Healthy Slow Cooker Apple Pie Filling

 
My dad’s birthday fell on this past Saturday, and because the temperatures had been over 100°F the week before, I offered to treat everyone to ice cream to celebrate. With that kind of scorching hot weather, Dad loved the sound of my idea, so on Friday evening, we made plans to drive across town to the ice cream shop the following day shortly after lunch.  

Yet somehow, the clouds rolled in overnight and the temperature dropped more than 30°F, so when I rolled out of bed on Saturday morning, I nearly dove back under the covers. Crazy California weather!
 

 
We waited all morning for the sun to start peeking through the clouds, but even though it never did, everyone else still agreed that they were craving ice cream. I threw on a big sweatshirt, hopped in the car, and browsed the sweet flavors alongside my family.

Although Mississippi Mud always calls my name (chocolate ice cream with fudge swirls and brownie chunks — I am a huge chocoholic, after all!), I walked out with nothing. My fingers would’ve frozen to the cone the moment I stepped outside! I don’t exactly mix well with the cold… But the rest of my family happily licked their sherbet, sorbet, and ice cream cones as we walked back to the car.
 

 
I spent the rest of the day thinking about chilly fall weather and cozy comfort foods, so later that weekend, I whipped up a batch of this healthy slow cooker apple pie filling to satisfy my cravings. With its warm cinnamon smell wafting through the entire house, my whole family followed their noses to the kitchen and couldn’t wait to sample a taste!

Unlike many store-bought canned fillings, this easy recipe contains no high fructose corn syrup and no refined sugar. Instead, this homemade version is made with simple and wholesome ingredients, making it completely clean eating friendly — and even healthy enough for breakfast!

Yup, it’s true… My family added spoonfuls on top of their oatmeal and called that the best decision they made all week!
 

HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY SLOW COOKER APPLE PIE FILLING

Let’s talk about how to make this this homemade apple pie filling! It begins with big, juicy fresh red apples. I used all red for this recipe because they’re sweeter than green and thus require less additional sweetener. I’ve tried Fuji, Jazz, and Honeycrisp apples in this recipe, and all of those work great!

Hint: Fuji apples are the ones I use the most. They’re readily available in stores all year round where I live and also really affordable!

If you’re a traditionalist and prefer Granny Smiths for your pie fillings, they would be fine too, but I’d suggest increasing the sweetener to compensate for their tart taste. Another option that you could try would be half green and half red. You get the best of both worlds — and that’s perfect for indecisive people!

To help prevent the apples from browning, you’ll sprinkle them with a little freshly squeezed lemon juice while creating the “syrup” to pour on top. I promise that you can’t taste the citrus when the filling finishes cooking — only sweet apples!
 

 
That “syrup” is a combination of water, pure maple syrup, cornstarch, cinnamon, and nutmeg. I love warm spices and generally mix in more than most recipes, but my family agreed that this pie filling had the perfect amount! You’ll cook those ingredients on the stove for just a few minutes to activate the cornstarch so it thickens the mixture before pouring that cinnamony goodness over the apples in the slow cooker.

I use this slow cooker. It’s nothing fancy — just low, high, and keep warm settings! — but it’s reliable and works really well for my other slow cooker “baking” recipes too. (← I highly recommend checking out the brownies and chocolate fudge cake once you’re done making this recipe… Two of my favorites!)

Then all that’s left to do is wait for your slow cooker to work its magic and make your house smell like fall!
 

FAQS ABOUT HEALTHY SLOW COOKER APPLE PIE FILLING

Is this homemade apple pie filling gluten-free, vegan, low fat, low calorie, or clean eating?
Yes — to everything! This recipe is naturally gluten-free, clean eating, low fat, and vegan. (It has no butter or dairy!) It’s also lower calorie compared to many store-bought cans and traditional recipes.

Could I substitute something else for the pure maple syrup?
Absolutely! Honey, agave, and coconut sugar all work really well.

Can I use a 6-quart or 7-quart slow cooker?
You sure can! The cooking time may vary slightly with these larger crock pot sizes, so just keep a close eye on the apples.

What about an instant pot?
I haven’t tried, so I’m not personally sure and don’t want to lead you astray. If you’d like to experiment on your own, I’d love to hear how it goes! (The first thing I’d try would be to use the “slow cooker” setting — and just make sure it can hold at least 5 quarts [20 cups] of liquid volume first!)
 

 
I don’t have a slow cooker. Could I make this on the stove or in the oven instead?
Yes again! I’ve included how to do so in the Notes section of the recipe, so check there for instructions.

What’s the best way to use this homemade filling to make an apple pie?
I shared how to do that with this apple pie recipe. It’s really easy!

Is it possible to can this filling?
Because of the cornstarch, I don’t recommend it.

How should I store this apple pie filling? How long does it last?
Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should last at least five days, if not closer to a week or more!
 

