Easy Keto Apple Pie Filling Recipe (gluten free)

When a recipe calls for apples, I am all set now with my low carb Easy Keto Apple Pie Filling Recipe. It turned out to be the best mock apple pie filling that is also economical!

Every time of year when zucchinis are plenty, I use this apple replacement with a similar texture and neutral flavor that tastes like an apple with warm spices. This apple pie filling will solve the cravings for apples during the holiday season but will still help you stay on track for a gluten free, ketogenic diet or low carb lifestyle!

Many different recipes use chayote squash as an apple replacement, but I went with a more common vegetable instead, zucchini. This delicious low carb apple pie filling truly tastes like a sweet apple and fools the most die-hard apple fans in my family!

Keep reading as I will walk you through preparing your zucchini for the filling, making the filling, then go over tips, substitutions and frequently asked questions you may have.

What you will need to make this Easy Keto Apple Pie Filling

• 6 cups worth of diced, deseeded zucchini
• Lemon Juice
• Granulated Sweetener of choice (erythritol or allulose)
• Stevia
• Apple Pie Spice (or spice combination to make some)
• Butter or Coconut Oil

Let’s make this Easy Keto Apple Pie Filling

You must first start out with the right kind of zucchini. The larger zucchini’s work best in this recipe since they have a lower moisture content. 

Smaller zucchinis contain too much moisture so you would need to let them sweat out their moisture on a towel. 

Using zucchini in place of apples helps to easily create the thick sauce that surrounds the pieces in the keto apple pie filling. Your first step in preparing the zucchini is to peel it and chop off the ends. 

As you see here, I started out by chopping the large zucchini into large chunks THEN I peeled it. 

If you peel it then chop or chop then peel, it doesn’t make too much of a difference it was just the case with this particular one that was very firm, like an acorn squash, so it was easier to peel it secondly.

Once peeled and chopped, scoop out the seeds with a spoon.

When you have it completely deseeded, chop it all up into small pea size pieces. This size helps to get them fork tender quicker and helps to mimic the true texture of diced apples.

Once they are diced small, add all to a large mixing bowl and sprinkle with 2 tsp apple pie spice and the sugar substitute you chose.

My favorite sweetener is an allulose blend that includes a bit of erythritol. If you want a deeper flavor, sub in some keto brown sugar.

Make your own Keto Brown Sugar if you do not want to spend the money on a premade one!

Now add in 1/4 tsp of apple extract flavoring. Even though it is just a little bit, it adds a secret ingredient flavor that helps push the flavor meter over to as close to real apple flavor as you can get!

I tried it once without it and you could slightly tell there was something missing, but I couldn’t quite figure it out. It was the little, tiny bit of apple extract flavoring that was missing to get it to taste like the real thing!

Usually in apple filling you would add in the lemon juice to prevent browning, but the zucchini doesn’t brown. You can also add in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice for flavor, but it is not necessary in this recipe. This recipe in particular doesn’t need the lemon to taste authentic.

Stir the zucchini mixture up well and let it sit for a few minutes. The zucchini starts to sweat and form a syrup with the sweetener just like apples do!

Now it’s time to thicken up the zucchini mixture into a keto apple pie filling

Preheat a large skillet and swirl in 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, coconut oil or a butter substitute in this step.

Once it is melted, add in the prepared zucchini mixture to the skillet and cook over medium heat until the juices start to bubble up and the pieces become fork tender.

Once they are fork tender, push the pieces to the side so the sauce is revealed, so you can thicken up the sauce better.

While whisking, add the remaining dry ingredients of xanthan gum to thicken the sauce.

Xanthan gum helps to keep it gluten free and to create the thick sauce that mimics the thickening of wheat flour!

The little bit of xanthan gum goes a long way to thicken, you just have to give it time to simmer a bit.

Once the sauce has thickened, use a spatula to fold it all together, evenly distributing the thickened juice.

Now that it is thickened up you can go ahead and use it in recipes like my Keto Apple Skillet Cake with Salted Caramel Drizzle (gluten free)

If you have any leftover keto apple pie filling, put it all in an airtight container or quart sized jar with a lid and put in the fridge.

It will last up to 1 week this way. 

For the best results, use the filling that is chilled so when it is heated up in baking it will thin out less!

Freeze in a zip top freezer bag up to 3 months. Simply thaw in the fridge overnight before using in your recipes.

