Apple Pie Filling Recipe

Name: Apple Pie Filling Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 7 min
Total time: 52 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons butter; 6 Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored and sliced); 1 cup granulated sugar (divided); 3 tablespoons lemon juice; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

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By Katie Cooksey

October 8, 2026

Ingredient Notes

A few simple ingredients come together to make this apple pie filling rich, sweet, and full of classic apple pie flavor.

Butter: Adds richness and a smooth, buttery texture.
Granny Smith apples: Their tart flavor and firm texture hold up well as the apples cook.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the apples and helps create the syrupy filling.
Lemon juice: Brightens the flavor and balances the sweetness.
Ground cinnamon: Adds classic warm apple pie flavor.
All-purpose flour: Thickens the apple juices so the filling is nice and spoonable.

ingredients for apple pie filling recipe including apples, lemon juice, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, butter and, ground cinnamon

Making apple pie filling is simple and comes together quickly. The full recipe with exact measurements is in the recipe card below. Here’s how to make it:

Step 1: Melt the Butter

Melt the butter in a large, deep skillet or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.

Butter melting in a cream-colored skillet with a wooden handle

Step 2: Cook the Apples

Add the sliced apples, 1/2 cup of the sugar, and lemon juice. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender but still have some bite.

Peeled and sliced apples in a cream-colored skillet, with bowls of sugar and lemon juice alongside.

Peeled and sliced apples sprinkled with granulated sugar in a cream-colored skillet.

Pro Tip: Don’t cook the apples until they’re completely soft. They’ll continue cooking when the pie bakes, so keeping them a little firm now gives you better texture later.

Step 3: Drain and Cool

Pour the cooked apples into a strainer and let the excess liquid drain. Set the apples aside to cool for about 30 minutes.

Cooked apple slices draining in a fine-mesh strainer over a metal bowl.

Cooked apple slices in a wooden bowl with cinnamon, flour, and sugar in small bowls above.

Make-Ahead Tip: Once cooled, cover the filling and refrigerate it until you’re ready to use.

Step 4: Add the Cinnamon Mixture

In a small bowl, stir together the remaining sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Add it to the cooled apples and gently toss to coat evenly.

Cooked apple slices topped with flour, cinnamon, and sugar in a wooden mixing bowl.

Cooked apple slices mixed with cinnamon, sugar, and flour in a wooden bowl, forming a thick apple pie filling.

Step 5: Fill Your Pie

The filling is ready for a 9-inch apple pie. You can also use it in your favorite apple dessert recipe.

tender apple slices coated in a glossy cinnamon sauce.

Homemade Apple Pie with a golden, flaky crust and cinnamon-spiced apple filling, served on a pie server.

Tips for Success

Use a wide skillet: More surface area gives the apples room to cook instead of steaming, which helps control how much moisture ends up in the filling.
Stir gently: Apples can bruise and break apart easily as they soften. A gentle toss keeps the slices looking nice for the pie.
Let the liquid fully drain: Don’t rush this part. A few extra minutes in the strainer can make a big difference in keeping the filling from turning watery.
Cool the apples before coating: Warm apples can melt the butter mixture and make the flour cling unevenly. Letting them cool gives you a more consistent filling.
Taste before using: Apple sweetness can vary widely. If your apples are especially tart, you’ll notice it more once they’re cooked, so give the filling a quick taste before adding it to your dessert.

cinnamon-spiced apple slices on a fork, with a golden lattice pie in the background.

Apple Pie Filling with cinnamon-coated apple slices in a glass jar surrounded by fresh green apples and cinnamon sticks.

What to Make With Apple Pie Filling

There are plenty of easy ways to use apple pie filling beyond a classic pie. Here are a few good ones to try.

Apple Pie: A classic apple pie with a flaky, buttery crust and warm cinnamon-spiced apples.
Apple Turnover: Wrap the filling in puff pastry for golden, flaky turnovers with a simple sweet glaze.
Apple Danish: Spoon the filling into crescent dough with cream cheese for an easy pastry that works for breakfast or dessert.
Apple Dumplings: Wrap the apples in crescent dough and bake them in a buttery caramel sauce for a simple dessert.
Caramel Apple Crumble: Use the filling under a buttery crumble topping for an easy dessert.

Homemade Apple Pie Filling with tender cinnamon-coated apples in a glass jar and a spoonful lifted above.

Apple Pie Filling with tender cinnamon-spiced slices in a white bowl beside a golden lattice pie.

Apple Pie Filling with cinnamon-coated apples in a glass jar beside fresh green apples and cinnamon sticks.

Once you have this apple pie filling ready, assembling dessert is much easier. I hope you find a favorite way to use it, from a classic apple pie to your next apple dessert. Enjoy!

Apple Pie Filling Recipe

Katie Cooksey

This homemade Apple Pie Filling Recipe is made with tender Granny Smith apples, butter, cinnamon, sugar, and a splash of lemon juice. Cooking the apples first creates a perfectly thick, flavorful filling that’s ready for your favorite pie crust or other apple desserts.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 7

Additional/Cooling Time 30

Total Time 52

Course Desserts

Cuisine American

Servings 9 inch pie

Calories 1672 kcal

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
6 Granny Smith apples peeled, cored and sliced
1 cup granulated sugar divided
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Instructions

Melt the butter in a large, deep skillet or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.
Add the sliced apples, 1/2 cup sugar, and lemon juice. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are almost tender but still hold their shape.
Transfer the apples to a strainer and drain off the excess liquid. Let cool for about 30 minutes.
Combine the remaining 1/2 cup sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Add the mixture to the cooked apples and toss until the apples are evenly coated.
Use immediately to fill a 9-inch apple pie or use as directed in your favorite apple dessert recipe.

Notes

Granny Smith apples work especially well because they hold their shape during cooking and their tart flavor balances the sweetness of the filling. Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady apples can also work.

Nutrition

Calories: 1672kcalCarbohydrates: 380gProtein: 7gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 194mgPotassium: 1276mgFiber: 29gSugar: 314gVitamin A: 1304IUVitamin C: 68mgCalcium: 122mgIron: 3mg

Keyword Apple Pie, apple pie filling

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Variations

Want to switch things up? Try one of these simple changes for a slightly different flavor.

Use a mix of apples: Combine Granny Smith with a sweeter apple, like Honeycrisp or Gala, for a nice balance of tart and sweet.
Add extra spice: Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice along with the cinnamon for a warmer flavor.
Use brown sugar: Replace some granulated sugar with brown sugar for deeper, richer sweetness.
Add vanilla: Stir in a splash of vanilla after the apples cool for extra flavor.

More Apple Recipes to Try

Storing Apple Pie Filling

Let the apple pie filling cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Drain any excess liquid before using if needed.

Freezing isn’t recommended, as the apples may soften and become watery when thawed.

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tag me @laurens_latest.

Apple Pie Filling Recipe