This delicious homemade apple pie filling is good no matter how you choose to enjoy it. Whether you bake it into an apple pie, eat it on oatmeal, or serve it warm with ice cream, you can’t go wrong!
Jump to Recipe![homemade apple pie filling in a bowl with whipped cream](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/how-to-make-homemade-apple-pie-filling-featured-image.png)
Apple pie filling is one of my favorite desserts. Especially if there is a little whipped cream or ice cream involved.
The filling of a pie is the best part, in my opinion. (Unless there is a crumble crust, then the filling doesn’t have to be there:).
Want to sound a little more fancy while eating plain ol’ pie filling?
Call it “Crustless Apple Pie”.
No one will question you, no one will think you are just eating the filling before you get a chance to make it into a pie. No one will think you are just too lazy to make it into pie.
If they do, oh well!
There are plenty of ways to eat this homemade apple pie filling.
Try it with your morning oatmeal or yogurt. Make it into a pie, crisp, or cobbler. But however you eat it, you may have to ration yourself, or maybe that’s just me…
This post contains affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure here.
![homemade apple pie filling in a bowl](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/How-to-Make-Homemade-Apple-Pie-Filling-13-1024x768.jpg)
The Ingredients
Apples You can use any variety of apples that you have. Use one variety or mix and match for more flavor diversity. Some of the more popular apples for baking and pie filling are: Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Jonathan, Braeburn or Cortland.
Liquid To get more of a sauce in this pie filling, you will add a liquid. This will help the filling not to be solid apples. Use apple cider, apple juice or water. The apple cider will definitely produce the most flavor but if you don’t have any, use either juice or water.
Lemon juice Using lemon juice will help give more depth of flavor. It will help break up the sweetness of the apples and sugar.
Brown sugar This gives the pie filling a more caramelly flavor. If you want a more healthy version of this, you can add less sugar or or omit altogether, but it will definitely taste different.
Cinnamon You can’t have apple pie filling without cinnamon!
Cloves Another classic apple pie spice.
Arrowroot powder This will help thicken the pie filling. It will help to keep the filling from running all over the place. If you do not have arrowroot powder, you can sub in cornstarch.
![apple pie filling in a bowl with whipped cream on top](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/How-to-Make-Homemade-Apple-Pie-Filling-19-768x1024.jpg)
How to make homemade apple pie filling
Start by washing three pounds of apples (this is around 7-9 medium-large apples).
Next peel and core the apples.
![peeled apples in a bowl](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/How-to-Make-Homemade-Apple-Pie-Filling-4-1024x768.jpg)
![quartered apples getting cored](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/How-to-Make-Homemade-Apple-Pie-Filling-5-1024x768.jpg)
Slice the apple into 1/4 inch slices and add them to a cooking pot.
![sliced apples in a pot on the stove](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/How-to-Make-Homemade-Apple-Pie-Filling-7-1024x768.jpg)
Add 3/4 cup of liquid (either apple cider, apple juice or water) to the apples.
Then add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1/8 teaspoon of ground cloves.
![apples in a pot with spices and sugar](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/How-to-Make-Homemade-Apple-Pie-Filling-8-1024x768.jpg)
Mix all these in the pot to combine and turn the stove burner onto medium heat.
Cook the apples until they are soft but not mushy, about 10-15 minutes, making sure to stir them every few minutes.
In a small bowl add 2 tablespoons of arrowroot powder and 2 tablespoons of liquid (either apple cider, apple juice, or water). Whisk together and add to the cooked apples.
![mixing the arrowroot powder and water together](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/How-to-Make-Homemade-Apple-Pie-Filling-9-1024x768.jpg)
![adding the thickener to the apples](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/How-to-Make-Homemade-Apple-Pie-Filling-10-1024x768.jpg)
Stir all the contents of the pot together and continue cooking for about 1 more minute, or until it is thickened.
![stirring the thickened apple pie filling](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/How-to-Make-Homemade-Apple-Pie-Filling-11-1024x768.jpg)
Pull off the heat and serve warm or make into your favorite apple treat!
![apple pie filling in a bowl beside cinnamon and an apple](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/How-to-Make-Homemade-Apple-Pie-Filling-12-768x1024.jpg)
How to eat apple pie filling
Here are just a few ideas on how to use your homemade apple pie filling:
- Eat it plain
- Top cottage cheese
- Eat it with whipped cream
- Top oatmeal
- Add to a yogurt parfait
- Make it into apple crisp
- Eat it with ice cream
- Make it into apple pie
- Apple pie cinnamon rolls
- Top cheesecake
- Apple pie muffins or cupcakes
![homemade apple pie filling with whipped cream on a fork](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/How-to-Make-Homemade-Apple-Pie-Filling-25-768x1024.jpg)
Notes and substitutions
This recipe calls for just over 3/4 cup of liquid. For the best flavor, you will want to use apple cider or apple juice. If you do not have either of these, however, you can just use water.
If you do not have arrowroot powder, you can substitute in cornstarch with a 1:1 ratio.
Ran out of cinnamon or cloves? You can either leave these out or add in a little allspice or nutmeg. The flavor will be different, of course.
![homemade apple pie filling in a bowl with whipped cream](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/how-to-make-homemade-apple-pie-filling-featured-image-360x361.png)
Apple Pie Filling
Ingredients
- 3 lbs apples (7-9)
- 3/4 cup liquid (apple cider, apple juice or water)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp cloves
- 2 tbsp arrowroot powder or cornstarch
- 2 tbsp liquid apple cider, apple juice or water
Instructions
- Wash and peel the apples.
- Cut the apples into 1/4 inch slices.
- Add the apples to a medium sized pot.
- Then add 3/4 cups of liquid (apple cider, juice or water), lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cloves.
- Mix all together to combine.
- Cook the apple on medium heat for 10-15 minutes until soft but not mushy.
- To a small bowl add arrowroot powder and 2 tbsp liquid (apple cider, juice or water). Whisk together until all the clumps are dissolved. Pour into the pot of apples.
- Stir the apples to combine. Continue cooking and stirring for about 1 minute, or until the apples thicken.
- Take off the heat and serve or make into any of your favorite apple treats!
Notes
pin it for later
![homemade apple pie filling pin image](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Homemade-Apple-Pie-Filling-3-683x1024.png)
shop this post
Other posts you may enjoy
Have you tried making this homemade pie filling?
What do you think of it? What was your favorite way of eating it? Let us know in the comment sections!
Leave a Reply