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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
Pair this with…
If you’re looking for other things to make with this recipe, be sure to check out more of my recipes below:
Could you use this in apple cobbler
Yes, yes, yes !!! This was SO much better than anything in a can ever dreamed of being. I always pondered that there had to be a way to make this from scratch but never slowed down long enough to figure it out….thank you so much.
I made a double batch, half went to the freezer, the other on top of yummy buttermilk Sunday morning pancakes. I see a future home a top waffles, ice cream, oatmeal, stirred in vanilla yogurt and just eaten with a spoon : )
This was my first time ever making apple pie filling and out of the multitude of recipes available online I chose this one.
I am very happy with my choice and the results. This recipe was both easy and delicious. Thank you so much.
Can you use frozen apples to make this recipe? If so, should the apples be thawed first? Thank you!
what kind of apples work best for this filling recipe?
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