Reheating your pecan pie without burning pastry while keeping it as crisp and delicious as it was the first time it popped out of the oven is quite an easy thing to do, that of course, if you like it warm.
Pecan Pie, Hot Or Cold?
Pecan pie can be served cold right out of the fridge or at room temperature, but many people like it warm out of the oven with warm, soft, sticky nut caramel filling and crumbly, flaky crust with a dollop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on the top.
If you are one of these people who would like your pie warm, then here are some excellent ways to reheat it.
Reheating Pecan Pie In Oven
The first and most traditional way to reheat pecan pie is in an oven. If you have a choice between a toaster oven or a regular oven, the regular oven gives a slightly better result. However, a toaster oven is much preferable to heating in a microwave, which should be used as a last resort.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cover the pecan pie loosely with foil. This stops the crust from burning.
- Remove the foil for the last few minutes to crisp up the top and sides.
- Remove from the oven and allow to stand for 2 minutes before serving.
The amount of time it takes to reheat the pie is dependent on how big and thick it is, and whether it is chilled from the fridge or at room temperature.
A good rule of thumb is to allow 10 – 15 minutes for your pie to heat up in the oven.
If your pie is straight from the fridge, allow the pie to come to room temperature for 10 – 15 minutes and then put it into the oven.
The best method for testing to see if it is warmed all the way through is to insert a metal knife into the center. Leave the knife there for a few seconds and, carefully, test the temperature of the knife on the back of your hand.
Using the oven to reheat your pecan pie is one of the best methods for making sure that your pie is warmed thoroughly and the crust remains crispy just as it came fresh out of the oven the first time.
How To Reheat A Pecan Pie In A Microwave?
Reheating a pecan pie in a microwave is not the best method for heating the pie as the crust tends to absorb the liquid and go soggy.
However, the good news is out of all the pies in the world, pecan pies are the most likely to be successfully heated in the microwave. Because of the high fat, sugar, and nut content, it has a much lower moisture content than other pies.
If your only option of reheating it is in the microwave, then make sure to do the following.
- Cut the pecan pie into slices and heat individually on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover the top, not the edges, loosely with a paper towel, wax wrap, or bunched-up plastic wrap. You may also want to place a sheet or two of paper towels under the slice.
- Make sure the edges are uncovered.
- Use the reheat or high setting of your microwave and heat for 30-second bursts. Once you are approaching the correct temperature, do 10-second bursts until you are happy with the temperature.
- Test the internal temperature of the pie by inserting a sharp, metal knife into the middle and, gently, test the temperature of the knife on the back of your hand.
- Never put the metal pie pan in the microwave.
How To Reheat A Pecan Pie In An Air Fryer?
Reheating pecan pies with an air fryer works surprisingly well because of the circulating hot air. Unfortunately, the traditional oven still beats out the more modern air fryer. This is because an air fryer does not have a bottom heating element. Without the heat from the bottom, you may not get the base back to its original crispiness.
If you choose the air fryer method, make sure to do the following:
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (182°C), which usually takes around 3 minutes.
- You may only be able to warm a slice or two at a time, but it will be faster than the oven.
- Be vigilant when reheating, and check every couple of minutes until the desired temperature is reached.
How To Safely Store Pecan Pie?
Pecan pie is made of pecan nuts, sugar, butter, eggs, and most recipes will call for flavorings such as chocolate, vanilla, or bourbon whiskey. How long it will last largely depends on how you store it.
Bacteria grows quite quickly, it should not be left out for more than a couple of hours after baking. In the fridge, it safely lasts 3 or 4 days. Remember to let it cool properly before placing it in the refrigerator; otherwise, you run the risk of a soggy pie bottom.
The best method of storing a pecan pie in long term is freezing it. It can last for two months in the freezer, and many well-known chefs recommend freezing your pie well before a large event, such as Thanksgiving dinner, to alleviate the pressure of the day without giving up the quality of the food.
Tips For Freezing
- Once the pecan pie is out of the oven, allow it to cool completely.
- Once cool, wrap in many layers of plastic wrap. Many more than you think you will need.
- Make sure to keep it level in the freezer, or better yet, keep it in a pastry box to stop it from being disturbed.
- Keep the temperature constant.
- Defrost slowly. Defrost it overnight in the fridge.
- Reheat Quickly. Check to see if any of the plastic wraps have got ice formed on it or any moisture while still frozen, and remove those layers to stop the crust from becoming soggy.
- Once defrosted, allow to rest at room temperature for up to 15 minutes before selecting a reheating method above.
How Do I Know When The Pecan Pie Has Gone Bad?
The first way to tell if a pecan pie has gone bad is by the smell. Once it is not good to eat, it will start to have an unpleasant odor, sour taste, and a lumpy texture.
Another method of checking if the pecan pie has gone bad is by looking to see if any mold has started forming. Once you start to see mold, the pecan pie is unsafe to eat and is, in fact, downright dangerous to eat. Just removing the moldy bit won’t make it any safer to eat as the mold has most likely to spread throughout the pastry, nor will the thorough heating get rid of the mold toxins.
Conclusion
One of the best-loved desserts in the world has a variety of flavors and almost as many ways to reheat and store it.
The best time to eat a pecan pie is when it is freshly baked.
The second-best time is if it has been frozen and stored correctly, no longer than two months, and heated in a traditional oven.
Don’t forget the large scoop of cream or ice cream to top off your beautifully warmed and decadent dessert!
