Can You Bake Two Pies At The Same Time In An Oven?

on January 24, 2023

Baking two pies at the same time in an oven can seem like a daunting task, but with a little bit of planning and the right techniques, it’s completely doable. Whether you’re hosting a holiday dinner or just want to make a variety of pies for your family, baking two at once can save you time and energy.

It is possible to bake two pies at the same time in an oven. However, it does require some planning and attention to ensure that both pies cook evenly and are not overcooked or undercooked. It’s important to adjust the oven temperature accordingly, use the right baking dishes, and rotate the pies during baking to ensure even cooking.

It’s also a good idea to bake pies of similar size at the same time for best results. It’s important to keep an eye on the pies and use a thermometer to ensure that both pies are cooked to the desired temperature. Additionally, it is also a good idea to select pies to be cooked together that require a similar temperature.

A list of recommended cooking temperatures for a range of different pies is provided below:

Fruit Pies: 375-400°F (190-200°C)
Pumpkin Pie: 325-350°F (160-175°C)

Pecan Pie: 350-375°F (175-190°C)
Sweet Potato Pie: 350-375°F (175-190°C)
Quiche: 350-375°F (175-190°C)

Meat Pies: 375-400°F (190-200°C)
Cream Pies: 350-375°F (175-190°C)
Cheesecake: 325-350°F (160-175°C)

Tart: 375-400°F (190-200°C)
Pastry Pies: 400-425°F (200-220°C)

Please note that these are general guidelines and specific recipes may call for different temperatures and cooking times. It’s also important to check the doneness of the pie with a thermometer and/or visual cues (like a golden crust) to ensure that it’s fully cooked.

It’s also important to keep in mind that some ovens may have hot spots which can cause uneven baking, it’s a good practice to rotate the pies half way through the baking process.

Lastly it is important to be aware of the placement of the pies relative to each other in the oven particularly if they are not the same type of pie. The reason for this is that it is possible for the contents of a pie to boil over and drip onto the pie below. It is therefore a good idea to place the pies side by side on the same shelf in the oven.

Does Having More Than One Pie In The Oven Effect The Cooking Time?

Having more than one pie in the oven can affect the cooking time. Ovens are not always perfectly insulated and the amount of heat circulating inside the oven can be affected by the number of pies inside. When more than one pie is placed in the oven, the temperature inside may drop, which can extend the cooking time.

When baking two pies at the same time, it’s important to consider their size, and type. For example, two fruit pies of similar size will likely cook at the same rate and be ready at the same time. However, if one pie is a pumpkin pie and the other one is a fruit pie, they may cook at different rates and require different baking times.

Another important factor is the placement of the pies inside the oven. Pies that are placed on the top shelf will cook faster than pies on the bottom shelf, it’s important to keep that in mind and rotate the pies half way through the baking process if necessary.

Do You Bake A Pie Covered Or Uncovered?

The answer to whether a pie should be baked covered or uncovered depends on the type of pie and the recipe.

For pies with a lattice or a decorative crust on top, it’s usually recommended to bake them uncovered. This allows the crust to become golden brown and crispy, and also prevents the filling from bubbling over.

For pies with a full top crust, like a traditional apple pie, it’s often recommended to bake them covered with foil or a pie shield for the first half of the baking time, and then uncovered for the remainder of the baking time. This prevents the crust from overbrowning before the filling is fully cooked.

For pies with no top crust, like a pumpkin pie, it’s usually recommended to bake them uncovered. This allows the filling to cook evenly and set properly.

Finally, for pies with a crumb topping, like a streusel or crumble pie, it’s best to bake them uncovered to allow the topping to become golden brown and crispy.

It’s always important to check the recipe and follow the instructions, as each pie may have different requirements for the best results.

How Tell When A Pie Is Done?

There are several ways to tell when a pie is done:

Check the crust: A golden brown crust is a good indication that the pie is done. The crust should be firm and not soggy.
Check the filling: Most pies have a filling that should be bubbling when done. For example, in a fruit pie, the filling should be thick and bubbling. In a custard pie, the filling should be set and not jiggly.
Use a thermometer: For the most accurate results, insert a thermometer into the center of the pie. The internal temperature of the pie should reach 165°F (74°C) for fruit pies and 180°F (82°C) for meat pies.

Look for visual cues: For example, in a pumpkin pie, the filling should be set, and a knife inserted into the center should come out clean.
Follow the recipe: Recipes often include baking times and internal temperature for the pie, so following the recipe can be a good way to determine if a pie is done.

It’s important to keep in mind that different types of pies and crusts have different characteristics and may require different methods of determining doneness. Also, ovens can have hot spots or may vary in temperature, so it’s a good practice to keep an eye on the pie and check for doneness at the minimum time given in the recipe, and then check every 5 minutes until the pie is done.