The filling should hit 200°F (93°C) when fully heated. This isn’t just nerdery—it ensures the starches in the apple filling thicken properly, giving you a slice that holds together instead of flooding your plate like apple soup. If you don’t own a thermometer, poke a knife through the vent; it should meet little resistance and feel very hot when you touch the blade.
Fun fact: Apple pie wasn’t invented in America. The first recorded recipe came from England in 1381, and it listed figs, raisins, and pears alongside the apples. Your frozen pie is basically a medieval comfort food with a modern wrapper.
