Is your fruit pie filling too thin? We know the feeling — it’s hard to do anything with a fruit pie filling that is too thin without ruining the consistency of the filling, crust, and end result. But don’t worry! Here are some ways you can thickening your fruit pie filling while still keeping your crust light and flaky.
It works great for peach, cherry, apple, blueberry, raspberry, and all fruit pies.
Quick And Simple Ways To Thicken Fruit Pie Filling
One of the most tried and true ways to thicken fruit pie filling is with cornstarch or tapioca, which are both used in the same amount as flour. Add a little bit at a time, and stir until you reach the desired thickness. If you’re using cornstarch, it will take longer to thicken than tapioca, but it will also be clear rather than opaque.
Other Ways To Thicken Fruit Pie Filling
Pectin
You can also thicken fruit pie filling with pectin. You will want to choose a pectin that is specifically made for thickening pie fillings. This can take less time than cornstarch or tapioca, but the results are not as clear, and it will take a little bit of time to set.
Add a little at a time and stir until the desired thickness is reached. After adding pectin, it will be clear and have a consistency similar to cornstarch or tapioca.
Gelatin
You can thicken fruit pie filling with gelatin, which is a great option if you’re not worried about keeping your pie vegan-friendly. Gelatin works quickly to create a thick filling, and doesn’t affect the flavor of your pie.
Add a little at a time, and stir until the desired thickness is reached.
Agar Agar
If you’re worried about the gelatin affecting the taste of your pie, you can thicken fruit pie filling using agar agar. This will take a little longer than gelatin, but it will still be much faster than cornstarch or tapioca. It won’t add any flavor to your filling either.
Add a little at a time, and stir until the desired thickness is reached.
Liquid Thickener
If you don’t want to use pectin or cornstarch, you can instead thicken fruit pie filling with liquid thickener. Liquid thickener comes in several different forms: in gel form, as powder or as a syrup. You can add a little bit of liquid thickener to fruit pie filling at a time, and stir until the desired thickness is reached.
Cheesecake Filling
You can also thicken your fruit pie filling with cheesecake filling. By adding about 2/3 cup of cheesecake filling at a time to your fruit pie filling, you can achieve the same results as using tapioca or cornstarch. You will want to choose a cheesecake brand that is specifically made for thickening pie fillings.
Freeze Your Fruit Pie Filling
If you need to thicken your fruit pie filling quickly, you can freeze it. Place in a plastic bag or container and freeze for at least 6 hours before using. Thaw before using.
Why is my pie filling runny?
There are several reasons that your pie filling can be too thin. First and foremost, you might be using too much water for the amount of fruit in your pie. Too much water for the amount of fruit can produce a runny pie filling. In addition, pectin naturally occurs in some fruits (like berries) but is not present in others (like apples). This can affect the thickness of your pie filling. Lastly, homemade pie crusts are notoriously tricky. If you’re making a homemade crust, you’re adding another variable that could create your runny pie filling problem.
Conclusion
Be sure to use a thickening agent that is specifically made for thickening pie fillings, as you want a clear filling rather than one that is opaque like cornstarch or tapioca. Also, make sure to keep your fruit pie filling at a thickness that it doesn’t drip into the crust when sliced.
