Freezer Apple Pie Filling

This easy apple pie filling makes the best pies. It's simple to make, freezes well, and my favorite way to preserve fresh apples. 🍎

Normally when I make homemade apple pie filling I usually home can it, but recently I started making this Freezer Apple Pie Filling. Purchasing clear gel (which is the thickener used to can apple pie filling) can get a bit pricey and hard to find, so freezing apple pie filling instead of canning it is so much easier. 

What I love about this recipe is that there is no cooking involved. Just prepare the apples, mix all the ingredients together and add them to a freezer bag. That's it, just like that you have prepared apple pie filling to store in the freezer so you can enjoy homemade apple pie all year long.     

When it comes to which variety of apple to use for apple pie filling, I prefer to use a combination of apples. Granny Smith hold up well when baked, but aren't very sweet. Instead of using all Granny Smith apples, I like to mix in honey crisp, golden delicious or braeburn apples for a bit of sweetness. 

I think using a combination of 2 different apples makes the best apple pies. We have 5 apple trees so freezer apple pie filling is my favorite method to preserve apples. I love having this freezer apple pie filling on hand because it's perfect for unexpected guests or for a last minute dessert. 

This recipe doubles or triples easily, so you can make multiple bags of filling. I like to store mine in the freezer flat and stack them so they take up less space. At the end of the post, I'm also sharing 4 of my favorite apple recipes to use with this apple pie filling, so be sure to check them out.   

These are the ingredients you'll need: approx 11 medium size apples (to make 2 bags of filling and double the additional ingredients), lemon juice or fruit fresh, flour, cinnamon, vanilla extract, apple juice or cider, sugar, butter and large gallon size freezer bag. 

Peel and slice apples (I use my apple peeler, corer and slicer). If you don't own one this was the best purchase I made years ago and lets you peel, slice and core apples so quickly.   

Once the apples are sliced, I cut the slices in half (like half moons) and place them in a large bowl of water and lemon juice or use fruit fresh. Once all of the apples are peeled and sliced, drain the water. Add the apple juice or apple cider and vanilla extract; mix to combine and set aside.  

In a gallon size resealable freezer bag, add the dry ingredients and shake until combined. Pour the apple mixture into the sugar mixture and close the bag, mix the apples (kneading the bag with  your  hands) until all the apples are well coated.  

Add the butter and remove as much air as possible and close the bag. 

Label, date and freeze flat. 

When ready to bake remove the pie filling from the freezer, thaw slightly and pour into a prepared pie crust. You can also add it into the pie crust directly from the freezer and bake. 

I like to double or triple the recipe to make several bags of apple pie filling. 

Yield: 1 - pie

Author: Tina Butler | Mommy's Kitchen

Freezer Apple Pie Filling

This easy apple pie filling makes the best pies. It's simple to make, freezes well, and my favorite way to preserve fresh apples. 🍎

Prep time: 30 MinTotal time: 30 Min

Ingredients

• 5 - 6 cups apples, peeled and sliced (use a combination of two apples below) granny smith + Honey crisp, golden delicious, pink lady or gala)
• 1 tablespoons lemon juice or use fruit fresh
• 3/4 cup granulated or raw sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1/4 cup apple cider or apple juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 large gallon size freezer bag

Instructions

1. In a gallon size resealable freezer bag, add the dry ingredients and shake until combined.
2. Peel and slice apples (I use my apple peeler, corer and slicer).
3. Place sliced apples in a large bowl and coat apples in lemon juice or use fruit fresh.
4. When all the apples are peeled, cored and sliced, drain the water from the bowl.
5. Add the apple cider and vanilla extract to the apples; mix to combine.
6. Pour the apple mixture into the bag of sugar mixture and close the bag, mix the apples (kneading the bag with your hands) until all the apples are well coated.
7. Add the 2 tablespoons of butter and remove as much air as possible from the bag. Label, date and freeze flat.
8. Freeze the apple pie filling for up to 1 year. When ready to use, thaw the filling slightly and pour into one prepared pie crust and bake.

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If you're looking for a few recipe to use your Freezer Apple Pie Filling the recipes below are four of my favorite apple recipes. 

My go-to Apple Crumb Pie Recipe 

The Best Apple Crisp Ever

Skillet Apple Dumpling Bites 

The Best Apple Pie 

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