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Best Homemade Apple Pie Filling

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The Best Homemade Apple Pie Filling only takes minutes to make and makes your apple desserts taste amazing. You will never buy canned apple pie filling again because this is such an easy recipe to make.

Use this homemade pie filling to make this Apple Crisp Pie for dessert.

A red towel with two glass jars filled with homemade apple pie filling on it

 Last summer I started making my own homemade stovetop apple pie filling, instead of buying the canned pie filling at the store.

I do have to admit that I will still use canned pie fillings because sometimes it’s just more convenient, and I do like them.  But if you have the extra time, I recommend giving this homemade filling a try.

The best apple pie filling does not have any of the preservatives or extra ingredients in it.  It is very easy and takes about 20 minutes from start to finish.

Two jars of apple pie filling on a red towel

You only need a few ingredients to make a batch of homemade apple pie filling. Most of them are probably in your pantry already.

Ingredients for Homemade Apple Pie Filling:

  • Apples – I like to use Gala apples for all my baking because they are a little sweeter and my favorite. You could also use Granny Smith apples if you like a more tart apple dessert.  Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Red Delicious are also great for baking. You can also mix apples in your dessert to give it a little bit different flavor.
  • Lemon Juice – A little bit of lemon juice keeps the apples from turning brown.
  • Sugar – I like using a mixture of brown and granulated sugar for this pie filling recipe.
  • Cornstarch – This is what thickens the pie filling into gooey delicious goodness.
  • Spices – A mixture of cinnamon and nutmeg gives this pie filling a fall taste.
  • Salt – Just a pinch helps to balance out the sweetness and adds depth to the flavor.

How to make the Best Homemade Apple Pie Filling:

  1. Cut your peeled apples into bite sized chunks. You can use your favorite apples for this filling. I usually choose a Gala apple because that’s what my kids like the most.
  2. Combine some sugar, water, and cornstarch to make a glaze. Let this boil for about a minute before stirring the apple chunks into the hot mixture.
  3. Bring it back to a boil, and then reduce the heat to a simmer for about 12 minutes.
  4. Let it cool in the pan for an hour or two. The apple pie filling will thicken as it cools.
  5. Spoon the apple pie filling into jars or a large bowl and place in the refrigerator to continue cooling.

Ways to use Homemade Apple Pie Filling:

There is really no wrong way to use this apple pie filling.

  • You can use it in this Cheesecake Apple Pie. Three layers of sweet goodness, plus ice cream is amazing. Just saying.
  • Put it on top of this Vanilla Bean Cheesecake. The sweet homemade filling is perfect for the creamy cheesecake.
  • The layers of pie filling, cheesecake, and crumble make these Apple Pie Cheesecake Parfaits amazing.
  • Or you can just dig in with a spoon like I did. It’s also delicious on top of yogurt, toast, or breakfast pastries.

What would you make first with this apple filling?

A jar of homemade apple pie filling on a red towel

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More easy apple desserts to make:

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Yield: 4 cups of pie filling

Best Homemade Apple Pie Filling

Best Homemade Apple Pie Filling

This Homemade Apple Pie Filling only takes minutes to make and makes your apple desserts taste amazing. You will never buy canned apple pie filling again because this is such an easy recipe to make.

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 5 cups peeled,chopped apples
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups water

Instructions

  1. Toss the apples with lemon juice and set aside.
  2. Combine the sugars, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a saucepan. Stir in water. Bring mixture to a boil. Boil 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  3. Add the apples and bring to a boil again. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for 10-12 minutes.
  4. Cool completely. It will set up as it cools. Keep refrigerated in a sealed container for 4-5 days.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 146Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 73mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 2gSugar: 31gProtein: 0g

Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

© Jocelyn @ Inside BruCrew Life
Cuisine: American / Category: Fruit Desserts

Two pictures of homemade apple pie filling collaged together with a white text box

*The post and recipe for this Homemade Apple Pie Filling was originally posted on June 4, 2013.  The post has been updated and republished on October 8, 2018.

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Comments

  5. Nancy [email protected] says

    We started apple picking a couple of years ago. I called my mom to get her apple pie filling recipe so I could make a bunch and freeze it. I only made one pie because my husband would take it out of the refrigerator, defrost it and eat it for breakfast!!! 🙂 Homemade is so much better!

    Reply

  6. Debbi Hook says

    Jocelyn – I didn’t see mention of the lemon juice in the instructions. I usually toss my apple pieces in the lemon juice to keep them from turning brown while I’m prepping everything else. Is that what you do? Just wanted to make sure. The recipe sounds wonderful!

    Reply

  8. Kristi says

    I always go apple picking in the fall and pick way too many apples than I need, and am always looking for new apple recipes to try. I can’t wait to try your homemade apple pie filling. I’m sure once you go home made you never go back!

