Easy Apple Pie Filling

This recipe is hands-down my favorite apple pie filling. It’s easy to make, sweet, tart, juicy, and warmly spiced. Don’t even get me started on its versatility. (Spoiler: It’s delicious in pies and on ice cream, pancakes, yogurt, you name it!).

This easy apple pie filling is packed with amazing fall flavors. What’s not to love about tender apple slices, drenched in a simple cinnamon-flavored sauce with a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness?

Although it’s handy to use store-bought pie filling when necessary, I’m glad you’re here to make this homemade apple pie filling, which is 1000x better. 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I’m sure you’ll never go for store-bought again once you try this apple pie filling. The apples have the perfect texture: tender but not mushy. And they’re dripping with syrupy, cinnamon-spiced juices. So delicious!

It’s honestly the best apple pie filling you’ll ever make. On top of that, it’s easy to prepare and stores well! Even if you aren’t planning on making a pie anytime soon, I encourage you to try it. 

To me, this is the best apple pie filling and I’m sure you’ll also like this recipe because:

• • It just requires a few ingredients
  • It’s quite easy to make and ready in less than 20 minutes
  • So yummy! Flavorful apple slices with a touch of spicy warmth
  • The apple slices are tender, not soggy
  • It tastes much better than store-bought
  • Simple stovetop recipe, no baking is involved
  • Cleanup is easy
  • It’s cheaper to make your own apple pie filling than to use a can
  • You can adjust the sweetness to suit your tastes
  • So versatile that it may be used in all of your favorite fall treats, such as homemade apple pie
  • Bonus: Your kitchen will smell amazing! 

What’s not to love about it?

Ingredient Overview 

To make the best apple pie filling, you’ll need the following ingredients: 

• Apples: For the best apple pie filling, I always recommend Granny Smith apples because they hold their shape well when cooked. As a bonus, they have a tart flavor that perfectly balances the sweetness of the filling.
• You can also use other varieties like Golden Delicious, Gala, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady. Or mix and match: add a few slices of Golden Delicious, along with granny smiths for a touch of sweetness. 
• Don’t use apple varietals like Fuji because the filling will be too runny due to the excess water. Also, avoid using very sweet apples, such as Red Delicious, to prevent filling that tastes like granular sludge and looks like applesauce.
• Lemon Juice: This ingredient serves two purposes. First, it prevents the apples from browning after they are sliced. Second, its tangy flavor helps enhance the tartness.
• Light brown sugar and granulated sugar: This helps give a well-rounded sweetness to the pie. I especially love brown sugar’s molasses flavor—and it lends a beautiful, rich color to the filling. For a more keto-friendly version, you can substitute these with a keto-approved sweetener (like erythritol or monk fruit sweetener), keeping in mind the flavor might differ
• Butter: This helps make the sauce luscious and oh-so-creamy. For a dairy-free or vegan alternative, you can substitute with coconut oil. 
• Vanilla Extract: It brings out the comforting, toasty flavor of this pie filling.
• Cinnamon: Spices add a particular flavor to an apple pie.  I used cinnamon, but some bakers also added other warming spices, such as ginger, clove, allspice, and nutmeg.
• Cornstarch and water: Together, these create a slurry that will help thicken the mixture. But cornstarch is generally forbidden on keto. So, as a low-carb substitute, you can use a small amount of glucomannan powder.
• Salt: A tiny pinch enhances every flavor!

Ingredients Substitutions/Variations

• Spices: Substitute cinnamon with a pinch of allspice, cloves, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, or ginger for a more nuanced flavor. 
• Sweetener: To enhance the sweetness and richness of the apple pie filling, substitute sugar with some caramel sauce or pure maple syrup. To make it keto-friendly, substitute it with stevia, sucralose, or erythritol.
• Dried Fruit and Nuts: To add more texture and crunch, add dried fruit and nuts of your choice.

How to Make Apple Pie Filling Easy

It’s as easy as apple pie—pun intended. Keep reading to find out how.

1. Prepare the apples. First, peel, core, and thinly slice them. (Remember, even slices mean even cooking). Once prepared, place the apple slices in a bowl and sprinkle some lemon juice. Now you can set the bowl aside as you prepare the other ingredients.
2. Cook the base. Place a large pan over medium heat. In this pan, melt together the light brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, a pinch of salt, and ¼ cup of water. Occasionally give the mixture a good stir as it forms into a smooth mixture. The fragrance here is to die for 🤤
3. Add the apples. Once the base is ready, stir in the apple slices until they’re nicely covered in the mixture. You can now cover the pan and cook—stirring occasionally—for about 4 to 6 minutes. The apples should begin to soften but still hold their shape.
4. Thicken the filling. Stir together cornstarch and water (2 tablespoons each) into a small bowl to create a slurry. You can then slowly pour this into the pan while continuously stirring the apple mixture for a few minutes. This gives the mixture a glossy and sauce-like consistency.
5. And, you’re done. You can then remove the mixture from the heat and let it cool before gobbling it up.

Mistakes People Often Make

Making the filling for apple pie can be a fun experience, but it’s easy to make these mistakes along the way: 

• Choosing the wrong apple variety
• Using overripe apples
• Unevenly slicing apples
• Skipping lemon juice
• Neglecting spices
• Skip the thickener
• Overdo the additions
• Using too much sugar—apples are already slightly sweet

Expert Tips

To make the best apple pie filling keep the following tips in mind:  

• Avoid using overripe fruit as it’ll make your apple pie filling mushy. Additionally, overripe apples lose some of their tartness which keeps the filling tasting crisp.
• Evenly slice your apples to avoid overcooking or undercooking. Depending on your preference, you can either slice or dice your apples. 
• The apples should be stirred regularly as they cook because every saucepan warms up differently. Reduce the heat as necessary and add a splash of water if you find that the filling is sticking to the bottom.
• Make sure not to omit the cornstarch. It gives a thick, rich consistency to apple pie filling. 

