How to Make Perfect Apple Pie Filling in Your Instant Pot
If you’re looking for the easiest way to make a delicious homemade apple pie filling, using your Instant Pot is a total game-changer. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort, you can have a sweet, instant pot apple pie filling ready in no time. Whether you’re making a classic apple pie, topping pancakes, or even spooning it over ice cream, this recipe will quickly become your go-to for all things apple.
Instant Pot Apple Pie Filling
One of the best parts about making apple pie filling in the Instant Pot is how fast and hands-off it is. Instead of standing over the stove, you can let your Instant Pot do all the work, and you’ll have perfectly tender apples every time. Plus, the warm flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar really come together to make this filling taste like fall in a bowl.
Another great thing about this recipe is its versatility. You can easily adjust the spices to suit your taste or swap out different varieties of apples depending on what you have on hand. This Instant Pot apple pie filling is also a great make-ahead option, so you can always have some ready for a quick dessert or snack!
What You Will Love About This Recipe
There’s so much to love about this Instant Pot Apple Pie Filling! First, it’s incredibly quick and easy to make—your Instant Pot does all the work, giving you perfectly tender, spiced apples in just minutes. The rich blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar brings out the best flavors of the apples, making this filling irresistible. Plus, it’s super versatile! Whether you’re using it for pies, topping pancakes, or spooning it over ice cream, this recipe is the ultimate time-saver that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
How To Slice Apples For Instant Pot Apple Pie Filling
Here’s a key tip for making the perfect pie filling: make sure to peel, core, and slice your apples into thicker pieces. If you slice them too thin, they’ll turn to mush in the Instant Pot. Thicker slices hold up better during cooking, giving you that ideal texture for your pie filling.
How Long Do You Cook Instant Pot Apple Pie Filling
The cook time for this pie filling is set to 0 minutes, followed by a quick release. Keep in mind that your Instant Pot will take some time to build pressure, so be sure to factor that into your overall timing when planning to have this filling ready.
How to Thicken Apple Pie Filling
To thicken your apple pie filling you will want to take a cup of the liquid from the cooked apples and add 4 tablespoons of cornstarch. This is going to make a slurry that you will stir up, then mix back into the mixture in the pot. The cornstarch will help thicken the apple pie filling so it is thick like you want.
Ways to Use Apple Pie Filling
- Make a pie or mini pies
- Top Oatmeal with apple pie filling
- Create a yogurt parfait
- Sprinkle cinnamon over and eat as a dessert all in its own
- Top ice cream
There is no wrong way to eat this homemade apple pie filling.
Tips & Tricks
Choose the right apples: For the best flavor and texture, use a mix of tart and sweet apples like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp. This gives your filling a balanced taste and prevents it from becoming overly sweet.
Slice apples evenly: Be sure to cut your apples into even, thicker slices. This ensures they hold their shape after cooking, giving you a perfect pie texture.
Quick release is key: After the cooking cycle finishes, perform a quick release to prevent the apples from overcooking. You want them tender, not mushy.
Adjust sweetness to taste: Depending on how sweet your apples are, you can adjust the sugar to your preference. If you like a tarter filling, reduce the sugar slightly.
Cornstarch slurry for thickening: Don’t skip the cornstarch step! It thickens the liquid into a perfect pie filling consistency. Be sure to whisk the slurry well to avoid lumps.
Make it ahead: This filling stores well in the fridge for up to a week or can be frozen for future use, making it perfect for prepping ahead of time.
What are the best apples to use
You will want to use a firm apple so that it does not completely break down while cooking. Some great choices are Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Honey Crisp, or Fuji.
Can You Freeze Apple Pie Filling
You can freeze this pie filling. Just make sure that you place in a freezer-friendly container. Then store for up to three months. I will say that the texture softens up a bit more once you thaw the filling. But the flavor is just as good. Leave room at the top of the container for the apples to expand as they freeze.
