Apple pie filling desserts make it easy to bake something warm and cinnamon-spiced without peeling, coring or slicing a pile of apples first.
Since the fruit is already cooked, sweetened and thickened, you can get right to the best part: turning it into an easy dessert.
Use canned filling for the quickest option or substitute a homemade version when you have one ready.
From dump cakes and cobblers to turnovers, bars and creamy desserts, these recipes give you plenty of ways to use that extra can in the pantry.
If you are starting with fresh apples, browse my collection of easy apple recipes for even more ideas.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you when you make a purchase through my links. Thank you for supporting my kitchen!
What Can You Make With Apple Pie Filling?
Apple pie filling works with simple baking shortcuts such as boxed cake mix, refrigerated crescent dough, puff pastry, cinnamon rolls and prepared pie crust.
It can also be layered with cream cheese, pudding, whipped topping or granola for an easy chilled dessert.
The filling is already sweet and spiced, so many desserts with apple pie filling need only a few more ingredients.
Can You Use Homemade Apple Pie Filling?
Yes. Canned and homemade filling can usually be used interchangeably as long as the consistency and amount are similar. A homemade filling that is very thin may make pastries soggy, so let it cool and drain off extra liquid when needed.
Check the can size listed in the recipe. Many recipes use a standard 21-ounce can, while larger desserts may need two.
Chop large apple slices into smaller pieces for cookies, cupcakes, hand pies and other individual treats.
Do not add extra liquid unless the recipe calls for it. Too much sauce can keep crusts and toppings from baking properly.
Let warm filling cool before adding it to cheesecake, whipped topping, pudding or another chilled dessert.
Avoid overfilling pastries. Leave enough room around the edges to seal the dough and keep the filling inside as it bakes.
Place a baking sheet under cobblers, pies and other bubbly desserts to catch any drips.
How Do You Make Canned Apple Pie Filling Taste Better?
Stir in a little extra cinnamon or apple pie spice, a splash of vanilla, a pinch of salt or a small squeeze of lemon juice to balance the sweetness.
Chopped pecans, walnuts, caramel sauce or dried cranberries can also add more texture and flavor.
If you are using the filling in a baked dessert, you can mix in a peeled and finely diced apple for more fruit, but make sure the added apple has enough time to soften.
20+ Easy Desserts With Apple Pie Filling
1
Crockpot Fried Apples
These Crockpot Fried Apples are tender, buttery and coated in a sweet cinnamon sauce. They work well for brunch because they can be spooned over pancakes, waffles, French toast or oatmeal. The slow cooker handles the cooking, making this a simple homemade alternative to canned apple pie filling.
This Apple Pie Coffee Cake combines a soft vanilla cake, cinnamon-spiced apple filling and a buttery streusel topping. It pairs perfectly with coffee and can be sliced ahead of time for a brunch table. Canned apple pie filling keeps the prep quick while still giving the cake plenty of apple flavor.
This Apple Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread has soft, flaky biscuit layers filled with cinnamon sugar and apple pie filling, then finished with a simple glaze. Guests can pull off individual pieces, making it an easy addition to a casual brunch spread. Refrigerated biscuits and canned filling eliminate the need for homemade dough or cooked apples.
This Crock Pot Apple Dump Cake layers warm apple pie filling beneath a buttery apple-cinnamon cake topping. It stays warm in the slow cooker, making it convenient for a relaxed brunch while keeping the oven available for other dishes. With only three ingredients and about five minutes of prep, it is one of the easiest desserts in the roundup.
Apple Delight has a cinnamon graham cracker crust layered with cream cheese, whipped topping, apple pie filling and crunchy pecans. It can be prepared the night before and sliced when brunch is ready to serve. Choose this easy no-bake dessert when you want something cool and creamy instead of another warm apple dish.
These Apple Pie Dumplings combine sweet apple pie filling with tender pieces of refrigerated crescent-roll dough. They are especially good served warm at brunch with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel. The two-ingredient recipe takes only a few minutes to assemble before baking.
This No-Bake Caramel Apple Cheesecake layers graham cracker crumbs, creamy cheesecake filling and homemade cinnamon apples with caramel. The individual cups can be chilled ahead of time and placed directly on a brunch table when it is time for dessert. No oven is required, but this recipe uses freshly cooked apples rather than canned apple pie filling.
Apple Pie Bubble Up is filled with tender biscuit pieces coated in buttery, cinnamon-spiced apple pie filling and topped with a sweet glaze. The 9-by-13-inch casserole is easy to scoop and serve for a family brunch or holiday gathering. Refrigerated biscuits and canned filling keep the hands-on preparation to about 10 minutes.
This easy apple crisp has warm cinnamon apples beneath a buttery brown sugar and oat topping. It makes a comforting brunch dessert and tastes especially good served warm with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream or yogurt. Using canned apple pie filling skips all the peeling and slicing, so the crisp is ready for the oven in about 10 minutes.
