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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
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Planning on making mini pies in 5 inch foil pans. Do I cook the apples or place in crust and bake? Thank you.
If using a recipe that requires a can of pie filling then precooking the apples as indicated in this recipe it would work well.
This apple pie filling is the best! A huge hit with my family. Just used it in an apple pie for my dad’s birthday- he’s super excited about it. Thanks!
Wow, I am not a cook by any stretch of the imagination but I followed the instructions and wow, it tastes and looks delicious.
Thank you.
just made the filling this morning,it was easy and delish.
4 apples is vague. how many cup(s) of peeled diced or sliced apples?
Hi Diane, it is about 4 cups of apples. In step one we peel, core, and chop or slice the apples.
can you use brown sugar instead
I have only made this recipe as listed but other readers have used 1/2 white sugar and 1/2 brown sugar with great results.
I love this – super easy to make- I only used 1 tablespoon of sugar and no cornstarch – turned out great. thank you
Can I make this without butter and dairy free?
A non-dairy butter should work just fine!
This turned out tasting just like my Kentucky Grandma’s apple pies! I will be using this recipe from now on.
my gooooodness I wasn’t ready for this 5 Star deliciousness. Thank you this recipe was amazing. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
How long did you bake & at what temperature
Good recipes. Thank you
What can you use if you have no corn starch?
I’ve only tried the recipe as written so I can’t say for sure. You could try flour but you will need more flour than you would cornstarch (approximately 3x) … you may have to play with the amount to get the right consistency.
Use tapioca balls.
Is it ok that I put the cooked apples in the pie crust before cooking it how long do I leave it cook with the apples in the oven
Yes, if using this pie filling for pie, preheat the oven to 425°F and bake for about 45 minutes. If using a deep dish crust you might like to double the filling recipe.
Delicious! I plan to use this in my pie for thanksgiving. I will be baking in 3 days. Should I freeze it or refrigerate in jar works?
Hi Peter. This apple pie filling will keep in the refrigerator for 4 days. I would recommend putting it in an airtight container (or a mason jar if you have one), and storing it in the refrigerator until you are ready to make your pie. Enjoy.
delicious and yet so simple! I used cortland apples and made 2 homemade pies I saved the rest for just putting granola on top or in my oatmeal or icecream! Loved it!
Just made this today and have many bags of it in the freezer now. Tasted great. I did add lemon and nutmeg but the first batch tasted good too just as the recipe listed.
Easy and delicious! I like both. I used half granulated sugar and half packed brown sugar and apple pie spice replaced the cinnamon. Perfect!
super easy and delicious
The apples turned out perfect But you didn’t say how long do you cook the pie for since you’ve already cooked apples Parkway?
Hi Rita, you can use this recipe to replace a can of apple pie filling in your recipe. The cook time will depend on what recipe you are making.
So easy and delicious! Thank you!