Freezer Apple Pie Filling worth repeating

This Freezer Apple Pie Filling recipe is simple and stocks your freezer with ready-to-bake apple pie filling!

This freezer apple pie filling recipe was first published in 2013. It was updated with new photos and an updated recipe card on August 27, 2022 and then again on August 22, 2026.

It's apple season and that means APPLE PIE season!

And apple muffins, apple crisps, apple pancakes, apple cinnamon donuts, apple fritters, apple pie bars… Basically, it's time for everything apple!

One of the make-ahead recipes We've been making in big batches every single year is Freezer Apple Pie Filling.

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We first published this recipe back in 2013. Even though We've been making it every fall, We thought it was time to finally update this post with new photos and slightly updated recipe!

🍏 Ingredient notes

Green apples – We prefer Granny Smith apples. They hold their shape well, and have a tasty slightly sweet, slightly tart flavor that's perfect for baked goods.
Lemon juice
Granulated sugar
Cornstarch
Ground cinnamon
Ground nutmeg
Salt

✅ Step-by-step instructions

This next section is to help guide you as you make this recipe. Remember that exact measurements and instructions are in the recipe card below.

Start by peeling and slicing the apples. We prefer somewhat thin slices. Not paper thin, but not too thick either. You can also cut apples into chunks if you prefer chunks to slices in your apple pie.

Next, add the apple slices to a large mixing bowl and gently toss with lemon juice.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

Pour water into the Dutch Oven, turn the heat to medium-high, and add the sugar & spices mixture. Gently whisk or stir as the water comes to a low boil.

Add the apple slices to the Dutch Oven, increase heat to high, and bring to a boil. Stirring constantly, allow apples and mixture to boil for 3-5 minutes. Then lower heat, cover, and simmer for 6-8 minutes, simply until the apples are softened.

Turn the heat off, uncover, and allow to cool to room temperature. This can take around 30 minutes.

Once cool, carefully ladle even portions into prepared large ziplock freezer bags. Make sure you labeled them ahead of time!

Place into the freezer and freeze for up to 12 months.

Exact measurements of ingredients and instructions are in the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this post. Here are some helpful tips to guide you as you make this recipe.

👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs

How much does this recipe make?

In general, this recipe makes enough filling for approximately three 8″-9″ pies, at 4 cups of filling per pie. If you prefer truly thick, filling-heavy pies, you can easily double or even triple the recipe to make more.

⏲ Kitchen tools and equipment

The main equipment you will need:

Cutting board
Knife
Dutch Oven with lid
Measuring cups & spoons
Mixing bowls
Whisk
Freezer-safe zip-lock bags – quart size should work, but We only have the larger gallon-size bags, which is what you see in these photos.

🍎 More apple recipes

Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you truly loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!

Freezer Apple Pie Filling

By Marlynn Schotland Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Cooling Time: 30 mins Total Time: 55 mins Servings: 3 pies This make-ahead apple pie filling is perfect for fall and winter baking!

Equipment

Dutch Oven

Ingredients

4 cups water
8 cups thinly sliced apples
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1½ cups granulated sugar
¾ cup cornstarch
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

Start by peeling and slicing the apples. We prefer somewhat thin slices. Not paper thin, but not too thick either. You can also cut apples into chunks if you prefer chunks to slices in your apple pie.
Next, add the apple slices to a large mixing bowl and gently toss with lemon juice.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
Pour water into the Dutch Oven, turn the heat to medium-high, and add the sugar & spices mixture. Gently whisk or stir as the water comes to a low boil.
Add the apple slices to the Dutch Oven, increase heat to high, and bring to a boil. Stirring constantly, allow apples and mixture to boil for 3-5 minutes. Then lower heat, cover, and simmer for 6-8 minutes, simply until the apples are softened.
Turn the heat off, uncover, and allow to cool to room temperature. This can take around 30 minutes.
Once cool, carefully ladle even portions into prepared large ziplock freezer bags. Make sure you labeled them ahead of time!

Notes

Makes enough for about 3-4 standard 8″-9″ round pies, or several mini pies or tartlets. The best apples to use are Granny Smith apples, since they hold their shape well in baked goods. Freeze this apple pie filling in freezer-safe ziplock bags for up to 12 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 688 kcal, Carbohydrates: 177 g, Protein: 1 g, Fat: 1 g, Saturated Fat: 0.2 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.04 g, Sodium: 411 mg, Potassium: 381 mg, Fiber: 9 g, Sugar: 135 g, Vitamin A: 185 IU, Vitamin C: 21 mg, Calcium: 46 mg, Iron: 1 mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.