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Nobody likes a runny pie. If your pie is oozing filling after it comes out of the oven, don’t worry – there are ways to fix it. In this article, we will discuss six simple ways to correct a runny pie.
- Drain the Pie’s Moisture
- Add Cornstarch
- Bake the Pie Longer
- Add Tapioca
- Add Flour
- Add Instant Pudding Mix
We all love a perfectly cooked pie, but baking times vary a lot with different pies. This can result in a runny pie but there are a number of ways to fix a runny pie! Read on to find out more about each method!
Why Does Your Pie Get Runny?
As a whole, a common reason why your pie is runny is that you did not bake it long enough. The filling is usually very liquidy which requires a longer cooking time. If your pie is getting dark on top but isn’t cooked yet, add aluminum foil to prevent the top from overcooking as the inside bakes.
I usually specifically look for Ceramic Pie Pans when baking pies. I recently came across a Set of Two Ceramic Pie Pans for Baking that work perfectly for baking pies in the oven with no problem. You can check out this Set of Ceramic Pie Pans on Amazon!
You didn’t cook the filling long enough. Your pie dough is too crumbly. You didn’t use enough cornstarch or tapioca. It can also be because you didn’t bake your pie long enough.
6 Simple Ways to Fix a Runny Pie After Baking
The best way to fix a runny pie is by placing the pie back in the oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes. This will allow the pie filling to continue cooking which will make it properly set instead of being runny. Make sure to keep an eye on your pie so that it doesn’t overbake and burn.
The fixing methods that I mention only work for open-faced pies that don’t have a crust layer on top. If your pie is still runny after baking, don’t despair. Here are six simple ways to fix it:
Drain the Pie’s Moisture
The pie filling may have released too much moisture while baking. When this happens, the filling can become watery and runny. Here is how to drain the pie’s moisture:
- Cut a small hole in the bottom of the pie.
- Put a wire rack over a bowl.
- Invert the pie onto the wire rack.
- Let it drain for 30 minutes to an hour.
- Once the pie has cooled, check to see if the filling has thickened. If not, repeat the process.
Pros of Draining the Pie’s Moisture | Cons of Draining the Pie’s Moisture |
---|---|
It’s a quick and easy fix | You may lose some of the filling in the process |
You don’t have to add any ingredients | The flavor of the filling may change |
*By the way, I recently wrote an article about Which Oven Rack Should You Use To Bake A Perfect Pie. This article breaks down what happens when you bake a pie in all the oven racks and why one might be better than the others. You can check out this article here!
Add Cornstarch
If your pie filling is still runny, you can try adding cornstarch. These ingredients will help thicken the filling and prevent it from being runny. Generally, you will need around six teaspoons of cornstarch to get the job done on a 9-inch pie. This is because it holds around 6 cups of filling.
When adding cornstarch to your pie filling, be sure to:
- Remove as much pie filling as you can from the pie
- Add up to 6 teaspoons of cornstarch to the filling
- Stir it in slowly so that it doesn’t clump up
- Add the filling back into the pie
- Bake the pie for an additional 5-10 minutes
- Let the pie cool completely before serving
This method is advantageous over the other methods because you don’t need any special ingredients. The cornstarch will already be in your pantry.
The only disadvantage of this method is you may need to bake the pie longer, which can cause the crust to become overcooked.
*By the way, I recently wrote an article about The Best Ways To Keep Your Pie Crust Dough From Burning. This article breaks down the most effective way to keep your crust from burning in the oven. You can check out this article here!
Add Flour
Another way to thicken your filling is to add flour. This is one of the less preferred options because it sometimes makes the filling appear cloudy.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when adding flour to a runny pie filling:
- Remove as much pie filling as you can from the pie
- You need two teaspoons of flour for every cup of fruit filling
- Sift the flour slowly so that it doesn’t clump up
- Let it sit for 10 minutes for the flour to get absorbed
- Add the filling back into the pie
- Bake the pie for an additional 5-10 minutes
Below, I found a video that compares cornstarch and flour when thickening pie fillings:
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Flour is an excellent thickening agent because it’s easy to find and use. The only disadvantage is that it may make the filling appear cloudy.
Place the Pie Back in the Oven
If you don’t want to add any ingredients, you can try putting the pie back in the oven. This will give the filling time to set and thicken. Here is how to do this:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the pie on a baking sheet and put it back in the oven.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the filling has set.
- Remove from the oven and let cool before.
This method ensures that your filling will set and thicken without changing the flavor.
A disadvantage of this method is that it takes longer than the other methods. You will also need to be careful not to overcook the crust.
*By the way, I recently wrote an article about How To Bake A Pie Without A Pie Pan. This article talks about all the substitutes you can use instead of a pie pan and what you should do differently with each substitute. You can check out this article here!
Add Tapioca
You can add tapioca if you want to thicken your pie filling without changing the flavor. This is a common thickening agent used in pies.
The directions will differ depending on the type of tapioca you decide to use. However, the process is generally the same:
- Combine the tapioca and water in a small bowl and let sit for 5 minutes
- Remove as much pie filling as you can from the pie
- Add the tapioca to the pie filling and stir until combined
- Let it sit for an additional 10-15 minutes to give the flour time to dissolve
- Add the filling back into the pie
- Bake the pie for an additional 5-10 minutes
Tapioca is a good thickening agent because it doesn’t change the flavor of the filling. The only disadvantage is that you may need to bake the pie longer, which can cause the crust to become overcooked.
Add Instant Pudding Mix
You can add instant pudding mix to thicken your filling and add flavor. This is a common thickening agent used in pies. The instant pudding will give the pie more complexity and utilize the gelatin within the filling to thicken it further.
You can also use lemon, vanilla, or chocolate pudding mix. The procedure is the same with any of these flavors. Here is how to add instant pudding mix:
- Combine 1/4 cup of instant pudding mix with 2 cups of cold milk
- Stir until the pudding has dissolved
- Remove as much pie filling as you can from the pie
- Add the mixture to the runny pie filling
- Stir until the filling has thickened
- Bake the pie for 10 minutes or until the filling has set
Once mixed, you’ll notice that the filling will start to solidify once it is cooled. This allows it to thicken just enough for the pie to not be runny and watery.
*By the way, I recently wrote about How To Effectively Use Pie Weights The Right Way. In this article, I speak about how to use pie weights correctly to get the perfect shaped pie every time. You can check out this article here!
How to Prevent a Runny Pie Before Baking?
To prevent a runny pie, you need to use the right amount of thickener, pre-bake the pie crust, and let the filling cool completely before adding the topping. Other tips include reducing the juice in the filling, using room temperature ingredients, and not over-stirring the mixture.
*By the way, I recently wrote an article about The Best Ways To Prevent A Soggy Pie Crust. This article breaks down all the ways to make sure your crust does not come out soggy after it’s baked. You can check out this article here!
How Do You Thicken a Runny Pie?
To thicken a runny pie, you will need to add cornstarch, flour, tapioca, or instant pudding mix to the filling while thoroughly mixing. You can also put the pie back in the oven or let it cool completely before adding the topping.
Will the Pie Filling Thicken as it Cools?
As a general rule, the pie filling will thicken as it cools. The heat causes the molecules to move around and the filling to become liquid. When the pie filling cools, the molecules slow down, and the filling solidifies and becomes thicker.