Sorry but if your recipe calls for tapioca then it isn't an approved recipe for canning.

No thickeners - flour, cornstarch, tapioca, etc. are approved for canning pie fillings because they change the density and interfere with the heat penetration and create cold pockets in the mix where bacteria can grow.

So it sounds as if someone made up this recipe and changed it to pressure canning in an attempt to get around that problem. Whether it works and is safe or not is unknown but BWB canning definitely wouldn't be safe to do. Plus I don't think I would care for the mushy apples that will result from pressure canning.

Clear Jel is the only approved thickener for pie fillings. However since many of us don't care for the result we can our pie fillings with no thickeners added and then stir in your thickener of choice after opening the jar to make the pie.

But it is your choice.

Here is a link that might be useful: Canning pie fillings

I don't add tapioca or anything. I just can the apple slices with some lemon juice/fruit fresh and water (or you could use apple juice, I found that the water gets enough of the flavor from the apples). then when I prepare the pies, I dip out the apples and add the amount of the juice that I want). Then you can BWB it. Add your own spices to taste, just remember that spices add increase their flavor during the canning/storage times.

Thank you so much for the feedback. I will probably just freeze it then! I would rather be safe and not take any chances.

OOHH I found a cornstarch alternative!!! Some of the recipe's I have have been passed down for quite a few years. This tapioca version is probably older.

Like tapioca cornstarch isn't approved either. They must be very old recipes as it has been many years since either was approved for canning.

Dave

I think I will stick with just freezing it then, or making it without thickeners. Thank you so much for the info. I have been canning for about 20 years, but this was my first try at apple pie filling since I had an over abundance of apples. I appreciate you taking the time to help!! I would much rather be safe than sorry!

Totally understand about over abundance of apples, I've canned 73 qts and still have a full tree and part of another.