This homemade apple pie filling is an easy stovetop recipe with tender apples, warm spices and the perfect amount of sweetness. Great for all your fall baking this season!

This flavorful apple filling can be used for many different apple desserts from Dutch apple pie to apple crumble and apple dump cake.

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Apple Filling Recipe

Homemade apple filling has amazing flavor and tastes so much better than the canned filling. I even love to serve it over buttermilk pancakes, homemade vanilla ice cream, or as a filling for crepes and apple fritters.

There’s nothing I love more than a warm slice of brown bag apple pie with homemade pie crust this time of year. Especially when it’s made with this apple pie filling recipe. It tastes 100x better than store-bought and I promise it’s worth the extra effort to make it homemade!

Recipe Ingredients

Just a few ingredients are needed to make this homemade apple pie filling!

Slicing apples into rounds on cutting board.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Apples: Choose your favorite apple and away you go. Slice it into thick slices or chunks. You don’t want to make them too thin or the consistency may turn mushy rather than have a thicker texture.
  • Lemon: The acidity helps brighten the fruit and keeps the color from turning the apples brown after preparing them.
  • Sugar: Brown and granulated sugars are used to balance the tartness of the apples.
  • Cornstarch: This helps thicken the filling and give it a bit of richness.
  • Spice: Cinnamon and nutmeg add depth to the tart and sweetness of the filling.
  • Salt: Just a pinch elevates the apple flavor.

Best Apple for Pie Filling

  • Granny Smith: These apples are a bright green color with a tart and sour flavoring. Very juicy and with a crunchy texture they hold up very well in apple pie filling.
  • Honeycrisp: A crisp juicy texture. They are red in color and are known to be slightly more expensive compared to other apples.
  • Jonathans: These apples are medium in size and have a bright red coloring to them. Jonathans are very sweet and juicy on the inside.
  • Melrose: These apples are yellow-green in color with a softer type skin texture. They have a sweet-tart flavor.
  • Fuji: This apple is always easy to find and less expensive than most apples. They are red in color and have a very sweet flavor.

How to Make Apple Pie Filling

It doesn’t take long to create a great-tasting easy apple pie filling! With just a few ingredients to prepare and combine over heat, this filing is complete in less than 45 minutes. Get ready to enjoy this in all your favorite recipes!

Apple pie filling in a pot stirred with a wooden spoon.
  1. Slice. Cut the apples and then drizzle with fresh lemon juice.
  2. Mix. Stir together the sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a large saucepan. Whisk in the water until everything has dissolved.
  3. Boil. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat on the stovetop. Reduce the heat slightly to medium heat and simmer for 2 minutes. Add the apples and increase the heat to medium-high heat to bring the mixture to a full boil again.
  4. Simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes.
  5. Cool. Allow to cool and store in the refrigerator to thicken.

Favorite Ways to Use It

Making apple pie filling from scratch gives desserts, pastries and even breakfast recipes the best flavor!

Apple pie filling in a jar.

Recipe Tips

Here are a few cooking tips to help make this the best apple pie filling!

  • Slice and peeling apples. Feel free to cut the apples into slices if preferred. It is best to use a sharp knife for smoother cuts. I don’t peel my apples, but you can!
  • Thicker consistency. Don’t skip out on the cornstarch. It gives apple pie filling that thick and gooey consistency.
  • Extra cinnamon. You can adjust the spices to your preference. I always add a little extra cinnamon for good measure.
  • Double the recipe. This makes about 4 cups, but there’s no reason you can’t double it if you want to gift some or freeze a bunch for later.
  • Refrigerate. The longer you refrigerate the filling, the thicker it will be. I’d recommend refrigerating it overnight before using it.
Apple cheesecake pie in pie pan with a slice taken out.

If you love homemade pie filling like I do, try this peach pie filling recipe, homemade cherry pie filling or thicken my blueberry sauce to use, too!

More Apple Dessert Recipes

Apple Pie Filling

5 from 13 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 16 (4 cups)
This homemade apple pie filling is an easy stovetop recipe with tender apples, warm spices and the perfect amount of sweetness. Great for all your fall baking this season!
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Ingredients 

  • 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 5 ½ to 6 cups diced apples (any variety, peeled if desired)
  • ½ cup light brown sugar , packed
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 1 ¼ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups water

Instructions

  • Prep apples. In a large bowl, drizzle 2 Tablespoons lemon juice over 5 1/2 – 6 cups diced apples and toss to coat. Set the apples aside.
  • Combine sauce ingredients. In a large saucepan, stir together 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Whisk in the water until everything has dissolved.
  • Add apples. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat slightly and simmer for 2 minutes. Add the apples and increase the heat to medium-high to bring the mixture to a full boil again. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 12 minutes.
  • Cool apple filling. Remove the pan from the heat and let cool.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Storage: Store pie filling in a sealed container in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks or in the freezer up to 12 months
 

Nutrition

Calories: 81kcal, Carbohydrates: 21g, Protein: 0.1g, Fat: 0.1g, Saturated Fat: 0.02g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g, Sodium: 40mg, Potassium: 58mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 17g, Vitamin A: 24IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 11mg, Iron: 0.1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Recipe FAQs

How do you thicken homemade apple pie filling?

You can thicken the pie filling using flour or cornstarch. Both these ingredients can help with creating the consistency that you are looking for.

What are the best apples for this apple pie-filling recipe?

I used a variation of apples we picked at the orchard! Some of my favorite apples to use are Granny Smith apples, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, Jonathans, Braeburn, and Melrose.

How to store pie filling?

This is why I love this recipe. You can make it up to 2 weeks ahead of time and store in the refrigerator.

Can I freeze apple pie filling?

Yes! Place in a freezer safe container and you can keep it frozen up to 1 year. I like to pick apples in the fall and freeze the filling for a special treat the following February.