Last Updated October 8th, 2018 at 01:56 pm by Lisa

This make-ahead apple pie filling will keep your pie crust well baked (not soggy) for holiday baking. Use it to make the BEST apple pie!

I love apple pie and always have. In 1998 I remember baking my first homemade apple pie in my kitchen near the beach, and over the years I have learned a thing or two about what I like in a good apple pie. Lots of experimentation over the years!

My homemade apple pie requirements: homemade crust (almost always), good thick delicious homemade apple pie filling, and a simple crumble topping. That to me is apple pie perfection.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Apple Pie Filling!

Is there any dessert more American than homemade apple pie?

As much as we love our apple pie, most people might not make it at home. Once you know the secret I am about to share with you, you will bake them again and again. We all know people go crazy over homemade pies, and they will love yours!

The one challenge of fruit pies is the filling can ruin the crust. Apple pies baked with an uncooked filling release the juice (from the apples) into your pie crust. And that is why the pie crust never bakes, and the crust gets soggy!

Yuck, and no one wants a soggy crust (this is for you Angeli and other readers who have asked)!  By pre-cooking the apple pie filling like I am going to show you in this post, the cornstarch and juice from the apples combine to make a thicker pie filling that bakes well in the pie crust.

How to Make Apple Pie Filling:

Are you ready to make the most delicious apple pie filling you’ve ever tasted? (And yes, you can freeze it for later… I’ll tell you how to do that soon!)

Apple Pie Filling Recipe Ingredients:

• 6 large Granny Smith apples (6 lb.) cored and cut into medium 1/2″ size pieces (my favorite apples for homemade apple pie filling!)
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
• 4 1/2 cups sugar
• 6 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 4 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 4 cups water

Apple Pie Filling Recipe Instructions:

Step 1: In a large pot, add lemon juice, sugar, cornstarch, kosher salt, cinnamon, and ground nutmeg to a boil.

Step 2: Boil 2 minutes and keep stirring (don’t walk away) then add apples.

Step 3: Cover, medium simmer 10-12 minutes.

Step 4: Turn off heat, cover, and cool for 30-45 minutes. It will get really thick.

Can You Make Apple Pie Filling and Freeze It?

Yes, you can! Of course, you can use your fresh, homemade apple pie filling right away. But if you want to freeze it, it’s so easy to do. Put pie portions in zip-top bags, date and freeze. This is a freezer recipe for pies, hand-pies, tarts, and crumbles.

Can You Freeze Apple Pie?

According to Pillsbury, the best way to freeze apple pie is to freeze an unbaked, pre-assembled pie. They state to freeze the unbaked pie for up to two months and to bake it unthawed in the oven.

The problem with this method is you will still end up with a soggier crust than if you use this pre-made apple pie filling recipe. I would suggest making homemade apple pie filling and freezing it separate from your pie crusts so you can bake your crust and add this filling later. That will give you a crust that isn’t soggy at all!

Now, if you want to freeze apple pie that you’ve already baked, do the following:

• Make sure your pie is completely cooled off!
• Wrap the pie tightly with plastic wrap.
• Place your wrapped apple pie in a freezer-safe storage bag, making sure you’ve removed all excess air.
• Freeze the pie for up to two months.

How Far in Advance Can I Make an Apple Pie?

Apple pie stays fresh for quite a long time after baking! A freshly baked pie can stay fresh for up to five days: up to two days on the counter, or up to five days in the fridge. Make sure to loosely cover it with plastic wrap to keep it fresh as long as possible.

If you want to make it much earlier than five days before your event, see my section above on freezing an apple pie that has already been baked.

What are the Best Apples for Apple Pie?

I personally love the tart crunch of Granny Smith apples, the “gold standard” for apple pies. Other apple varieties that are good for apple pie:

• Honeycrisp
• Braeburn
• Jonagold

Can You Make Apple Pie Filling without Cornstarch?

My pre-cooked apple pie filling recipe calls for 6 tablespoons cornstarch and I wouldn’t make it without it. The cornstarch helps thicken the homemade apple pie filling, and you can’t go without a thickener (if you want a good apple pie, that is!). If you’ve run out of cornstarch, you can use a substitution like arrowroot, tapioca powder, or even flour in a pinch.

More Apple Recipes

Use this Make-Ahead Apple Pie Filling in French Crumble Mini Apple Pies with a Foolproof Pie Crust recipe!

For more apple recipes, try my Light-Healthy Apple Broccoli Grape Salad, Baked Caramel Apple Crisp Dessert, Easy Roast Chicken Apple Salad + Yogurt Blue Cheese Dressing, and Fireball Cinnamon Apple Cider Fall Cocktail.

Happy Baking and Eating!

All The Best Dishes,

Lisa

XO

5 from 1 vote

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Make-Ahead Apple Pie Filling

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

10 mins

Total Time

30 mins

 

Easy make-ahead apple pie filling keeps your pie crust well baked (not soggy) for holiday baking!

Course: Desserts & Sweets

Cuisine: American

Keyword: holiday pie filling, homemade pie filling, large batch apple pie filling

Servings: 10 mini-pies

Calories: 372 kcal

Author: Lisa Torres | Delicious Table

Ingredients

For the Apple Pie Filling:

• 6 large Granny Smith apples 6 lb. cored and cut into medium 1/2" size pieces
• 4 cups water
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
• 4 1/2 cups sugar
• 6 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 4 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Make the Apple Pie Filling second: 

1. In a large pot, add water, lemon juice, sugar, cornstarch, kosher salt, cinnamon, and ground nutmeg to a boil.

2. Boil 2 minutes and keep stirring (don’t walk away) then add apples.
3. Cover, medium simmer 10-12 minutes.
4. Turn off heat, cover,  and cool for 30-45 minutes. It will get really thick.
5. Use or store in zip-top bags in the freezer.

Recipe Notes

Put pie portions in zip-top bags, date and freeze. This is a freezer recipe for pies, hand-pies, tarts, and crumbles.

Nutrition Facts

Make-Ahead Apple Pie Filling

Amount Per Serving

Calories 372

% Daily Value*

Sodium 239mg 10%

Potassium 12mg 0%

Total Carbohydrates 95g 32%

Sugars 90g

Vitamin C 5.7%

Calcium 1.1%

Iron 0.7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.