Yes, you can freeze homemade pie crust. Here’s how:
- Place the unbaked pie crust in a freezer-safe bag or container and put it in the freezer.
- Defrost the crust in the refrigerator overnight or at least 8 hours.
- Let the pie crust thaw completely before using it in a recipe that calls for pre-baked pie crusts (as described below).
- Don’t thaw frozen dough too far ahead of time, or it may be difficult to work with. You should be able to fit it back into its original plastic container and use it within a few days after it has thawed completely.
Can I make pie crust ahead of time and freeze it?
Pie crusts are typically made from flour and fat, and if you’re making a whole pie, the ingredients will all be mixed together in one bowl. But you can also make individual crusts for individual pies by cutting out the dough into equal squares and rolling them out. Once you’ve rolled them out, you can freeze them for later use.
If you want to freeze your pie crust, place it in a freezer-safe container or plastic bag. When you’re ready to use it, just heat it up in the oven as directed in the package instructions.
Is it better to freeze pie crust baked or unbaked?
Pie crusts do not freeze well.
The reason is that they are made with butter, which has a short shelf life, and if it is allowed to thaw out and re-freeze, the butter will lose its structure and become soft again.
You can make a pie crust unbaked, but it will not be able to hold up to the filling.
If you are making a double crust pie crust and plan on freezing half of it unbaked, place one layer in the freezer before filling and then top with another layer of dough before placing back into the freezer.
How do you freeze pie shells?
Pie shells can be frozen before or after baking.
Before freezing, line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and place the pie crust in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. Remove the pie shell from the freezer, transfer it to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw overnight. The next day, bake your pie as usual.
After freezing, place pie shells in a resealable plastic bag and return to the freezer. When you’re ready to use them again, thaw at room temperature.
How Long Will homemade pie crust last in the refrigerator?
Pie crusts are made with flour, shortening, and sometimes water. When you make your pie crust, you should allow it to cool completely before putting it in the refrigerator. However, if you need to use it right away, add a little more flour to the dough and make sure that there is enough water to work with.
The trick to keeping pie crusts fresh for a long time is to not let them sit out at room temperature for too long before using them. You can store homemade pie crusts in an airtight container on the counter or in the refrigerator for up to one week (or even longer).
Why do you freeze pie crust before baking?
Pie crust is dough that’s rolled out and baked. If you roll out the dough and let it rest for a few minutes, you can use it as-is for pie. But even after resting, most pie crusts will be tough to work with because they’re so thick.
To make them easier to handle, you can either refrigerate or freeze them. Freezing the dough makes it easier to roll out and cut into shapes without breaking or tearing them. And once frozen, it’s easy to thaw the dough before using it in pies and tarts.
Freezing pie crust before baking can make it easier to work with. The dough becomes less sticky and more manageable, making it easier to roll out, shape, and transfer to the pan.
Another benefit is that the butter in the pie crust melts at a cooler temperature when frozen, which makes for a flakier, more tender crust.