Cinnamon Roll Casserole with Apple Pie Filling (and Heavy Cream)
This cinnamon roll casserole combines soft cinnamon-roll pieces, apple pie filling and heavy cream to create a rich caramelized sauce as it bakes. It feeds about 10 people and can be served warm right from the baking dish at brunch. With three ingredients and five minutes of prep, it is a practical choice for a busy holiday morning.
These Apple Pie Bars layer a buttery pie crust, spiced apple pie filling and a golden sugar-cookie crumble. They can be cut into squares and placed on a brunch tray without needing plates or utensils. Five prepared ingredients give you the flavor of apple pie with much less work than making one from scratch.
These Apple Pie Cups turn refrigerated cinnamon rolls into individual pastries filled with sweet apples and finished with icing. Their small size makes them easy to serve at brunches, showers or holiday breakfasts. They require only two ingredients and are ready in about 20 minutes.
These apple turnovers wrap homemade brown sugar and cinnamon apples inside crisp, flaky puff pastry and finish them with a sweet glaze. They are easy to pick up and pair well with coffee on a brunch pastry tray. Store-bought puff pastry saves time, but the apple filling is made from fresh apples rather than canned pie filling.
These Apple Pie Cheesecake Bars have a buttery crust, creamy cheesecake layer, cinnamon apples and an oat crumble topping. They can be made ahead, chilled and cut into smaller squares for a brunch dessert tray. Choose these when you want a combination of apple pie and cheesecake, but note that the recipe uses fresh apples instead of prepared pie filling.
Shortcut Apple Pie Cupcakes with Sweet Apple Filling Inside
These Apple Pie Cupcakes combine soft cinnamon cake, a sweet apple pie filling center and creamy cinnamon buttercream. Their individual size makes them easy to serve at brunches, parties and holiday gatherings. Boxed cake mix and canned filling reduce the prep while still giving every cupcake a generous layer of apple flavor.
These soft cinnamon and nutmeg cookies are filled with chopped apple pie filling and finished with a caramel drizzle. Their bite-sized shape fits easily on a brunch cookie tray and gives guests the flavor of apple pie without needing a fork. Canned filling keeps the recipe manageable, and the cookies are ready in a little over 30 minutes.
Apple Pie Poke Cake combines a soft apple-spiced vanilla cake with caramel sauce, whipped topping and crunchy toffee pieces. The 9-by-13-inch cake feeds a crowd and can be prepared ahead for a holiday brunch. Cake mix and canned apple pie filling keep the prep simple while the chilling time allows the caramel to soak into the cake.
This Cake Mix Apple Cobbler has warm cinnamon apples beneath a golden, slightly crisp cake topping. It serves about 10 people and can be spooned into bowls for an easy brunch dessert. Apple pie filling, cake mix and melted butter are the only three ingredients needed, making it a dependable last-minute option.
Need simple dinners to serve before dessert? My Fall Family Meal Bundle includes two weeks of easy dinner recipes, five fall desserts and helpful planning printables for busy families.
Can you eat apple pie filling straight from the can?
Yes. Commercially canned apple pie filling is already cooked and can be used without baking it again. Spoon it over ice cream, cheesecake, yogurt, pancakes or waffles for a quick treat.
Does canned apple pie filling need to be thickened?
Usually not. It is already made with a thickener, so you can add it directly to most recipes. If the filling seems especially loose, follow the dessert recipe carefully rather than adding more cornstarch on your own.
How long does opened apple pie filling last in the refrigerator?
Transfer leftover filling to an airtight container and refrigerate it promptly. For the best quality, use it within three to five days and follow any storage directions printed on the can.
Can you freeze leftover apple pie filling?
Yes. Place the filling in a freezer-safe container, leave a little room for expansion and freeze it for up to three months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and stir before using. The apples may be slightly softer after freezing, so the thawed filling works best in baked desserts or as a topping.
Can another flavor of pie filling be substituted?
Yes. In many simple desserts, you can replace apple filling with cherry, peach or blueberry filling. If you have a can of cherry filling in the pantry, try one of these easy cherry pie filling desserts.
More Easy Apple Dessert Ideas
Keep the apple baking going with these recipes and helpful collections:
Reesa Lewandowski is the creator of Momma Lew, a New Jersey-based food blog where she shares easy, family-friendly recipes inspired by everyday life. A mom of two teenagers and a self-taught cook and baker, Reesa has spent over a decade developing simple, approachable meals—from quick weeknight dinners to festive desserts—all tested in her own kitchen. Her recipes focus on comfort food with a modern twist, seasonal favorites, and stress-free baking. Drawing inspiration from her Jersey roots, Reesa’s goal is to help busy families enjoy delicious meals without the fuss.
