There ain’t nothin’ quite like sweet potato pie. No, seriously. This surprisingly robust and indulgent is a crowd favorite, especially during the holiday season. Unfortunately, though, it doesn’t last forever. You’ll need to eat it within three days when refrigerated or a month when frozen.
Hey, everyone! My name’s Michelle, and I’m a self-taught baker with over ten years of experience. I have made my fair share of sweet potato pies over the years, and I’ve figured out exactly how long they last – plus the best way to store the leftovers.
Are you curious about how long your yummy dish of sweet potato pie will last? Then keep reading. This article tells you exactly how long your pie will last at room temperature, in the fridge and the freezer – plus some tips on how to tell when it’s spoiled. (After all, nobody wants to munch on an old pie. Ew!)
Come on, sweets! Let’s talk about sweet potato pie longevity.
Contents
How Long Does Sweet Potato Pie Last?
How long this kind of pie lasts depends solely on one factor: where it’s stored. Let’s take a closer look at the shelf life.
1. Room Temp – Up to Two Hours
This type of pie contains milk, eggs, and other perishable ingredients. That said, it should not be left at room temperature for longer than two hours (or one hour if the temperature exceeds 90F).
At this point, the pie will enter the “Danger Zone,” according to the USDA. This means harmful bacteria will begin to multiply, rendering your pie unsafe to consume.
If you’re not planning to eat your pie within two hours, you’ll want to refrigerate or freeze it.
2. Fridge – Up to Three Days
If you want a little more wiggle room from your pie, you must put it in the fridge.
Stored in the fridge, sweet potato pie can last up to three days.
Sure, you might be OK to eat it on day four or five, but the quality will have deteriorated at that point. It may not have the same desirable texture or flavor.
My recommendation? Eat within three days or freeze for a more extended period.
3. Freezer – Up to One Month
Finally, if you need a lot more time to eat up your delicious pie, you can put it in the freezer.
When frozen, sweet potato pie lasts up to a month.
Like the fridge, the pie may last a few weeks beyond the one-month timeframe. However, the quality won’t be the same.
Eat within a month to enjoy the most scrumptious flavor and perfect texture.
How to Store Sweet Potato Pie
As with any other food item, proper storage is vital to extending the shelf life of your sweet potato pie. Here are a few tips to follow.
1. Wrap Tightly with Plastic Wrap or Tinfoil
The first rule of thumb is to always wrap your pie tightly with plastic wrap or tinfoil. This will keep it safe from the elements, which can quickly dry up your pastry – especially if stored in the fridge or freezer.
Never leave your sweet potato pie unwrapped!
2. Place in the Back of the Fridge or Freezer
When storing in the fridge or freezer, place your pie toward the back of the appliance. Temperatures do not fluctuate as much in this area, so your pie will remain delicious (and safe) to eat.
4 Signs of Spoiled Sweet Potato Pie
As you can see, sweet potato pie doesn’t have the most extended shelf life ever. In fact, it’s a relatively short amount of time before the pie loses its quality. That’s why it is essential to know the key signs of rancidness, including:
1. Darkened Appearance
Sure, sweet potato pie isn’t the most colorful or bright dessert. But it’s not dark, either. Its color can best be described as orangey.
With that said, your first step is to look at the pie. Is it the same color as it was the day you made it? Or has it taken on a much darker appearance? If it’s a darker shade, it’s time to toss it. This is especially true if it’s accompanied by mushiness!
2. Mold
Next up on your checkoff list is mold. Mold is colorful (typically blue or green), and your sweet potato is not. So, spotting any “colorful” and fuzzy areas should be easy. If you see mold, get rid of the pie. Don’t try to eat around it.
3. Sour or Odd Odor
If you don’t see anything wrong with your pie, you can move on to smelling it.
Sweet potato pie that’s gone rancid will put off an unpleasant or sour odor. If your pie doesn’t smell right, it’s time to say bye-bye.
4. Yucky Taste
The final way to tell whether your pie is good is to try it!
If you take a bite of the sweet potato pie and run to the trash can to spit it out, this can only mean one thing: it’s spoiled, and you’ll need to buy or bake a fresh pie.
FAQs
Now you know how long your sweet potato pie actually lasts! If you want to learn more about this topic, go ahead and read the frequently asked questions below. (There’s some helpful information down there, so I recommend taking a look!)
Can sweet potato pie go bad in the fridge?
This delicacy can go bad – even when stored in the fridge. I recommend consuming the sweet potato pie within three days. It will taste like the day you made it (or bought it). If you need to store it beyond three days, stash it in the freezer for up to a month.
How long does sweet potato pie last unrefrigerated?
Some other articles might say it’s OK to leave sweet potato pie unrefrigerated for a day or two, but I don’t recommend it. This type of pie contains perishable ingredients. It should not be left unrefrigerated for more than two hours (or one hour if temps are above 90F).
Can sweet potato pie give you food poisoning?
Consuming spoiled sweet potato pie can give you food poisoning. That’s why it’s always best to check for signs of spoilage, such as a darkened appearance, moldy spots, an odd odor, or a disgusting taste. Otherwise, you may end up with a stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, etc.
Sweet Potato Pie is Yummy But Doesn’t Last Long
Sweet potato pies don’t have an incredibly long shelf life. They can only sit at room temperature for up to two hours, in the refrigerator for up to three days, or in the freezer for a month.
Do you like sweet potato pie?
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