Are you defrosting pie dough properly? If you want to defrost pie dough quickly, using a microwave oven is the best option for you.
It’s convenient and easy to defrost pie dough in microwave oven by following some useful tips.
How do you defrost pie dough in the microwave? Wrap in a paper towel and place it on a microwave safe plate. Microwave on the defrost setting or 30% power level for 10 seconds.
Turn the pie crust over and continue defrosting for 10 seconds. If the pie crust does not unfold easily, nuke for 5 second intervals on each side.
Although many people use this type of dessert as a holiday dish, pies are a delicious and scrumptious dessert that makes a tasty treat at anytime of the year. Whether you make pie dough from scratch or buy it and store it frozen, it’s important to thaw it properly before rolling it out and adding the filling.
In this article, you will learn the art of thawing dough and defrosting pie dough in a microwave. It is not at all challenging to defrost the pie dough, but here are microwave tips and answers to frequently asked questions for a smooth process.
Can I thaw pie dough in the microwave?
Yes, you can thaw pie dough in the microwave oven. The microwave oven is a convenient kitchen appliance that will make cooking tasks easy and smooth, especially when defrosting dough for any baking recipes.
Use the microwave method to defrost or thaw pie dough quickly, but be careful not to overheat the pie dough otherwise the fat will melt and not soften.
When you are in a hurry and need to defrost the pie dough immediately, then the microwave oven is the best option for you. It will save time and effort that allows you to start rolling out the frozen solid dough right away.
How do you soften pie dough in the microwave?
If you have made extra pie dough and stored it in the freezer for later usage, soften the pie dough in the microwave oven before assembling the pie and baking it in the oven.
Place the pie dough on a microwave safe plate and wrap with a paper towel. Nuke for 10 second on the defrost setting to result in a pliable pie dough that is easy to roll out.
Set the microwave oven as per the guidance in your microwave manual. Use the defrost setting or low power level as to not completely melt the fat within the dough.
In general, set it for less than 15 seconds if you are using defrost option, you may need to flip it over and nuke once more to fully soften the pie dough. Adjust the power level accordingly to make the pie dough soft at the perfect temperature for you to roll it out.
Do you need to thaw frozen pie crust before rolling out?
Depending on the type of frozen pie crust, but homemade pie crust generally needs to thaw first before rolling it out. Store-bought frozen pie crust is already pre-rolled and frozen, therefore it does not require you to roll it out.
Freezing pie dough or pie crust can help you to plan strategically and help you to use it for the next baking session. For any pie crust that is made from scratch, you will need to thaw the frozen pie crust before rolling it out.
Sometimes, it is difficult to roll out the pie crust easily if it is too hard. Defrosting the pie dough makes it soft so you can easily roll out the pie crust.
Thawing the frozen pie crust is very much necessary to roll it out evenly.
After thawing, the pie dough may keep breaking and crumbling, which means it is too dry. Simply sprinkle some ice cold water over the dough and use your fingers to gently work the dough back together.
How long does it take for frozen pie dough to defrost?
Generally, if you keep it at the room temperature then, you will need to spend 30 to 60 minutes to make it soft and tender. However, pie dough can be defrosted in the microwave in about 30 seconds.
There are variety ways to defrost a frozen pie dough to choose from. Pie dough can be left at room temperature until fully defrosted, or can be kept in the fridge overnight to thaw.
However, the microwave method can save a lot of time. You can easily defrost the frozen pie crust in the microwave oven within a short time.
How do you defrost frozen pie dough quickly?
In order to defrost frozen pie dough quickly, you need to use the microwave oven. It will take less than 30 seconds to fully defrost pie dough in a microwave.
Here are microwave tips and steps to follow when defrosting pie dough quickly:
- Use a microwave-safe bowl or plate to place the frozen pie crust on top of.
- Set the microwave to 30% power or the defrost setting, and nuke for 10 to defrost it properly.
- Double check the pie crust to see if it is able to fold.
- If necessary, flip the pie dough over and continue defrosting for another 10 seconds.
The primary focus should be thawing and defrosting the pie crust and avoid cooking it or melting the butter or lard.
A microwave oven can speed up the process and easily thaw the rock hard frozen pie crust. Overall, you will have to spend 30 seconds or less than that to completely defrost it so it is easy to work with.
How to freeze pie crust?
If you made extra pie dough and want to freeze the pie crust, then wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container.
It is important to follow a few proper techniques and tips to store it in the freezer. If you make pie dough from scratch, you will have to freeze the leftovers until the next baking time.
If you have bought a frozen pie crust from market, then you can skip any steps for defrosting. In general, frozen pie crusts are already rolled out and do not require thawing before baking.
- Wrap the raw pie dough tightly with plastic wrap.
- If you wrap the frozen pie dough in aluminum foil, be sure to not place it in the microwave as that is a potential microwave danger.
- Store it in an airtight container or ziploc bag to prevent freezer burn.
- To preserve freshness and quality, freeze pie crust for less than 6 months.
Avoid storing the pie dough longer than 6 months in the freezer as it may dry out and loose its texture when baked. Once frozen pie dough has thawed, then do not refreeze it again.
If your pie is baked then, wait till it completely cools down. After that freeze it in an airtight container.
How to defrost pie crust in microwave?
Easily soften and defrost the frozen pie crust in the microwave oven. Understand the process and following these steps for success every time.
After the required time, the pie crust will be soft and pliable. Simply roll it out and add your favorite fillings.
For perfect thawing and defrosting of the pie crust in a microwave, follow these useful tips:
- Use a microwave-safe dish for defrosting the pie crust.
- Wrap with a paper towel or use a microwave cover
- Place in the microwave oven.
- Either select defrost option or lowest power level
- Manually input 10 seconds to start with.
- Check if the pie dough is thawed on both sides,
- If needed, add 5 second increments until no longer see any ice or hard shell.
Defrost Pie Dough: Final Thoughts
When you have frozen pie dough that is made from scratch, defrosting is essential step that cannot be ignored. It’s crucial to know the right amount of time and correct setting on the microwave to thaw the pie dough quickly.
Remove any plastic wrap from around the pie dough, and place it on a microwave safe plate.
Set the microwave on a low power setting or defrost button as 30% power and nuke for 10 seconds.
Double check the pie dough so it is not overcooked. If the pie dough does not bend easily, add 5 second increments until the dough has thawed properly.
Preparing frozen pie crust or dough in advance time does provide very good results. Not only does it save prep time, but also maintains its flavor and texture.
These already frozen doughs are best used within 3 to 6 months. Apply these microwave tips and techniques to defrost frozen pie dough quickly and easily!