10+ Apple Pie Filling Recipes to Sweeten Your Baking Adventures

Apple pie filling is such a classic, right? It’s a simple and delicious way to enjoy the taste of fresh apples whenever the mood strikes.

Whether you’re making a classic pie, a crisp, or just want to spoon some over ice cream, a good apple pie filling recipe makes baking easier and way tastier.

Apple pie filling recipes show you how to turn fresh or canned apples into a sweet, flavorful mixture that’s ready for all kinds of desserts. You’ll find recipes that use just a few basic ingredients to create that warm, homemade vibe.

Ingredients

• Apples (or canned apple pie filling)
• Sugar (brown and/or granulated)
• Lemon juice
• Butter
• Cinnamon
• Cornstarch or flour (for thickening)
• Vanilla extract (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel, core, and slice apples if they’re fresh.
2. Mix apples with sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and cornstarch.
3. Cook in a pan over medium heat, stirring until apples soften and the mixture thickens.
4. Stir in butter and vanilla extract, then let cool.
5. Use as a filling for pies, crisps, or wherever your sweet tooth leads you.

1) Classic Apple Pie Filling with Cinnamon and Nutmeg

Start by peeling and slicing your apples. I like using a mix of tart and sweet apples for the best flavor.

Mix the apples with sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. These spices really bring out that cozy, autumn feeling.

Add a little flour to help thicken things up while it cooks. That way, your pie crust won’t get soggy.

Cook the filling until the apples are soft but still have some bite. You want them tender, not mushy.

Ingredients

• 6 cups peeled and sliced apples
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour in a bowl.
2. Pour the mixture into your prepared pie crust.
3. Bake in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 10 minutes.
4. Lower the heat to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 35-40 minutes, until the crust is golden and the filling bubbles.

2) Quick Apple Pie Filling with Brown Sugar and Butter

You can whip up a quick apple pie filling with brown sugar, butter, and a few spices. Cut your apples into cubes or slices—whatever you’re feeling.

Cooking them on the stovetop helps all the flavors blend together fast. Melt some butter in a pan, then add brown sugar mixed with cinnamon and cornstarch.

Pour that over the apples and cook until they’re tender and glossy. This method is speedy—less than 15 minutes and you’re done.

The filling works great for pies, but honestly, it’s just as good over pancakes or ice cream. Sweet, a little spicy, and totally satisfying.

Ingredients

• 4 cups apples, diced
• 3 tablespoons butter
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Cooking Instructions

1. Dice the apples into small cubes.
2. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
3. Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch in a bowl.
4. Add apples to the pan, then pour the sugar mix over them.
5. Stir and cook for 10-15 minutes until apples are tender.
6. Remove from heat and let cool before using in your pie.

Learn more about quick apple pie filling with brown sugar and butter here.

3) Easy Homemade Apple Pie Filling with Cornstarch

Cornstarch makes a super smooth and simple apple pie filling. It thickens without turning everything gluey.

Start by cooking diced apples with lemon juice and sugar. Mix cornstarch with a bit of water, then add it to the pan.

Stir as it thickens—it goes pretty quick. Toss in cinnamon or nutmeg if you want that extra warmth.

This filling works for pies, tarts, or even pancakes if you’re feeling adventurous.

Ingredients

• 4 cups diced apples
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• ½ cup sugar (adjust to taste)
• 2-4 tablespoons cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
• ½ cup water (for cornstarch mix)

Cooking Instructions

1. Toss apples with lemon juice and sugar in a pot.
2. Cook over medium heat until apples soften, about 5 minutes.
3. Mix cornstarch with water until smooth.
4. Add cornstarch mixture to pot, stirring constantly.
5. Cook until filling thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
6. Stir in cinnamon and nutmeg.
7. Remove from heat and cool before using.

You can find a similar easy apple pie filling with cornstarch recipe at Spend With Pennies.

4) Apple Pie Filling with Lemon Juice and Vanilla Extract

Lemon juice and vanilla extract really brighten up apple pie filling. The lemon keeps the apples from browning and adds just the right tang.

Vanilla brings in a sweet, warm note that balances the tartness. Mix sliced apples with lemon juice and vanilla, then cook with brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch.

The filling thickens up and turns juicy, just how I like it. You end up with tender apples and a rich, fresh flavor.

Ingredients

• 6 cups sliced apples
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Cooking Instructions

1. Toss apples with lemon juice and vanilla extract in a large bowl.
2. Mix brown sugar, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon in another bowl.
3. Combine sugar mixture with apples and stir well.
4. Cook the mixture over medium heat for 10-15 minutes until thick and apples are tender.
5. Let cool before using in your pie.

For more details on this method, see the apple pie filling with lemon and vanilla extract recipe at The Qui Ingredient.

5) Warm Spiced Apple Pie Filling with Ground Cinnamon

Ground cinnamon makes this apple pie filling super cozy. It’s simple, classic, and just plain good.

Cook peeled and sliced apples with sugar, a splash of lemon juice, and cinnamon. The mixture thickens up nicely.

If you feel like it, toss in a pinch of nutmeg or apple pie spice for extra warmth. This filling cooks up fast and works for pies or as a dessert topping.

