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    Home » Recipes » Healthy Desserts

    Homemade Apple Pie Filling (NO Sugar!)

    Published: Sep 12, 2022 · Modified: Dec 6, 2022 by Lauren · This post may contain affiliate links · 17 Comments

    Jump to Recipe  ↓
    Apple pie filling Pinterest image pin

    This healthy apple pie filling is made without any sweeteners and is delicious atop pancakes or yogurt. Stir in a handful of raisins and a sprinkle of granola for a healthy treat.

    Overhead shot of gooey apple slices on a white plate with a doily and wooden cutting board.

    Next to chocolate, apples are my favorite ingredient to center a dessert recipe around.

    Many a morning, I make a batch of these Oatmeal Pancakes.

    Oftentimes, we can't finish them all, so later in the day, I find myself munching on them as a snack.

    These gooey apple slices came to be as a result of wanting an accompaniment to the cakes. In lieu of maple syrup, I decided to saute an apple in a bit of butter and use that as my topping.

    I daydream of all the different ways to use this recipe, because I love it so darn much!

    It tastes like apple pie filling, minus all the associated sugar. Ironically, I've not used it as the filling in a pie....yet. 😉

    How to make healthy apple pie filling

    Ingredients needed

    Various ingredients laid out on a wood table, including apples, cinnamon, and tapioca starch.

    Recipe steps

    Begin by rinsing the apples really well (you can peel them if you like, I actually enjoy the peel).

    The best way I've found to cut apples is to slice off the sides; then, take each side and cut vertical slices, about 1/8 inch thick. Continue this for each apple side.

    • Cut apple on black cutting board.
    • Apple slices and silver knife on a black cutting board.

    Add the apple slices to a pan with the melted fat, and saute them until softened. Add in the tapioca slurry, along with the cinnamon and/or pie spice.

    • Sliced apples in a steel pan with a red spoon.
    • Saucy bubbly apples in a stainless steel pan.
    • Saucy apples with cinnamon in a pan.
    Saucy apple slices on a large silver spoon.

    FAQs

    What are the best apples to use?

    The general consensus out there is that Granny Smith apples make the best apple pie filling, as they are firm in texture. Given that this recipe is made without added sugar, I suggest a sweet (but firm!) apple, such as gala, Rome, or Fuji.

    Can I use cornstarch or arrowroot in place of the tapioca?

    Yes! I originally used arrowroot in this recipe. I now use tapioca, as it holds the thickness better. With arrowroot, it can go from thick to runny if you keep it on a high temperature for too long.

    How do you slice apples for apple pie filling?

    I've tried to provide photos above, but if you're still having trouble, check out this Youtube video on slicing apples.
    Cooked apple slices in a small porcelain bowl.

    Ways To Enjoy These Warm, Gooey Apples

    • Atop my Oatmeal Pancakes (or any pancakes!)
    • Mixed with some Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of cinnamon
    • With a splash of Homemade Coconut Milk and a handful of Buckwheat Granola
    • As the filling for a healthy apple pie (recipe to come!)
    Overhead shot of gooey apple slices on a white plate with a doily and wooden cutting board.
    Print Recipe
    4.27 from 19 votes

    Homemade Apple Pie Filling (NO Sugar!)

    This healthy apple pie filling is made without any sugar and is delicious atop pancakes or yogurt.
    Prep Time2 mins
    Cook Time7 mins
    Total Time9 mins
    Course: Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Gluten-Free, Grain-free, Sugar-free
    Servings: 2 servings
    Calories: 135kcal
    Author: Lauren Goslin

    Ingredients

    • 1 Tablespoon butter or coconut oil
    • 2 large sweet apples sliced ~1/8 inch thick
    • dash sea salt
    • ½ cup cold water
    • 2 teaspoons tapioca starch
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • cinnamon and/or pie spice to taste

    Instructions

    • Heat the butter or oil in a medium-sized pan.
    • Add the apple slices and salt.
    • Saute the apples over medium heat for 5-7 minutes or until softened.
    • In a small cup, whisk the water with the tapioca and vanilla.
    • Once the apples have softened, add in the tapioca slurry.
    • Raise the heat a bit, and stir the apples until thickened.
    • Once thick, remove the pan from the heat.
    • Stir in cinnamon and/or pie spice as desired (I use a LOT!)
    • Enjoy!

    Notes

    Nutrition facts based on using butter.
    WW Points: 7

    Nutrition

    Sugar: 14.2g | Fiber: 2g | Calories: 135kcal | Fat: 6.3g | Protein: 0.3g | Carbohydrates: 18.9g

    If you have a chance to try this recipe, please leave a star rating and a comment below letting me know how you liked it!

    Shared with: Fiesta Friday, Busy Monday

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    Filed Under: Healthy Desserts

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. 💞UpUrs✨🥴

      September 13, 2022 at 8:48 am

      🌼💫YUMMMMMMMMMMMMM🤯✌️💕

      Reply
    2. Natalie

      September 13, 2022 at 8:45 am

      OMG so good!

      Reply
    3. Jodi Dyck

      January 18, 2021 at 4:00 pm

      I just finished making this filling and I plan to pair it with some gluten free crepes for breakfast!

      Reply
    4. Dawn Dowling

      July 09, 2020 at 11:30 am

      Is the 182 calories for the entire recipe or per serving.

      Reply
      • Lauren

        July 11, 2020 at 9:15 am

        All of the nutrition facts are per serving 🙂

        Reply
    5. Tanya

      February 20, 2020 at 4:45 am

      I doubled the recipe and added just a little lemon juice. Its very good!

      Reply
    6. Joslyn

      November 27, 2019 at 1:53 pm

      Hi,

      I followed this link from Masonfit.com recipe on a healthier apple pie. I'd like to use this as my pie filling. Do I follow all instructions above and then just put in my pie crust and bake?

      Thanks!

      Reply
    7. Alba

      November 30, 2018 at 7:46 am

      Can it be done without arrowroot?

      Reply
      • Lauren

        November 30, 2018 at 12:43 pm

        It can, but without the arrowroot, the sauce won't be thickened.

        Reply
      • Ann

        December 05, 2018 at 2:07 pm

        You switch the arrowroot with cornstarch. 1:1 ratio

        Reply
    8. Jen Siokalo

      September 09, 2018 at 9:22 am

      Can you can this?

      Reply
      • Lauren

        September 09, 2018 at 9:44 am

        Hi Jen,

        I've never tried and really have no experience with canning, sorry!

        Reply
    9. Dale

      April 23, 2017 at 2:05 pm

      drool! Thank you for sharing your delicious genius with us mere mortals!

      Reply
    10. gina

      April 10, 2017 at 6:06 pm

      Ooh! I just bought a tub of Dreaming Cow Cream Top Yogurt. Can't wait to dollop some atop these gorgeous apples! Thank you. Looks like winner!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        April 11, 2017 at 1:10 pm

        Thanks Gina, I hope you like them! 🙂

        Reply
    11. Sammi Ricke

      April 10, 2017 at 11:16 am

      Love this recipe, girl! I don't think there is a wrong way to eat these- by themselves, atop pancakes, yogurt, anything!! YUM!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        April 10, 2017 at 3:16 pm

        Thanks Sammi!

        Reply

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    Hi there, I'm Lauren Goslin, and I've been a food blogger for over ten years. My goal with this blog is to show you healthy, lower sugar recipes that my family and I enjoy.

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