Best Slow Cooker Apple Pie Filling Recipe

Ways To Use Apple Pie Filling

You can use this easy slow cooker apple pie filling in so many more ways to just tucked inside a warm apple pie. Here are some suggestions:

• French Apple Tart: similar to American apple pie, this French version is a delightful twist.
• Apple Turnovers: Use puff pastry or crescent roll dough to create apple turnovers. Fill the dough with the filling, fold, seal, and bake until golden brown.
• Parfait: Layer apple pie filling with vanilla yogurt and granola to create a tasty parfait.
• Apple Pie Dip: This delicious dessert dip is full of apple pie filling and topped with rich caramel.
• Smoothie: Blend with yogurt, milk and a dash of cinnamon for a refreshing apple pie-flavored smoothie.
• Oatmeal: Stir into your morning oatmeal for a sweet and flavorful twist. You can use it in place of the strawberries or pumpkin in strawberry baked oatmeal and pumpkin oatmeal.
• Apple Pie Ice Cream: Warm up the filling, then drizzle over vanilla ice cream for a quick and easy dessert.
• Yogurt Bowls: Layer filling with Greek yogurt and granola in a bowl for a wholesome and satisfying breakfast or snack.

MORE SLOW COOKER RECIPES

• Crockpot Pepper Steak
• Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes
• Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs
• Crockpot Sausage and Potato Recipe (Easy Kielbasa Casserole)
• Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup

To make your own apple pie filling you need:

• Apples: Granny Smith apples, Honeycrisp apples, or another combination of sweet and tart apples (see below for recommendations).
• Sugar: a combination of white sugar and brown sugar
• ​Extracts: I use part vanilla extract and part cinnamon extract. If cinnamon extract is hard to find, you can make your own or double up on the vanilla extract instead. You can also add a cinnamon stick to the slow cooker in place of the extract.
• Butter: use real unsalted butter and not a margarine.
• Lemon juice: lemon juice helps preserve the filling so that it lasts longer. 
• Spices: ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg
• Cornstarch: thickens the apple pie filling. Use flour in the same amount as a substitute. 

Instructions

Step 1: Peel, core and dice the apples. 

Step 2: Add the apples to the slow cooker. Sprinkle the white sugar, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg and lemon juice over the apples.

Step 3: Melt the butter in the microwave. Mix with the vanilla extract and cinnamon extract. Pour over the apples and stir to combine. 

Step 4: Add the cornstarch to the slow cooker and mix into the melted butter. 

Step 5: Set to HIGH for 2 hours or LOW for 4 hours. For best results, stir periodically if able to do so. This will prevent the sugars from burning to the sides of the crock pot. *Depending on your desired texture, cooking time may be more or less.

Step 6: Allow to cool slightly, then store in sealed airtight containers in the fridge until ready to use. 

How To Store

Store homemade apple pie filling in an airtight container such as mason jars in the fridge for 2-3 weeks. This recipe lasts for a while, but always make sure it hasn't turned bad before using by checking for signs of mold on the top and sides of the container. It can be frozen using a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight before using.