|

10 Apple Pie Filling Recipes for Perfect Desserts Every Time

ByEmma

Nothing says comfort like a warm spiced apple pie filling oozing out of a flaky crust. Whether you’re baking a classic pie topping ice cream or making turnovers the right filling makes all the difference. Below we’ve compiled 10 foolproof apple pie filling recipes—each designed to deliver perfect sweetness texture and flavor every single time.

Contents

1. Classic Cinnamon-Spiced Apple Pie Filling

This timeless recipe balances tart and sweet with a hint of warm cinnamon.

Ingredients:

  • 6 cups thinly sliced apples (Granny Smith + Honeycrisp mix)
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice (to prevent browning)
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (for thickening)
  • 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for richness)

Instructions:

  1. Prep apples: Peel core and thinly slice apples. Toss with lemon juice.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl combine sugar flour cinnamon nutmeg and salt.
  3. Combine: Add apples to the mix and stir until evenly coated.
  4. Cook (optional): For a softer filling simmer in a saucepan for 5-7 minutes until slightly tender.
  5. Cool before use: Let sit for 10 minutes before filling the pie crust.

Pro Tip: For extra depth add 1 tsp vanilla extract or 1 tbsp bourbon after cooking.

2. Caramel Apple Pie Filling (Decadent & Gooey)

Take your pie to the next level with rich buttery caramel.

Ingredients:

  • 6 cups sliced apples
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 3 tbsp cornstarch (for extra thickness)
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ cup homemade or store-bought caramel sauce
  • 2 tbsp butter

Instructions:

  1. Coat apples: Mix apples with sugars cornstarch and cinnamon.
  2. Cook: Melt butter in a pan add apples and cook for 5 minutes.
  3. Add caramel: Stir in caramel sauce and simmer for 2 more minutes.
  4. Cool slightly before using in pie.

Pro Tip: Drizzle extra caramel on top of the crust before baking for a show-stopping finish.

3. Dutch Apple Pie Filling (With a Streusel Twist)

A crumbly buttery topping pairs perfectly with this spiced filling.

Ingredients:

  • 6 cups apples (Fuji or Braeburn work well)
  • ⅔ cup sugar
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp allspice
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions:

  1. Toss apples with lemon juice.
  2. Mix sugar flour and spices then combine with apples.
  3. Pour into pie crust and top with streusel (½ cup flour ½ cup brown sugar ¼ cup cold butter crumbled together).

4. Sugar-Free Apple Pie Filling (Keto-Friendly)

Enjoy guilt-free pie with this low-carb version.

Ingredients:

  • 6 cups apples (use firmer varieties like Granny Smith)
  • ½ cup erythritol or monk fruit sweetener
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp xanthan gum (for thickening)
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • ¼ cup water

Instructions:

  1. Cook apples with water and lemon juice until tender.
  2. Stir in sweetener cinnamon and xanthan gum. Simmer until thickened.

5. Spiced Rum Apple Pie Filling (Boozy & Bold)

A grown-up twist with a warm spiced kick.

Ingredients:

  • 6 cups apples
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp spiced rum
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg

Instructions:

  1. Cook apples with sugar and spices until softened.
  2. Off heat stir in rum and vanilla.

Pro Tip: Flambé the rum for a dramatic caramelized flavor!

6. Maple Bourbon Apple Pie Filling (Rich & Smoky)

Deep autumnal flavors shine here.

Ingredients:

  • 6 cups apples
  • ⅓ cup maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp bourbon
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • ½ tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

  1. Simmer apples with maple syrup and cinnamon.
  2. Mix cornstarch with bourbon then stir into apples. Cook until thickened.

7. Chunky Apple Pie Filling (Extra Texture)

For those who love big apple pieces.

Ingredients:

  • 6 cups thickly chopped apples
  • ⅔ cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp flour
  • 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

  1. Toss apples with dry ingredients.
  2. Bake directly in the pie—no pre-cooking needed!

8. Instant Pot Apple Pie Filling (Quick & Easy)

Perfect for last-minute desserts.

Ingredients:

  • 6 cups apples
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ cup water

Instructions:

  1. Add all ingredients to Instant Pot.
  2. Cook on Manual (High Pressure) for 3 minutes then quick release.

9. Apple Cranberry Pie Filling (Tart & Festive)

A holiday favorite!

Ingredients:

  • 5 cups apples
  • 1 cup cranberries
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp orange zest

Instructions:

  1. Cook apples and cranberries with sugar until cranberries burst.
  2. Stir in zest before filling the pie.

10. Canned Apple Pie Filling (For Long-Term Storage)

Preserve the taste of fall all year.

Ingredients:

  • 6 cups apples
  • 2 cups sugar
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 2½ cups water
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions:

  1. Boil sugar cornstarch cinnamon and water until thickened.
  2. Add apples and lemon juice then pack into sterilized jars.

Final Pro Tips for the Best Apple Pie Filling

  • Use a mix of apples (tart + sweet) for balanced flavor.
  • Pre-cook filling if you dislike a “gap” under the crust.
  • Add a pinch of salt to enhance sweetness.

More Recipes