Banana Bread with Applesauce

Banana bread with applesauce is the perfect afternoon snack! Learn how to make the best healthy banana bread using applesauce and just a few ingredients. 

If you've been a reader of this blog for a while, you know we have so many banana bread recipes here. Our most popular banana bread recipe is the oatmeal banana bread and our chocolate lovers love the double chocolate banana bread and chocolate chip banana bread. Today, I'm going to show you how to make banana bread with applesauce. This version of banana bread doesn't call for any butter or oil and is quite healthy!

Healthy banana bread recipe with applesauce

Ever wondered what you can substitute for vegetable oil in banana bread? Here is your answer: the good old applesauce. The texture is perfect for banana bread and it keeps the bread just as soft and moist but with much fewer calories. 

Store made banana breads are usually full of unnecessary amounts of sugar and butter? If you love banana bread and make it often, you might want to give this healthy banana bread with applesauce a chance. The best part about this healthy banana bread is that it's not dry at all thanks to the apple sauce. Even though it's made without butter, it's super moist and flavorful. It's not too sweet and is packed with flavor thanks to ripe bananas. 

What does apple sauce replace in baking?

Applesauce is a great substitute for eggs or fat in baking. In this banana bread recipe applesauce is used in place of butter or oil. It keeps the banana bread moist while cutting the calories. The texture of this banana bread is perfectly soft and fluffy without being even a bit greasy. 

Ingredients to make a healthy banana bread

You need the following ingredients to make this recipe:

• Bananas: Ripe bananas work best for this recipe. Make sure the bananas have dark skin on the outside but not super dark. You still want to see some yellow on the skin. 
• Sugar: I used granulated sugar but brown sugar would work as well. 
• Applesauce: You can use store bought or homemade applesauce. It's best to use or make unsweetened applesauce.
• Eggs: It's best to have eggs at room temperature. 
• Greek yogurt: You can also use sour cream in this recipe. 
• Flour and baking powder: Make sure your baking powder is not expired. 
• Walnut: This adds the perfect crunch to your banana bread!

How to make banana bread using applesauce

Start by mixing mashed bananas and sugar in a mixing bowl followed by the applesauce. Then add the eggs one at a time and mix well after each addition.

Mix in the Greek yogurt and vanilla and finish by adding the flour, baking powder and baking soda. Fold in half of the walnuts into the batter. 

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake in the oven for about 50 minutes. Test the doneness by inserting a toothpick into the banana bread. If it comes out with raw batter, let it bake in the oven for another ten minutes. Cool the bread in the pan for about 10 minutes and then transfer it to a cooling rack. 

How long can I keep banana bread at room temperature?

I love having banana bread fresh. However, you can keep it covered at room temperature for up to 3 days. Make sure the bread is covered fully with a plastic wrap to stay fresh. 

Can I freeze banana bread made with applesauce?

Absolutely! It's so easy to freeze banana bread. It's best to slice it and wrap each slice individually in a wax or parchment paper and freeze. You can freeze banana bread slices for up to 3 months. To serve, simply thaw at room temperature or microwave. 

Can I turn this recipe into muffins?

Yes! I'm not sure how many muffins this recipe yields. Divide the batter between the muffin liners and fill ⅔ of each muffin liner. Bake in the oven for about 18-20 minutes. 

Notes and tips to make banana bread without butter

• For this healthy banana bread recipe use unsweetened applesauce since you're already using one cup of sugar. 
• I use non fat Greek yogurt to make this banana bread recipe but you can use 1% or whole Greek yogurt as well. 
• The walnuts are optional in this recipe but they give such nice crunch to each slice of banana bread so if you like the crunch, don't skip the walnuts! 
• To have clean slices, make sure the banana bread is cooled completely then slice it using a bread knife. 
• You can serve this delicious and healthy banana bread with some almond butter for breakfast.