Apple pie filling isn’t just for pies! Enjoy it cold with yogurt for breakfast or add ice cream to warm apples for a fruity dessert.
Have you ever found yourself staring at an overflowing basket of apples? Maybe your backyard tree had a great year, maybe you’re lucky enough to have a generous, green-thumbed neighbor, or maybe you’re just returning from an impulsive Costco haul. In any case, when life gives you apples, it’s a fun challenge to use them all before they go soft. This apple pie filling can come to the rescue to make the most of your winter abundance and help your dollar stretch through the rest of the year.
Think of homemade organic apple pie filling as a versatile, flavor-packed ingredient that can transform simple snacks, breakfasts, and even savory dishes into something memorable. Once jarred or frozen, it becomes a convenient stash of cozy, apple-spiced goodness that can last you through the seasons. Sitting down with a bunch of apples and your latest Netflix binge might just become your new chilly-weather tradition.
Why Use Organic Apples?
Apples routinely show up near the top of the Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty Dozen” list of fruits and vegetables that are the most contaminated with pesticides. But there’s no need to strike this delicious fruit from your menu. Choose organic apples to ensure your dishes are full of sweetness and nutrition, not harmful synthetic pesticide residue.
Not only does shopping organic protect you, your family, and your guests from consuming unwanted pesticides, but you also get to support farms that protect their workers from the same chemicals. Organic farms create workplaces that protect farmers and farmworkers because they don’t use harmful synthetic pesticides that can cause serious health problems like cancer, brain diseases, and breathing issues. Farmworkers on organic farms avoid these risks and stay healthier while doing their jobs. That’s something to celebrate for the holidays!
Organic Apple Pie Filling: Not Just for Pies
It’s easy to overlook just how useful apple pie filling can be. Most of us think of it as the gooey star of a classic dessert, but in reality, it’s a building block that works in sweet and savory dishes alike.
Homemade filling has several perks: it’s one of the tastiest ways to preserve a bumper crop of apples and it’s infinitely customizable. You can use your favorite sweeteners, spices, or even add a splash of citrus to dress it up the way you like. Organic apple pie filling enhances everything from breakfast to dessert to unexpected savory dishes.
Stir It into Yogurt for an Effortless Treat
One of the simplest, healthiest uses for apple pie filling is mixing it into plain yogurt. The creamy tanginess balances the warm spices beautifully. It tastes like dessert but works perfectly for breakfast or a midday snack.
Try it cold by spooning organic apple filling straight from the fridge into your yogurt. Add organic granola or toasted organic pecans for a crunch.
You can also try it warm by heating a few spoonfuls in the microwave and swirling it into yogurt for a cozy, apple-cider-meets-parfait moment.
Bake It into Pastries and Baked Goods or Use It as a Topping
Move over, maple syrup. Apple pie filling makes an incredible topping for pancakes, waffles, and even French toast. Warm it until it’s thick and glossy, then pour and enjoy!
Try adding a swirl of apple pie filling in your next batch of pumpkin or banana bread, using it as a filling for coffee cakes, or using it to add a little more moisture and sweetness to muffins.
You can add a handful of apple filling to pancake batter for apple-pie-pancakes. Your brunch game will never be the same.
Serve It Warm with Ice Cream
This one’s almost cheating, because it tastes so much like a deconstructed apple pie. Simply warm up your apple pie filling (either on the stovetop or in the microwave) and scoop it over a bowl of vanilla ice cream. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or crushed cookies if you feel fancy.
It’s a perfect last-minute dessert for guests (or yourself) on a chilly night.
Go Savory: Use It as a Base for Chutneys
Feeling adventurous? Organic apple pie filling actually makes a stellar base for savory apple chutneys. Just add organic vinegar, onions, and spices like mustard and ginger for a chutney that pairs wonderfully with grilled meats, curries, cheese boards, or charcuterie. It’s a new and exciting direction for an ingredient that’s usually only brought out for dessert.
Make it Last Year-Round
Organic apple pie filling is especially convenient for the winter months. You can freeze large quantities to last you throughout the year, or tie a bow around a mason jar, add a thoughtful note, and gift it to others for the holidays. Once you’ve made a batch or two, you’ll see just how many doors it opens (and how fast it disappears from your pantry).
From cozy breakfasts to upgraded desserts, last-minute gifts to savory surprises, apple pie filling is the unsung hero of winter cooking. Enjoy the versatility and explore your creativity, but don’t forget to save a little for a good old-fashioned organic apple pie!
