Can You Freeze Egg and Bacon Pie? The Delicious Way to Preserve This Classic

Egg and bacon pie is a cherished recipe for many. The savory custard filling studded with crispy bacon baked in a buttery pie crust is simply irresistible. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and popular choice for potlucks brunches and big family meals.

But egg and bacon pies are labor intensive to make. From blind baking the crust, to whisking the custard, frying the bacon and carefully baking the pie, it takes time and effort. That’s why many people wonder – can you freeze a baked egg and bacon pie?

The answer is yes! With proper freezing and reheating, egg and bacon pie freezes beautifully. Read on to learn how long it lasts in the freezer tips for freezing and the best ways to reheat to crispy, flaky perfection.

How Long Does Egg and Bacon Pie Last in the Freezer?

An egg and bacon pie will easily last 2-3 months in the freezer without any loss of quality. The baked custard filling freezes solid and the buttery crust stays crisp when frozen and reheated properly.

Here are some freezer timelines for egg and bacon pie:

• Unbaked pie dough – 3-6 months
• Baked pie shell – 1-2 months
• Assembled unbaked pie – 1 month
• Baked egg and bacon pie – 2-3 months

The baked and assembled pie has the shortest freezer life at just 1 month. So for longer freezer storage, it works best to freeze the components separately. Wrap dough and par-bake the shell ahead, then assemble, fill and bake the pie right before serving.

Tips for Freezing Egg and Bacon Pie

Follow these tips for delicious results freezing egg and bacon pies:

• Cool completely – Let freshly baked pies cool at room temperature before freezing so custard sets.

• Wrap tightly – Use plastic wrap pressed directly on the surface and foil overwrap to prevent freezer burn.

• Freeze flat – For the most compact storage, freeze pies flat on a baking sheet before stacking.

• Label – Mark packages with content, quantity, and freeze date for easy identification.

• Use freezer bags – For baked pie slices, place in labeled freezer bags with parchment between slices.

Proper freezing keeps egg and bacon pies fresh tasting for months!

Thawing Frozen Egg and Bacon Pie

Find the best ways to safely thaw frozen egg and bacon pies:

• Refrigerator – Thaw overnight or up to 2 days in the fridge for gentle, even thawing.

• Room temperature – Thaw smaller items like pie slices at room temp for 1-2 hours.

• Cold water – Submerge frozen pie still in wrapper in cold water, changing water every 30 mins.

• Microwave – Only use the defrost setting to thaw pie slices, not entire pies.

Avoid thawing at warm temperatures or leaving the pie thawed for over 2 hours before reheating fully. Follow proper food safety guidelines when handling raw egg products.

How to Reheat Egg and Bacon Pie

Reheating brings egg and bacon pie back to its glory of flaky crust, moist custard, and crispy bacon. Here are some reheating methods:

• Oven – Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake thawed pie 20-25 mins until hot and starting to brown.

• Toaster oven – For single slices, reheat in toaster oven at 325°F for 10-12 minutes.

• Microwave – Microwave thawed slices for 30 second intervals until hot, checking in between.

• Skillet – Fry pie slices in a hot skillet with butter to recrisp the crust.

• Steam – Place pie slices in a steamer basket and steam 5-10 mins until hot.

Reheated egg and bacon pie tastes freshly baked! Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Can You Freeze Egg and Bacon Pie Filling Separately?

Freezing just the cooked egg custard filling allows longer freezer storage. To freeze:

• Cool completely – Chill filling for 2 hours in fridge before freezing so it firms up.

• Portion – Divide into usable amounts like individual ramekins or quart freezer bags.

• Remove air – Squeeze out excess air from bags. For ramekins, leave 1⁄2 inch headspace.

• Label – Mark with contents, quantity, and freeze date.

Thaw filling overnight in fridge before using. The creamy custard retains moisture and flavor well when frozen this way.

Tips for Making Freezable Egg and Bacon Pies

Follow these helpful tips when preparing egg and bacon pies intended for the freezer:

• Reinforce crust – Chill dough thoroughly before and after shaping. Brush egg wash on bottom and sides.

• Partially bake crust – Blind bake the crust 5 minutes before adding filling for a crisper reheated shell.

• Thicken filling – Add an extra egg yolk or two to make the custard more stable when frozen.

• Underbake slightly – Bake 5 minutes shorter than normal recipe time to account for carryover cooking during reheating.

• Cool completely – Let cool at room temperature 2+ hours so custard firms up before freezing solid.

With these preparation tips, egg and bacon pies hold up beautifully to freezing and reheating for tasty make-ahead meals.

Signs Your Frozen Pie Has Gone Bad

Monitor your frozen egg and bacon pies and discard any that show these signs of spoilage:

• Strong unpleasant odor when unwrapping
• Weeping, soggy or gummy crust
• Watery, separating custard
• Discoloration or fuzziness on crust or filling
• Unusual taste that is bitter, rancid or rotten

For best quality and food safety, use frozen pies within the recommended 2-3 month freezer timeframe.

The Benefits of Freezing Egg and Bacon Pies

Freezing cooked egg and bacon pies allows you to:

• Make ahead – Assemble several pies at once for quick meals later.

• Prep for parties – Get pies ready in advance for large gatherings or potlucks.

• Reduce waste – Freeze extra pies to eat later rather than throwing leftovers away.

• Save money – Take advantage of sale prices on ingredients and bake when you have time.

• Save time – Thaw ready-made pie for a quick breakfast, lunch or dinner instead of baking from scratch.

With some simple planning, you can enjoy tasty homemade egg and bacon pie anytime thanks to your freezer!

Ready For Pie Anytime

Egg and bacon pie makes for a supremely satisfying meal any time of day. Thankfully, this family-friendly favorite can be easily frozen and reheated with delicious results. Follow proper handling methods and frozen pies will keep for months, ready to pull out and enjoy whenever a craving strikes. Keep your freezer stocked with this classic comfort food.