Ways you can use this Keto Apple Pie Filling

• Make my Gluten Free Low Carb Cinnamon Walnut Muffin Recipe and fold in 1 cup of the Easy Keto Apple Pie Filling before putting into the muffin cups to bake. Add on 5 minutes of baking time so they set up well.
• Add a tablespoon of the keto apple pie filling on top of my favorite muffin batter that I used in my Easy Keto Blueberry Muffins (with Coconut Flour) to make sugar-free apple pie muffins. Just leave out the blueberries and top the batter in each cup with the filling!
• Press the almond flour pie crust recipe from my Low Carb Cannoli Pie into a pie plate for a keto pie crust, then use the crumble from my Keto Copycat Krusteaz Pumpkin Streusel Bread Recipe as the top crust to make a delicious keto apple pie! It is the most versatile low carb pie crust that I use often in many of my recipes. Make the crust a dairy-free pie crust simply by subbing in some coconut oil or vegan butter.
• Top a scoop of keto vanilla ice cream with the keto apple pie filling and drizzle with a bit of keto caramel sauce!
• Make this a keto apple pie recipe when you use the almond pie crust from my Low Carb Cannoli Pie then take the fat head dough from my recipe for The Best Gluten Free Keto Friendly Pizza to use as a faux pie crust dough lattice top instead of the crumble top on the top of the pie. This will REALLY bring in the look of most traditional apple pie recipes! Don’t forget to brush on one beaten egg as an egg wash topping on the buttery crust to get that beautiful golden-brown color. Everyone will be impressed with your delicious pie that is also artistically designed! I would urge against using the fat head dough as a bottom crust dough though since it doesn’t set up the same way when it’s baked versus fried.
• Another way to use this filling is to fold it into some low carb vanilla ice cream. Let the ice cream soften for 20 minutes at room temperature, then fold in the topping. Return it to the freezer to re-freeze for an apple pie ice cream frozen treat.
• Make keto apple pie bars when you substitute the pumpkin layer in my Low Carb Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake Bars with this keto apple pie filling. Make sure the filling is chilled before adding it to the keto pumpkin pie bars, so it all sets up well and does not melt into the cream cheese layer.
• One of my favorite desserts to make with this filling is fried hand pies! I take my fat head dough crust from my recipe for The Best Gluten Free Keto Friendly Pizza recipe, chill overnight in the fridge, roll out then fill and fry up in a skillet! It works just like a normal pastry dough when you fry it. After frying the mini apple pies up, you would think they came from the “Golden Arches” fast food place as it creates a flaky pie crust when fried! A truly keto friendly apple pie that is on the go! You can make them ahead of time and freeze between sheets of parchment paper or flash freeze on a large pan then wrap in plastic wrap. Store them in a freezer safe zip top bag up to 3 months. Reheat in an oven or air fryer at 350F for 10 minutes.

Tips, Substitutions and FAQs

• The amazing thing about using zucchini instead of apples in your keto mock apple pie recipe is that it only has 2.4 g carb and 1.5 g net carbs per half a cup versus 8.6 g carbs for the same number of apples!! You not only save on carbs, but you save on NOT having a blood sugar spike from enjoying a faux apple dessert.
• While green zucchini is the most common variety used in cooking, you can also use yellow squash or chayote squash as a substitute. These varieties have a similar texture and flavor to green zucchini and work well in keto apple pie filling recipes.
• Although the zucchini featured in this zucchini pie is the star of the show, you can add other low carb fruits such as berries or rhubarb for added flavor and texture. Make sure the sweetener is adjusted so the sweetness and spices are balanced.
• Dairy free butter or coconut oil work great in this recipe to give a completely dairy free recipe.
• Make a quick keto apple crisp by putting the prepared keto apple pie filling into a greased pie pan, topping it with the crumble recipe from my Keto Copycat Krusteaz Pumpkin Streusel Bread Recipe. Top the crisp with pea sized bits of cold butter so it will provide the crispiness a crisp should have. It is the ultimate dessert when you top it with some sugar free whipped cream. Simply whip heavy cream with some sweetener and vanilla extract until you have soft peaks. 

What should you use if you do not have any apple pie spice?

Mix all of these together in a small jar and voila you have apple pie spice you can use in a ton of recipes on your keto diet other than this one!

• 4 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons ground cardamom

How do I prevent my keto apple pie filling from becoming watery?

To prevent your pie filling from becoming watery, be sure to cook the zucchini until it is fork-tender before adding any additional ingredients. This will help to release excess moisture from the zucchini and ensure that your filling has a thick and luscious consistency.

Do I really need to get this special ingredient Xanthan Gum?

Yes, you actually do. It is very important to stay away from starches even if just a little. Don’t worry if you are thinking, “I will never use the rest of this bag of xanthan gum if I am only using 1/2 tsp!”. It will not expire for a few years and with great recipes like my Easy Gluten Free Low Carb Biscuits and Gravy , Low Carb Skillet Pot Pie and my Low Carb Tot Casserole with Easy Homemade Cream Soup you will have many more recipes to use it in! I have also had great success using glucomannan instead of xanthan gum. Both thickeners yield a wonderful final product! You can now find xanthan gum at grocery stores in the baking aisle. I have never used guar gum though so you can sub that in if you want to but I do not know the needed ratio for its use.

Can I make keto apple pie filling ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the filling ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When you’re ready to assemble your pie, use the filling at room temperature as it will warm up in the recipe once baked.

What is the best sweetener to use in keto apple pie filling?

For a low carb option, you can use sugar substitutes such as erythritol or monk fruit sweetener. If you want to use coconut sugar or raw cane sugar you can, it will just add to the carb count.

Can I use frozen zucchini to make this keto apple pie filling?

Fresh zucchini is preferred for making this keto apple pie filling. You can use frozen zucchini in a pinch only if you have thawed it and removed any excess moisture before using it.

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Keto apple pie filling with zucchini is a delicious and versatile option for those following a low carb diet or ketogenic lifestyle.

With its warm spices, comforting aroma, and delightful flavor, this keto dessert recipe is sure to become a staple in your recipe collection. So why not give it a try and experience the joy of indulging in a delicious pie filling without the guilt of excess carbs.

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Check out these other recipes that you can use your Keto Apple Filling with

Keto Apple Skillet Cake with Salted Caramel Drizzle

Use in my popular Keto Apple Skillet Cake with Salted Caramel Drizzle.

Healthy Keto Cinnamon French Toast Recipe

Use it as a topping on your Healthy Keto Cinnamon French Toast.

Keto Pork Loin Recipe

Use it as a topping with a slice of Keto Pork Loin when serving instead of carb filled applesauce.

Gluten Free Low Carb Cinnamon Walnut Muffin Recipe

Turn these delicious dairy free, gluten free walnut muffins into faux apple walnut muffins when you fold 1 cup of the Easy Keto Apple Pie Filling into the batter before scooping up into the muffin tin.

This post was updated with additional information and pictures on 6/22/2024.