Make a delicious apple pie with this easy stovetop apple pie filling! This recipe will ensure the apples are full of flavor, cooked until perfection, and hold their shape and flavor. Or simply enjoy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, either way, this apple pie filling tastes incredible.

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Why it's Yummy
Love Apple Recipes? Make These Next!
Ingredients
Instructions
Make ahead instructions
Tips
FAQs
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Why it's Yummy

Makes the best apple pie - You can definitely make an apple pie with just fresh apples, however to ensure that your pie has the best flavor, and there is no gap between filling and crust, we precook the apples in spices, sugar and butter first.
Easy and quick - it takes about 15 minutes for this recipe of cooked apples on the stove plus prep time which is almost nothing - just cut the apples and you are ready to go!
Homemade - simply the best and healthiest than any store bought options!

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Love Apple Recipes? Make These Next!

If you like cozy recipes with apples you should definitely try these next apple cobbler, fried apples, air fryer baked apples or simply type the word ''apple'' into the search bar.

Ingredients

What kind of apples make the best pie filling? - in case you need to make stovetop apple pie filling really fast with whatever you have in hand I’d say, go for it. Been there, done that! But it is even better if you have a combination or just one type of the following you should end up with guaranteed the best possible result: Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Gala or Pink Lady. These apples are crisp and hold up exceptionally well during cooking. I have been also recommended to use Jonagolds, Winesap, Braeburn for cooking/baking (especially apple piec and crumbles) but have never tried it yet myself. Let me know if you do use these and how it will turn out!
Cinnamon - the classic and hands down, the best option so far out there. And I do recommend a particular cinnamon that has a strong cinnamon taste, this one. These fried apples with cinnamon wouldn't be called this way afterall! If you’re not a fan or don’t have it, then possible a mix of pre-made apple pie spice mix, allspice, pumpkin pie spice or similar should work as well. A little bit of nutmeg instead of cinnamon wouldn't hurt either.
Butter - for more ‘’cleaner’’ flavor (if you can say that) use unsalted butter. For more intense experience, use salted butter, both will work here.
Spices - all spice, apple pie spice or pumpkin spice are easy choices here and will work great!

Instructions

Place the sliced apples into a large mixing bowl, drizzle with lemon juice.

In a large heavy bottom, pot combine water, sugar, cinnamon, all spice, nutmeg, salt.

Simmer over medium to low heat, constantly stirring.

Meanwhile, in a smaller bowl mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and pour into the pot.

Stir to combine until the mixture thickens.

Once thickened, lower the heat and add the apples, stir to coat, and simmer until apples are softened.

Add vanilla and melt the butter in the pot.

Remove from heat and let cool.

Use this easy apple pie filling in your favorite apple pie, cookies, dumplings, and so on. Enjoy!

Make ahead instructions

You can make ahead this easy apple pie filling by simmering the mixture a day or two before.

Same with apples, slice them ready a couple of days (2 days max), drizzle with lemon juice and place in a ziplock bag or cover them tightly with plastic wrap. (Frozen apple slices work great for this apple pie filling as well).

Lemon juice prevents major browning but not all of it. It is totally fine because after mixing and cooking the apples with the spices and sugar there shouldn't be any notice of browned apples.

The cooking process helps to eliminate this and they are as light and soft as they should be. Also, browned apples won't affect the taste anyway!

Tips

Don't overcook the apples - Apples cook rather quick and you'll know once they are fork tender, they are ready. Cutting them in equal uniform sizes helps all the apples to cook evenly.
Sugar - you can cut down the sugar amount and only use brown sugar without the white sugar, especially if using other apples that are sweeter than Granny Smith's.
Don’t overcrowd the skillet - this stovetop apple filling makes 4 cups of the filling and if you need extra, avoid overcrowding the skillet and cook in batches if needed.
Wash the apples - you may already know this, but most of the apples sold in stores and markets are sprayed with a layer of wax to prevent moisture loss and make the apples more appealing. This should be properly washed off by scrubbing each apple with some soap and sponge.

FAQs

How do I make my pie filling thicker?

To thicken the apple pie filling you'll need to make a cornstarch slurry by combining cornstarch and water and then pouring it into the simmering spices and sugar mix that you add apples later. As an alternative tapioca and potato cornstarch work well as well. You can also use all-purpose gluten-free flour here by slowly stirring it into the cooking apples. Do this in small batches to avoid creating multiple lumps in the filling.

Why do you peel apples when making apple pie filling?

There is no strict rule on whether you should or shouldn't peel apples for apple pie filling. In general, yes we peel because this way during baking, apples blend together perfectly and give the pie a delicately soft texture without chewy bits here and there. Peeled apple has indeed less nutritional value than an unpeeled apple, but it still retains its vitamins after baking. My advice if you are unsure which way to prefer, to avoid tough chewy skins, dice the apples instead of slicing them thin.

How far ahead can I peel apples for pie?

You can make the stovetop apple pie filling ahead of time by slicing the apples a day or two before.

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Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.

Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.

Stovetop Apple Pie Filling