Sweet potato pie is a beloved dessert, especially around the holidays. It’s made from mashed sweet potatoes, eggs, sugar, and spices baked in a pie crust. But what if you baked a pie and still have leftovers a week later – can you still dig in or is it time to toss it? Let’s take a closer look at how long sweet potato pie lasts, signs of spoilage, and whether it’s still safe to eat after a week in the fridge.
How Long Does Sweet Potato Pie Last?
Freshly baked sweet potato pie will last 3-4 days stored properly in the refrigerator. The eggs and dairy in the custard filling are highly perishable. Over time, the texture starts to break down and water separates. Still, the pie remains safe to eat for about 4-5 days if stored in an airtight container to prevent drying out. After that, you risk spoilage and foodborne illnesses.
In the freezer, slices of sweet potato pie keep well for 2-3 months. Wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap or foil before freezing. The pie holds up fine frozen; just thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
So in summary:
Refrigerator:
– Whole sweet potato pie: 3-4 days
– Leftover slices: 4-5 days
Freezer:
– Wrapped slices: 2-3 months
With proper food safety practices, you can extend the fridge life of sweet potato pie by a day or two. But in general, consume leftovers within 5 days and don’t freeze the pie for longer than 3 months.
What Happens If You Eat Sweet Potato Pie After 5-7 Days?
Eating spoiled sweet potato pie comes with significant health risks. Here’s what could happen if you eat very old leftover pie:
Foodborne Illness
The custard filling provides the perfect breeding ground for bacteria like staphylococcus, salmonella, and E. coli. Eating old sweet potato pie can lead to foodborne illness, causing nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. Symptoms may appear within hours or take 1-3 days to develop.
Mold Exposure
If there are any visible signs of mold on the pie, do not eat it. Consuming moldy foods can cause allergic reactions or respiratory problems. Even if you scrape the mold off, roots may penetrate deep into the pie and toxins can still remain.
Off-Flavors
As sweet potato pie ages, the flavor profile changes significantly. Rancid flavors come through, the texture becomes mushy, and water leaches out. The pie will simply taste stale and unappealing.
While one bite of old pie may not make you sick, it’s not worth taking the chance. At 5-7 days old, discard the pie even if it looks fine. Mold, bacteria, and off-flavors develop quickly in custard fillings.
How to Tell If Sweet Potato Pie Has Gone Bad
Watch for these signs that sweet potato pie has spoiled and should be thrown out:
Mold Growth
Check thoroughly for fuzzy spots or mold growing on the surface or crust. Discard at the first sign of mold.
Off Odor
Give the pie a good sniff. Spoiled sweet potato pie smells rancid, rotten, or fermented.
Watery Filling
The custard loses its thick, smooth texture. Water separates and filling looks curdled.
Discolored Filling
Fresh filling is bright orange. As it goes bad, it turns darker and duller.
Dry, Cracked Crust
The crust dries out, cracks, and feels thicker after sitting in the fridge.
Slimy Texture
Bacterial growth causes the filling to develop a slippery, slimy texture.
Trust your senses – if the pie looks, smells or feels off, do not eat it. Follow standard food safety practices like refrigerating promptly and using clean utensils. But even stored properly, consume sweet potato pie within 5 days.
Can You Freeze and Thaw Week Old Sweet Potato Pie?
Freezing week old sweet potato pie is not recommended. The pie’s quality already starts deteriorating after just a few days in the fridge. Freezing at this point would damage the texture further.
Here are some risks of freezing very old pie:
– Increased ice crystals – Leads to a grainy, mushy texture.
– Mold growth – Freezing doesn’t kill mold spores that may be present.
– Off-flavors – Any rancidness gets locked in and becomes more pronounced.
– Bacterial contamination – Freezing stops growth but doesn’t kill bacteria that causes foodborne illness.
– Reduced quality – The pie will seem dry and watery once thawed.
For food safety, only freeze freshly baked sweet potato pie. Letting the pie sit in the fridge for a week first increases the risk of pathogens. Stick to the recommended 3-4 month maximum freezer time.
Thawing week old pie that was frozen won’t make it safe to eat either. The pathogens will return to life during thawing. So it’s best to discard sweet potato pie after 5-7 days, whether frozen or not.
How to Store Sweet Potato Pie Properly
To get the most life out of your homemade or store-bought sweet potato pie, follow these storage tips:
Refrigerate ASAP
Refrigerate the pie within 2 hours of baking or removing from the oven. The filling needs to chill below 40°F as quickly as possible to prevent bacterial growth.
Allow It to Cool First
Never put a hot pie straight into the refrigerator. Let it come to room temperature, about 1-2 hours, before chilling.
Use Airtight Containers
Store pie in a container with an airtight lid rather than just wrapping in foil. This prevents the pie from drying out.
Wrap Thoroughly for Freezer
Each slice or pie wedge should be individually wrapped in plastic wrap or foil before freezing. Remove as much air as possible.
Place on Bottom Shelf
Keep pie on the bottom shelf of the fridge furthest from the door. This is the coldest area and prevents temperature fluctuations.
Avoid Cross-Contamination
Be diligent about washing hands, utensils, and surfaces. Store pie away from raw meats that can transfer bacteria.
Proper storage extends the life of sweet potato pie. But no matter how careful you are, eat within 5 days and don’t freeze pie that’s over a week old.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about enjoying leftover sweet potato pie:
Can I eat 5 day old sweet potato pie left out overnight?
No, absolutely do not eat pie left out at room temperature overnight. The filling can quickly grow dangerous levels of bacteria when left out more than 2 hours. Always refrigerate the pie within 2 hours.
What happens if you eat sweet potato pie that has mold?
Consuming moldy pie puts you at risk for allergic reactions, respiratory irritation, and intestinal distress. Even if you cut the mold off, roots and toxins may remain in the pie. It’s best to discard the entire pie.
How can you tell if sweet potato pie is baked with spoiled sweet potatoes?
Signs that the sweet potatoes were bad include a pie with a soured, fermented flavor, watery texture, or mushy consistency. The filling may also seem slimy. Only bake pies with fresh, high quality sweet potatoes.
Can I put foil over leftover sweet potato pie in the fridge?
Wrap pie in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container rather than covering with foil. Foil allows the pie to dry out in the fridge. For optimal freshness, prevent airflow with an airtight lid.
Will reheating old sweet potato pie make it safe to eat again?
No, reheating does not get rid of toxins from mold or bacteria that may be present. Cooked sweet potatoes also don’t reheat well. Stick to eating leftover pie within 5 days and reheating only once.
Conclusion
Enjoy your homemade sweet potato pie within 3-4 days for the best quality. You can safely eat leftovers for up to 5 days if refrigerated properly in an airtight container. Beyond that point, the risks of spoilage and foodborne illness increase. Do not eat pie that is over a week old or has any signs of mold. With proper storage methods, you can savor every last delicious bite of your sweet potato pie before having to part with the leftovers. Just be mindful of food safety guidelines and your senses when determining if your pie is still good to eat.