicate.

How long does pie last in the freezer? Properly wrapped, pies last 2-3 months in the freezer before quality declines. Eat within 4 days of thawing.

It’s easy to overthink freezing pie but following these basics always results in delicious thawed treats.

Final Tips for Freezing Egg and Bacon Pies

Freezing lets you get the most out of the time and ingredients you put into baking homemade egg and bacon pies. Here are my final tips:

• Select pie recipes designed for freezing that avoid soggy crusts. Shortcrust and lard or oil-based doughs hold up better.

• Underbake pies very slightly before freezing to allow for oven spring when reheating from frozen state.

• Freeze custard-style pies made with yolks only, not whole eggs, for best texture and minimal weepiness.

• Let pies cool completely before wrapping tightly in layers of plastic wrap and foil to prevent freezer burn.

• Label each pie with contents and freeze date so you use within recommended 2-3 month period.

• Thaw overnight in the fridge, drain any liquid, and bake immediately from frozen state for food safety.

Put these freezing guidelines into practice for tender, flaky egg and bacon pies even months after baking. Enjoy the convenience of freezer pies without sacrificing homemade taste!

The Bottom Line

Freezing leftover egg and bacon pie lets you save this delicious homemade treat to enjoy weeks later. Allow baked pies to fully cool before wrapping airtight in plastic and foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking straight from frozen state. With proper freezing and reheating methods, you can have fresh egg and bacon pie anytime without waste.