The first time I made Apple Pie Baked Beans, my entire kitchen filled with this irresistible mix of smoky bacon, warm apples, and sweet barbecue sauce, and I remember standing over the pot thinking, “There is no way this should smell THIS good.” I discovered the recipe when I was craving something comforting but also a little unexpected, and the moment I stirred those apple pie filling slices into the bubbling beans, I knew I’d stumbled onto something magical. This dish feels like the perfect marriage between a summer cookout and a cozy fall dessert, and it has become one of those crowd-pleasing recipes I pull out whenever I want to impress without overcomplicating anything.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll love this recipe because it takes classic baked beans and elevates them into something unbelievably rich, comforting, and slightly sweet—without any extra work. The apple pie filling melts into the beans, creating this thick, luxurious sauce that tastes like barbecue meets autumn in the best way.
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon
- ½ cup yellow onion, diced
- 56 oz baked beans (canned)
- 21 oz apple pie filling
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 1 tbsp barbecue seasoning blend
I love using thick-cut bacon because it adds more texture and flavor to the beans. You can swap the yellow onion for sweet onion if that’s what you have—it adds a slightly caramel-like note that’s delicious. The baked beans can be any brand you love, but make sure they’re the traditional kind, not maple or already heavily seasoned, since we’re adding plenty of sweetness ourselves. Apple pie filling matters more than you might think—get a variety with large apple chunks because they hold up best during cooking. And the barbecue seasoning should be one you really enjoy since it anchors the smoky flavor.
Equipment Needed
- Large cast iron skillet or Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Oven or stovetop
I love using a cast iron skillet for this recipe because it helps everything caramelize a bit as it cooks and keeps the heat consistent. A Dutch oven works beautifully too and is especially helpful if you’re doubling the recipe. A wooden spoon is ideal for scraping up the little flavor-packed bits from the bottom of the pan. Everything else is simple, everyday equipment—nothing fancy required. You can bake this in the oven or simmer it gently on the stovetop if you prefer.
Step-by-Step Instructions
I always begin this recipe by cooking the bacon slowly, letting it render its fat until the pieces become crispy and golden. The smell alone makes everyone in my house wander into the kitchen asking what I’m making. Once the bacon is done, I remove it to a plate and leave just enough drippings in the pan to sauté the onions. They soften quickly in that smoky bacon fat, becoming fragrant and slightly translucent, the perfect base for the beans.
Next, I pour in the baked beans and stir everything together before adding the apple pie filling. The first time I tried this combination I hesitated, wondering if it would be too sweet, but the apples melt slightly and create the perfect balance. I use my wooden spoon to gently break up any large apple slices so they distribute nicely throughout the beans. The mixture thickens and becomes glossy almost immediately, and that’s when I know it’s time for the seasonings.
Then I add the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, and seasoning blend, stirring slowly to bring everything together. Each ingredient adds a layer of flavor—smokiness, sweetness, tang, heat—and seeing it come together in the pot is one of the most satisfying parts of making this recipe. I let the beans simmer for a few minutes so the flavors begin blending before stirring the bacon back in.(See the next page below to continue…)