Apple Pie Filling takes less than 15 minutes to make and has a great homemade flavor.
Tender chunks (or slices) of apples are perfectly sweet-tart simmered in a simple cinnamon sauce. They take just minutes to prep and taste so much better than canned!
They can be used in pies or tarts or replace a can of apple pie filling in any recipe. Scoop it over ice cream, yogurt, or cake for an easy treat.
Homemade is Best (and SO easy!)
I looooove Apple pie filling but not just for filling pie crust! It’s great over anything from yogurt to cake to oatmeal.
- Homemade always tastes 1000x better! Delicious apple flavor with a hint of warm spices.
- The apples come out tender and not soggy.
- Making this apple pie filling is less expensive than canned (and has a homemade flavor).
- Needs just a handful of ingredients.
- Ready in about 10-15 minutes, it’s so easy to make.
The Best Apples for Pie Filling
Much like when baking apple pie, you’ll want apples that stand up well so you don’t end up with applesauce! We think granny smith apples are the best for pie filling because they have a tart flavor which means the filling isn’t overly sweet.
Try any of the following: braeburn, golden delicious, honeycrisp.
Other ingredients needed in this recipe are sugar, water, spices and cornstarch (this makes the sauce portion).
How to Make Homemade Apple Pie Filling
You’ve heard the saying as easy as Apple Pie, this recipe is exactly that!
- Peel and chop apples: apples are peeled and sliced and simply added to a pan with a bit of water, sugar and cinnamon.
- Thicken: once tender, I add a bit of cornstarch to thicken up this apple pie filling. Any of the juices released from the apples make the “saucy” part.
Replace the Can
This easy apple pie filling recipe makes the equivalent of 1 can of apple pie filling and takes just about 10 minutes.
It’s perfect to substitute for a can of apple pie filling (and tastes so much better than the store bought)!
Variations
- Chop the apples or make apple slices instead.
- Swap out white sugar for brown sugar to add a caramel flavor.
- Add a teaspoon of lemon juice.
- I use ground cinnamon but you can use apple pie spice, a pinch of nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice or your favorite warm spice mixture.
How to Freeze Apple Pie Filling
This apple pie filling is delicious and can be used right away. We mainly make it to replace cans of pie filling in recipes, if I am making an actual apple pie from scratch, I don’t pre cook the filling. If you do make this filling you can of course freeze it.
Simply cook as directed and cool. Freeze in a freezer bag. Once ready to use, defrost overnight in the fridge and use as you would from fresh!
Ideas for Apple Pie Filling
We love this on its own or served over ice cream but this easy apple pie filling works perfectly in the recipes below!
- Apple Pie Egg Rolls: If you like the OLD McDonald’s apple pies (the fried ones!) you will LOVE these!!!
- Serve over ice cream, yogurt, or oatmeal.
- Place in a bowl and top with crumble to make a quick apple crisp.
- Wrap in pie pastry (or homemade pie crust) to make apple hand pies.
- Use it to top pancakes or waffles.
- Apple Pie Tacos: Crispy Cinnamon Sugar Shells filled with Warm Apple Pie Filling!
- Apple Pie Roll Ups: Easy baked apple pie roll ups rolled in cinnamon sugar and served warm!
- Apple Pie Dumplings: 2 Ingredient Apple Pie Dumplings! This is the easiest dessert to put together!
Apple Pie Filling Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 medium apples
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 4 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Peel, core, and chop or slice apples*.
- Melt butter and cinnamon over medium heat. Stir in apples, sugar & water.
- Cover and cook stirring occasionally for 4-6 minutes or until very slightly softened.
- In a small dish combine cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water. Add to the pan while stirring and continue to cook until apples are soft (not mushy) and filling is thickened.
- Let bubble 1 minute. Cool.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dessert, Pie
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
I just made this, is the best thing I ever tasted. Thank you so much for the recipe.
Hi,
Can you tell me about how many cups this makes? I want to add pears, but I’m not sure if I should double the recipe (4 apples, 4 pears), or if I should keep it as is and use 2 apples and 2 pears.
Thanks!
Lindsey
Hi Lindsey, this recipe makes approximately 2 1/2 cups.
I love this recipe so much, but I have visitors coming that are lactose intolerant, am I able to substitute the butter for something dairy free
You could try using a dairy-free butter or replacing the butter with oil. I would love to hear how it turns out for you, Theresa!
I am making the apple pie right now
I hope you love it, Aunita!
Love information in these recipes!
Thanks so much for this recipe. I won’t be using canned fruit anymore — when fresh apples taste this good!
What temperature do you cook the pie at if the bottom crust is baked and the top is not?
I would follow this recipe for apple pie reducing the baking time. Since the bottom crust is already bake you just need to heat the filling and brown the top crust.
I made mini pies for a luncheon and these were a big hit. I used 1/2 whit sugar and 1/2 brown sugar and I also cut the butter in half. I am addicted…. Thanks
So easy! And quick! Delicious !
easy to make first time pie maker
Thanks for leaving a comment, William! Glad you enjoyed it.
This was delicious!
Only added a pinch of nutmeg and a touch of salt. I made to eat with pancakes so I cooked it a little longer.
It was a fabulous topping combination!
Thanks!
Absolutely delicious!! Way better than the canned stuff and SO easy to make!
How long do I cook?
If placed in an unbaked pie shell, I would suggest baking at 425°F for 35-45 minutes or until the crust has browned and cooked.
I had a ton of apples that I bought and was looking to make pie filling to use some of them up. This recipe was yummy. I added a few more spices to it but otherwise this was spot on.
I used this recipe in mini tart shells and it was a hit! Delicious and easy to make
hello
I need pumpkin cookies recipe.
thx.
Hi Dorothea, you can search in the upper right hand side of the website for pumpkin cookies, but these are some of my favorites! pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, frosted pumpkin cookies, and pumpkin blondies!
Amazing how a simple recipe can be so good! I add minced ginger root at times. I also spiced with Chinese 5 Spice and some Cardamom too!
I made this (almost) as directed, using Honey Crisp and Granny Smith apples. I did add the lemon juice. I also added some candied ginger and some dried cranberries (that had been soaked overnight in Grand Marnier) for a little extra kick! **”Chef’s Kiss”**
Awesome recipe! Thank you!
Will be serving this in small phyllo cups for T-giving Dinner, as we like a variety of desserts and this way you can have “just a bite” of several things! :)
I prepared so I can make mini apple pies for my granddaughters, it came out delicious.
My new go-to. Perfect.