Apple Pie Baked Beans

Name: Apple Pie Baked Beans
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 8 slices center-cut bacon. (cut into 1-inch pieces); ½ cup diced yellow onion; 56 ounces baked beans, (two 28-ounce cans (We used Bush’s Original brand)); 21 ounces apple pie filling, (cut the larger pieces of apples into smaller ¾-inch pieces); ½ cup bottled barbecue sauce, (We used Sweet Baby Ray’s Original brand); ¼ cup light brown sugar; 1 tablespoon barbecue seasoning blend

This one-pot recipe for Apple Pie Baked Beans is a satisfying blend of savory baked beans and crispy bacon with the sweet tanginess of apple pie filling. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for cookouts, family dinners, or potluck picnics, providing a flavorful side dish that everyone will love.

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Table of Contents

Let’s Dish: About Baked Beans
Apple Pie Baked Beans Ingredients
Apple Pie Filling Baked Beans Additions and Substitutions
How To Make This Apple Pie Baked Beans Recipe
How To Serve Apple Pie Baked Beans
How To Store Leftover Apple Pie Baked Beans
Why This Recipe For Apple Pie Baked Beans Is The Best
Frequently Asked Questions
More Recipes You’ll Love
JUMP TO RECIPE
Even More Recipes You’ll Love

Our apple pie baked beans recipe takes a comforting classic and gives it a sweet, flavorful twist that’s hard to resist. The combination of smoky bacon, savory BBQ sauce, and the surprise of apple pie filling creates a perfect balance of rich and sweet. It’s hearty, familiar, yet totally unique, offering something fresh compared to standard baked beans recipes. This dish is perfect for BBQs or family dinners when you want to serve up something memorable that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Let’s Dish: About Baked Beans

Main Ingredients: Bacon, baked beans, apple pie filling, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, onion, BBQ seasoning.
Quick Steps: Cook bacon and onions, combine all ingredients, and bake until bubbly.
Total Time & Yield: 50 minutes, yields 12 servings.

Why This Recipe

This apple pie baked beans recipe stands out because it combines the familiar sweetness of apple pie filling with a smoky and savory BBQ sauce.

Our recipe keeps it simple, letting the natural sweetness of the apples and the tang of BBQ sauce shine.

Additionally, unlike other recipes that require long baking times or extra steps like grilling or slow cooking, this one is quick and easy, ready in under an hour. You get all the hearty comfort of baked beans with a sweet twist, but without the fuss.

Apple Pie Baked Beans Ingredients

Apple Pie Baked Beans raw ingredients that are labeled

The unexpected blend of flavors in this apple baked bean recipe transforms traditional baked beans into a savory-sweet sensation everyone will be talking about. Make note of the ingredients, because we’re positive you’ll be giving out the recipe at your next family dinner.

You’ll Need:

8 slices center-cut bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
½ cup diced yellow onion
2 (28-ounce) cans of baked beans (Bush’s Original brand)
21-ounce can of apple pie filling (cut the larger pieces of apples into smaller ¾-inch pieces)
½ cup bottled barbecue sauce (Sweet Baby Ray’s Original brand)
¼ cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon barbecue seasoning blend

Apple Pie Filling Baked Beans Additions and Substitutions

If you’re looking to customize our Apple Pie Baked Beans recipe to suit your preferences or dietary needs, here are some ideas. Keep in mind that while these alternatives can add variety and flavor, they may slightly alter the taste and texture of the dish.

Bacon: This easy recipe calls for cooking your bacon, then using the bacon grease to add flavor to the dish. If you replace the bacon, you’ll need to replace the oil used to cook the onions. To add a smoky flavor without bacon, you can add a teaspoon of smoked paprika or liquid smoke to the beans.

Yellow Onion: Swap yellow onion for red onion for a slightly sweeter flavor, or for a milder onion flavor, use finely chopped shallots instead of yellow onion. You can also use white onion if you prefer a strong onion flavor.

Baked Beans: We recommend classic baked beans, but you can also try different varieties of baked beans, such as vegetarian, maple, or hot pepper flavored if you’d like a rather spicy recipe for baked beans.

Apple Pie Filling: If you prefer a personal touch, you can make your own homemade apple pie filling (use our recipe for Apple Pie Filling if you’d like)!

Barbecue Sauce: You can use your favorite brand of barbecue sauce for this recipe. However, we recommend you stick with a simple sweet and smoky flavored sauce. There are many BBQ sauce flavors, but they will alter the flavor of these apple pie baked beans quite a bit. If you’d like to give your beans a bit of a kick and want an extra flavorful sauce, give our Fireball BBQ Sauce recipe a try!