 
And yes, we did eat this by the spoonful… And over oatmeal… And on top of pancakes… And with ice cream… But I managed to save enough to use in a few new recipes, so stay tuned! 😉

Then when you make your own, remember to snap a picture and share it on Instagram using #amyshealthybaking and tagging @amyshealthybaking IN the photo itself! (That guarantees I’ll see your picture! 🙂 ) I’d love to see your healthy slow cooker apple pie filling!

Healthy Slow Cooker Apple Pie Filling

© Amy's Healthy Baking

This homemade apple pie filling tastes much better than store-bought cans, and it’s much healthier too! It makes the best pies, and it's also perfect for eating with ice cream, oatmeal, pancakes, waffles… Or even just plain with a spoon! The filling will keep for at least five days if stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator.

4.89 from 9 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients 

• 9 cups (1150g) diced red apple (about 8 medium – and see Notes!)
• 2 tbsp (30mL) freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 ½ cups (360mL) water
• ¼ cup (32g) cornstarch
• 3 tbsp (45mL) pure maple syrup
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg

Instructions

• Add the diced apple to a 5-quart slow cooker, and toss with the lemon juice.
• Whisk together the remaining ingredients in a medium pot until smooth and the cornstarch has completely dissolved. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 5-8 minutes or until the mixture starts to thicken and has reduced by a third. Pour the mixture over the apples, and toss until all of the apples are coated.
• Cover the slow cooker with the lid, and cook the apples on HIGH heat for 3 ½ hours, gently stirring after every hour, or until the apples are extremely tender. Cool completely to room temperature in the slow cooker before transferring to airtight containers and refrigerating.

Notes

IMPORTANT APPLE NOTES – READ BEFORE BEGINNING: I use Fuji apples the most because they have a fantastic naturally sweet flavor and a great texture. I’ve tried this filling with Jazz and Honeycrisp apples, and they also work well. Gala and Red Delicious should work too.

 

If you prefer Granny Smith apples, you may need to add additional pure maple syrup to compensate for the missing sweetness (and then decrease the water by an equal amount to compensate for the added liquid volume!). A blend of half red and half green apples would taste great as well.

 

I dice the apples into 1" cubes. Measure your apples by cups or grams — not by "medium" apples! Not all "medium" apples are the exact same size.

 

I do not peel my apples (the skin completely softens during the long cook time!), but you're welcome to peel yours first, if you prefer.

 

SLOW COOKER NOTES: This is the 5-quart slow cooker that I used. Any 5-, 6-, or 7-quart slow cooker should work, although the cooking times may vary slightly with the larger sizes.

 

I haven’t tried make this in an instant pot, so I’m not personally sure about whether that would work. If you’d like to experiment on your own, I’d love to hear how it goes! (The first thing I’d try would be to use the “slow cooker” setting — and just make sure your instant pot can hold at least 5 quarts [20 cups] of liquid volume first!)

 

SWEETENER ALTERNATIVES: Honey, agave, coconut sugar, or light brown sugar may all be substituted for the pure maple syrup.

 

REGULAR OVEN METHOD: If you don't have a slow cooker, then you can bake this in the oven instead! In Step 1, add the apples to a large bowl instead of a slow cooker. Follow Step 1 and 2. After Step 2, transfer the mixture to a 2-quart Dutch oven with a lid or a 9x13" cake pan. Cover the pan with the lid (if using a Dutch oven) or with foil (if using a cake pan). Bake at 350°F for 50-60 minutes. Remove from the oven, stir, and if the apples aren’t completely soft and tender, then bake for another 15-20 minutes more or until they’re fully soft and tender when pierced with a fork.

 

STOVETOP METHOD: Use a very large soup pot (one that holds 10-12 cups) to prepare it on the stove. After adding the apples, cover the top and let them simmer over low heat for about 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the apples towards the bottom of the pot from burning, or until the apples are extremely tender.

 

HOW TO STORE: Store this apple pie filling in airtight containers in the refrigerator. It should last at least five days, if not closer to a week or more!

 

HOW TO USE THIS FILLING TO MAKE A PIE: Here is my apple pie recipe that uses this as the filling!

 

{gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, vegan, clean eating, low fat}

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?I'd love to hear what you think of it in a comment below! If you take a picture, tag @amys.healthy.baking on Instagram or use the hashtag #amyshealthybaking.

View Nutrition Information + Weight Watchers Points
 
 
You may also like Amy’s other recipes…
♡  Classic Apple Pie
♡  The Ultimate Healthy Apple Pie
♡  The Ultimate Healthy Apple Crumble
♡  Apple Pie Oatmeal Cookies
♡  Apple Pie Protein Overnight Oats
♡  Apple Pie Smoothie
♡  …and the rest of Amy’s healthy slow cooker recipes and healthy apple recipes!