Pre-Cooked Apple Pie Filling Recipe (Gluten-Free)

Why You Need This Recipe

If you want to make the best apple pie, you need the best apple pie filling. Give it a try and you'll see the difference pre-cooked filling makes in the quality of your homemade apple pie!

• Quick and easy!
• Perfect every time with consistently cooked apples and a thick filling.
• Easily adjust to your tastes before you bake!
• Pre-cooked filling can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator or freezer for later use.
• Classic apple pie filling with tart apples, warm spices, and sweet brown sugar.
• A great way to use up an abundance of apples in the fall months. Got more apples? Try this two-ingredient peanut butter caramel apple dip or this gluten-free apple cake!

Put it all together in the perfect gluten-free apple pie using this no-fail gluten-free pie crust recipe. Not gluten-free? That's ok! Use your favorite pie crust recipe or even a store-bought crust!

While you're here, check out the ever popular, three-ingredient Starbucks copycat pumpkin spice sauce, perfect to make your own PSL's right at home!

Benefits of a Cooked Filling

While pre-cooking your apple pie filling might seem like an unnecessary step, it offers significant benefits. Here's why you should be using a cooked apple pie filling:

• Consistent results: When you pre-cook the filling, you ensure the filling has the right consistency with every apple equally tender.
• Eliminates excess moisture: You ensure the filling is the desired thickness before it bakes with less risk of watery filling or a soggy bottom crust.
• Best apple flavor: The apples to absorb the flavors of spices, sugar, and other ingredients for a more flavorful filling. You can taste the filling and adjust as needed before baking. 
• Eliminate the gap: A common issue in apple pies is a gap between the crust and filling. This happens when the crust sets but the filling continues to cook and break down. Pre-cooking the filling eliminates this problem.

Best Apples for Apple Pie Filling

There are so many kinds of apples, but did you know that not all of them are good for baking? It's true! The type of apple you choose for your pie greatly impacts how your pie will turn out. The best varieties are the ones that hold their shape and still taste delicious after some time in the oven.

The following apple types are good choices:

1. Granny Smith
2. Honeycrisp
3. Golden Delicious
4. Jonagold
5. Braeburn
6. Pink Lady

There are some common apple varieties that you should avoid for pie making. These varieties either lack in flavor or become too soft when baked in a pie: Red Delicious, McIntosh, Fuji, Gala, and Cortland.

Simple Ingredients

• Fresh Apples: My personal favorite varieties of apples to use for pie are: Honeycrisp apples, Golden Delicious apples, or Granny Smith apples. Use one variety or a combination of apples.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a rich, caramel-like sweetness that complements the apples' natural flavor. You can also use brown sugar to make an easy 2-ingredient coffee syrup and use it in this delicious brown sugar shaken espresso!
• Cornstarch: The thickening agent needed to create a smooth filling.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: Adds a touch of acidity to brighten the flavors and prevent the apples from browning.
• Cinnamon: This warm spice is a quintessential element of apple pie.
• Nutmeg: Offers a hint of nutty spice, the perfect complement to the filling.
• Salt: Salt is necessary in baking to balance sweetness and bring out flavors.
• Vanilla: Also, make this easy Starbucks vanilla syrup!

*Refer to the recipe card below for full ingredient information.

How to Make Apple Pie Filling without Cornstarch

While cornstarch is affordable and easy to find, some cannot tolerate this ingredient. To make this apple pie filling recipe without cornstarch, you can simply substitute the cornstarch with tapioca starch in an equal amount.

Is Apple Pie Filling Gluten-Free?

Apple pie filling typically consists of apples, sugar, spices, and a thickening agent. Cornstarch is commonly used as a thickening agent in store-bought filling; it is gluten-free. Wheat flour is commonly used in homemade apple pies; it is not gluten-free.

If you have celiac disease or a gluten-intolerance, always be cautious about potential sources of gluten in store-bought or homemade apple pie filling.

When making apple pie filling from scratch, use a gluten-free thickening agent, like cornstarch or tapioca starch, and verify that all other ingredients used are also gluten-free. This means, no wheat flour, barley, rye, or regular oats in the filling, crust, or topping.

For store-bought pie fillings, always check the label for a gluten-free claim or read the ingredient list to look for any sources of gluten.

How to Make Apple Pie Filling

1. Sauté diced apples in melted butter for a few minutes before adding in the brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
2. Continue to cook the apples in the brown sugar mixture until they begin to soften, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Sprinkle the remaining sugar and cornstarch over the apples.
4. Cook and stir for another few minutes until the apple pie filling has thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
5. Cool completely before adding the filling to a prepared pie crust.

How to Freeze Apple Pie Filling

This apple pie filling is easy to make-ahead and refrigerate or freeze for later use. For the best results, store the apple pie filling separately from the crust and assemble when you're ready to bake. The filling can be refrigerated for up to 4 days, if you want to keep it for a longer period, follow these freezing instructions:

1. Cool the filling completely.
2. Transfer the cooled filling into an airtight container, mason jar, or a zip-top freezer bag. Seal it tightly and remove as much air as possible. Alternatively, use a vacuum sealer.
3. Freeze for 3-4 months. Thaw the filling overnight in the refrigerator before use.
4. When you're ready to use it, take the filling out of the refrigerator about an hour beforehand. Allowing it to warm slightly makes it easier to spread into the pie shell.

How to Bake an Apple Pie with Pre-Cooked Apple Pie Filling

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place a rimmed baking sheet on a rack in the lower third of your oven.
2. Roll pie dough for the bottom crust and fit it into a 9-inch pie plate.
3. Spread the cooled apple pie filling evenly into the bottom crust.
4. Cover the filling with the second crust, crimping the edges to seal and add a few slits for venting.
5. For a beautiful golden brown finish, brush the top crust with an egg wash and sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
6. Place the pie on the preheated baking sheet to catch any potential spills. Bake until the top of the pie is golden brown and the center of the filling is bubbling.
7. Cover the pie as needed to prevent over-browning of the edges or top crust.

Recipe FAQs

More Gluten-Free Pie Recipes

'Tis the season for holiday baking! Check out my gluten-free Christmas cookie recipes while you're here!