Light Brown Sugar: Substitute light brown sugar with dark brown sugar for a richer, more intense flavor.

How To Make This Apple Pie Baked Beans Recipe

This trending TikTok recipe is famous for a reason! The sweetness of the apples perfectly complements the rich BBQ sauce and tasty baked beans. The best part? It’s so simple to make!

STEP ONE: Before you begin cooking your baked beans, preheat your oven. Prepare your ingredients by dicing the yellow onion and cutting the bacon into small pieces. Cut any big chunks of apple into smaller, bite-sized pieces.

STEP TWO: Heat a large, heavy-duty skillet (a 12-inch cast iron skillet is a great choice) over medium heat. Add the bacon pieces and allow them to cook until the bacon is crispy and most of the fat has been rendered, stirring occasionally.

PRO TIP: Make sure you cook the bacon until it’s crispy. This gives the bacon the proper texture. Otherwise, it could get rubbery as it cooks in the oven.

STEP THREE: Remove the crisp bacon pieces from the pan and set them on a paper towel-lined plate. Use a slotted spoon to scoop the bacon from the pan, leaving the bacon grease in the skillet. Set the bacon aside.

PRO TIP: Reserve 2 tablespoons of the cooked bacon to use as a garnish. Sprinkle them over the finished baked beans before serving.

STEP FOUR: Add the diced onion to the bacon grease in the hot pan. Cook for a few minutes, or until the onions are soft and translucent.

PRO TIP: If you normally love caramelized onions, try to resist the urge to cook them beyond translucent. Caramelizing the onions will cause their flavor to overpower the flavor of the apple pie filling.

onions added to the skillet of bacon grease

STEP FIVE: Add the remaining ingredients to the pan; the baked beans, apple pie filling, bottled barbecue sauce, light brown sugar, barbecue seasoning blend, and the cooked bacon pieces. Give the pan of beans a good stir to combine the ingredients.

baked beans, apple pie filling, bottled barbecue sauce, light brown sugar, barbecue seasoning blend, and the cooked bacon pieces added to the skillet

STEP SIX: Set the skillet of apple pie baked beans to the preheated oven and bake until the beans are bubbly and heated through. Remove from the oven and allow the beans to cool slightly so the flavors can blend together. Serve hot.

How To Serve Apple Pie Baked Beans

Tender beans simmered in a rich and tangy sauce, with chunks of sweet apple pie filling and crispy bacon in every bite. That’s the beauty of our Apple Pie Baked Beans recipe. Here’s how to serve it:

Serve a generous scoop of Apple Pie Baked Beans alongside grilled hot dogs or hamburgers at your next cookout or backyard barbecue. The smoky-sweet flavors of the beans complement the savory richness of the grilled meats, for a winning combination that will satisfy any crowd.

Take your brunch to a whole new level by pairing these flavorful baked beans with fluffy scrambled eggs and crispy brown sugar bacon. They’ll add a ton of flavor to your brunch spread.

Transform leftover Apple Pie Baked Beans into a hearty breakfast by serving them over toasted bread or English muffins with a fried egg on top. The creamy yolk of the egg adds a rich flavor to the dish.

Use leftover Apple Pie Baked Beans as a filling for savory hand pies or empanadas. Simply spoon the beans onto rounds of pie dough, fold them over, and crimp the edges to seal. Bake until golden brown and crispy for a portable meal or snack that’s bursting with flavor.

Pair these apple-infused baked beans with warm apple cider or hard cider during autumn or at Thanksgiving.

For a more indulgent meal, serve Apple Pie Baked Beans alongside juicy French onion pork chops or tender roast chicken. The savory-sweet beans complement the hearty meat, for a satisfying and comforting meal that’s perfect for a cozy night in.

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How To Store Leftover Apple Pie Baked Beans

Preparing our Apple Pie Baked Beans in advance or storing leftovers is a breeze! Here’s how to keep them fresh:

MAKE AHEAD: You can easily prepare our Apple Pie Baked Beans ahead of time on busy days. In fact, this is a fantastic recipe to make ahead, because the flavors have even more time to meld together.

Follow the recipe instructions up to the point of baking, then cover the skillet with aluminum foil or transfer the beans to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. When your ready to enjoy, bake as directed, but add just a few minutes to the cook time.

