Did you find an old box of pie crust mix in your pantry? Or maybe you have a premade refrigerated or frozen pie crust you want to use but it’s past the sell by date.
If you are wondering if your store bought pie crust is safe to eat you came to right place. In this article you will learn whether your store bought pie crust mix, refrigerated, or frozen pie crust is still good to eat.
Is Your Store Bought Pie Crust Still Good?
I try to make most of my pie crusts from scratch, but let’s be honest, there’s not always enough time for that.
So I’ve used all types of premade pie crusts and pie crust mixes. And more than once I’ve found an old package in the back of the fridge or freezer.
And I don’t know about you, but I hate wasting food. So I took the time to figure out how long past the sell by or expiration date you can safely use a store bought pie crust. So let’s get to each of the most popular styles of crust and how long they stay good.
Related Recipe: Peach Pie from Canned Peaches
How Long is Pie Crust Mix Good
So you have a box of pie crust mix but it’s past the date on the box. The first thing to know is that is the sell by date. It is the estimated shelf life regarding it’s best flavor. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still use your pie crust mix after that date.
You can use pie crust mix after the sell by date.
When pie crust mix is stored in a dry cool location, like your pantry, it will last for years. The key here is that your pie crust mix has not been exposed to heat or moisture. If it has, it’s a whole different story.
But as long as it has been stored properly your pie crust is safe to use. There is a chance that the flavor will degrade over time, but you can still use your pie crust mix.
Related: Things to Do with Leftover Pie Filling
Can you use refrigerated pie crust that is past date?
Those premade refrigerated pie crusts at the grocery store get used in my kitchen every holiday season. There is no way to keep up with the festive pie demand without them!
But what happens when you find a package of pie crust in the fridge that are past the “expiration date”?
It’s the same story as with pie crust mix. That date is in fact a best by, sold by, or sell by date and refers to when the crust is at it’s peak flavor.
Store bought pie crust still sealed in it’s original package will stay good for up to 18 months after the sell by date.
If that package is open, then it’s safe for about two months after the date.
So next time you don’t use the whole package, put your leftover pie crusts in an airtight bag and they will last a lot longer.
Related: What to Do With Leftover Pie Crust
Can you use frozen pie crust that is past date?
Yes you can! At the risk of sounding like a broken record, that date on the package is the manufacturers recommended use by date. Being past that date does not mean your pie crust is expired or unsafe to eat.
As a matter of fact, frozen pie crust in it’s original package (or properly sealed by you) will last in the freezer indefinitely. That’s the great thing about buying your pie crust ahead of time. You can store them safely in the freezer until the holiday season and avoid adding one more item to that already long shopping list.
Now if you did not seal your leftover crust before popping it in the freezer you may find they are freezer burned. In this case it’s better to get a new crust.
Related: How Long Does Cherry Pie Last
How to tell if pie crust has gone bad
So what if you’re still unsure if your pie crust or mix is safe to eat? Pie crust can go bad, either from poor storage conditions or damaged packaging. In that case you will want to take a look for signs of spoilage.
Look at your crust for signs of mold or discoloration. Also give your crust a sniff, a spoiled pie crust will smell “off”. And you can even taste a small piece, if the flavor isn’t right then your crust is no longer good.
Bottom Line
As you can see, store bought pie crust will last a long time. The key to making sure your pie crust lasts as long as possible is sealing and storing them properly.