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    Home » Desserts » Homemade Apple Pie Filling

    Homemade Apple Pie Filling

    Published: Sep 30, 2021 · Modified: Oct 5, 2021 by Kate · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    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.

    Wooden spoon stirring apple pie filling.

    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

    Apple slices in a glass mixing bowl.

    Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples. I highly recommend an apple peeler/corer/slicer if you're going to make a lot of filling.

    Drizzle the lemon juice over the apple slices.

    Apple pie filling goo ingredients in a pot.

    Add the water, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and apple pie spice in a large pot.

    Whisk until well-combined.

    Cooked apple pie goo in a pot.

    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.

    Apple pie filling in a saucepan.

    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.

    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.

    Cooked apple pie filling in a saucepot.

    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.

    Unbaked apple pie next to apples.

    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
    A wooden spoon scooping up apple pie filling.

    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.

    More apple recipes!

    • Dutch Apple Crumb Pie Recipe
    • Easy Baked Apples
    • Cinnamon Apples

    If you’ve tried this homemade apple pie filling recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who've made my recipes!

    You can SUBSCRIBE to receive my latest recipe newsletters or FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST for even more delicious food.

    Wooden spoon stirring apple pie filling.

    Homemade Apple Pie Filling

    Delicious homemade apple pie filling is so easy to make! You'll never want to buy canned filling again.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 16 minutes
    Total Time: 31 minutes
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 111kcal
    Author: Kate @ I Heart Eating

    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.
    • Add the water, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and apple pie spice in a large pot.
    • 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

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 111kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 78mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 29IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Rate it below. Mention @i_heart_eating on Instagram & tag #ihearteating!
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    About Kate

    Kate got her first cookbook when she was five years old, and she hasn't stopped cooking since then! Her delicious recipes have been featured on Food Network, MSN, Better Homes & Gardens, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post, and more. When she's not cooking or baking, she can be found on her mini farm with her husband and her five kids.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Danielle Rivers

      November 10, 2021 at 6:46 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Kate

        November 10, 2021 at 7:14 pm

        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.

        Reply
    2. Terrie

      October 14, 2021 at 5:19 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • Kate

        October 15, 2021 at 9:37 pm

        Oh! That sounds delicious! I'll have to try that with my next batch. =)

        Reply
    3. TERESITA SALDANA

      October 07, 2021 at 7:22 am

      Can I use the recipe of apple pie filling for blueberry pie filling ?

      Reply
      • Kate

        October 08, 2021 at 2:56 pm

        Hi! I haven’t tried to make the filling with blueberries, but I would guess that you’d want to make some adjustments.

        Reply

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    I’m Kate Dean- mom to five young kids, recipe developer, and photographer. Here at I Heart Eating®, I share my family’s favorite tried-and-true recipes.

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