Description

Apple Pie Baked Beans combine the savory richness of crispy bacon and baked beans with the sweet, fruity twist of apple pie filling. This unique comfort food dish is enhanced with barbecue sauce and spices, then baked to bubbly perfection for a deliciously unexpected side or main dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Bacon and Aromatics

8 slices center-cut bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
½ cup diced yellow onion

Main Ingredients

56 ounces baked beans (two 28-ounce cans, such as Bush’s Original brand)
21 ounces apple pie filling, with larger apple pieces cut into smaller ¾-inch pieces

Flavorings

½ cup bottled barbecue sauce (e.g., Sweet Baby Ray’s Original)
¼ cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon barbecue seasoning blend

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the beans.
Cook Bacon: In a large heavy-duty skillet or a 12-inch cast iron skillet, cook the bacon pieces over medium heat for 12-14 minutes until crispy and most fat has rendered.
Remove Bacon: Use a slotted spoon to transfer the crispy bacon onto a paper towel-lined plate; leave the bacon grease in the skillet.
Sauté Onions: Add the diced yellow onions to the bacon grease in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until soft and translucent, being careful not to caramelize.
Combine Ingredients: Add baked beans, apple pie filling, barbecue sauce, light brown sugar, barbecue seasoning blend, and the cooked bacon pieces to the skillet. Stir well to combine all flavors.
Bake Beans: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes or until the beans are bubbly and heated through.
Garnish and Serve: Reserve two tablespoons of the bacon for garnish. Sprinkle these over the baked beans before serving for added texture and flavor.

Notes

Cook bacon until crispy to avoid rubbery texture after baking.
Do not caramelize the onions to prevent overpowering the apple pie flavor.
Use a heavy-duty or cast iron skillet that is oven-safe for cooking and baking.
Apple pieces can be cut slightly smaller than ¾-inch if you prefer smaller bites.
This dish serves well as a flavorful side for barbecue meals or as a hearty main for casual dining.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 44 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: apple pie baked beans, baked beans recipe, bacon baked beans, sweet and savory beans, apple pie filling recipe, barbecue baked beans