Apple Pie Filling

Make this easy Apple Pie Filling for homemade pies or embellishing pancakes, turnovers, waffles, ice cream or oatmeal. You can also use it as a topping for french toast for a taste of apple season all year long.

Easy Apple Pie Filling Recipe

This pie filling recipe is super simple to make. The best apples to use for this recipe are classic Granny Smith apples. They not only hold up to the cooking and baking process but they’re tart allowing for a balance of tartness with the sweet. Making your pie filling in advance will expedite the process and you can make a pie using a homemade pie crust or a refrigerated premade crust.

Checkout this quick list of ingredients you’ll need to make Apple Pie Filling for Pie: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

• Apples – Granny Smith apples have a tart flavor that works well for apple pie.
• Citrus – Lemon juice adds a bright flavor.
• Butter – Butter adds richness to the flavor.
• Sugar – A combination of granulated sugar and light brown sugar for sweetness.
• Spices – Ground cinnamon, apple pie spice and salt.
• Flavoring – Vanilla extract for creamy floral notes.
• Thickener – Cornstarch slurry for thickening the liquid.

How to Make the BEST Apple Pie Filling

• Peel and Chop Apples – To make this recipe peel and core apples and cut into 1/2 inch chunks.
• Sugar and Seasoning – Add to a saucepan along with butter, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, cinnamon, apple pie spices and salt.
• Cook – Simmer on the stovetop just until they reach a fork tender texture. Adjust the cooking time depending on how vigorously the apples cook.
• Thicken the Juices – Thicken the sauce with a cornstarch slurry. Stir and repeat until the apples reach your desired thickness.
• Cool – Allow the apples to cool, then you can assemble a fresh apple pie in no time.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Homemade Apple Pie Filling

• Large bowl.
• Medium saucepan or pot.
• Apple corer plus a sharp knife and chopping board.
• Measuring cups and spoons.
• Small bowl and whisk to make the cornstarch slurry.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• Apples – Granny Smith apples have a tart flavor and perfect texture for apple pie. You can use your favorite variety i.e. Braeburn, Mcintosh, Gala, Fuji, Pink Lady or Honeycrisp apples, but please note each variety will cook differently and vary in sweetness, so you will need to make those adjustments accordingly.
• Use Fresh Apples – Always choose apples that are firm with fresh stems and free of bruising or dark spots to make homemade apple filling.
• Cube Versus Slicing the Apples – You can cube or slice the apples for this apple pie filling. When cubing as demonstrated in this recipe, think around 1/2-inch cubes. When slicing, around 1/4-inch thick apple slices. Slices are thinner and will cook more quickly than chunks.
• Sugar – Using a combination of light brown sugar and granulated sugar will give the apples a more caramel color and flavor. You can omit the light brown sugar and use 1/2 cup total of granulated sugar (white sugar), if preferred.
• Spice – Apple Pie Spice is a blend of cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg and ginger. You could adapt using ground cinnamon or make your own as see on this common Baking Ingredient Substitutions.
• Flour -You can make a flour thickener instead of cornstarch. You’ll  need to dissolve it in cold water until completely smooth before adding it to the apples.
• How to Use – You can use this apple pie filling to make mini pies, tarts, as a topping for waffles, cake, cinnamon rolls or spoon it over pancakes. You could also enjoy it over ice cream, yogurt and oatmeal for breakfast. You can also use it to make mini apple pies in a muffin pan or as a filling for turnovers.
• Double Crust Apple Pie – To make the apple pie in one fell swoop see my Homemade Apple Pie Recipe here.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers – You can store leftover Apple Pie Filling in an airtight container or jar chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freezer – You can cool and freeze leftovers for up to 6 months. Thaw in the fridge prior to using in a pie.

More Apple Dessert Recipes to Make

• Warm Apple Cobbler with vanilla ice cream is so comforting.
• Apple Cider Doughnut Cake is coated in a cinnamon sugar mixture.
• Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls will take you from breakfast for dessert.
• Puff pastry wrapped Apple Rings.
• Scrumptious Apple Pie Bars drizzled with caramel are amazing!
• Apple Baked Oatmeal is a tasty start to the day.
• Make this Cinnamon Spice Apple Butter in your slow cooker and the house smells wonderful, too.
• Caramel Apple Kabobs from Food Network.

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Helpful Kitchen Items: 

• Apple Peeler Corer
• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Saucepan