Homemade Apple Pie Filling is much tastier than store-bought and so easy to make. Made with all-natural ingredients, no artificial anything, and the perfect blend of spices, all your apple-baked treats and pies can really shine through. Use it for any recipe that calls for apple pie filling or over ice cream, pancakes, French toast, and waffles. Or scoop a bit in your oatmeal or yogurt.
How to Make Easy Apple Pie Filling
First, peel and cut your apple into 1/2 inch chunks or 1/4 -1/2 inch thick slices. Then place them in a large bowl tossed with a little lemon juice. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sugar, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground ginger to the skillet and stir to combine. Add the apple slices or chunks and cook for 4-5 minutes or until slightly softened.
In a small bowl, whisk together the water and cornstarch. Drizzle it into the skillet with the apples and stir to combine. Cook until thickened. Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool. Use it after it cools, or store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it. See more below on freezing it.
Helpful Recipe Tips
- Choose firm crisp apples like Granny Smith Or Honey Crisp Apples. Cut the apples into 1/2 inch chunks or 1/4-1/2 inch slices. I like to use a variety of apples.
- Keep everything stirred when it is in the skillet.
- Don’t cook the apples too long, as you will be cooking them again in an apple pie or recipe that calls for apple pie filling. You want them ever so slightly tender, not mushy.
- Cool the apple mixture before placing it in the refrigerator. Store it in an airtight container or mason jar in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- To freeze, first cool completely. Then, spoon the filling into freezer bags, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 4 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight. Use them with your favorite pie crust recipe.
Best Apples for Apple Pie Filling
My go-to apples for apple pie filling are crisp tart apples like Granny Smith Apples or Honey Crisp Apples. Other good choices are Braeburn Apples or Pink Lady Apples (also known as Cripps Pink). You can also do a mixture of all of these or any of these for more texture and taste. Cut your apples into chunks or slices that are at least 1/4-inch thick to help keep a little bit of firmness through the baking process.
Recipes to Use Apple Pie Filling In
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Apple Pie Filling
Ingredients
- 6 medium apples Granny Smith or Honeycrisp cut into ½ inch chunks or slices
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 3 tablespoons cold water
- 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Add the apples to a large bowl and toss with the lemon juice.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sugar, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground ginger to the skillet and stir to combine.
- Add the apples and cook for 4-5 minutes or until slightly softened.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the water and cornstarch. Drizzle it into the skillet with the apples and stir to combine. Cook until thickened. Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool.
Notes
-
- Choose firm crisp apples like Granny Smith Or Honey Crisp Apples. Cut the apples into 1/2 inch chunks or 1/4-1/2 inch slices. I like to use a variety of apples.
- Keep everything stirred when it is in the skillet.
- Don't cook the apples too long, as you will be cooking them again in an apple pie or recipe that calls for apple pie filling. You want them ever so slightly soft.
- Cool the apple mixture before placing it in the fridge. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To freeze, first cool completely. Then, spoon the filling into freezer bags, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 4 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight. Use them with your favorite pie crust recipe.
Nutrition
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Lavanda
My hubby and girls absolutely loved it when I made my apple pie with your filling. It was gone in the blink of any eye!
Mimi
It’s always good! I have made it several times. Great for turnovers, tarts, crumble, and crisps.
Mayuri
Yum…this looks so tempting! I am going to try this apple pie filling…it looks easy and satisfying! Thank you for the recipe!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is mine, Mayuri!
Indu
This apple pie filling can be stored for up to 4 months. This will come very handy while preparing any dessert that demands it.
Beth Pierce
It can be stored in the freezer only for that long. Enjoy!
Frank
So yummy! It worked out perfect for your apple turnover recipe and it was easy to make. So much better than canned apple pie filling. Thank you for sharing!
Claudia
I have to try your filling recipe. I love a good apple pie, and I think the best part is the filling!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Claudia! Enjoy!
Beth
I love making homemade apple pie, and this filling was perfect for my homemade pie crust. Thanks for the great recipe, Beth! I wish I had a piece right now with my coffee but my family gobbled it all up.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Beth! Maybe next time you should cut an extra piece and hide it.
Sam
I made this with fresh apples from our orchard. It was so yummy it was hard to save it for my apple tarts! I will make it again soon!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Sam! So happy to hear that you liked the apple pie filling!
Sandra
Such a perfect way to enjoy apples! Thanks so much for the recipe!
Erin
No doubt, this is really amazing! Definitely a must make!