Easy Homemade Apple Pie Filling

Pie season is here, which means it’s time to share our family favorite recipe for easy homemade apple pie filling. Bonus: it’s delicious and you can freeze pie filling!

Homemade Apple Pie Filling Recipe

I grew up around a lot of canning. My mom canned all summer long and we got to eat that deliciousness all winter long. It was awesome, and this apple pie filling totally reminds me of her.

We take everything for granted as kids and then suddenly you’re an adult and you’re trying to get down everything you can about your parents, their recipes, their advice etc. While I don’t can like my mom does (though I really should because nothing is quite like her fresh canned green beans), I do freeze quite a bit. This apple pie filling is great to use freshly picked fall apples.

I’ll have to get you her applesauce recipe too. It’s my favorite applesauce around and store-bought doesn’t really compare. It’s like a garden fresh tomato versus store-bought. Just not the same thing.

Apple Pie Filling Ingredients 

To make the best apple pie filling, here’s what you’ll need: 

• Good quality apples
• Spices
• Butter
• Cornstarch
• Water 
• Granulated sugar 

When it comes to making homemade apple pie filling, simple ingredients really are best! 

What Are the Best Apples for Apple Pie Filling?

To make homemade apple pie filling, you’ll want to choose good apples. You don’t want anything too mushy, but rather a crisp snap when you bite in. This will ensure that the apples cook down properly without turning to applesauce. We prefer to use two Granny Smith and two Honeycrisp apples. Not only do both have great texture, but the sour of the Granny and sweet from the Honey Crisp also give a perfectly balanced flavor to the apple pie filling. 

How to Make Apple Pie Filling

This truly is such an easy apple pie filling to make. If you can peel and dice apples, you can handle this recipe! Here’s a quick rundown of how to make apple pie filling from scratch: 

1. Peel, core, and dice the apples. 
2. Melt the butter and spices in a non-stick skillet. 
3. Stir in the apples, sugar, and a little water. 
4. Cover and cook until the apples soften slightly. 
5. Stir together cornstarch and some more water in a small bowl. 
6. Pour the cornstarch slurry over the apples and continue cooking until the apples are soft and the filling has thickened.  

Can You Freeze Apple Pie Filling?

Yes! In fact, we often make apple pie filling to freeze for later. To freeze apple pie filling, you need to let it cool down completely. We stick the filling in the fridge and then straight into freezer storage bags, and we press all of the air out of as we seal it. The homemade apple pie filling is good for 1-2 months in the freezer, just be sure to defrost before serving.

Ways to Use Apple Pie Filling

Besides the obvious way to use this apple pie filling (in a delicious apple pie, of course!), there are so many ways you can enjoy this recipe. Here are a few of our favorite ways to repurpose this easy apple pie filling: 

• Apple Pie Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce
• Apple Pie Bombs a la Mode
• Apple Pie Fried Ice Cream Cake
• Apple Pie Taquitos 
• Apple Hand Pies
• Apple Dumplings
• Apple Cheesecake Bars
• Atop Buttermilk Pancakes

Tips for the Best Apple Pie Filling

First of all, it’s really important that you cook your apples slowly, as a high heat will burn the sugar and the apples. The apples need a good 10 to 15 minutes to cook down fully, so be patient and remember to stir the filling occasionally. 

Also, feel free to play around with the spices in this apple pie filling recipe. If you prefer a more spiced filling, add more cinnamon and nutmeg. You could even add in other warming spices like allspice, ginger, or cardamom. Just be careful not to add too many spices, because you want to taste those wonderful apples! 

Finally, I’m sure you could can this apple pie filling, but we prefer to freeze it. This filling will also last up to 2 weeks in the fridge, so you don’t have to freeze or can it if you don’t want to.

More Apple Dessert Recipes: 

• The Best Apple Crisp Recipe
• Apple Cake with Caramel Frosting
• Apple Empty Tomb Rolls
• Mini Dutch Apple Cheesecakes
• Apple Cider Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
• Apple Pie Pull-Apart Bread with Maple Glaze

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