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You bake a frozen pumpkin pie by transferring it from the freezer to the oven without thawing it first.
That might sound surprising, but baking a frozen pumpkin pie is actually one of the easiest ways to get a warm, homemade-tasting dessert on the table with almost zero effort.
Whether you bought a frozen pie from the store or froze your own leftover pumpkin pie after the holidays, the process is nearly the same.
The key is knowing the right temperature, the right timing, and how to tell when your frozen pumpkin pie is fully baked.
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to bake a frozen pumpkin pie, plus a few tips to keep the crust from burning and the filling perfectly set.
Let’s dive in.
How Do You Bake a Frozen Pumpkin Pie?
You bake a frozen pumpkin pie by placing it directly into a preheated oven, still frozen, and letting it bake low and slow until the center is set.
Here’s the thing: pumpkin pie filling is basically a custard made from pumpkin puree, eggs, and evaporated milk.
Custards are delicate, and if you thaw a pumpkin pie before baking, the crust can get soggy and the filling can separate.
Baking a frozen pumpkin pie straight from the freezer helps the crust set before the filling starts to cook, which gives you a crispier bottom and a smoother texture.
If you’ve been wondering how do you bake a frozen pumpkin pie without ruining it, this method is the answer.
1. Preheat Your Oven to 375°F
The first step in baking a frozen pumpkin pie is getting your oven nice and hot.
Set it to 375°F (190°C) and let it preheat fully, which usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
A properly preheated oven ensures your frozen pumpkin pie starts baking evenly from the moment it goes in.
2. Keep the Pie in Its Foil Pan
Most store-bought frozen pumpkin pies come in a disposable foil pan, and you should leave it right there.
The foil pan helps conduct heat to the crust, which is exactly what you want when you bake a frozen pumpkin pie.
Just remove any plastic wrap or cardboard lid before it goes in the oven.
3. Place It on a Baking Sheet
Set your frozen pumpkin pie on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil.
This catches any drips and makes it way easier to pull the pie out of the oven when it’s done.
It also adds a little insulation, which helps prevent the bottom of your frozen pumpkin pie from over-browning.
How Long Do You Bake a Frozen Pumpkin Pie?
The baking time for a frozen pumpkin pie depends on its size and whether it was fully baked before freezing.
For a standard 9-inch frozen pumpkin pie, plan on about 60 to 75 minutes.
If you’re baking a frozen pumpkin pie that was already baked before freezing, it may only need 45 to 55 minutes.
The best way to know when your frozen pumpkin pie is done is to check the center.
It should look set but still have a slight jiggle, like gelatin that hasn’t fully firmed up yet.
A knife inserted about an inch from the edge should come out clean.
If the center still looks soupy, keep baking your frozen pumpkin pie in 5-minute increments until it’s ready.
Tips for Baking a Frozen Pumpkin Pie Perfectly
Getting a frozen pumpkin pie to come out perfectly takes a little know-how, but these tips make it easy.
1. Cover the Crust If It Browns Too Fast
The edges of your frozen pumpkin pie can start to burn before the center is fully baked.
If you notice the crust getting too dark, tent it with strips of aluminum foil.
This shields the crust while still letting the filling cook through, so your frozen pumpkin pie bakes evenly.
2. Don’t Thaw Before Baking
I know it’s tempting to let your frozen pumpkin pie thaw on the counter first, but don’t do it.
Thawing makes the crust soggy and can cause the filling to curdle.
The whole point of baking a frozen pumpkin pie is to go straight from freezer to oven.
3. Let It Cool Completely
Once your frozen pumpkin pie comes out of the oven, let it cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours.
The filling continues to set as it cools, so cutting into it too soon will give you a runny slice.
For the best results, chill your baked frozen pumpkin pie in the fridge for another couple of hours before serving.
4. Reheating Leftovers
If you baked a frozen pumpkin pie and have leftovers, store them covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.
You can enjoy it cold, at room temperature, or warm it gently in the oven at 300°F for about 10 minutes.
Just avoid the microwave, which can make the crust chewy and the filling rubbery.
So, How Do You Bake a Frozen Pumpkin Pie?
You bake a frozen pumpkin pie by putting it straight into a 375°F oven without thawing, then baking it for 60 to 75 minutes until the center is just set.
Keep it in its foil pan, place it on a baking sheet, and cover the crust with foil if it starts browning too fast.
Let it cool completely so the filling can firm up, and you’ll end up with a dessert that tastes like you made it from scratch.
Now that you know how do you bake a frozen pumpkin pie, you can keep one in the freezer and have a warm, homemade treat ready whenever a craving hits.