The Best Apple Pie Filling Recipe

Apple Pie Filling is the homemade version of canned apple pie filling. You won’t believe how easy it is to make Homemade Apple Pie filling from this recipe. Make it on the stove top or in your Instant Pot, either way the soft apples covered in the thick brown sugar and cinnamon filling will knock your socks off!

Best Recipe for Apple Pie Filling!

For as long as I can remember apple pie has been my fav. I used to sneak leftover apple pie for breakfast.

But, honestly, who doesn’t do that from time to time. I mean, apples are healthy, right? ?

Let me tell you though, this homemade Apple Pie Filling is ta-die-for! My kiddos always follow me around with a spoon whenever I work with this stuff.

This can go in pies (obviously ?) but there are so many other amazing possibilities for it too! I have plans to put this inside of a cinnamon roll real soon. Eat it with yogurt, or put it on ice cream! I’d better stop before I ruin my computer with all of this DROOL!

Not only does it taste about a zillion times better than canned pie filling, it is so super simple to make!

Best Apple Pie Filling Ingredients

Apple Pie Filling is the homemade version of canned apple pie filling. You won’t believe how easy it is to make Homemade Apple Pie filling from this recipe. Make it on the stove top or in your Instant Pot, either way the soft apples covered in the thick brown sugar and cinnamon filling will knock your socks off

• 6 apples peeled and diced into 1 inch cubes
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 3/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup cornstarch

How to make Apple Pie Filling on the stovetop

This can be made either on the stove top or in the Instant Pot. I took pictures while making this in the Instant Pot but I will explain both methods below.

1. First thing, gather your apples! I like to use a mixture of green and red apples to give the final product a little variety. Pick your favorite apple though and it will work great!
2. Peel and dice the apples.
3. It is very important to cut the apples into equal size pieces.
4. If some are much larger than others, the pie filling will be either partly mushy or partly undercooked.
5. For this recipe, dice the apples into about 1 inch cubes. Do not slice or cut the apples smaller, this will result in a mushy pie filling.
6. Toss the diced apples together with some lemon juice and then set aside.
7. Grab your Instant Pot (or large pot!) and add in brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon, salt and water.
8. Stir to combine.
9. Add in the diced apples. Stir to coat the apple in the sauce.
10. If you are cooking on the stovetop, simmer the the above mixture for 10-15 minutes or until the apples are fork tender.

How to make Apple Pie Filling in the instant pot

1. For the Instant Pot, Cook on Manual (or pressure cook!) HIGH for 1 minute. Allow for a 4 minute NPR before manually releasing the pressure. Turn the Instant Pot onto Sauté after the pressure has been released.
2. Make sure to stay by your Instant Pot as it is releasing pressure. Apples are one of those ingredients that sometimes like to volcano out. I haven’t ever had an issue, but it is always smart to stay close. Incase you do start to have an issue, use the back of a long spoon to close the vent, wait 30 seconds or so and then try again.
3. If you are cooking in the Instant Pot, don’t be alarmed when you open up your pot!! I’ll include some photos below. You will open your pot and think ‘oh no, Karli! I overcooked these apples!!’ Don’t curse me though, give the pot a nice stir and all is well. ?

The next and final steps are the same for both the Instant Pot or stovetop.

1. Remove about a 1/2 cup of liquid and whisk in 1/4 cup of cornstarch. I find it easiest to remove the liquid by pushing a glass liquid measuring cup into the apple mixture and pulling up the liquid. (Hope that made sense, I can’t think of any other way to explain it!)
2. Pour the cornstarch mixture into the pot with the apples and stir until the sauce has thickened.
3. Use right away, refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze until needed!

Ways to Use Diced Apple Pie Filling

There are so many ways you can use up a batch of Apple Pie Filling or even if you happen to have some leftover from another recipe. You can use it as a dip- scoop it up with graham cracker or cinnamon sugar tortilla chips. You can make simple hand pies by filling a pocket of store bought pie crust and baking until golden brown. My personal favorite though? Warming it up and putting it on top of ice cream.

Storing Homemade Apple Pie Filling

Homemade apple pie filling should always be stored in the fridge unless currently being served.

Can you freeze apple pie filling?

Yes! Just store in a gallon sized freezer zip top bag. When you are ready to use the apple pie filling, transfer the bag to the fridge 1 day in advance to thaw.

Recipe for Apple Pie Filling FAQs

More Apple Recipes You’ll Love

Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Vanilla Glaze
Instant Pot Applesauce

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