Apple Pie Baked Beans Recipe (Oven or Grill)

Be prepared to take your baked beans to a whole new level! Our Apple Pie Baked Beans recipe is the perfect side dish. It has a ton of flavor. The smoky saltiness of the crispy bacon contrasts with the sweetness of the apples and you can make it as spicy as you like.

Our neighbors have established a back-to-school tradition of getting together the evening before school starts and having a barbecue together. John and I always bring the Apple Baked Beans and the Skillet Apple Pie. If I have the time, I’ll even make some homemade ice cream. We will show you how to make this easy recipe step-by-step.

Why You’ll Love Making This Apple Baked Beans Recipe

We’ve made these apple baked beans on the grill, over a campfire, and in my oven. If you’re short on time, you can even cook them on top of the stove. They are delicious any way you cook them and literally ready as soon as everything is heated through. You can also make slow cooker apple pie baked beans. Just let it simmer for hours in the crockpot! I leave the lid off and let them get all thick with a caramel glaze.

I don’t know who originally came up with putting apple pie filling in baked beans first, but around here my husband John gets all the credit. He has tweaked it to perfection. We love it because it’s a great contrast between sweet and spicy. It makes enough for a good-sized gathering. It’s one of those recipes that get better the next day so make them ahead of time.

Ingredients for Apple Pie Baked Beans

• Bacon. We prefer thick-cut for this recipe but use what you like. Also, the variety is up to you. We like the smokey flavor of Hickcory in this baked bean recipe. Dice it up and brown it in a skillet.
• Shredded Pork. If you have them, use those leftovers! We freeze extra Mojo pork just for this recipe. You can also buy cooked and shredded pork in barbecue sauce for convenience. 
• Pork and Beans 16 oz cans. We use Bush’s Original canned beans.
• BBQ Sauce. We really like this BBQ sauce. It’s Kansas City style which is what we prefer. 
• Apple Pie Filling. This will have to be chopped up out of the can. We use a Mix and Chop and break up the apples directly in the skillet.
• Diced Onion.  Yellow onion, white onion, or Vidalia onions all work for this recipe.
• Green Pepper. You could also use red bell pepper.
• Brown Sugar. I prefer dark brown sugar because it does have a slightly deeper flavor, but light brown sugar is fine if that’s what you prefer.
• Worcestershire Sauce. Adds a little zip.
• Yellow Mustard. We prefer yellow mustard over other varieties for this recipe.
• Jalapeno. Add more or less to taste for heat.

How to Make Apple Pie Baked Beans

Cut the bacon into small pieces and cook the bacon until browned. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and let it drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Sauté onions and green pepper in the skillet with the bacon grease. When they have softened, drain any excess grease from the pan.

Using a large pot or Dutch oven, return the bacon and onion mixture back into the pot and add the remaining ingredients. Give it a good stir and let it simmer for thirty minutes. The best part about this side dish recipe is that you can also bake them for one hour, cook them on the grill, or put them in a slow cooker.

Hostess Tips

I’ve increased my beans to 5 cans for a larger group. I don’t increase the brown sugar or apple pie filling. It’s still sweet enough.

You can substitute cooked ground beef or sausage for the pulled pork but don’t use breakfast sausage. The spices would be off putting in this recipe.

If you like more spice, increase the amount of jalapeno you use, use hotter peppers such as serranos, or add cayenne powder.

FAQ

How Do I Know When Apple Pie Baked Beans Are Done?

When everything is hot and bubbly, the beans are ready to eat. However, if we have time, we like to let it simmer uncovered because it becomes thick and saucy, and the flavors deepen over time. That’s one of the reasons why leaving them in the crockpot works so well. 

How to Store Apple Pie Baked Beans?

Baked Beans with Apple Pie Filling should be refrigerated in an airtight container. They will keep for four or five days and reheat beautifully in the microwave or a saucepan.

Apple Baked Beans can be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature.

More Amazing Recipes for Apples We Know You’re Gonna Love

Apples are such a fun way to celebrate the end of summer, the beginning of the school year, and all of Fall. The flavors and variety of things you can make with apples are amazing! This Caramel Apple Slab Pie Recipe is a great example. We also love these Apple Cider Donut Muffins and don’t forget to try Cinnamon Apple Pull Apart Bread.

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.

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This recipe was originally shared in 7/14 2016 and has been updated to provide new images and additional details to help our readers make this recipe. No changes were made to the recipe.