FAQs

What Type Of Apples To Use for Apple Pie Filling?

• Use Granny Smith apples because they have the proper tartness and firmness, and are available all year. If you want a somewhat sweeter pie filling, combine them with sweeter apples.
• Honey Crisp apples are another favorite; they are great for pies. Compared to Granny Smith, they are sweeter, but they are still firm and not too juicy.
• Gala apples are sweet and mellow, and hold up well in pies without turning mushy. They are widely available all year, also making them ideal for this Apple Pie filling Recipe.
• Last but not least, Pink Lady apples keep their crisp texture and lovely rose color nicely, making them perfect for apple pie filling. They have the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness.

Should you cook apples before putting them in a pie?

Yep. Cooking the apples beforehand prevents the crust from becoming soggy. It also makes sure the filling is perfectly thickened.

What Is Apple Pie Filling Made Of?

Apple pie filling is made of baking apples, lemon juice, brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt.

What is the secret to a good apple pie?

Three things make sure you have the best apple pie”

1. Using the right apples
2. Adding a bit of lemon juice for acidity
3. Not overcooking the filling

What Is The Best Thickener For Apple Pie Filling?

Cornstarch is the most common thickener, but you can also use all-purpose flour that you almost certainly already have in your kitchen. As it has less starch, you will need to use more of it than with higher-starch thickeners. 

Why Is My Apple Pie Filling Mushy?

Using overripe apples will make your pie wet and mushy. Experts assert that choosing the best apple variety is useless if it is overripe. Despite your best efforts, your apple pie will be overly mushy and flavorless.

Can I Prep Filling For Apple Pie Ahead?

Definitely. The filling for apple pie can be prepared up to four or five days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Alternatively, it can be frozen for even longer periods of time.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions 

This apple pie filling can be used in pies, tarts, or any other recipe to replace a can of apple pie filling.

• It works wonders in Apple Pie Puff Pastry Rolls, Caramel Apple Cheese Balls, and Apple Streusel Muffins with some modifications in the respective recipes.
• For more Thanksgiving pie recipes, try my Keto Pumpkin Pie
• Make apple hand pies by wrapping the filling in pie pastry or homemade keto pie crust.
• Use it in waffles, pancakes, pudding, or oatmeal.
• For a simple treat, scoop it over cake, yogurt, or ice cream. 

Plus, it is delicious on its own.

Storage Tips (Freezing And Leftovers)

This tasty apple pie filling can be used immediately or refrigerated for later use. Refrigerate for up to 5 days in an airtight container. 

I usually prefer to freeze it because I mostly prepare it to substitute canned pie filling in different recipes.

To freeze, just prepare it as stated and then let it cool. Put in a freezer-safe bag or jar and freeze for up to 2 months. Before using, let it defrost in the refrigerator overnight and use it as you would fresh!

Canning Apple Pie Filling

For even longer storage, you can can the filling. Once it’s prepared, ladle it into sterilized jars, leaving about half an inch of headspace. Wipe the rims clean, apply the lids and process the jars in a boiling water bath for about 10 minutes. Remove from the water and let sit at room temp to cool. You’ll know it’s sealed when you hear a pop and the lid center is indented.

This way, you’ll have a stash of apple pie filling ready to go whenever you fancy a taste of autumn.

More Fall Recipes To Try:

Fall always inspires me to make something cozy and comforting. All of the following recipes are in my regular rotation. These delicious and easy-to-prepare recipes are perfect for Thanksgiving menus too.

• Slow Cooker Turkey Marsala
• Roasted Sweet Potato Chili
• Chicken Shepherd’s Pie
• Moist Pumpkin Bread
• Pecan Tassies

Easy Apple Pie Filling

Written by Matt | Plating Pixels

This easy apple pie filling is packed with amazing fall flavors. Tender apple slices, drenched in a simple cinnamon-flavored sauce with a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness.

5 from 5 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Calories 150 kcal

Equipment

• Large pot
• Apple peeler
• Cutting Board
• Knife
• Canning Equipment

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 3 pounds (6–8 medium) baking apples
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• ½ cup packed light brown sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (½ stick) butter
• ¼ cup water plus 2 tablespoons
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 Pinch of salt
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Instructions

 

• Peel, core, and thinly slice apples. In a bowl, toss with lemon juice and set aside to draw out moisture.
• In a large pan over medium heat, melt together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, and ¼ cup of water.
• Stir in apple slices. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 to 6 minutes.
• In a small bowl, stir together 2 tablespoons each of water and cornstarch. Add to the pan while stirring and continue to stir and cook until thickened, about 1 minute more.
• Remove from heat and cool slightly before using in a pie, canning, or serving over ice cream.

Nutrition Facts

Easy Apple Pie Filling

Serving Size

 

0.5 cup

Amount per Serving

Calories

150

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

4

g

6

%

Saturated Fat

 

1

g

6

%

Trans Fat

 

1

g

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

1

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

2

g

Sodium

 

36

mg

2

%

Potassium

 

139

mg

4

%

Carbohydrates

 

30

g

10

%

Fiber

 

3

g

13

%

Sugar

 

25

g

28

%

Protein

 

0.3

g

1

%

Vitamin A

 

62

IU

1

%

Vitamin C

 

6

mg

7

%

Calcium

 

17

mg

2

%

Iron

 

0.2

mg

1

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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