Apple Pie Filling takes less than 15 minutes to make and has a great homemade flavor.

  Tender chunks (or slices) of apples are perfectly sweet-tart simmered in a simple cinnamon sauce. They take just minutes to prep and taste so  much better than canned!

They can be used in pies or tarts or replace a can of apple pie filling in any recipe.  Scoop it over ice cream, yogurt, or cake for an easy treat.

A jar of homemade apple pie filling with cinnamon sticks

Homemade is Best (and SO easy!)

I looooove Apple pie filling but not just for filling pie crust! It’s great over anything from yogurt to cake to oatmeal.

  • Homemade always tastes 1000x better! Delicious apple flavor with a hint of warm spices.
  • The apples come out tender and not soggy.
  • Making this apple pie filling is less expensive than canned (and has a homemade flavor).
  • Needs just a handful of ingredients.
  • Ready in about 10-15 minutes, it’s so easy to make.

The Best Apples for Pie Filling

Much like when baking apple pie, you’ll want apples that stand up well so you don’t end up with applesauce! We think granny smith apples are the best for pie filling because they have a tart flavor which means the filling isn’t overly sweet.

Try any of the following: braeburn, golden delicious, honeycrisp.

Other ingredients needed in this recipe are sugar, water, spices and cornstarch (this makes the sauce portion).

ingredients in the pan to make Stove Top Apple Pie Filling

How to Make Homemade Apple Pie Filling

You’ve heard the saying as easy as Apple Pie, this recipe is exactly that!

  1. Peel and chop apples: apples are peeled and sliced and simply added to a pan with a bit of water, sugar and cinnamon.
  2. Thicken: once tender, I add a bit of cornstarch to thicken up this apple pie filling. Any of the juices released from the apples make the “saucy” part.

Replace the Can

This easy apple pie filling recipe makes the equivalent of 1 can of apple pie filling and takes just about 10 minutes.

It’s perfect to substitute for a can of apple pie filling (and tastes so much better than the store bought)!

cooking Stove Top Apple Pie Filling in the pan

Variations

  • Chop the apples or make apple slices instead.
  • Swap out white sugar for brown sugar to add a caramel flavor.
  • Add a teaspoon of lemon juice.
  • I use ground cinnamon but you can use apple pie spice, a pinch of nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice or your favorite warm spice mixture.

How to Freeze Apple Pie Filling

This apple pie filling is delicious and can be used right away. We mainly make it to replace cans of pie filling in recipes, if I am making an actual apple pie from scratch, I don’t pre cook the filling. If you do make this filling you can of course freeze it.

Simply cook as directed and cool. Freeze in a freezer bag. Once ready to use, defrost overnight in the fridge and use as you would from fresh!

A tall jar of apple pie filling with a white towel

Ideas for Apple Pie Filling

We love this on its own or served over ice cream but this easy apple pie filling works perfectly in the recipes below!

A jar of homemade apple pie filling with cinnamon sticks
4.96 from 334 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Apple Pie Filling Recipe

Quick Stovetop Apple Pie Filling! This easy recipe replaces 1 can of apple pie filling and is so much better than the store-bought filling!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 12 minutes
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients  

  • 4 medium apples
  • cup sugar
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water

Instructions 

  • Peel, core, and chop or slice apples*.
  • Melt butter and cinnamon over medium heat. Stir in apples, sugar & water.
  • Cover and cook stirring occasionally for 4-6 minutes or until very slightly softened.
  • In a small dish combine cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water. Add to the pan while stirring and continue to cook until apples are soft (not mushy) and filling is thickened.
  • Let bubble 1 minute. Cool.

Notes

Cut apples into 1/2-inch cubes or 1/4-inch slices.
Different varieties of apples may need less (or more) cooking time. Cook just until tender crisp checking the apples with a fork. 
Some apples are juicier than others. If you would like your filling thicker, combine 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water. Add a little at a time while the mixture is boiling until you reach desired consistency.
4.96 from 334 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 109 | Carbohydrates: 22g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 26mg | Potassium: 97mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 135IU | Vitamin C: 4.2mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Dessert, Pie
Cuisine American

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About the author

Holly is a wine and cheese lover, recipe creator, shopping enthusiast and self appointed foodie. Her greatest passion is creating in the kitchen and making deliciously comforting recipes for the everyday home cook!
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Comments

    1. You will want to store it in the fridge and if not using within a few days I would recommend putting it in a zippered freezer bag and freezing it.

    1. Hi Sam, you can find the recipe by clicking the “jump to recipe” button at the top or scrolling towards the bottom. I hope this helps!

  1. This recipe was used for a gifted pie for a sick friend. She called me to GUSH about the filling, and ask for the recipe. I did add raisins, before boiling the filling and they plumped up nicely. I would HIGHLY recommend this recipe to everyone; it is the best one I’ve ever tried and I’m 74 years old!5 stars

  2. Tried this recipe for an Apple Pie for Easter and it was super easy to make and tasted way better than the bought apple pie filling!
    Will definitely be making again 5 stars

  3. I made a apple pie for Easter and it was great, but I cut some of the sugar I used 2 1/2C and add 1/4 brown sugar. It was very good. Thank you

    1. Hi Holly! Just wondering if this recipe can be doubled or if I’d be better off making 2 separate batches?
      Thanks so much!

  4. I just made this but had to tweak it a bit. I had three apples my husband bought but hasn’t eaten so I made this recipe. I think they were a bit sweet so I added some lemon juice, a punch of salt and a little fresh grated nutmeg. Perfect’4 stars

  5. Will this work if I don’t peel the apples for use in apple spice cake? I never peel apples for Apple sauce. Will skin be tough?
    Thanks!

    1. I haven’t tried it so I can’t say for sure Paula. Other readers have tried it and mentioned it came out softer than expected. If you try it I would love to hear how it turns out!

  6. I made this filling, used it inside of a corn tamale filling, I now have a new favorite tamale! Thank you for this easy yet tasty recipe! ❤️5 stars

  7. This is a keeper recipe for me. I have been making apple pie for years, and this one is way better than the one I have been using. Thank you5 stars

  8. Other than freezing, what is a good way to store this? Does freezing change the texture? I am trying to get things prepped ahead of time for Christmas.

    1. Hi Tamara, this recipe freezes well and if I’m not using it within a couple of days I freeze it. I have not tried another method of storing it.

  9. I cut up the apples smaller and put filling into won ton wrappers. Deep fried them and let them cool for a minute them tossed into Cinnamon / sugar mixture every one loved them