Whole food · Fruits and Fruit Juices
Photo: Wikipedia
These are apple slices, typically from firm varieties like Granny Smith or Golden Delicious, that have been peeled, cored, and gently simmered in a light sugar syrup before being drained and heated for serving. They offer a soft, tender, almost melt-in-the-mouth texture with a pronounced, candy-like sweetness and a mild, cooked apple flavor. Nutritionally, they are a concentrated source of quick-energy carbohydrates, primarily from added and natural sugars.
People love them for their comforting, nostalgic sweetness and soft texture, which makes them a beloved topping for warm desserts like cobblers and crisps. Their convenience and consistent flavor also make them a reliable pantry staple for quick snacks, breakfast toppings, or baking additions.
The primary downside is the high sugar content (nearly 15g per 100g), which can cause rapid blood-sugar spikes, making them less ideal for diabetics or those monitoring sugar intake. To counteract this, pair a small portion with a source of protein or fat, like Greek yogurt or a handful of nuts, to slow sugar absorption. They also lack the crisp texture and some of the fresh nutritional benefits of raw apples.
The process of canning fruit in syrup was a major innovation in food preservation during the 19th century, and canned apples became a staple for naval provisions and pioneer food chests due to their long shelf life.
| Water | 82.3 g |
| Energy | 67.0 kcal |
| Energy | 280 kj |
| Protein | 0.18 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.43 g |
| Ash | 0.27 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 16.8 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.0 g |
| Total Sugars | 14.8 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 4.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.24 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 3.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 6.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 70.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 3.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.05 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.05 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.17 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.30 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.20 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.01 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.01 mg |
| Niacin | 0.08 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.03 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.04 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Choline, total | 3.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 3.0 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 24.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 18.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 56.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 18.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.21 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.60 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.07 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.13 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.10 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
| Tryptophan | 0.00 g |
| Threonine | 0.01 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.01 g |
| Leucine | 0.01 g |
| Lysine | 0.01 g |
| Methionine | 0.00 g |
| Cystine | 0.00 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.01 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.00 g |
| Valine | 0.01 g |
| Arginine | 0.01 g |
| Histidine | 0.00 g |
| Alanine | 0.01 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.03 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.02 g |
| Glycine | 0.01 g |
| Proline | 0.01 g |
| Serine | 0.01 g |
Are canned sweetened apples the same as apple pie filling?
Not exactly. While similar, pie filling often contains added thickeners like cornstarch and extra spices like cinnamon and nutmeg to create a cohesive, saucy texture for baking. Canned sweetened apples are typically just apples and syrup.
Can I use these in place of fresh apples for baking?
Yes, but with adjustments. Since they are pre-cooked, soft, and wet, they will release less moisture during baking. You may need to reduce other liquids in the recipe and bake for a shorter time, as the filling won't need to break down as much.
How can I reduce the sugar content before eating?
You can thoroughly rinse the drained slices under cool running water in a colander to wash away some of the surface syrup. This can reduce the perceived sweetness without altering the texture significantly.