Runny pie likely due to underbaking (2024)

FAQs

Why did my pie come out watery? ›

Allow your pie to bake for the entire recommended period.

People often pull their pie too soon out of fear that it will burn. This leads to runny pie because it prevents the filling from thickening. Check the recommended cooking time, and set a timer. Don't use the brownness of your pie crust to judge if it is done.

Try sprinkling graham cracker crumbs inside your bottom crust; they soak up some of the juices released from fruit during baking. I have also used ground cookie crumbs on the bottom of the crust before adding the fruit.

Watery filling

Water can be released from your pie filling while cooking in the oven. To avoid turning your pie into a sloppy mess, add flour to the filling or add some nuts to thicken it up, like in our Chicken and Leek Pie. This will help to absorb any excess water while it's cooking and will keep the pastry crispy.

Just be careful about burning the crust on the rebake. May not be quite as good as getting it right the first time, but better than tossing the whole pie. A rebaked pie is better than no pie.

And, finally, as much as a steaming-hot slice of apple pie sounds appealing, let your pie rest for at least an hour before slicing. The filling will thicken as it cools and don't worry—your pie will still be plenty warm enough to gently melt that scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of it.

A soggy bottom crust happens when the wet filling of your pie soaks into the raw pie dough beneath before it's had a chance to set, causing it to become sodden and gummy. This is particularly problematic with both fruit pie and custard fillings because they have high moisture content.

All-purpose flour is an easy solution, as you're sure to have it in your pantry. Since it's lower in starch, you'll use more of it than you would higher-starch thickeners. Quick-cooking tapioca makes filling bright and clear, but also gives it a stippled and somewhat sticky texture.

Why is my strawberry pie runny? There are a few ways to prevent your strawberry pie from coming out runny. First, your recipe needs the right amount of cornstarch. Second, the cornstarch needs to be dissolved first in a cold liquid, then heated to its boiling point in order to fully activate its thickening power.

Solution: Scoop out the filling, add a little bit of flour and heat it in a sauté pan until thickened and bubbling. You can go two ways with this: top vanilla ice cream with the sauce you've created or put the sauce first, then top with ice cream. BOOM!

“The only risk you run when overcooking a fruit pie is mushy fruit — no one wants an applesauce pie. But overly soft fruit is still better than watery, runny pie filling that hasn't had a chance to thicken,” says Grandjean.

Why is the middle of my pie not cooking? ›

It's hard with pies because if you fully bake the crust before adding the filling then it feels over baked but if you don't bake it fully then the middle does stay a bit soggy because the filling is wet and the heat takes a long time to get thru to the middle of the pie. It's a common issue.

More Tips to Stop Meringue from Weeping

Make meringue pie on dry, low-humidity days. Don't overbake your meringue! Overbaking causes the egg whites to shrink and squeeze out small droplets of moisture. Always make sure to check on your pie at the minimum baking time.

If one or the other is overcooked, water beads will form and weep. Egg whites can also weep if they are over-beaten or are from old eggs. Refrigeration (unfortunately) speeds up the process of weeping—oops!

The starch and pectin in the filling needs to set. If you add cornstarch or flour to the filling it gels st oven temperatures and sets once it has cooled. The same is true for the natural pectin in many fruits. If you cut the pie before the filling has set, it will never solidify and your pie will be runny.