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Homemade Apple Pie Filling Recipe – this easy recipe is done fast and tastes so much better than canned pie filling – tender apples in a thick cinnamon sauce – they’re perfect as a side dish, in an apple pie, or to use anywhere that calls for a can of pie filling. You never need to buy that can of pie filling again!
Learn how to make apple pie filling from scratch – It will taste better, be fresher, and you can use it in so many recipes (like the best apple strudel recipe or apple crisp).
This easy recipe is a cooked easy apple pie filling, made on the stovetop, and is perfect to use immediately, eat over the week, or freeze for later. It’s perfect for any recipe that calls for a can of pie filling – not just making apple pie!
Ingredients
- Best Apples to Use for Apple Pie Filling: I used Granny Smith apples because the tart/sweet combination is great, plus they’re more sturdy and can hold up to cooking. You can also use honeycrisp if you want. Use any apple you love (I also love using Gala or Fuji), but I would steer clear of Red Delicious. This recipe will be better with a firmer apple – and cooking time will be less the softer the apple.
- Cornstarch: This is what thickens the pie filling – no substitutions.
- Lemon Juice: Adds a brightness of flavor, cuts the sweetness, and also helps the apples not brown.
- Spices: Cinnamon and Nutmeg are perfect for apple pie, you can also use pumpkin pie spice!
How to make Apple Pie Filling
- Peel and slice or chop your apples bite size – your choice.
- Whisk dry ingredients in your saucepan then add water and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring often.
- Once the mixture boils, boil it for two minutes.
- Add the apples, turn to a simmer, and cover. Cook until the apple soften.
Variations
- Slice or chop your apples – thickness and size will alter cooking time.
- Use brown sugar instead of white sugar for a more caramel flavor.
- Add pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice in place of the cinnamon and nutmeg.
Ways to use Apple Pie Filling
This recipe can be used in place of one 20 ounce can of pie filling – wherever that is called for you can use this recipe to make it homemade.
How to make apple pie: this recipe is perfect when baked into my All Butter Homemade Pie Crust. Place the pie filling in a 9-inch pie plate and pile it high (or use a deep dish). Cover with a double crust, lattice, or crumble topping. Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 425°F for 15 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 350° and bake until pie crust is cooked through.
Make a completely no bake apple pie using my graham cracker crust!
My favorite way to use pie filling is as a topping for apple cheesecake or in French toast casserole or as a topping for really anything, like a lush dessert.
It’s also amazing as a topper for waffles, oatmeal, pancakes – or just over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I even use it on yogurt!
Apple Pie Filling Recipe
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 4 cups apples peeled, cored, and diced
- Juice of ½ a lemon
- 3 cups (711ml) water
- 1 ⅓ cups (267g) granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup (42g) cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions
- Place apples in a large bowl and toss with lemon juice.
- Place water, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg in a medium saucepan. Stir to combine then bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring often. Once the mixture boils, boil it for two minutes. Add the apples, turn to a simmer, and cover. Cook, stirring often, until the apples soften, about 5-8 minutes.
- Pour into jars to cool to room temperature then cover and refrigerate. The mixture will thicken more as it cools.
Recipe Notes
Recipe Nutrition
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If you’re looking for other things to make with this recipe, be sure to check out more of my recipes below:
Can you seal the jars, and store that way?
I am sure you can but I’ve never done any canning!
if i make this recipe how many pies does it fill?
I would say about one 9-inch or a 9-inch deep dish.
It all looks so good thanks so much
Great recipe,pies look and taste delicious,easy recipe.
I want to try this but in an actual pie. If I make the filling according to your recipe then put it into an uncooked crust, how long should I cook the pie? I assume someone has put this into a pie 🙂
For baking it, make your crust, fill it with the pie filling, top it as desired (a second crust or crumble). I bake it at 425 for 10 minutes then lower the oven temp to 350 and you’ll need to bake it probably 40 more minutes or so. Brush the top crust with egg wash to make it brown better.
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