Can You Reheat Pork Pies? A Guide to Safely Warming Up Leftover Pork Pies

The quintessentially British pork pie is a mealtime staple that often leaves us with delicious leftovers But can you safely reheat pork pies while maintaining that scrumptious flavor and texture?

As a lover of all things meat pie, I did some digging to find the best methods for reheating pork pies without ruining them. Here’s what I discovered about properly reheating these pastry-encased pork treasures.

Can You Microwave Pork Pies?

The microwave is a quick way to warm up pork pies, but it’s not the best way to keep the texture and taste.

Microwaving can make the pastry soggy while drying out the interior pork filling. It also doesn’t allow for even heating throughout the pie

If reheating in the microwave, use 20% more power for each additional second until the food is just warmed through. But for best results, use the oven or other gentler reheating methods.

Oven Reheating Is Best For Pork Pies

The oven is the best way to warm up leftover pork pies without losing any of their quality. The even, ambient heat crisps up the outside pastry while warming the interior.

To reheat pork pies in the oven:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.

• Place pie on a baking sheet and cover loosely with foil.

• Heat for 15-20 minutes until warmed through.

• Remove foil and bake another 2-3 minutes to recrisp the crust.

Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F.

Can You Reheat Pork Pies in an Air Fryer?

An air fryer can also do a great job reheating pork pies. The circulating hot air gives you a quick reheat while maintaining that all-important crispy crust.

To use an air fryer:

• Preheat air fryer to 350°F.

• Place pork pie in fryer basket.

• Cook 5-8 minutes, shaking basket occasionally.

• Check internal temp before serving.

The air fryer’s smaller chamber size means faster, more concentrated heat for ideal pie reheating.

Stovetop Reheating Lets You Crisp the Crust

For reheating pork pies with extra pastry crunch, use the stovetop:

• Heat a skillet over medium heat.

• Add a thin layer of oil.

• Place pie in skillet and press gently with spatula to maximize surface contact.

• Cook 4-5 minutes per side, flipping carefully.

The hot skillet browns and crisps the pastry shell nicely. Monitor closely to avoid burning.

Can You Eat Cold Pork Pies?

While hot pork pies can’t be beat, you can safely eat them cold too. The pork and pastry taste great chilled.

To enjoy cold:

• Let pie cool completely after baking.

• Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.

• Keep refrigerated for up to 4 days.

Eating pork pies cold eliminates reheating risks. But remember food safety – don’t leave them sitting out!

Handling Pork Pies Safely

To prevent foodborne illness when reheating pork pies:

• Refrigerate promptly after baking and use within 4 days.

• Don’t let pies sit at room temp more than 2 hours before reheating.

• Discard pies with off smells or textures.

• Reheat fully to 165°F internal temperature.

Following proper food handling and storage guidelines ensures your reheated pork pies stay safe and tasty.

Enjoy Delicious Reheated Pork Pies

With the right reheating methods, leftover pork pies can taste just as amazing as when freshly baked. Now that you know the oven, air fryer, microwave and stovetop techniques, you can confidently reheat those pork pies leftovers.

Just remember to handle them safely and reheat thoroughly. So go ahead – make a big batch of pork pies and indulge in the deliciousness later! Your homemade or store-bought pies will reheat wonderfully for Round 2.