Homemade Apple Pie Filling With Brown Sugar Recipe

This apple pie filling recipe can be used in so many recipes like apple tarts, apple pie, apple strudel, apple turnovers and topping for cinnamon waffles. Making a big batch of this filling will save you a lot of time when making other dishes.

Also, homemade apple pie filling just tastes better than canned. It’s fresh and you can add variations to it as well. The recipe I’m sharing is beginner friendly and chef approved.

• Budget Friendly: To make this apple filling, you don’t need any fancy ingredients. The list is short and simple. Everything you need is already lying around in your kitchen. Apples are the main ingredient in this recipe and in fall season they’re in abundance.
• Fruity and Woody Aroma: This apple pie filling with brown sugar is made with fresh apples, so it smells better than the canned one. The cinnamon in the filling gives a nutty, warm, and woody aroma to this filling.
• Great Flavor: Not only does it smell like Autumn magic, it tastes good too. The apples are cooked to a tender perfection, which brings out the tartness of the apples. Sweet and tart, along with the cinnamony taste, this homemade apple pie filling has a delicious flavor.
• Minimal Ingredients: The best thing about this filling is that it does not require too many spices or essences. All the taste is derived from apples and a few simple ingredients. Apple spice is the main ingredient besides apples in this apple pie filling recipe.

The ingredients you need for making this recipe:

• Apples: You can use Granny Smith apples or Honeycrisp apples. Both are perfect for this recipe. Peel and core the apples once they’re washed. Dice them in the same size.
• Unsalted Butter: You can use either dairy butter or plant-based butter. However, make sure you use unsalted butter at room temperature .
• Light Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar works best for this apple pie filling recipe. You’ll get a golden color. You can use other alternatives like coconut sugar if you like.
• Ground Cinnamon: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon to your apples when cooking them.
• Apple Pie Spice: For this homemade filling, use apple pie spice.
• Water: Add 2 tablespoons of water to the apples so that they get tender.
• Lemon juice: Lemon juice balances out the sweetness of the apple. It adds a citrusy punch and helps bring out the tartness.
• Cornstarch and Water: You’ll need cornstarch to make a slurry that will help your homemade apple pie filling thicken up and stick together.

See recipe card for quantities.

In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add the diced apples and cook it for a minute.

Add brown sugar, cinnamon, apple pie spice, water and lemon juice. Cook for 5–7 minutes until the apples soften.

Stir in cornstarch slurry (cornstarch + water) and cook for another 1–2 minutes until slightly thickened.

Remove from heat and let the cinnamon apple pie filling cool.

Hint: Use tart apples for the pie filling, they add a bright, balanced flavor to apple desserts.

Although this apple pie filling with brown sugar recipe is delicious and complete in itself, you can make a few tweaks here and there. You can add some extra ingredients like nuts, other fruits, or seeds. I’ll share a few variations below.

• Apple Pecan Filling: Apples and nuts are a good combination. You can add them to your apple pie filling after toasting them. Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake the nuts for 10 minutes. Chop them and add to your homemade apple pie filling.
• Apple Walnut Pie Filling: Instead of pecans, you can choose walnuts. They have sweet, buttery flavor that enhances the apple flavor. Toast them in a preheated oven at 350°F for ten minutes. Chop them and add to your filling.
• Apple Pumpkin Seeds Filling: You can add roasted pumpkin seeds (or any other seeds you like) once your filling is ready. Just mix the seeds into your filling and you’re good to go.

Cutting board and sharp knife: For peeling, coring, and chopping the apples.

Vegetable peeler: Makes peeling apples quick and easy.

Large saucepan: To cook the apple filling on the stovetop.

Wooden spoon or silicone spatula: For stirring the filling as it cooks.

Measuring cups and spoons: For accuracy with your sugar, spices, and liquids.

Our apple pie filling recipe is best for stuffing. You can make so many things out of this one simple yet delicious filling. It can also be used as a topping.

As a topping: You can pour a spoonful of this filling over your ice cream or layered in between cake or Blackberry Oatmeal Muffins for a fruity twist.

Pancakes: Just pour some apple pie filling over your pancakes instead of the same old bananas. You’ll love it.

Cookies: If you’ve tried something with your cookies, try taking a bite of oatmeal cookies with apple pie filling.

Waffles: You can use it as topping for apple cinnamon waffles or pumpkin pecan waffles.

Yogurt Bowl: A bowl of yogurt and granola tastes much better with apple filling. Try adding it to your chia seed pudding.

Overnight Oats: Top up your overnight oats with this sweet-tart-woody filling. Stir it into your favorite Oatmeal Mug Cake for extra fall flavor.

This apple pie filling can be used when fresh (and cool), however, if you want to store it for later that can also be done.

Storage Tips: Let the filling cool down on the counter. It can be stored in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. Put it in an airtight jar or freezer bag and freeze for up to a month.

Reheating Tips: Thaw the frozen filling in the fridge overnight and use the next day.

• Use the right apples. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Gala, and Pink Lady are the best apple types for this recipe.
• Don’t use overripe apples because they lose some of their tartness.
• Dice the apples evenly for even tenderness.
• Don’t add too much sugar because apples are already sweet.
• Cook on medium heat and keep stirring so that nothing sticks to the pan.
• Don’t omit the cornstarch or else your filling will not thicken up.

Mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry. Add it to the pan after the apples have softened. Stir for 1-2 minutes and remove from heat.

The best apples for an apple pie filling recipe are Granny Smith, Gala, Honeycrisp, and Pink Lady apples.

Using the wrong type of apples can cause the filling to be liquidy. They release excess water.

Overripe apples cause the filling to be mushy because they lose water too quickly don’t hold their shape.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Halloween Rice Krispie Treats (Easy Homemade Treat)

Pumpkin Hand Pies with pumpkin cream cheese filling

Puff pastry apple turnovers with apple pie filling

Pumpkin Pecan Waffles (Homemade waffle recipe)

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this apple pie filling with brown sugar recipe:

Apple Cinnamon Waffles (Easy Homemade Waffle Recipe)

BROCCOLETTI Recipe (sautéed broccolini with garlic)

Blackberry Oatmeal Cookies recipe with fresh berries

Roasted Mini Peppers with Balsamic and Garlic (Oven-Baked)

If you tried this Apple Pie Filling with Brown Sugar recipe or any other recipe from my blog, I’d love to hear your thoughts! ⭐ Please leave a STAR rating and share your experience in the COMMENTS below. Your support means so much and helps me continue creating delicious recipes. Thank you for being part of this journey!