Since it’s fall and apple picking time in the South, I’ve been sharing some of my favorite easy apple dessert recipes. Many of them contain apple pie filling. While it’s easy to pick up a can of filling at the store, it’s just as simple to make your own. It can be stored in the freezer and used all year. That way you never have to say no to your favorite apple dessert. This Apple Pie Filling Recipe can also be used as a side dish we in the South called, “Fried Apples.” I’m not sure why they’re called fried apples. I can only assume it is because we fry so many dishes that we just added the moniker whether it was true or not.
Apple Pie Filling Recipe
I adapted the family recipe a little to make a small batch, but it’s easy to double, triple, (or more!) the recipe. I also changed the variety of spices. If you prefer, you can swap out the sugar for another type of sweetener. If you are using honey, remember it is sweeter so only use 3/4 of a cup of honey for every 1 cup of sugar called for in a recipe. To make this recipe gluten-free, I used cornstarch instead of flour as my thickener. Adjust the amount of spice in the recipe to suit your tastes. I prefer a stronger cinnamon flavor so I used more spice.
Here’s what you need to make it
4 1/2 cups sliced Granny Smith apples (The apples do not have to be peeled)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3 cups water
1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar (or substitute 1 cup honey for sugar)
1/4 to 1/2 cup cornstarch (use 1/4 cup for a thinner mixture or 1/2 cup for a thicker mixture)
2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice, according to taste
1/2 teaspoon salt
Here’s how to make it
1. Mix apples and lemon juice together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
2. Add water to a Dutch oven or large saucepan. Place Dutch oven on stove eye turned to medium heat.
3, Mix together the cornstarch, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and sauce. Add this mixture to the water and stir until blended. While stirring constantly, bring this mixture to a boil. Allow the mixture to boil for two minutes. Be sure to stir constantly during the boiling process.
4. Add the apples, allowing mixture to return to a boil. Reduce the heat to simmer, cover the pan, and allow the apples to simmer for 6 to 8 minutes or until tender.
5. If you want to freeze the recipe, follow the freezing instructions below.
Printable Recipe
- 4 1/2 cups sliced Granny Smith apples (The apples do not have to be peeled)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 cups water
- 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar (or substitute 1 cup honey for sugar)
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup cornstarch (use 1/4 cup for a thinner mixture or 1/2 cup for a thicker mixture)
- 2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice, according to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Mix apples and lemon juice together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Add water to a Dutch oven or large saucepan. Place Dutch oven on stove eye turned to medium heat.
- , Mix together the cornstarch, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and sauce. Add this mixture to the water and stir until blended. While stirring constantly, bring this mixture to a boil. Allow the mixture to boil for two minutes. Be sure to stir constantly during the boiling process.
- Add the apples, allowing mixture to return to a boil. Reduce the heat to simmer, cover the pan, and allow the apples to simmer for 6 to 8 minutes or until tender.
How To Freeze
This recipe freezes well! If you want to freeze the filling, allow it to cool to room temperature. Then place the filling in plastic freezer containers. Be sure to leave about 1/2 inch of space at the top of the container so that the filling has room to expand. Place the lid on the container and store the mixture in the freezer for up to 12 months.
Have you ever made your own fruit pie filling? What is your favorite fall apple recipe?
You Might Like These Recipes
Bacon and Blue Cheese Deviled Eggs
Soft Lemon Drop Cookies
Southern Style Baked Beans
Have you seen our cookbook?
It has over 100 from scratch Southern recipes with lots of gluten free, dairy free and vegan adaptions, Y’all! You can order it here-> The New Southern Cookbook.
With the peek of apple picking time being early October in nearly all parts of the USA, there certainly are an abundance of fresh apples to play with! I hadn’t thought to make the filling and jar it for later like this, thank you!
The smaller jars would be perfect to keep to add some flavor to pastries, toast and so much more! I love the idea of making it ahead and having it on had for busy times!
What a great gift idea! It will also be a great time saver for when the holidays get super busy.
I can just eat that without putting it in a pie. That sounds delicious, my daughter would love it.
You make this look so easy!! I need to make this so I can make lots of pies!!
This apple pie filling recipe literally just made my mouth water. I’ll admit that I’ve never attempted making this filling but I’d be a great taster 😀
I love apple pie filling a lot and making this looks really easy. I will try this and I am sure my kids will also like it as I am.
Apple pie is one of my favorite desserts of all time. I love that you’re making your own filling here. I gotta try this recipe.
I haven’t made apple pie filling from scratch ing ages! I think I really need to try your version out and soon!
This would be perfect to make and keep on hand for a easy dessert or even an ice cream topping. Looks so yummy.
Been eating Peach Mango and apple pies more often lately and maybe this is a right timing for me to try making an apple pie by myself. Let’s see.
I could eat that plain. Or on top of ice cream. Or make pie crust strips and eat them together. Or as a side dish to my grandma’s salty ham. Yum.
Thank you so much for such a great recipe! I love apple pie, but I’ve only ever made it with store bought filling. I’m sure this is far away better.
I might have to try this one day. I admit, most of my apple pie filling comes from a can because I’m too lazy to try it another way. But maybe I’ll surprise myself! This sounds delicious.
I am pretty sure that I can eat the feeling all by itself. That looks absolutely delightful and I love anything that has to do with apple pie.
I can’t believe I’ve never made homemade apple pie filling. I always buy the kind in the can. I have everything on hand to make it so I’m going to try it this week.
Every fall I make homemade apple pie filling, along with peach and cherry pie filling. Nothing taste better over homemade.
yum! this look so yummy and def something my kids would sneak before i was even able to put it in a pie ha!
I wouldn’t put that into a pie – I would just eat it straight out of the bowl. The filling is the best part anyways!