Discover how easy it is to create the best Apple Pie Filling Recipe. With just a handful of basic ingredients, you can make this stovetop recipe in a matter of minutes. Follow our step-by-step instructions, then say goodbye to store-bought fillings forever!
Make your own pie filling and serve the best homemade apple pie this year! The flavor, texture, and freshness of a homemade filling are very different from those of a store-bought one.
When preparing this fruit filling, there is no need for preservatives or stabilizers. And the best part? It is ready in just 20 minutes!
This recipe is perfect for making an apple crisp pie, apple icebox cake, or apple cream cheese bars.
Why Make this Stovetop Apple Pie Filling
You can buy a canned pie filling at the store. However, once you see how simple this easy apple pie filling really is, you'll have no desire to use cans again!
- Quick and easy. It's easy to make apple pie filling at home. In 20 min, a flavorful and tender filling is ready.
- Use pantry staples. You probably already have sugar, cornstarch, warm spices, and salt. It's that simple.
- Incredible flavor. Using fresh, raw apples adds so much flavor! You can use any apple or mix different types for a delicious texture and new taste.
- So versatile. Apple pie filling makes the best apple pie. You can also eat it over ice cream, cheesecake, yogurt, or even in a little bowl, all on its own. So yummy!
What is Homemade Apple Pie Filling
There are two ways to make apple filling. One option is to slice fresh apples and coat them in a mixture of flour or cornstarch, spices, and sugar. As the pie cooks, the apples release moisture and cook together.
An alternative to this method is to precook apple pie filling. You cook the ingredients together on the stove instead of waiting for them to soften in the oven.
Key Ingredients
You only need a few ingredients to make this apple pie filling recipe. Most of these ingredients are probably in your pantry right now!
- Apples - I like to use Gala apples for all my baking because they are a little sweeter and my favorite. Feel free to use your favorite apple varieties. Granny Smith apples and other sweet-tart apples hold up well and aren't too sweet. We prefer peeled apples, but you can leave them on if the skins don't bother you.
- Lemon Juice - A little lemon juice concentrate keeps the apples from turning brown.
- Sugar - I like using a mixture of brown sugar and granulated sugar.
- Cornstarch - You'll make a simple cornstarch slurry to thicken the filling into gooey, delicious goodness.
- Spices - Cinnamon and nutmeg give this filling a fall taste. They're key to the best apple pie recipe!
- Salt - Just a pinch helps balance the sweetness and adds depth to the flavor.
How to make Apple Pie Filling
Homemade apple pie filling is so easy to make. You can use it immediately, refrigerate it to use all week, or freeze it for later. It is the best apple filling recipe around!
- Cut your peeled apples into bite-sized chunks before tossing them with lemon juice.
- Combine sugar, water, and cornstarch to make a glaze. Let this boil for about a minute before stirring the diced apples into the hot mixture.
- Bring it to a boil, then reduce to medium heat and simmer for 10-12 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and cool in the pan for 1-2 hours. The filling will thicken as it cools.
- Spoon it into jars or a large bowl, then place it in the refrigerator to continue cooling.
Storage Recommendations
In the Refrigerator - Store leftovers in an airtight container or jar in the fridge for 4-5 days.
In the Freezer - Freeze the cooled mixture in a freezer bag or container for several months. To use, thaw in the fridge overnight.
Uses for Homemade Apple Pie Filling
There is no wrong way to use this fruit filling. My favorite is digging in with a spoon.
- Bake a cheesecake apple pie.
- Spoon it on top of vanilla bean cheesecake.
- Layer pie filling, cheesecake, and crumble in this apple pie parfait.
- Top ice cream, yogurt, toast, or puff pancakes with it.
- Use pastry to make apple hand pies, pop tarts, and apple turnovers.
- Fill a buttery crust for a classic apple pie recipe.
- Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Tips and Tricks
- Choose the right apples. Slightly tart, crisp apples have the best flavor and will hold up to cooking. Look for varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Pink Lady. You can also use sweeter apples like Gala or Golden Delicious, but avoid grainy apples that fall apart.
- Peel or don't. Peeling your apple slices is optional. The peels will soften as they cook, making them tender. Use an apple peeler to speed up the process if you choose to peel.
- Keep everything cold. To make the perfect apple pie, the crust must be cold before entering the oven. If your pie filling is hot, the butter in the crust will melt, and you'll have a soggy crust. For best results, chill the filling in the fridge overnight before baking a pie.
- Pick your crust. Whether you want to make your pie dough or buy store-bought crust, you have many options! Try a double crust (top and bottom crust) or a lattice pie crust(bottom crust and a woven top).
