Turn Leftover Thanksgiving Pie Into Freeze-Dried Treats

Thanksgiving almost always means more pie than one table can finish, and pie doesn't hold up well past a few days on the counter or in the fridge. Freeze-drying the leftovers turns them into something new instead of letting them go to waste — cookie-like bites that keep for months.

The Process

Mash each leftover pie separately until it resembles a soft dough — razzleberry, pumpkin, lemon meringue, cherry, and apple crumble all worked well. Use a small ice cream scoop or a melon baller to portion the mashed pie into rounds, and place them on parchment-lined freeze dryer trays. Run a standard cycle, and what comes out the other side is closer to a cookie than a slice of pie — firm, portable, and ready to eat straight from the tray.

What About Cream Pies?

Chocolate silk, banana cream, and coconut cream pie should all freeze-dry using the same method, though it's worth noting the texture of a custard-based pie may come out a little different than a fruit-based one. If you try one, portion and freeze-dry it the same way as the others and see how it turns out.

Storing the Results

Once cooled, freeze-dried pie bites keep well in canning jars or mylar bags, ready to grab as a snack whenever a pie craving hits without needing to bake or thaw anything.

The Verdict

Lemon meringue came out as the clear favorite, though all five fruit and custard varieties held up well through the process.

More Ways to Use Thanksgiving Leftovers

Saving Thanksgiving dinner covers the rest of the table beyond dessert, and freeze-dried turkey dinner walks through freeze-drying the main course itself. If the pie-into-cookie idea appeals to you outside the holidays, strawberry chocolate chip cookies is a good next read.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you freeze-dry leftover pie?
Yes — mash it until it resembles a soft dough, portion it with a small ice cream scoop or melon baller, and freeze-dry it on parchment-lined trays. It comes out closer to a cookie than a slice of pie.

What kinds of pie work best for this?
Fruit and custard-style pies both work — razzleberry, pumpkin, lemon meringue, cherry, and apple crumble have all been tried successfully. Cream pies like chocolate silk, banana cream, or coconut cream should work the same way, though the texture may differ slightly from a fruit-based pie.

How do you store freeze-dried pie bites?
Canning jars or mylar bags both work well for long-term storage once the pie bites have cooled.

Do freeze-dried pie bites need to be rehydrated before eating?
No — they're meant to be eaten as-is, similar to a cookie, straight from storage.