Can You Freeze Mince Pies?
Mince pies are a delicious Christmas treat, made with crisp pastry and a sweet, fruity mincemeat filling. They’re perfect with a cup of tea over the festive period.
They usually start appearing in the supermarkets in November, sometimes even as early as October, and it’s tempting to stock up while they’re available.
The trouble is, mince pies tend to have quite a short best before date. While I’m not usually one for sticking rigidly to best before dates (I think they can lead to a lot of unnecessary food waste), pastry does lose its freshness fairly quickly.
That’s especially worth bearing in mind if you’re planning to serve them to guests over Christmas.
Can You Freeze Mince Pies?
Yes, you can freeze mince pies.
Freezing is a great way to get ahead with your Christmas baking, preserve shop-bought mince pies until the festive season, or simply keep a few on hand for unexpected visitors.
Can You Freeze Homemade Mince Pies?
Yes, homemade mince pies freeze really well.
You can freeze them:
- Before baking.
- After baking.
- As separate components, such as homemade mincemeat or pastry, if you’re preparing everything in advance.
Can You Freeze Shop-Bought Mince Pies?
Yes, shop-bought mince pies can also be frozen.
If the box is still sealed, you can usually place the whole pack straight into the freezer. If the pies are only protected by a cardboard box, it’s worth placing the box inside a freezer bag or wrapping it well to help prevent freezer burn and stop the pastry absorbing freezer odours.
If you’ve already opened the box and only have a few mince pies left, wrap them individually before freezing.
Can You Freeze Uncooked Mince Pies?
Yes, uncooked mince pies can be frozen.
They’re ideal for making ahead if you’re hosting over Christmas. Freeze them before baking, then cook straight from frozen, allowing a few extra minutes in the oven.
Can You Freeze Cooked Mince Pies?
Yes, cooked mince pies freeze very well.
Allow them to cool completely before wrapping and freezing.
Can You Freeze Gluten-Free Mince Pies?
Yes, gluten-free mince pies can also be frozen.
This is especially useful if only one or two people in the household will be eating them, as you can take out just the number you need.
How To Freeze Mince Pies
Freezing mince pies is simple:
- Allow homemade mince pies to cool completely.
- Wrap each mince pie individually or place them in a freezer-safe container.
- Label and date the container.
- Freeze for up to four months.
How Long Can You Freeze Mince Pies?
Mince pies are best used within 3-4 months of freezing.
They will usually remain safe to eat after this, but the pastry may gradually lose some of its texture and flavour.
How To Defrost Mince Pies
The best way to defrost mince pies is overnight in the fridge.
If you’re short on time, they can also be thawed in the microwave using the defrost setting or warmed gently in a low oven.
Can You Reheat Mince Pies?
Yes, mince pies can be reheated.
Because they’re quite small, they only need a few minutes to warm through. Just be careful, as the mincemeat filling can become extremely hot.
You can reheat mince pies in:
- The oven.
- An air fryer.
- The microwave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Freeze Homemade Mince Pies?
Yes. Homemade mince pies can be frozen either before or after baking.
Can I Freeze Shop-Bought Mince Pies?
Yes. Both unopened and opened packs can be frozen.
Can I Freeze Mince Pies Before Baking?
Yes. Freeze them unbaked, then cook from frozen when needed.
Can I Freeze Mince Pies After Baking?
Yes. Allow them to cool completely before freezing.
Can I Refreeze Mince Pies?
It’s best not to refreeze mince pies once they have been fully defrosted.
Do Frozen Mince Pies Go Soggy?
Not usually. The pastry may lose a little of its crispness after freezing and defrosting, but they should still taste just as delicious. Warming them in the oven or air fryer helps crisp the pastry back up.
How Long Do Frozen Mince Pies Last?
For the best quality, use frozen mince pies within 3-4 months.
More Christmas Freezing Guides
You can find more Christmas freezing guides in my Christmas Hub.
Can You Freeze Baileys Irish Cream?
Can You Freeze Christmas Pudding?
Looking for more freezing advice? Browse our Frozen Food Hub, where you’ll find hundreds of guides covering everything from cooked meals and meats to fruit, vegetables, dairy products and baked goods.
