Homemade Apple Pie Filling

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Homemade Apple Pie Filling Recipe – this easy recipe takes just a few minutes and tastes so much better than canned pie filling! Keep it in your freezer for when you want pie filling ASAP!

You never need to buy the can of pie filling again – just whip up this easy recipe to use for your pies or an easy side dish.

Best Apple Pie Filling Recipe

I never buy canned apple pie filling unless it’s for a recipe, because in all honesty, I don’t really like canned pie filling very much. Sure, I use it, because it’s easy and makes things like dump cake or slab pie even easier than normal, and you all love easy recipes. But then I realized something: I can make my own apple pie filling. It will taste better, be fresher, and I 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. Normally we make crockpot applesauce after we go apple picking, but this year we’re also going to make more apple pie filling too – and I’m going to use it to make my classic apple pie recipe.

ingredients in apple pie filling with words on photo

Apple Pie Filling Ingredients

Apples: 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.
Cornstarch: This is what thickens the pie filling
Sugar: Granulated, for sweetness – but you can swap brown sugar if you prefer in equal amounts.
Water: Gives the liquid to the filling – you could substitute apple juice or apple cider, but you’d want to reduce the sugar.
Lemon: Adds a brightness to the flavor
Spices: Cinnamon and Nutmeg are perfect for apple pie, you can also use pumpkin pie spice!

saucepan with powdered sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon inside.

How to make Apple Pie Filling

Place apples in a large bowl and toss with lemon juice. I don’t peel my apples and I usually do bite size chunks instead of apple slices, but you can do what you prefer. If you’re going to peel your apples, use an apple peeler or a sharp knife.
Place sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg in a medium saucepan or large pot. Stir to combine. This makes a sort of cornstarch slurry.
Add water and stir, then bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring often.
I like to cover the pot to help this process along.
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.

Expert Tips

I like to slice my apples in chunks. I don’t know about you, but the canned filling you get at the store has apples that are too big to eat! Chop them how you like to eat them.
The good thing about making this homemade is that you can add or reduce spices as you like. Love cinnamon? Add a touch more, or reduce it if you prefer it plainer.
You can also use your favorite kind of apples. I used a combination of Granny Smith and Fuji because it was what I had in my fridge.
I know some people prefer making apple pie filling without cornstarch, but find it’s the easiest way to make it and you probably have everything already on hand.
The mixture thickens as it cools so even though it looks loose after it’s done, it’ll thicken up quite a bit.
This recipe is perfect for making pie, but 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!

Best Crust to use with this recipe:

This recipe is perfect when baked into my All Butter Homemade Pie Crust. Or make a completely no-bake pie using my graham cracker crust!

FAQs

Is it better to cook apple pie filling first?

This apple pie filling recipe is designed to cook and cool, then use in a pie or in anything else, or eat alone as a side dish.

Is pie filling gluten free?

This recipe uses corn starch so it is gluten-free.

Can you can this apple pie filling recipe?

I do not recommend canning this recipe because it uses cornstarch. You should never can anything thickened with cornstarch. This recipe can be frozen for later thawing and use.

How to freeze apple pie filling?

Freeze in airtight containers – I prefer using plastic – for up to 3 months. Thaw in refrigerator.