Homemade Apple Pie Filling Recipe | How to make Apple Pie Filling (Stove Top and Instant Pot)
Learn how to make sweet, juicy tart Apple Pie filling from scratch for delicious pie, serving with ice cream, pancakes and more.
About Homemade Apple Pie Filling
The best Apple Pie Filling made at home is so easy quick and a keeper recipe and is so much better than the store bought canned fillings.
A batch of Apple Pie Filling made with fresh apples in Instant Pot or Stove Top is so good to add in your pies, have it for breakfast with oatmeal/porridge, hand pies, danishes and the list goes on. Kids love it with ice cream or with their favourite pancakes.
My pie filling recipe is flavored with cinnamon and nutmeg and dry ginger powder mix, tastes Fall in every bite.
Use this filling to make everyone's favorite APPLE PIE FOR THANKSGIVING or any special occasion.
Tips to make Perfect Apple Pie Filling
Yes, if you want a perfect saucy non watery filling for your pies and other desserts follow these simple tips and pointers. I learned all these in my Baking Diploma Course.
- Select the right Apples- Not every kind of apple can be used in making the pie filling. Choose crisp and tart apples. Too sweet apples like Apple Pink result in too sweet or like Apple Fuji result in watery filling.
- Also avoid overripe apples as these turn mushy and watery and lead to soggy pie crust.
- Do not overdo the spices. Apple Pie should taste of Apples and with hint of spices. Cinnamon and nutmeg are must add on in pie recipe but pie should not be tasting like either of these spices.
- Thinly cut the apples slices. Very thick slices result in more air pockets for the steam to escape which can make the crust more soggy.
- Add the slurry while making
Ingredients to make Apple Pie Filling Recipe
Apples- Choosing the correct variety of apples is the key. I like to use a combination of Green Apples/ Granny Smith and Washington or a mix of tart and sweet apples.
I love to make it Green apples or Granny Smith Apples. I also like to add green apples in various salads.
Checkout this healthy and nutritious Sprouted Fenugreek/Methi Sprouts Salad with sprouted Fenugreek Seeds and green apples.
Sugar- I like to use brown sugar or jaggery powder. It contains molasses which makes the filling taste more delicious. You can also use other organic sugar like raw cane sugar, coconut sugar, Desi Khand (available in India).
Spices/Flavors- Cinnamon, Nutmeg are traditionally used . Play around with the flavors, try ginger powder or cloves powder in combination with the basic spices. I also like to add vanilla which also goes perfectly with apples.
Butter- Adds to the richness of the sauce. You can use olive oil for the vegan recipe.
Thickening Agent- Use cornstarch (corn flour known in India) or any other gluten-free flour like tapioca, arrowroot or rice flour.
Instant Pot Method to make Apple Pie Filling
- It is an dump all and cook kind of recipe. Cooking time for Apple Pie Filling in Instant Pot is 1 min for the crisp apples with a bite.
- Since (we all know-regular IP users) it takes about 10 mins for IP to come to full pressure and then 3-4 mins. of QPR. So in all Cooking in IP takes about 20 mins, which makes this delicious Apple Pie filling Under 30 mins cooking time.
- Make slurry with cornstarch. Mix with flour in 1/4 Cup water.
- Start with Sauté mode, melt butter then add all the rest of the ingredients.
- Pressure cook for 1 mins. and the quickly release the pressure manually.
- If the sauce is more watery, switch on the Saute mode and cook for 1-2 mins, or till it starts to thicken.
Checkout more Instant Pot recipes HERE
How to make Apple Pie Filling on Stove Top
To make in a pan on stove top, take a thick bottomed pan. Add butter let it melt .
Transfer chopped apples to pan and then sugar, spice(cinnamon powder). Mix nicely.
Cook till apples are half cooked. Check with fork, it should be easily inserted in apple cubes. Apples should not be too mushy also.
Cool it and store in clean bottles or jar with airtight lid.
Storing
Apple Pie Filling can be refrigerated for about 2-3 weeks in an container or mason jar.
