Apple pie filling can be very simple. Think of a few ingredients that you love and mix it in with the sliced apples. If nutmeg, and cinnamon are your go to spices stir it up with some sugar, and lemon juice and you’re on your way to a great apple pie filling. I love cinnamon and sugar for my apple pie filling, so you will see these two ingredients in my recipe. With that said you can always replace or add nutmeg and any other spice that you love when making your filing for apple pie.

Apples in bowl used for apple pie fiilling

Recipe tips to a delicious apple pie filling

Peel the apples: Removing the peel helps the apples to become juicier and more tender while it bakes. If you do not remove the apple peel, then it can sometimes become tough.
Thickener: If you’re going to use cornstarch as a thickener don’t add it directly into the filling. First in a separate bowl mix the cornstarch with water well before adding into the filing to avoid clumps of cornstarch. This can be known as a cornstarch slurry.
Don’t overcook the apples on the stove: If you overcook the apples on the stovetop, then your apples will become too mushy.

How to make apple pie filling

First you will want to gather lots of apples. If you are making this for a pie you will want about 6-8 medium sized apples.
Next, wash all your apples you want to use.
Once your apples are washed and ready you can slice your apples many different ways. I like to use an apple slicer because it takes off the peel at the same time as cutting my apples. However, you can always cut the apples into pieces with a knife. If you do this make sure to cut the peel off first. Peeling the peel after it is cut into many slices can be very tricky and time consuming.
Your apples should now all be washed, cut and ready to go. Now comes the fun part. Place your apples into a pot. I will add sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice to my apple filling. The lemon juice is so that the apples don’t brown. Too much lemon juice will change the taste of the apple pie filling, so make sure not to poor too much. Check out the amounts in my recipe below.
Cook all the ingredients in a pot on the stovetop. Once you have done this if the apple filling doesn’t seem thick enough you can add a thickener. Also, if you plan to freeze your apple pie filling, then a thickener will be a good idea. This is because after it is frozen as it unfreezes it will get runny. However, a thickener will help it not get too runny.

Canning

If you are canning your apple pie filling, make sure to use a recipe that is safe. You can check out the National Center for Home Preservation for safe canning tips and recipes. This includes the USDA Complete Guide to Canning which helps prepare different types of food associated with canning, fermentation, and canning. USDA stands for United States Department of Agriculture, and you will notice it is currently maintained by staff at the National Center for Food Preservation. This is something that confused me when I first began looking into information on canning regarding rules and regulations.

How to store and reheat apple pie filling

There are many ways you can store and reheat an apple pie. Storing apple pie filling can be done in the refrigerator, freezing, or you may can the filling. More on refrigeration and freezing options below. Reheating apple pie filling can be accomplished in the oven or microwave.

Storing an apple pie on the counter

Storing an apple pie on the counter is best to be eaten within two days. Using foil or plastic wrap is best to keep the apple pie covered and sealed. If it is a store-bought pie and it is properly covered then leaving it on the counter through the sell by date would be okay.

Refrigerate Apple Pie

Once your pie has sat out on the counter for two days you should place it in the refrigerator. It should last a good couple more days. I like to place my pie in a sealed container if possible, however keeping plastic wrap or foil will work too. I try to make sure it is see through and that I can see the pie somewhere. If I cannot, the pie will probably get forgotten and will need to be thrown out later because it got old.

Can I freeze just the apple pie filling?

Yes, you can freeze only the apple pie filling. If you just want to freeze it then I recommend using a thickener. This could be corn starch, or clear gel or any kind of starch thickener. You should add about 1 cup of water to 1-2 tablespoons of flour to the apple pie mixture. Mix it first in a separate bowl to make sure all the clumps of corn starch have been mixed in. You may place the pie filling it in a pie pan (this will help freeze it in the shape that you would like for later) or any container for a few hours. Once the filling is relatively firm, then you will want to place it in a container that is freezer safe and sealed. You can keep it in the freezer for 2-4 months. It will be best if taken out cooked and consumed by then.

Freezing Apple Pie

Apple pie in my opinion is always best eaten fresh about 20 minutes out of the oven. The perfect temperature is not burning hot, but still warm to eat. However, if you made to much filling or decided you wanted to make the apple pie ahead of when you need it, then as long as it does not have custard, egg or a cream filling inside of the pie, freezing the apple pie in an airtight container is best. If it does have one of the fillings I just mentioned inside the pie, then you probably shouldn’t freeze it.

Freezing unbaked Apple pie

If you freeze an unbaked apple pie using clear gel it will typically help, make the pie less runny. You do not need to unfreeze the apple pie before placing it in the oven. Feel free to place the apple pie into the oven at the temperature requested by the pie crust you made or bought.

Reheat apple pie filling

If you are making an apple pie with the filling from the freezer or fridge you will want to finish making the apple pie and cook it altogether in the oven. If the pie has already been cooked and it has been in the fridge or a couple days or on the counter, then you can take a slice of apple pie, and heat it up in the microwave if you prefer a warm piece. It would also be fine to eat without heating it up if you prefer this method.

What can I use with the apple pie filling

apple pie
apple pie with crumble topping
apple pie turnovers
apple fritters

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Print Recipe

Apple Pie Filling without a thickener

Apple pie filling ready to make a quick pie or dessert whenever you want.

Prep Time40

Author: Jennifer Gallagher

Ingredients

12 cups Apples
2 1/2 cups Sugar
2 Tbsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Salt
1/2 cup Lemon Juice
3 3/4 cups Water

Instructions

First peel, core, and slice apples. I recommend using an apple slicer to slice, peel and core all your apples.
Combine and heat ingredients and bring to a simmer.
2 1/2 cups Sugar, 2 Tbsp Cinnamon, 1/4 tsp Salt, 3 3/4 cups Water, 1/2 cup Lemon Juice
Next, add apples and stir altogether. Heat just until boiling. Turn off and remove from heat. When measuring your apples press down and fit as many apples as you can.
12 cups Apples
Apple pie filling is ready to use or store. If you are making an apple pie place on top of apple pie crust (follow pie crust directions for heating).
Optional: If you would like to thicken up the apple pie filling you can combine cornstarch and water to make a slurry. You may go this route if you are using the filling immediately, placing in the fridge or freezer.