You can tweak the sweetness and spice to your liking.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups peeled and sliced apples
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Cooking Instructions:

1. In a pot, mix water and lemon juice.
2. Add sliced apples, sugar, and cinnamon.
3. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring often.
4. Mix cornstarch with a little cold water to make a slurry.
5. Stir cornstarch slurry into the pot, cook 2-3 minutes until thickened.
6. Remove from heat and let cool before using.

For a more detailed version, see this apple pie filling recipe with ground cinnamon.

6) Gooey Apple Pie Filling with Apple Juice and Sugar

Looking for a gooey apple pie filling? Apple juice and sugar get you there fast. The juice makes a smooth, sweet base.

Cornstarch is key here—it thickens things up and keeps the filling from being runny. Mix sugar and cornstarch in a bowl, then add apple juice or water. Stir until smooth.

Toss your sliced apples with cinnamon, then combine everything in a pot. Cook on medium heat until it thickens and the apples are soft but not mushy.

Shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes.

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3/4 cup apple juice
• 4 cups sliced apples
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix cornstarch and sugar in a bowl.
2. Stir in apple juice until smooth.
3. Toss apples with cinnamon.
4. Combine apple mixture and cornstarch mix in a pot.
5. Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes until thickened.
6. Let cool before using in your pie.

For more details, check this gooey apple pie filling method from Reddit’s cooking forum.

7) Double-Crust Apple Pie Filling with Heavy Cream

Want a richer apple pie filling? Heavy cream does the trick. It adds a smooth texture and a subtle creamy flavor.

Cook sliced apples with sugar, cinnamon, and a little flour to thicken things up. Stir in heavy cream right at the end to keep it creamy, not watery.

This filling is perfect for a classic double-crust pie. Keep the filling warm before putting it in your crust.

Cold butter in the crust makes it flaky and golden.

Ingredients

• 6 cups sliced tart apples
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsp butter

Cooking Instructions

1. In a pan, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Add apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook until apples soften.
3. Stir in heavy cream and warm through without boiling.
4. Let filling cool slightly before adding to pie crust.
5. Place top crust over filling and seal edges.
6. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 50-60 minutes until crust is golden.

8) Simple Apple Pie Filling Using Baking Apples

Baking apples like Granny Smith are a solid choice for pie filling. They hold their shape, so the filling won’t go mushy.

Peel, core, and slice your apples. Toss them in lemon juice to keep them from browning.

Most recipes use cinnamon, sometimes cloves, for that warm flavor. Brown sugar and granulated sugar add sweetness.

Butter makes the filling richer, and a bit of cornstarch thickens things up.

This filling is quick and easy if you want a homemade apple pie without fuss. Try it out with this apple pie filling recipe.

Ingredients

• 6 baking apples (Granny Smith recommended)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel, core, and slice the apples.

2. Toss the apple slices with lemon juice.

3. Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat.

4. Add apples, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and cloves. Stir everything together.

5. Cook for about 5 minutes. The apples should start to soften.

6. Mix cornstarch with a splash of water, then add it to the pan.

7. Cook until the mixture thickens—this usually takes around 2 minutes.

8. Let it cool before you fill your pie crust.

9) Canned Apple Pie Filling Copycat Recipe

You can whip up your own canned apple pie filling that tastes almost exactly like the store-bought stuff. It just takes sliced apples, sugar, cinnamon, and a splash of lemon juice.

The filling comes out sweet and warm—perfect for pies or crisps.

Once it’s cooked, stash the filling in jars.
You can keep them on your pantry shelf, so dessert is never far away.

Homemade means you get to tweak the sweetness and spice levels.
Maybe you’ll toss in some nutmeg or dial back the sugar—it’s totally up to you.

Ingredients

• 6 cups sliced apples (peeled, tart apples work well)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups water
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large pot, combine water, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and lemon juice.

2. Bring it to a boil, then add the apples.
   Cook for about 5 minutes, just until the apples feel tender.

3. Mix cornstarch with a bit of cold water to make a slurry.

4. Stir the slurry into the pot and cook until the filling thickens.

5. Take it off the heat and let it cool before canning or refrigerating.

You can use this filling right away, or can it for later.

For more on canning apple pie filling, check out Easy Homemade Canned Apple Pie Filling.

10) Apple Pie Filling for Tarts and Mini Pies

When you make apple pie filling for tarts or mini pies, you want the apple chunks soft but still holding their shape.
I like using smaller apples like Gala for this.

Chop the apples and mix them with sugar, a bit of flour or cornstarch to thicken, and some cozy spices—cinnamon, nutmeg, and maybe a dash of allspice.
This keeps the filling flavorful without turning it into a runny mess.

Gently heat the mixture on the stove until it thickens up.
This quick cooking step helps the apples soften just right for a tart or mini pie.

Ingredients

• 4 large apples, peeled and chopped
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch or flour
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Toss apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice together in a bowl.

2. Stir cornstarch and water in a separate cup until it looks smooth.

3. Pour that cornstarch-water mix right over your apples.

4. Cook everything on medium heat. Keep stirring until it thickens and starts bubbling—should take about 7 to 10 minutes.

5. Let it cool off before you fill your tarts or mini pies.

This filling comes together fast and gives your dessert a nice texture. Want to see the full process? Check out this apple pie tarts recipe.