    Reply

    • Jocelyn Brubaker says

      Haha, it’s totally ok in my book to eat things right out of the can! 😉 But yes, do try this! Canned pie filling just isn’t the same after you taste the home made!!

      Reply

  15. Victoria B. says

    I will have to try this. I love using Apple Filling in recipes and wanted to start making my own. This looks awesome! Thanks for sharing and now following your blog on bloglovin’

    Reply

    • Jocelyn Brubaker says

      I have never actually frozen it, but I looked it up and it looks like apple pie filling can be frozen. I would recommend freezer ziplock bags. 4 cups is a normal amount for a 9 inch pie.

      Reply

  25. Kim says

    Added real maple syrup, ginger, and cinnamon sugar as well. Also, I don’t peel apples. 🙂
    Came out over the top and amazing. Thank you for the recipe!
    (I’m sorry I don’t measure either but I used 3-4 apples so the amounts were much smaller)

    Reply

  26. Holly Shoemaker says

    Hands down this is 100% the best apple pie filling. Thank you soooo so much for sharing this. I used this to make your Cheesecake Apple Pie and then made an Apple Crisp Pie with what I had left over. Both were a huge hit at Thanksgiving and I have you to thank for that. You inspired me to make my very first two pies.

    Reply

  27. Carol Ann Rowland says

    thank you for posting this recipe! I found it on Pinterest and made it today. I can’t have refined sugar so subbed coconut sugar for the brown sugar, and equivalent amounts of maple syrup for the white sugar.

    It was very easy and I have some super yummy apple tarts in the freezer now for Christmas eve. 🙂

    Reply

  28. Eva says

    This is the best apple pie filling I have ever tasted!! I substituted Splenda for the white sugar and left out the nutmeg (don’t like nutmeg), and it was delicious! Thanks for posting the recipe!!

    Reply

  31. Rachel says

    It is soooooo delicious! It was very easy to make and i cannot wait to make my pie!! 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing!!

    Reply

  32. Liselle says

    Could you use apple juice or cider in place of the water for more apple flavor or a 50/50 mix of water/juice/cider?

    Reply

  33. Merri Westlund says

    Just bought several bags of Gala apples and I’m so excited to make this recipe!! I plan to freeze the filling in 1-qt mason jars!! Thanks for this easy recipe!!

    Reply

  34. Denise says

    Hi: after making the filling, how did I use the filling to make an apple pie? Should I wait a day? Use baked/unbaked crust? What are the steps? Thank you.

    Reply

  35. Lauren Brubaker says

    It’s so funny I stumbled upon your page because I was looking for an apple pie filling recipe, and I was like “Bru Crew!” My husband is a Brubaker. His name’s Jason, and I think he’s your husband’s cousin. It’s nice to be reminded that even on the internet, it’s a small, small world! Anyway, your apple pie filling recipe looks awesome – I’m about to hop in the kitchen and start baking. Thanks!

    Reply

  36. Bree says

    This looks delicious! Recommendation on what apple works best? I usually buy gala. Also about how many would make 5 cups??

    Reply

    • Jocelyn says

      I know you can substitute flour in place of cornstarch, but in this recipe it would end up being about 3/4 of a cup. I have never actually made this filling with flour, so I can’t say how it would be. Keep me posted on what you do and how it turns out.

      Reply

    • Jocelyn says

      I’ve never tried freezing it because it never lasts very long in our house. Everything I read online about freezing it says you can seal it in a freezer safe bags or containers and freeze it for up to 1 year. Just place it in the refrigerator over night to thaw. I hope that helps. Keep me posted if you try it.

      Reply

  40. Ryan Morrow says

    ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! Thank You! I have to force myself to NOT Grab a spoon and Eat it as is… I used Granny Smith apples, and I think I only did 1 thing different, and that was tossed a little scoop of sugar to the apples along with fresh squeezed lemon juice, and let sit covered overnight in the fridge.

    Reply

  41. Anthony Allen says

    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.

    Reply

  42. MARCEL STINNETT says

    this is my GO TO RECIPE even this ladies at church are jealous of me lol . it has been a big hit for me at church and family gatherings . i also use a lard vinegar pie crust .
    thank you so much

    Reply

  45. Amy says

    I have always made apple pie the exact same way my mom did. And that’s the way we liked it. Until now. This recipe is phenomenal and I will be using it from now on!! (Just don’t tell my mom 😉 Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  46. Roberta McQueen says

    My first thought is to make this and top my waffles with it for breakfast! Thanks so much. I love apples!

    Reply

  48. Phoenix says

    Apple Pie Filling recipe is great! I made it according to your recipe and the taste is great! Everyone in the family likes it, it makes me happy. thank you

    Reply

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