IF you have lot of apples after your apple picking event of apple then you can make a big batch of Apple Pie filling and freeze it in portions in freezer friendly zip lock bags/containers.
Thaw the filling and use as and when required.
Serving Suggestions
Use your homemade apple pie filling for making pies, or serving it on top of pancakes. You can also serve it with your oatmeal or simply serve warm apple pie with icecream,my kids' favourite way to have it!!
More delicious Apple recipes from my blog
Recipe Card
Apple Pie Filling (Instant Pot and Stove Top)
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- Pan for Stove top method
- Peeler
- Knife
- Measuring Spoons and Cups
- Chopping Board
Ingredients
- 4 Apples(medium) use any crisp and tart variety
- ½ Cup Brown Sugar
- 2 tbsp Butter
- ¼ Cup Water
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- ½ tsp Cinnamon Powder
- ½ tsp Ginger Powder
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch
- 2 tbsp Water
Instructions
- Wash nicely, peel and core the apples.4 Apples(medium)
- Cut apples into half and then into wedges or slices or chop it small cubes.
- Make flour/cornstarch slurry. Mix water and cornstarch. Make sure no lumps are formed.1 tbsp Cornstarch, 2 tbsp Water
How to make Apple Pie filling in Instant Pot
- Switch on the Instant Pot. Set the SAUTE Mode on for 5 mins.
- Add and melt butter. Add apples, lemon juice, sugar, spice powders.½ Cup Brown Sugar, 2 tbsp Butter, ¼ Cup Water, 1 tbsp Lemon Juice, ½ tsp Cinnamon Powder, ½ tsp Ginger Powder
- Add cornstarch slurry, mix well.
- Cancel the SAUTE Mode. Cover and seal the lid.
- Set the PRESSURE COOK MODE ON. Set the timer for 1 min.
- Once the timer is over, do the Quick Pressure Release(QRP).
- Open the lid and check the apples. If the filling is watery, cook on Sauté Mode for another 2-3 mins or as required.
How to make Apple Pie Filling on Stove-top
- Take a heavy bottomed pan. Keep the flame of stove top to low.
- Add butter, then all the other ingredients. Also add the slurry.4 Apples(medium), ½ Cup Brown Sugar, 2 tbsp Butter, ¼ Cup Water, 1 tbsp Lemon Juice, ½ tsp Cinnamon Powder, ½ tsp Ginger Powder
- Mix well, cover the pan and cook for 10-15 mins on low flame. Keep on stirring at regular intervals, so that it doesn't burn at the bottom.
- Check apples and then switch of the flame.
Storing the Apple Pie filling
- Let the filling cool down completely.
- Transfer to clean and dry mason jars or air tight containers and refrigerate.
- Stays good for 2-3 weeks.
Notes
- Select the right Apples- Not every kind of apple can be used in making the pie filling. Choose crisp and tart apples. Too sweet apples like Apple Pink result in too sweet or like Apple Fuji result in watery filling.
- Cut slices in equal slices to ensure even cooking. You can cut it in wedges or small cubes.
- Thinly cut the apples slices. Very thick slices result in more air pockets for the steam to escape which can make the crust more soggy.
- Also avoid overripe apples as these turn mushy and watery and lead to soggy pie crust.
- Do not overdo the spices. Apple Pie should taste of Apples and with hint of spices. Cinnamon and nutmeg are must add on in pie recipe but pie should not be tasting like either of these spices.
- Add the slurry while making the pie filling.
Do make this Apple Pie filling make delicious yummy apple treat like pies, galettes or pie crumbles. Whenever you try these do share your feedback with me and in comments section get in touch if you have any queries.
Also, whenever you try the recipe, I will love to hear/share your feedback or any queries in the comment section below. I will try to answer your queries as soon as possible.
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Swati
Sujata Roy
Apple pie filling looks yummy Swaty. Loved your well explained recipe. I would love to try it soon.
kalyani
so yummmm ! I love the tips u have given regarding even slicing of the apples for a pie. my little one has been asking for a hand pie like forever, now I know where to go for the filling recipe !