Homemade apple pie filling takes just minutes to make, and it tastes so much better than canned filling! This easy recipe is perfect to have in the fridge or the freezer for whenever you need it.
Homemade apple pie filling is so easy to make! This simple filling is made with just a few ingredients, and it takes just minutes to put together.
Homemade apple pie filling is so much better than canned filling, and with this quick recipe, you can have it on hand any time!
What type of apples are best for apple pie filling?
Cooking apples, like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji, are perfect in apple pie filling. Using a combination of apples helps to add more flavor to the filling.
How to make homemade apple pie filling
Step 1: Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples.
Tip >> I highly recommend an apple peeler/corer/slicer if you’re going to make a lot of filling.
Step 2: Drizzle the lemon juice over the apple slices.
Step 3: Add the water, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and apple pie spice in a large pot.
Step 4: Whisk until well-combined.
Step 5: Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally, and cook for 1 minute or until just thickened.
Step 6: Add the apples to the pan, and stir to incorporate.
Step 7: Reduce the heat, and cook until the apples have softened, about 10 minutes.
Step 8: Remove from heat. Let the apple filling cool for 10 minutes before using.
How to make the filling thicker
The filling is great as-is, but if you’d like to make it even thicker, it’s easier to do so. There are a couple of ways to get a thicker filling.
You can add more cornstarch, or you could use less liquid (water, juice, or cider). Either one will result in a thicker filling.
Can I can this filling?
No, this apple pie filling uses cornstarch as a thickener, and it isn’t recommended to can pie filling that has been thickened with cornstarch. However, you can freeze this filling.
Can apple pie filling be frozen?
It can! Simply let the cooked filling cool to room temperature.
Place the cooled filling in freezer-safe containers. You’ll need about 4-5 cups for a 9″ pie.
Ideas for using apple pie filling
Apple pie filling can be used in breakfast and dessert recipes like:
- Apple pie
- As a shortcut base for apple crisp
- As a topping for pancakes, waffles, or French toast
- Stirred into oatmeal
Storage
The filling can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 5 days. The filling can also be frozen for longer storage.
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Homemade Apple Pie Filling
Ingredients
- 5 cups baking apples peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 ½ cups water apple juice, or apple cider
- ¾ cup brown sugar packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon apple pie spice
Instructions
- Drizzle the lemon juice over the apple slices.2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, 5 cups baking apples
- Add the water, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and apple pie spice in a large pot.2 ½ cups water, ¾ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup granulated sugar, ⅓ cup cornstarch, 1 tablespoon apple pie spice
- Whisk until well-combined.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally, and cook for 1 minute or until just thickened.
- Add the apples to the pan, and stir to incorporate.
- Reduce the heat, and cook until the apples have softened, about 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat.
- Let the apple filling cool for 10 minutes before using.
Video
Notes
- Apples: Baking apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji work well. Using a combination of apples makes for a more flavorful filling.
- Water: You can use water, apple juice, or apple cider. Also, feel free to use a combination of liquids.
- Apple pie spice: Apple pie spice gives the filling great flavor. Feel free to use more or less spice to taste.
- Nutrition values are estimates.
Nutrition
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Comments & Reviews
Jeri says
I love this recipe! Quick & easy. I used the peels and cores and boiled them to make apple juice. It gives more of the same flavors as the apples, instead of water. I tried to give 5 stars, but it won’t let me.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kate says
Thank you!
Marcella Northrup says
Jeri! What a smart idea to use your Peels & apple cores 🍎 to create juice!
My Pies are already 🥧 in the oven, but I’m soooo doing that next time!
Monica says
Can I make ahead and freeze? Thank you
Kate says
You can! There’s a section titled “CAN APPLE PIE FILLING BE FROZEN?” above the recipe that has the instructions for freezing the pie filling.
Monica says
Thank you so much
Danielle Rivers says
Hi, would u recommend using water or apple juice for this pie?.. I want to try something different for Thanksgiving instead of Peach Cobbler pie.
Kate says
Hi! I’ve used water, apple juice, and apple cider. Apple juice and apple cider give the filling more flavor, so if you can use juice or cider, that’s what I would recommend.
Terrie says
I make my recipe almost exactly like yours. My addition is adding two or three TBS. of salted butter to mixture after it’s off the burner. I think it adds depth and richness much like a thin caramel sauce.
Of course the extra calories put it into the sinful category😉. The plus side is that it’s Gluten Free and the GF pie crusts are readily available.
Kate says
Oh! That sounds delicious! I’ll have to try that with my next batch. =)
TERESITA SALDANA says
Can I use the recipe of apple pie filling for blueberry pie filling ?
Kate says
Hi! I haven’t tried to make the filling with blueberries, but I would guess that you’d want to make some adjustments.