Apple Pie Filling

4.7
(464)

This homemade apple pie filling recipe lets you treat your family with pies year-round.

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high angle looking into an open apple pie in a pie pan
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Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
20 mins
Additional Time:
2 hrs
Total Time:
2 hrs 40 mins
Servings:
40
Yield:
Apple filling for 5 (9-inch) pies

Get a jump start on fall baking season with this apple pie filling recipe. It makes enough delicious filling for 5 pies, so it’s perfect for freezing.

How to Make Apple Pie Filling

You'll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the apple pie filling recipe below, but let's go over the basics:

Apple Pie Filling Ingredients

These are the ingredients you’ll need to make this apple pie filling recipe: 

  • Apples: The best apples for apple pie are firm and sweet-tart. Granny Smith apples are always a great choice. Some bakers prefer using Granny Smith apples in combination with a slightly sweeter variety, such as Honeycrisp.
  • Lemon juice: Toss the sliced apples with lemon juice to keep them from browning prematurely. 
  • Water: The stovetop apple pie filling starts with 10 cups of water. 
  • Sugar: Of course, this recipe calls for white sugar! You’ll need 4 ½ cups, to be exact. 
  • Cornstarch: A cup of cornstarch thickens the filling. 
  • Salt: Salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients, but it won’t make your apple pie taste salty. 
  • Spices: Ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg add flavor and warmth to the apple pie filling. 

How to Make Homemade Apple Pie Filling

Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you can expect when you make this homemade apple pie filling: 

  1. Toss the apple slices with lemon juice. 
  2. Combine the remaining ingredients in a Dutch oven and bring to a boil. 
  3. Add apples, return to a boil, then simmer until the apples are tender. 
  4. Freeze according to the recipe. 

Best Crust for Apple Pie

A simple pastry crust is perfect for apple pie. You can buy a store-bought crust or, if you want to go the homemade route, try our top-rated Butter Flaky Pie Crust recipe. 

How to Freeze Apple Pie Filling

Cool the apple pie filling completely, then ladle it into freezer-safe containers. Make sure to leave about ½-inch of room at the top to account for expansion. Freeze for up to one year. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then bake the apple pie according to your recipe. 

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise 

“So I wanted an apple pie filling with some ooey gooey goodness and this delivered exactly that,” says Laura. “I changed the number of servings from 40 to 10, [as] I just wanted enough for one pie to try out the recipe.”

“Beautifully put together filling,” raves Desiree Morales. “I absolutely loved it. I used it to fill two 9-inch pie shells and used a lattice crust to top it.”

“I had an abundance of apples and this recipe is a classic,” says another reviewer. “I did not change a thing and my pie turned out perfect!”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 40 servings

  • 18 cups thinly sliced apples

  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 10 cups water

  • 4 ½ cups white sugar

  • 1 cup cornstarch

  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients to make apple pie filling.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Place apples in a bowl. Toss apples with lemon juice in a large bowl and set aside.

    Apples in a bowl.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Pour water into a Dutch oven over medium heat. Combine sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg in a bowl; add to water, stir well, and bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, constantly stirring.

    Cinnamon mixture in Dutch oven.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Add apples and return to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until apples are tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes.

    Apples in Dutch oven.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Ladle into 5 freezer containers, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace. Cool at room temperature no longer than 1 1/2 hours. Seal and freeze. Can be stored for up to 12 months.

    Filling in storage containers.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Enjoy!

    high angle looking into an open apple pie in a pie pan

    DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS 

950 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

129 Calories
0g Fat
33g Carbs
0g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 40
Calories 129
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 0g 0%
Sodium 61mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 33g 12%
Dietary Fiber 1g 5%
Total Sugars 28g
Protein 0g 0%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Calcium 7mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 63mg 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.