When it comes to classic comfort food, few dishes can compete with a steaming bowl of baked beans. But why settle for a plain old can of beans when you can elevate this beloved side dish to a whole new level?
Slow Cooker Apple Pie Baked Beans are a fun twist on the classic picnic food and combine the sweet and savory flavors of apple pie with the hearty goodness of baked beans. Whether you're hosting a backyard BBQ, a family gathering, or just looking for a delicious side dish, these baked beans with apple pie filling are a total winner.
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We first tried this recipe at a summer barbecue last year and for a full year, this combo of baked beans and apples has been stuck in my memory. These are so good, you guys. And, the fact that you can make them in the slow cooker is such a bonus. Simply toss in the ingredients and go about your day while the flavors meld to perfection.
These beans are the perfect side dish at your next BBQ, or served with something like these Sweet And Spicy Bacon Smash Burgers, Air Fryer Pork Chops, a classic Lipton Onion Soup Meatloaf, Instant Pot BBQ Chicken, or this Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe but they also make a satisfying meal on their own.
Our family is a huge fan of a "beans on toast" dinner for busy nights and these totally hit the spot!
Ingredients
The ingredients here are fairly simple - you should be able to find everything you need at your local grocery store.
- Canned baked beans. Don't go for one of the flavor variations here - the best beans to use are original, plain baked beans, as you'll be adding other ingredients to flavor these later.
- Apple pie filling. This will add some delicious sweetness to the dish. You can typically find canned apple pie filling in the baking aisle (sometimes next to pumpkin or other fruit pie fillings). Look for kinds with no high fructose corn syrup if possible. You can also make you're own apple pie filling if you have a favorite recipe (this is also nice if you're trying to control the sugar in this dish.
- BBQ sauce. This adds an extra zing to the dish. Use your favorite brand.
- Brown sugar. You really only need a touch of brown sugar here, as the apple pie filling already adds a lot of sweetness, but just a pinch adds a nice, slightly caramelized flavor to these beans.
- Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard. For added flavor and a bit of a savory contrast to the sweet ingredients.
- Crispy bacon. I've said it before, and I'll say it again - bacon makes everything better! The crispy bits in the recipe are such a nice surprise here.
- White onions and jalapeños. The spiciness of the peppers and onions counters the sweetness of the apples.
- Liquid smoke. This is totally optional, but I sometimes add a few drops of liquid smoke to the beans after they're done in the crockpot. I love the slightly smoky flavor this gives the beans.
How To Make Apple Pie Baked Beans In The Slow Cooker
- Cook the bacon. Chop the bacon into pieces and cook the bacon over the stove until crisp, then remove it from the pan and allow it to cool. Don't wipe the pan clean.
- Sauté the onions. In the same pan, saute the onion in the bacon grease until soft and translucent.
- Transfer it all to a crockpot. Add the beans, the can of apple pie filling, diced onion, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, hot peppers, and all but a few of the bacon crumbles to the slow cooker.
- Slow cook. Cook on low for 1 ½ hours in the slow cooker.
- Garnish and serve. Top with extra bacon crumbles and hot peppers/jalapenos (if you're into a little spice!).
Variations and Substitutions
Don't hesitate to make ingredient swaps based on what you have on hand or dietary restrictions:
- Sub out the onions. Use yellow onion instead of white if that's all you have on hand.
- Use homemade apple pie filling. This is a great way to control the sugar level of the dish. And you get to choose your own fresh apples, making it sweeter or tart depending on your tastes.
- Adjust the spice. Adjust the level of spiciness by switching out the peppers. If jalapeños are too spicy for you, switch to a milder roasted hatch chile, green pepper, or red bell pepper. Or, if you want to really amp up the spice, toss in some serrano peppers.
- Add some sausage. Want a heartier dish? A bit of sausage goes great with these, either on the side or chopped up in rounds and added right to the beans.
- Make it smoky. Stir in a few drops of liquid smoke to the beans after they're finished cooking for a nice smoky flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
As written, this is a rather spicy recipe. But it's easy to adjust the spice level by changing or omitting the peppers you use.
Absolutely! For a less spicy taste, simply reduce or omit the hot peppers to suit your preference for a milder dish. You could also substitute the hot peppers for green peppers or red bell peppers. That way, you still get some of the texture from the peppers without the extra spice.
Yes, you can make this dish on the stovetop. Just prepare everything in a large Dutch oven or large pot, and simmer it over low-medium heat for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender and the flavors are well blended.
Store leftover baked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
Yes! If you find yourself with too many leftover beans, or if you just want to make them in advance and freeze them for later, these apple pie baked beans can easily be frozen. Just allow them to come to room temperature, then put them in an airtight, freezer-safe container and freeze for up to five months.
Literally, almost anything. Of course, baked beans are great with burgers, hot dogs, or sausages, but we also love beans as a side for breakfast, with eggs and toast. It's a great recipe to get creative with, and you can serve it up in many different ways.
If you try these Apple Pie Baked Beans, let me know what you think in the comments. And don't forget to tag me with a pic @frontrangefed on Instagram so I can see your masterpiece!
More Easy Side Dishes
- Hot Honey Roasted Carrots
- Roasted Garlic And Cauliflower Mash
- Jalapeno Deviled Eggs With Bacon
- Fried Mashed Potato Balls With Bacon And Cheese
- Roasted Fennel Salad With Orange Honey Dressing
- Boursin Cheese Mashed Potatoes
- Cheesy Loaded Tater Tots (Totchos
- Air Fryer French Fries
- Crunchy Coleslaw (Great for Pulled Pork!)
- Easy Instant Pot Mexican Rice
- Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts
- Instant Pot Farro
Recipe
Easy Slow Cooker Apple Pie Baked Beans Recipe
Ingredients
- 6-8 strips bacon
- 56 oz canned original baked beans
- 15 oz apple pie filling (look for one with no high fructose corn syrup)
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoon dijon mustard
- ½ cup diced white onion
- 1 jalapeno, sliced (or other hot peper)
Instructions
- Chop the bacon into small pieces and cook the bacon over the stove until crisp, then remove from the pan. Drain all but about 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease. In the bacon grease, saute the onion until soft and translucent.6-8 strips bacon
- Add the beans, apple pie filling, sauted onion, bbq sauce, brown sugar, worcestershire sauce, mustard, bacon crumbles and the sliced jalapeno peppers to the pan (reserve a few slices of pepper and bacon crumbles for the topping if you wish.r56 oz canned original baked beans, 15 oz apple pie filling, ½ cup barbecue sauce, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 2 tablespoon dijon mustard, ½ cup diced white onion, 1 jalapeno, sliced
- Cook the beans on low for 1 ½ hours. If making these on the stovetop, simmer for 30 minutes.
- When finished cooking, top with extra bacon crumbles and hot peppers if desired and serve.
Notes
- Omit the peppers if you don't want this to be a spicy dish.
- Add sausage for a heartier meal.
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