Easy Gluten-Free Apple Pie Filling (Vegan)
Learn how easy it is to make your own gluten-free apple pie filling, and just how tasty it is – sweet, tart and flavored with cinnamon! Take advantage of apple season and make a few batches to enjoy this fall! Totally dairy-free and vegan too.
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It’s Apple Season! 🍎
We’re on an apple roll…since the abundance of apples during the fall means every time we can, we’re cooking with apples, just because!
Whether it’s homemade applesauce, apple butter, apple crumble, apple chips, apple crisp or apple galette. It doesn’t matter!
And of course, it was high time to share this homemade filling for apple pie too, because what would the fall be without apple pie (with a homemade gluten-free pie crust, of course 😉)?
Why This Recipe Works:
- Simple Ingredients: The main ingredients required for making this homemade apple pie filling recipe are easily accessible at the local grocery store (nothing fancy required!).
- Easy to Make & Tastes so Good! This apple filling comes together very easily and is ready in under 30 minutes! Plus, this homemade recipe tastes so much better than the canned version!
- Totally Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free & Vegan: The best part is that this recipe for homemade pie filling is 100% gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances can enjoy them without issues!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for making this homemade gluten free apple pie filling.
(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)
Recipe Notes + Substitutions:
- Apples: Feel free to use whichever apples you have on hand (it’s your choice whether you want to use sweet apples or tart apples – pink lady apples, fuji apples, honeycrisp apples, granny smith apples, etc.).
- Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds a beautiful flavor to this filling for apple pie. Alternatively, you may also use apple pie spice instead.
- White Sugar: If you are diabetic, I highly recommend using granulated monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 white sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar).
- Brown Sugar: I used light brown sugar, but you may also use dark brown sugar or coconut sugar if you prefer. If you are diabetic, I highly recommend using golden granulated monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 brown sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar).
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a nice tart flavor to this homemade apple pie filling.
- Butter: I used an unsalted dairy-free butter (vegan butter) to keep this recipe dairy-free. You may also use coconut oil instead. However, if you are not dairy-intolerant, you can use regular unsalted butter instead.
- Cornstarch: Cornstarch adds as a thickener to thicken the juices from the apples. If you are allergic to corn, you may use tapioca starch or arrowroot starch instead.
How to Make Gluten-Free Apple Pie Filling (Dish by Dish):
1. Peel, Core & Cube Apples
Peel and core the apples before cutting them into small cubes. Place the cubed apples in a large bowl.
2. Add Sugar, Cinnamon & Lemon Juice
Add both types of sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice to the apples, and stir.
3. Melt Butter and Add Apples
Melt the dairy-free butter in a large nonstick skillet and place the cubed apples in.
4. Cook Apples Until Tender
Cook the apples for 15 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally. The apples should become soft and tender, but still hold their shape.
5. Add Cornstarch to Thicken
Mix the cornstarch with the water to get a cornstarch slurry. Pour the slurry into the pan and stir well, heating the apple mixture until thickened – 3-4 minutes.
6. Use or Store
Use the apple filling immediately or transfer it to an airtight container or mason jar and store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:
- Cut into Slices instead of Cubes: If you prefer, you may cut the apples into evenly thin apple slices instead of cubes.
- Storing: To store, place the homemade apple pie filling in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: To freeze, transfer the cooled apple pie filling in a freezer bag, seal the bag, removing as much air as possible, and then freeze it flat.
- Make Apple Pie: Make your own homemade apple pie with our favorite flaky gluten free pie crust recipe (and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream)! Or you can also eat this apple pie filling on its own!
Other Gluten-Free Apple Recipes You’ll Love:
- Homemade Applesauce (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
- Tender Apple Muffins (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Moist Apple Cake (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Crispy Apple Fritters (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Easy Apple Bread (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
- Apple Tart (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
Gluten-Free Fall Recipes to Make:
P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!
Gluten-Free Apple Pie Filling (Vegan)
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Learn how easy it is to make your own gluten-free apple pie filling, and just how tasty it is – sweet, tart and flavored with cinnamon! Take advantage of apple season and make a few batches to enjoy this fall! Totally dairy-free and vegan too.
Ingredients
- 5 apples
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons white sugar
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons unsalted dairy-free butter
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Peel, Core & Cube Apples: Peel and core the apples before cutting them into small cubes.
- Add Sugar, Cinnamon & Lemon Juice: Add both types of sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice to the apples, and stir.
- Melt Butter and Add Apples: Melt the dairy-free butter in a large nonstick skillet and put the apples in.
- Cook Apples Until Tender: Cook the apples for 15 minutes on low heat, stirring. The apples should become soft, but still hold their shape.
- Add Cornstarch to Thicken: Mix the cornstarch with the water to get a cornstarch slurry. Pour the slurry into the pan and stir well, heating the apple mixture until thickened – 3-4 minutes.
- Use or Store: Use the apple filling immediately or transfer it to a jar and store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Notes
Apples: Feel free to use whichever apples you have on hand.
Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds a beautiful flavor to this apple pie filling. Alternatively, you may also use apple pie spice instead.
White Sugar: If you are diabetic, I highly recommend using granulated monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 white sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar).
Brown Sugar: I used light brown sugar, but you may also use dark brown sugar or coconut sugar if you prefer. If you are diabetic, I highly recommend using golden granulated monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 brown sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar).
Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a nice tart flavor to this homemade apple pie filling.
Butter: I used an unsalted dairy-free butter (vegan butter) to keep this recipe dairy-free. You may also use coconut oil instead. However, if you are not dairy-intolerant, you can use regular unsalted butter instead.
Cornstarch: Cornstarch adds as a thickener to thicken the juices from the apples. If you are allergic to corn, you may use tapioca starch or arrowroot starch instead.
Storing: To store, place the homemade apple pie filling in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To freeze, transfer the cooled apple pie filling in a freezer bag, seal the bag, removing as much air as possible, and then freeze it flat.
Adapted from: Spend with Pennies
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American




This was delicious! Thank you for posting this recipe. I used maple sugar and a brown sugar blend with stevia and it turned out great. I can’t wait to put his into my pecan crust!
Hi Melody, glad that you loved this apple pie filling! Sounds like it’ll go perfect with your pecan crust!
I usually like to prepare a big batch of this apple pie filling (2 to 3 portions) for deep freezing so that I can use them to bake any apple pie (a family’s favorite) at short notice.
Yep! Freezing a big batch of this can be very convenient!