Variations
- Apple Butter - Add a spoonful of apple butter to your filling for a rich, concentrated apple flavor.
- Butter - Add a tablespoon of butter for a glossy, rich filling. This may keep the mixture from bubbling on the stove and add a delicious flavor.
- Bourbon - Add an extra flavor layer with a bourbon or whiskey splash. The alcohol will burn off, leaving a delicious taste that pairs perfectly with spiced apples.
- Lemon Zest - Add the zest of one lemon to your sliced apples as they cook for a more robust lemon flavor.
FAQs
I use Gala apples when making this apple pie filling. Granny Smith, Fuji, Honey Crisp, and Red Delicious apples are also good. You can also use a mixture of different baking apples for a unique flavor.
Yes. Spoon the cooled mixture into freezer-safe bags or containers. Freeze for 3-4 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.
Most 21-ounce cans of pie filling have about 1 ½ cups in them. For any recipe calling for a can of pie filling, substitute 1 ½ cups of homemade filling instead.
There are a few ways to thicken a pie filling without cornstarch. Regular flour is the most common choice, but tapioca flour, arrowroot, and clear gel are three options for thicker consistency.
Other Easy Pie Fillings
- Strawberry Pie Filling
- Blackberry Pie Filling
- Blueberry Pie Filling
- Cherry Pie Filling
- Peach Pie Filling
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Recipe
Apple Pie Filling
Discover how easy it is to create the best Apple Pie Filling. With just a handful of basic ingredients, you can make this stovetop recipe in a matter of minutes. Follow our step-by-step instructions, and say goodbye to store-bought fillings forever!
Ingredients
- 5 cups peeled, diced apples
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon table 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. Keep refrigerated in a sealed container for 4-5 days.
Notes
- Choose the right apples. Slightly tart, crisp apples have the best flavor and will hold up to cooking. Look for varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Pink Lady. You can also use sweeter apples like Gala or Golden Delicious, but avoid grainy apples that fall apart.
- Peel or don't. Peeling your apple slices is optional. The peels will soften as they cook, making them tender. Use an apple peeler to speed up the process if you choose to peel.
- Keep everything cold. To make the perfect apple pie, the crust must be cold before entering the oven. If your pie filling is hot, the butter in the crust will melt, and you'll have a soggy crust. For best results, chill the filling in the fridge overnight before baking a pie.
- Pick your crust. Whether you want to make your pie dough or buy store-bought crust, you have many options! Try a double crust (top and bottom crust) or a lattice pie crust(bottom crust and a woven top).
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount 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.
*This post was first published in May 2013. It was updated and then republished in October 2023.
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats
I LOVE apple pie and I totally agree it always tastes way better when it's homemade without a doubt!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Absolutely!! 😉
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain
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
Oh yes, I agree, you MUST!! 😉
Chels R.
What an awesome idea!!! I'm gonna use this the next time I need this filling!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks so much!! That's great! 🙂
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking
What a great idea, and I love how EASY this is! I bet these would be great for gift-giving, too!
Jocelyn Brubaker
It would make a great gift! I would totally love getting something like this from someone! 🙂
Elaine @ Cooking to Perfection
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
Exactly!! 😉 And thank you!
Victoria B.
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
Thanks so much!! 😉
lisa@cookingwithcurls
Yum!!! I will have to try this...it looks delicious 😉
Jocelyn Brubaker
You really should!! 😉
Jennifer @ Not Your Momma's Cookie
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
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!!
Tieghan
Loving this! I think I could eat the filling all by itself! Looks so good!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks!! You really could! 😉
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl
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
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!
Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen
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
Thanks!! Yes, home made is just so much better in so many ways!
Jenn
I bet this is incredible!
Jocelyn Brubaker
It really is!! 🙂
Kristi
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
Definitely try this recipe!! And yeah, store bought has nothin on this!! 😉
Brenda @ SweetSimpleStuff
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
You're welcome!! It is seriously so good on its own, so eating it right out of the jar is perfectly acceptable! 😉
Debbi Hook
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
Whoops! I missed that step. Thank you for letting me know. I updated the recipe 🙂
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet
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
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! 😉
Angie@Echoes of Laughter
Gorgeous Jocelyn! I can't decide which I like better.... the recipes or the photos!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so very much!! 😉
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
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
Thank you! I crave it too, esp during summer months!
Vanessa
Yummy! I'll have to keep this in mind when Apple picking season comes around. Thanks for sharing~
Jocelyn Brubaker
You're very welcome! 🙂
Happy Valley Chow
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
Thanks! It would make a great gift for people! 😉
Joanne
Would you be able to can this & have it ready for the holidays??
Jocelyn Brubaker
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!