Name: Apple Pie Filling Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
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

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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!

Click to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions!

saucepan with water, powdered sugar, and cinnamon.

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!