Homemade Apple Pie Filling combines fresh apples in a brown sugar sauce loaded with warm cinnamon. This easy Apple Pie Filling from Scratch can be eaten as is or made into a quick apple dessert.
Homemade Apple Pie Filling is the first thing that I make when I buy too many apples humanly impossible to eat in a month. This easy apple pie filling makes a great side dish, topping for ice cream and pancakes, or a quick dessert with a delicious comfort meal.
I just love apples, and the truth is I eat one almost every day for lunch.
For that reason, I tend to buy them by the warehouse full (not quite) and after about a week reality sets in and I realize that once again my eyes were much bigger than my stomach.
Apples can last 1 to 2 months in the refrigerator (best in the crisper drawer) but only 5 to 7 days on the counter.
When shopping for apples, I always want to get the freshest ones that I can.
Tips for choosing the freshest apples
If you’re heading to the orchard, you know how fresh they are. However, in the grocery store apples don’t come with an “eat by” date, you have to rely on your knowledge of what to look for.
At Spoon University they state to pick an apple that is colorful, smooth, and firm. Also, make sure that it’s free from bruising or spots. If you rub your finger across the skin of the apple and it wrinkles, that’s not a good apple.
They also have a great buying guide on the best apples to buy according to your purposes like eating or baking.
Some apples are naturally softer in texture, and we don’t care for them as much and they’re not great for baking in my opinion either. I tend to buy Honeycrisp or Braeburn apples which are great for eating or baking or making an Easy Apple Pie Filling Recipe! John’s a Granny Smith guy.
Are apples healthy?
They sure are! Here are just a few of the benefits according to UsApple.org!
- Packed with Antioxidants and Good Gut Bacteria
- Can reduce bad cholesterol levels
- Lowers the chance of bone fractures
- One of the best sources of soluble fiber
- Weight reduction
Ingredients in Apple Pie Filling
- Apples – the best ones are the ones you like. This recipe is all about using what you have. Some may cook up softer than others but they’ll be delicious just the same. I combined Honey Crisp and Granny Smith for this post.
- Brown Sugar – I like dark brown sugar. It has a little more molasses in it which gives it more of a caramel flavor. You can use light if that’s what you like.
- Cinnamon – adds warmth to this Apple Pie Filling with Brown Sugar recipe. By using only cinnamon I can add it to other recipes if I choose to.
- Apple juice – I used 100% juice but you could even use water which the apples will flavor.
- Butter – I used salted in this recipe for simplicity. If you use unsalted, just add a pinch of salt.
- Cornstarch – thickens this filling into a delicious saucy consistency.
Tips for making the perfect Apple Pie Filling:
- Don’t overcook the apples! This apple pie recipe only takes about 10 minutes to cook depending on how thick you slice the apples.
- Slice the apples all about the same 1/4″ to 1/2″ thick. That way they will all cook at the same rate. Otherwise, you’ll have some undercooked and others overcooked and mushy.
- As a flavor variation, you can also add Nutmeg, Allspice, Clove, and Ginger. Make it your own!
- Homemade Apple Pie Filling can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
STORING SUGGESTIONS:
Apple Pie Filling can be stored the same as you would fresh apples.
- Refrigerated for up to 3 days
- Frozen in an air-tight container for up to 3 months
- Canned
I love making this saucy Apple Pie Filling and serving it with a warm savory dish like chili or a casserole such as the following:
This Easy Homemade Apple Pie filling makes a great side dish or in amazing in recipes like Apple Kolaches or Apple Dutch Baby Pancakes.
If you like making your own filling, our Caramelized Pear Pie Filling is one of our most popular recipes!
I hope you enjoyed this delicious recipe as much as we do. Drop me a comment below, and don’t forget to give it a star rating. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Your comments and ratings help others decide if this recipe is for them too.
Homemade Apple Pie Filling
Ingredients
- 6 cups apples I used Granny Smith and Honeycrisp
- 1/4 cup apple juice
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
- Peel, core and slice apples 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.
- In a 2-quart saucepan combine sliced apples and juice. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally for 6 minutes. Add butter.
- Whisk cinnamon, brown sugar and cornstarch together. When the butter has melted pour the brown sugar mixture over the apples. Stir constantly until sauce thickens approximately 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the apples! This apple pie recipe only takes about 10 minutes to cook depending on how thick you slice the apples.
- Slice the apples all about the same 1/4″ to 1/2″ thick. That way they will all cook at the same rate. Otherwise, you’ll have some undercooked and others overcooked and mushy.
- As a flavor variation, you can also add Nutmeg, Allspice, Clove, and Ginger. Make it your own!
- Homemade Apple Pie Filling can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.
Did you enjoy this recipe? Don’t forget to pin it for later and follow me on Pinterest for more delicious recipes like this one!
Jan
Sunday 24th of November 2024
Hi..I made pie filling and froze it for Thanksgiving.. what is process for defrosting and then baking?
Julie Menghini
Monday 25th of November 2024
Great question, Jan. Thank you for your comment. If you cooked it before freezing it you can let it thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator. To heat it put it in a saucepan and simmer it until it's warm and any extra juices have cooked off. If you didn't cook it, you can thaw it and bake it as we did our apple slab pie.
Dee
Monday 14th of November 2022
Hi. Can you use apple cider in place of apple juice for this recipe?
Julie Menghini
Tuesday 15th of November 2022
You sure can, Dee. You could even use just water.
Aloma
Wednesday 9th of November 2022
I found this and made it a apple crumb pie oh my how great it was.will keep this one.aloma
Julie Menghini
Wednesday 9th of November 2022
Thank you so much, Aloma! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for stopping by to let me know.
Leigh Brooks
Saturday 30th of October 2021
My daughter is GF, and apple pie is one of her favorites. She asked me to make her “the innards” of an apple pie. I’ve made plenty of apple pies. But never cooked the filling separately. This recipe was easy and delicious.
Julie Menghini
Sunday 31st of October 2021
I'm so glad it worked for you, Leigh! I make this as a side, similar to applesauce, and my kiddos love it.
Liza
Wednesday 23rd of December 2020
All apple sizes are not equal. Is there a chance you can weigh them the next time you make it, then update the recipe to indicate weight. I used a combo of granny smith and honeycrisp apples and followed directions; however the "sauce" looked too thick. Sure enough, the pie filling wasn't as juicy as it should be. It would be great to know what the texture of the "sauce" should look like.
Julie Menghini
Thursday 24th of December 2020
The glory of this recipe is that you can use as many apples as you want. The sauce gets thick as it cooks down. If it's too thick you can add a little more apple juice. If it's not thick enough, you can add more apples. Next time I make it, I'll do a video of the consistency we go for. I hope this helps Liza!