Homemade Apple Pie Filling (Two Easy Ways: Stovetop & Crock Pot)
Make cozy homemade apple pie filling two easy ways: on the stovetop or in your crockpot! Sweetened with maple syrup and warm spices, this simple recipe is perfect for pies, crisps, or spooning over ice cream.
Ingredients
- peeled and sliced apples about 8-10 medium apples
- ½ cup pure maple syrup If you don't have maple syrup on hand, you can substitute it with honey for a similarly rich sweetness or use regular sugar for a more traditional sweetness profile.
- ¼ cup brown sugar optional for extra richness
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon cloves optional
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch or ¼ cup flour for thickening
Instructions
How to Make Stovetop Apple Pie Filling Step-by-Step
- Total Time: Approximately 25-30 minutes, including preparation and cooking.
- Prep the apples: Peel, core, and slice your apples about ¼ inch thick.
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a large saucepan, whisk together cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and cloves.
- Add liquids: Stir in water, maple syrup, brown sugar (if using), and lemon juice.
- Cook until thickened: Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until the mixture starts to thicken and bubble.
- Add apples: Stir in the sliced apples and cook for 8–10 minutes, or until the apples are tender but not mushy. Look for a texture where a fork meets slight resistance, indicating the apples are cooked to perfection without losing their shape.
- For softer, more tender apples, extend the cooking time by a few minutes until they reach your desired texture. For those who prefer firmer apples, reduce the cooking time slightly.
- Please note: Let the apple pie filling cool completely before using it in any desserts. If you're planning to use it in a pie, ensure the filling is fully cooled before adding it to a pie shell. This step is crucial to prevent soggy crusts and achieve the best baking results. Once cooled, you can transfer the filling to jars or containers for storage.
How to Make Crockpot Apple Pie Filling Step-by-Step
- Total Time: Approximately 3-4 hours, including preparation and cooking.
- Prep the apples: Peel, core, and slice the apples evenly (about ¼ inch thick). Place them into your crock pot.
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the apples.
- Add the wet ingredients: Pour in the maple syrup, brown sugar (if using), lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Stir gently to coat the apples evenly.
- Slow cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours, stirring once or twice, until the apples are tender but not mushy. With just 5 minutes of active work, you can enjoy a hands-off cooking experience, letting the crockpot work its magic while you go about your day.
- Thicken the filling: If the filling seems too thin near the end, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and stir it into the crockpot. Continue cooking uncovered for an additional 15–20 minutes, or until the sauce has reached the desired consistency.
- Finish and cool: Stir in butter (optional) for a silky finish. Let the filling cool completely before using in your favorite pie, crisp, or dessert recipe.
Notes
Please note: When choosing a thickener for cornstarch or flour, consider how each one will affect your apple pie filling. Cornstarch offers a glossy, clear texture and tends to set up more firmly, making it ideal for fillings that hold their shape well.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
Mix apple varieties for the best flavor: Using a blend of sweet and tart apples, like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Fuji, gives your filling a perfect balance of flavor and texture. It’s the secret to that classic, old-fashioned apple pie taste. Don’t overcook your apples: Whether you’re making it on the stovetop or in your crock pot, cook just until the apples are tender but still hold their shape. Overcooking can make the filling too soft, especially if you plan to bake it later in a pie. Adjust sweetness to taste: Apples vary in sweetness depending on the variety and season. Start with a little less maple syrup or sugar, then taste and adjust as it cooks. It’s easier to add more sweetness than to fix an overly sugary filling!Make-Ahead Tip
Make-ahead pies: Fill your pie shell and freeze the whole pie (unbaked). Bake straight from frozen, adding 15–20 minutes to your baking time. Having homemade apple pie filling ready in the freezer means you can enjoy a taste of fall any time of year.Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 155kcalCarbohydrates: 40gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 45mgPotassium: 210mgFiber: 3gSugar: 31gCalcium: 25mgIron: 0.2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!