The Best Homemade Apple Pie Filling only takes minutes to make and makes your apple desserts taste amazing. You will never need to 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.
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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.
How to make the Best Homemade Apple Pie Filling:
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.
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.
Bring it back to a boil, and then reduce the heat to a simmer for about 12 minutes.
Let it cool in the pan for an hour or two. 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?
More easy apple desserts to make:
- Toffee Apple Pie Cookies
- Apple Pie Cheesecake Bars
- Apple Snickers Cake
- Apple Praline Cake
- Spiced Apple Cake
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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 need to buy canned apple pie filling again because this is such an easy recipe to make.
Ingredients
- 5 cups peeled,chopped apples
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- Toss the apples with lemon juice and set aside.
- Combine the sugars, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a saucepan. Stir in water. Bring mixture to a boil. Boil 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Add the apples and bring to a boil again. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for 10-12 minutes.
- Cool completely. It will set up as it cools. Makes 4 cups of apple pie filling. Keep refrigerated in a sealed container for 4-5 days.
*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.
Happy Valley Chow says
That sounds awesome, great recipe. I bet you could easily turn that into a little gift to people. Bottle it up and give it out for like Christmas or something haha. Great job!
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks! It would make a great gift for people! 😉
Joanne says
Would you be able to can this & have it ready for the holidays??
Jocelyn Brubaker says
I can’t honestly say since I have not tried canning it before. I do think it would be fine though. If you try it, keep me posted!
Vanessa says
Yummy! I’ll have to keep this in mind when Apple picking season comes around. Thanks for sharing~
Jocelyn Brubaker says
You’re very welcome! 🙂
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
I love this recipe Jocelyn! Sometimes I’m just craving that filling, and it would be great to be able to make it myself!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thank you! I crave it too, esp during summer months!
[email protected] of Laughter says
Gorgeous Jocelyn! I can’t decide which I like better…. the recipes or the photos!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thank you so very much!! 😉
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!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
That’s great that you made your own! It really is so much better!! I don’t blame your husband for eating it for breakfast! 😉
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!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Whoops! I missed that step. Thank you for letting me know. I updated the recipe 🙂
Brenda @ SweetSimpleStuff says
Making your own filling is such a great idea! Thank you for sharing your recipe too … I think that I could eat it with a spoon right out of the jar 😉
Jocelyn Brubaker says
You’re welcome!! It is seriously so good on its own, so eating it right out of the jar is perfectly acceptable! 😉
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!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Definitely try this recipe!! And yeah, store bought has nothin on this!! 😉
Jenn says
I bet this is incredible!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
It really is!! 🙂
Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen says
Ugh this looks delicious!! Perfect when you don’t want something that has been sitting on the shelf for god knows how long!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks!! Yes, home made is just so much better in so many ways!
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl says
What a great idea to use the CrunchPak apples in this recipe – I LOVE making my own apple pie filling but I don’t enjoy peeling/cutting all those apples. Lovely presentation, too!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thank you!! CrunchPak apples are really the way to go if you want home made pie filling without all the work of getting the apples ready!
Tieghan says
Loving this! I think I could eat the filling all by itself! Looks so good!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks!! You really could! 😉
Jennifer @ Not Your Momma's Cookie says
I sorta love canned pie filling,,,I could eat it out of the can with a spoon! Not that I’ve done that or anything… 😉
But this looks so easy, I’ll have to give it a try!
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!!
[email protected] says
Yum!!! I will have to try this…it looks delicious 😉
Jocelyn Brubaker says
You really should!! 😉
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’
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks so much!! 😉
Elaine @ Cooking to Perfection says
Homemade anything is always better than anything you can buy from the store! Plus, this really isn’t that hard to make, so why not? Love it 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Exactly!! 😉 And thank you!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
What a great idea, and I love how EASY this is! I bet these would be great for gift-giving, too!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
It would make a great gift! I would totally love getting something like this from someone! 🙂
Chels R. says
What an awesome idea!!! I’m gonna use this the next time I need this filling!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks so much!! That’s great! 🙂
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says
I’ve been dying to make pies this summer, and I am taking this delectable pie filling as a sign from the baking gods!! I MUST make a pie with this 😀
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Oh yes, I agree, you MUST!! 😉
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats says
I LOVE apple pie and I totally agree it always tastes way better when it’s homemade without a doubt!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Absolutely!! 😉
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Seriously cute pics Jocelyn! I would just eat it with a spoon 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thank you!! 🙂
Shaye says
Will this keep longer if you jars it a process it?
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Are you wondering about canning it? I can’t actually say because I have never done any canning. I’m sorry I can’t help you with that.
Brenda says
yes you can, I can it all the time, just make sure you process it for 20 minutes
Stephanie @ Macaroni and Cheesecake says
What a great idea! This filling would be fabulous in so many desserts!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thank you!! 🙂
karen shive says
can you freeze this?
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.
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)
Jocelyn Brubaker says
I’m loving the sound of your additions. Sometimes I peel apples, sometimes I don’t 🙂 I am so glad to hear that you liked the pie filling!!!
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.
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. 🙂
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!!
Sally says
Hi there,
So excited to make this! I was curious how long this would keep if I froze it? Thanks!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Hi, Sally. I have actually never frozen the pie filling, so I’m not sure how it would work or keep. Definitely let me know if you try it.
DrLFBruce says
Thanks for providing a flavorful and easy to follow recipe for baking apple pies.
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!!
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?
Jocelyn says
I don’t see why not. I haven’t made it that way, but I think it would be fine. Let me know how it works for you if you do it this way.
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!!
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.
Jocelyn says
I always let the pie filling chill in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours, so it has time to thicken before using it in a pie, and I usually use an unbaked pie crust. Here is an apple pie that I used the filling in recently. https://insidebrucrewlife.com/2016/11/apple-crisp-pie/
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!
Bree says
This looks delicious! Recommendation on what apple works best? I usually buy gala. Also about how many would make 5 cups??
Jocelyn says
I usually use 1 bag of the peeled sweet Crunch Pak apple slices. I believe the sweet slices are from Gala apples.
Madison Smith says
It’s looks mouth watering jocelyn…i love apple also, i will definitely try to making this apple pie filling, Thanks for sharing delicious recipe…….!
Stefanie says
How am I out of cornstarch?? Can I sub flour? Or should I just go get some cornstarch? Lol
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.
Stefanie says
I broke down and got the cornstarch, made the Apple pie filling yesterday then made your Apple crisp pie today. Absolutely incredible!!!
Jocelyn says
That’s awesome! I am so excited to hear how much you liked the recipes 🙂
Melissa says
Have you tried freezing the filling? Does it work?
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.
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.
Jocelyn says
I’m so glad you liked the filling! The struggle is real to not eat it all with a spoon. LOL!
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.
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
Jocelyn says
Yay! I am so happy to hear that! This is my favorite pie filling recipe to make too!!!
Marigold13 says
WOW…YUM is all I can say! Thank you!
Tomi says
Tried it! It’s WONDERFUL!! I will make hand pies with it.
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!
Roberta McQueen says
My first thought is to make this and top my waffles with it for breakfast! Thanks so much. I love apples!
Lancaster says
This recipe is Awe-Some!
I reduced the cinnamon by half tho but it turns out purfectt! Really recommend this recipe
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