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!
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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It was easy and taste great.
Great recipe. I added the juice of half a lemon to cut the sweetness because I like my filling a little more tart.
Love apple pie. I am doung this right now. Thanks!
Holly, this looks wonderful and simple! Do you think this would world with puff pastry cups (like little individual tarts) and do you have a recipe for a crumble topping by any chance?
Yes, I think this would be delicious in puff pastry cups!
This is a very simple streusel topping I use:
3⁄4 cup sugar
3⁄4 cup flour
1 tablespoon water
1 1⁄2 teaspoons cinnamon
1⁄4 cup butter, softened
optional: lemon zest
Just mix until crumbly and top your dessert before baking.
Thank you so much for this quick and easy recipe. I searched all over and this one is what I am looking for.
Shirl
I used brown sugar instead of white and it still came out nice.
I made this filling this weekend and it was divine! Used it for apple crisp! It was perfect.
I’d like to make this filling in bulk for a big party.
Question 1: will this recipe fill a pie?
Question 2: can I make it 3 days ahead and keep it in fridge?
Thank you!
Rachel Campbell
Yes, each pie filling will fill one pie. I store it in the fridge 3-4 days, so you should be good!
How long will this apple pie feeling keep?
I store it in the fridge 3-4 days.
This is delicious! I used some Gala apples that were getting old and it still came out very tasty. I use all organic ingredients by the way. Thank you for this awesome recipe. :-)
So glad you loved it!
If you’re using flour instead of cornstarch do you use plain or self-rising? Do you also use 3X as much water?
You would use plain flour. You do not need to add extra water.
How many cups of sliced apples does your recipe
make?
Each apple is about one cup.
I followed the recipe & stored it in jar in fridge to use it later..took it out & discovered not enough liquid like a “canned pie filling” What should I add to give it more filling?..I didn’t want to add water for fear it would water down the flavor.
Thanks
You could certainly add a little bit of apple juice (and/or apple juice thickened with cornstarch) if you’d prefer more liquid with yours.
Holly I am wondering if you could use apple cider instead of the water – to give it a really stupendous apple flavor – what do you think? and maybe use just one cup of sugar.
Oops ! I mean 1/4 cup sugar.
I think it would be delicious! Please let us know how it works out for you if you try it!
I love this easy filling Also, it freezes well, so double the ingredients. This one is definitely a keeper.
I’m glad you think so, Monique! :)
Really good tasting, quick recipe. Used on slices to cover a tart that had a previously baked crust. I used sweet envy apples and then halved the sugar, but it was still great. Thanks!
Made this recipe today for Thanksgiving 2016. Clear instructions, easy to follow and it turned out great. I made 1.5 times the recipe. And like most home cooks, I tweaked it to fit my style – using apple cider instead of water. I thought about using Calvados as well. Maybe next time – and there will be a next time. Thank you so much.
I’m so glad you loved them Cindy! I bet the cider made them extra delicious!
Cindy you just answered my question! I hadn’t read all of the replies…duh! was asking Holly if I could use apple cider instead of water. Would you use a little less sugar?
Do you just put this in a jar and store in pantry? How long will it last?
I store it in the fridge 3-4 days.
Overall I love it! Easy to do. I added some salt, nutmeg and all spice – but that’s just me. I also had trouble with my apples falling apart but I think that is the variety I used. Paula Reds (were given to me by a friend who didn’t like them for eating) I am not a fan for eating either but perfect for something like this. Next time I’ll be careful not to over cook. The house smells luscious – I’m a happy camper!
Sounds great! I’m glad you like it. Some recipes are just easier to make with some practice!
What spice could be used in place of cinnamon? I am allergic to it I have a problem making recipes that use it. This Apple Pie Filling looks easy and delicious.
You can skip the cinnamon or add in a pinch of nutmeg or allspice in its place.