Pumpkin pie looks sturdy. It has a crisp crust and a firm filling, and it sits on the Thanksgiving table next to the rolls like it belongs on the counter. But the filling is made from eggs and milk, and that changes how it should be stored.
Does pumpkin pie need to be refrigerated?
The short answer: Yes, for homemade and bakery pumpkin pies made with fresh ingredients. Iowa State University Extension says they should be refrigerated and not left at room temperature for more than two hours. Store-bought pies sold unrefrigerated are the one exception, so check the label.
For a complete pantry storage reference, see our Food Storage Guide.
Does Pumpkin Pie Need to Be Refrigerated: At a Glance
Homemade pumpkin pie
Yes, refrigerate it. Iowa State says all homemade and bakery pumpkin pies made with fresh ingredients should be refrigerated
Bakery pie made with fresh ingredients
Same rule as homemade, according to Iowa State
Store-bought pie sold unrefrigerated
Follow the label. Iowa State says it is never wrong to refrigerate it once home
Time out of the fridge
2 hours at most, per Iowa State and Illinois Extension. USDA says 1 hour above 90°F
How long after baking it can be chilled
Cool completely, chill uncovered, then wrap loosely, per Iowa State
Overnight on the counter, porch or garage
Discard it. Refrigerating it afterward doesn’t undo time spent at room temperature
Key Takeaways
Homemade and bakery pumpkin pies made with fresh ingredients belong in the refrigerator, according to Iowa State University Extension.
The limit on the counter is 2 hours total, and that includes time on a buffet or on the table.
Cooling the pie first, then chilling it uncovered, keeps the crust from turning soggy.
A cold porch or garage is not a substitute for a refrigerator, and neither is leaving it out overnight.
Store-bought pies sold unrefrigerated are the one exception, and the label decides.
Where the Two-Hour Rule Comes From
Iowa State University Extension explains that bacteria grow rapidly when a homemade pie sits between 40°F and 140°F. For that reason, these pies should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours. USDA’s leftovers guidance gives the same two hour limit and shortens it to one hour when the temperature is over 90°F. The rule isn’t about pumpkin. It is about the eggs and milk in the filling, which is why the same advice shows up for custard and cream pies.
Which Pumpkin Pies Need the Refrigerator?
Start with the type of pie, because the sources split on it.
Pie
Refrigerate it?
What the source says
Homemade pumpkin pie
Yes
Iowa State: “ALL homemade and bakery pumpkin and pecan pies made with fresh ingredients should be refrigerated.”
Bakery pumpkin pie made with fresh ingredients
Yes
Iowa State: the same procedure applies as for homemade pies
Store-bought pie displayed and sold unrefrigerated
Follow the label
Iowa State: these commercially produced pies have shelf-stable ingredients and
