Kelly JensenThis low sugar apple pie filling recipe much fresher and brighter flavor than typical recipes and canned pie fillings. A healthier pie filling with fresh apples. This recipe calls for a fraction of the sugar of other recipes, letting the natural ingredients shine!
Use your favorite pie crust from the store, or make one from scratch. This simple filling isn’t too sweet, or too tart – it’s just right!
It’s fall here in New England, and there’s nothing like heading out to the orchard for a pick-your-own apple day! When we have farm fresh apples, I like baking a delicious pie that isn’t loaded with sugar. This low sugar apple pie filling recipe is made with simple whole ingredients with a hint of sweetness.
I recently followed a pie filling recipe I found online from another food blogger and it was so sweet it was inedible! My husband and I both couldn’t even finish our pieces. It was extra disappointing because I made the crust from scratch. I actually scraped the filling out of the pie (and re-used it for my apple pie waffles!) and came up with this simple low sugar pie filling that was just right!
This Low Sugar Apple Pie Filling Recipe Is
- Bright
- Fresh
- A Little Tart
- A Little Sweet
- Simple to Make
- Ready in about 20 Minutes
- Made with Natural Ingredients (no corn syrup here!)
- Vegan, Gluten Free, and Dairy Free
Make Apple Pie Filling Low Sugar for a Healthier Version
This low sugar apple pie filling is a fantastic take on the classic without all the granulated sugar. I’m all about making recipes plant-based and low in sugar when I can. Low sugar cooking does NOT have to be bland, boring, or flavorless… It’s quite the opposite when done right. You can achieve total richness and sweetness with some simple swaps.
By building meals around pantry staples and swapping in a few natural sweeteners you can make healthier meals for you and your family. I made a list of my 125 favorite pantry ingredients including my favorite natural sweeteners!
What’s In This Reduced Sugar Apple Pie Filling Recipe?
- Apples – you can use fresh pickled apples, any variety! We use apples that we get locally or from our Misfits Market box – they sell all organic produce at a super discounted price, and it’s purchased direct from the farmers. We get Misfit Market boxes every month and love picking out our favorite seasonal produce for delivery. You can get $10 off your first box by clicking here!
- Coconut Oil: I love keeping a few jars of this organic coconut oil on hand, it’s great for cooking and also a really nice skin moisturizer outside the kitchen.
- Lemon Juice
- Brown Sugar: I like to use a dark brown sugar for baking because I find it has a really nice flavor – however, I only use a bit to add sweetness, not as much as most recipes call for.
- Corn Starch: the secret to thicken the filling at the end, it really makes a difference. I like Anthony’s brand organic corn starch best.
- Cinnamon: which gives these pies a subtle warm flavor! I love to add in a pinch for extra warmth and depth of flavor.
- Ginger: I love adding fresh ginger to my dishes, or this great ground ginger to my apple recipes – the ginger gives it a nice kick and spicy flavor.
- Pink Himalayan Sea Salt: I like to use a pink Himalayan Sea Salt in my kitchen, which has more natural minerals than plain processed table salt. It’s fairly inexpensive, so I’d recommend this salt if you’re looking for an easy way to level up your spice pantry.
Cozy Fall Dessert Recipes for the WIN!
This low sugar apple pie filling is great for a quick cozy weekend dessert, treat, or snack. It’s the perfect recipe for dinner guests, or just for getting the whole family together to enjoy a slow weekend meal. This pie filling is also great for having company over for a holiday celebration as well.
Ready in under 30 minutes, this filling is great to bake into a pit, serve over ice cream, or bake into apple pie waffles! If you’re making this to bring to someone else’s home check out my holiday hostess gift guide for simple gift ideas the host will love!
How Do I Make Apple Pie Filling Without So Much Sugar?
- In a pan, heat the coconut oil until melted. Add the diced apples (I left the peels on mine), lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and ground ginger and sauté for 5 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and allow the apples to simmer over low heat for 20 minutes until the water has evaporated by half.
- Add the corn starch one teaspoon at a time and stir well, the pie filling with thicken quickly. Once ready, remove from heat and place in your pie crust. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- If baking a pie, for a 9 to 11 inch pie, bake for 40 minutes until edges are brown and bubbling. Enjoy!
More Fall Holiday Dessert Recipe Ideas You’ll Love!
Get the Same Ingredients for Apple Pie Filling With Less Sugar
I got the fresh produce for this recipe from my garden and from my Misfits Market box – they sell all organic produce at a super discounted price, and it’s purchased direct from the farmers. We get Misfit Market boxes every month and love picking out our favorite seasonal produce for delivery. You can get $10 off your first box by clicking here!
As always, if you make this vegan and gluten free apple pie filling recipe be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe, and tag me @theherbeevore on Instagram so I can feature you. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!
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Low Sugar Apple Pie Filling
Ingredients
For the Pie
- 1 9-inch pie crust
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 3 lbs apple diced into 1/2 inch cubes or slices, I used Granny Smith
- 1/2 lemon juiced
- 1/3 cup brown sugar or substitute agave nectar or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup corn starch
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
For the Crumble Topping
- 1 cup oats
- 1/4 cup coconut oil melted
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- In a pan, heat the coconut oil until melted. Add the diced apples (I left the peels on mine), lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and ground ginger and sauté for 5 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and allow the apples to simmer over low heat for 20 minutes until the water has evaporated by half.
- Add the corn starch one teaspoon at a time and stir well, the pie filling with thicken quickly. Once ready, remove from heat and place in your pie crust. Mix crumble topping, and add to the top of the filling.
- If baking, for a 9 to 11 inch pie, bake for 40 minutes until edges are brown and bubbling. Enjoy!
Notes
Save Money on Fresh Produce!
I got the fresh produce for this recipe from my garden and from my Misfits Market box - they sell all organic produce at a super discounted price, and it’s purchased direct from the farmers. We get Misfit Market boxes every month and love picking out our favorite seasonal produce for delivery. You can get $10 off your first box by clicking here!Nutrition
Or tag me @theherbeevore in your photo on Instagram!
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The photo shows something like oatmeal spread on the top of the pie or something else that’s crispy. Did you add something for the photo that’s not in the recipe?
Hello,
The picture of the pie posted looks like you sprinkled some oats on top of the pie filling –
If correct – can you let us know when to add them? how much? thank you!
I don’t see where it tells how much water to add when cooking the apple mix.
Hello Gail, you should use 2 cups of water for the filling… but as you boil it down, a lot of the liquid will evaporate!
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