IN THE FRIDGE: Allow the beans to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container, then refrigerate them to keep them fresh. The beans will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

IN THE FREEZER: If you can’t eat up all your beans within a few days, freezing them is a good option. Allow the beans to cool completely before transferring them to a freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

HOW TO REHEAT: To reheat apple pie baked beans, you can use the stove top, oven, or microwave. You can reheat the beans on the stovetop in a small saucepan. Add a bit of water or broth if the beans have thickened too much. You can also set the beans in an oven-safe pan and reheat at 350°F until hot through, about 10-15 minutes. Of course, you can always microwave your beans. Just heat in 30-45 second increments, stirring between each until hot.

Why This Recipe For Apple Pie Baked Beans Is The Best

Warm, flavorful apple baked beans is an easy recipe we adore for it’s perfect balance of sweet an savory. Here are even more reasons this will become your new favorite side dish recipe:

Unique Flavor: Our recipe combines the comforting flavors of classic baked beans with sweet and tangy apple pie filling. It’s so mouthwatering, you’ll want to lick the bowl clean!

Comfort Food with a Twist: Apple pie baked beans is a recipe that reminds you of family dinners and holiday celebrations. It’s full of nostalgia, like a warm hug.

Crowd-Pleaser: What truly sets our Apple Pie Baked Beans apart is their universal appeal. From picky eaters to adventurous foodies, everyone can find something to love about this dish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this slow cooker apple pie baked beans?

Yes, you can turn this recipe into a CrockPot recipe. Make the recipe as written, but instead of baking the beans in the oven, transfer them to the slow cooker instead. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 2 hours.

Are apple pie baked beans spicy?

These beans aren’t spicy at all. Unlike Louisiana baked beans and Cajun baked beans, they have a sweeter, smokier flavor. If you prefer spicier beans, you can add a touch of cayenne powder or some Cajun seasoning.

Can I serve these baked beans cold?

While these baked beans are typically served warm, you can certainly enjoy them cold if you prefer. They make a delicious addition to salads, sandwiches, or as a topping for baked potatoes.

Can I prepare the beans in advance for a party?

Yes, you can prepare the beans in advance for a party. Simply follow the recipe up to the point of baking, then cover and refrigerate until ready to bake. Allow the beans to come to room temperature before baking as directed.

How long do the baked beans need to cool before storing leftovers?

It’s best to allow the baked beans to cool to room temperature before storing leftovers. Once cooled, transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate promptly.

Can I adjust the sweetness level of the beans?

Yes, you can adjust the sweetness level of the beans to suit your taste. You can decrease the amount of brown sugar or apple pie filling for a less sweet dish, or increase it for a sweeter flavor.

a bowl of Apple Pie Baked Beans with a spoon

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Apple Pie Baked Beans

5 from 1 vote

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 30

Total Time 50

Servings

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Ingredients

8 slices center-cut bacon. cut into 1-inch pieces
½ cup diced yellow onion
56 ounces baked beans, two 28-ounce cans (We used Bush’s Original brand)
21 ounces apple pie filling, cut the larger pieces of apples into smaller ¾-inch pieces
½ cup bottled barbecue sauce, We used Sweet Baby Ray’s Original brand
¼ cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon barbecue seasoning blend

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
In a large heavy-duty skillet (a 12-inch cast iron skillet works great), on medium heat, add the bacon pieces. Cook the bacon pieces for 12-14 minutes or until the bacon is crispy and most of the fat has rendered.
Once the bacon pieces are crisp, use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon from the skillet, leaving the bacon grease in the skillet, and place the bacon onto a paper towel-lined plate. Set aside.
To the skillet of bacon grease, add the diced yellow onions. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until the onions are soft and translucent.
Add the baked beans, apple pie filling, bottled barbecue sauce, light brown sugar, barbecue seasoning blend, and the cooked bacon pieces. Stir to combine.
Transfer the skillet of apple pie baked beans to the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes or until the beans are bubbly and heated through.
Make sure you cook the bacon until it’s crispy. This is what gives the bacon the proper texture. Otherwise, it could get rubbery as it cooks in the oven.
Reserve two tablespoons of the cooked bacon to use as a garnish. Sprinkle them over the finished baked beans before serving.
If you normally love caramelized onion, resist the urge to cook the onions beyond translucent. Caramelizing the onions will cause the onion flavor to overpower the flavor of the apple pie filling.

Notes

Make sure you cook the bacon until it’s crispy. This gives the bacon the proper texture. Otherwise, it could get rubbery as it cooks in the oven.
Reserve 2 tablespoons of the cooked bacon to use as a garnish. Sprinkle them over the finished baked beans before serving.
If you normally love caramelized onions, try to resist the urge to cook them beyond translucent. Caramelizing the onions will cause their flavor to overpower the flavor of the apple pie filling.

Nutrition

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This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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Apple Pie Baked Beans