Then when you are ready to use the filling, place in the fridge the night before so you allow it to slowly thaw. Then stir, and use however you choose.
FAQs
Instant Pot Best Apple Pie Filling
Ingredients
- 8 Apples peeled and sliced into thicker slices*
- 2 TBSP Lemon Juice
- 2 Cups Water
- 1 Cup Brown Sugar
- 1/4 Cup White Sugar
- 2 TSP Cinnamon
- 1/2 TSP Nutmeg
- 1/4 TSP Salt
- 4 TBSP Cornstarch
Instructions
- Peel your apples and slice into thicker slices*
- As you are slicing the apples, place them in a bowl with the lemon juice and cover the slices with the juice to keep them from browning.
- Add water, brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg & salt into your pot. Mix to blend.
- Add your apples in. Mix gently to coat your apples in the liquid.
- Close your lid and set to sealing.
- Set your pot to manual high pressure for 0 minutes. Once cooking cycle completes do a quick release.
- Carefully remove 1 cup of the liquid from the pot. Stir in 4 TBSP of cornstarch and mix well. Pour slurry back into your pot and very gently blend. Your apples will start to thicken. Turn off pot so the apples do not continue to cook.
Notes
*peel and core your apples. Cut into 4 quarters. For larger apples, cut each 1/4 into 3 slices. If it is a smaller apple, cut each 1/4 into 2 slices.
**You should have enough apples to fill 2 half gallon sized mason jars.
***This will store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to five days.
****Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Honey Crisp, or Fuji apples are all good choices.
*****Yes 0 minutes is correct. Your pot will take time to come to pressure and your apples will cook during that time.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
20Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 74Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 34mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 1gSugar: 16gProtein: 0g
I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!
This recipe is AMAZING! The only thing is…….when I did the quick release, it SPLATTERED ALL OVER THE PLACE. I made with 2 of my daughters. We got hysterical. We were in one of their houses, so her kitchen got a Spring Cleaning.
What can we do to avoid this?
Will DEFINITELY make again!!!!
Thanks,
Rosemarie
Follow up on my previous question:
I made another batch, but this time used more apples. We just went apple picking while I am visiting my daughter here in Ann Arbor. The apples we originally used were too small. So, this time I used 10 of those apples. IT WORKED OUT PERFECTLY. We had too much liquid the first time. OH MY GOODNESS, second time was JUST AS DELICIOUS!! Making these for Christmas gifts this year.
Thank you for sharing!!
. .
What would you suggest to substitute for nutmeg? My sister is allergic and I am not new to baking, but I’m not good at spice substitution! Otherwise I can just omit nutmeg.
Yes you can definitely just omit it 🙂
I would love to make this recipe for apple pie filling but I don’t have an Instant Pot. I have a Cuisinart 6-quart electric pressure and it does not appear to allow a ZERO setting on the timer. The start button won’t work unless there is at least ONE minute on the timer. Any suggestions?
As the timer does not VISIBLY count down from the one minute, I cannot tell when the one minute countdown has started UNTIL IT ENDS, and there is no audible click or sound that pressure has been reached to alert me that countdown has begun…. so turning the pressure cooker off as soon as that one minute BEGINS counting down is not an option either..
Will a one minute cook time ruin the pie filling? (I hope I have made all this understandable!) Thank you.
How long do you recommend cooking in the instant pot on the manual setting? It shows “0” above.
Yes 0 is all you need. It will cook in the time that it takes to heat up and come to pressure.
you set the instant pot to 0 minutes ?????
Yes it cooks in the time that it comes to pressure, you just set if for 0 and it will take care of it for you. 🙂
I didn’t get anywhere near having enough for two half gallon Mason jars. I only ended up with 5 cups total.
Can you can this recipe
Yes this should be a great recipe to can.
Any tips on how to then add and cook a crumble to the top of your pie?
Oh! Zero minutes—I read ten, decided to cut that in half, and the apples were STILL mushy! Tasty anyway, though. Thank you for the recipe. 🙂