Welcome to the most wonderfully moist and flavorful banana bread recipe with applesauce you will ever try! If you’re searching for a way to bake a healthier quick bread that doesn’t sacrifice an ounce of flavor or texture, you’ve found it. Using applesauce instead of oil or butter is a simple swap that yields an incredibly tender crumb and keeps the loaf perfectly moist for days. It’s a game-changer!
This recipe is perfect for using up those overripe bananas sitting on your counter. The natural sweetness from the fruit, combined with the subtle tang of applesauce and warm spices, creates a classic comfort bake that your whole family will adore. Let’s get baking!
Why You’ll Love This Applesauce Banana Bread
There are so many reasons this recipe has become a staple in our kitchen. Here’s why I know you’ll fall in love with it too:
Incredibly Moist: Applesauce provides and locks in moisture, preventing the dry, crumbly texture that can sometimes plague quick breads.
Healthier Twist: By replacing much of the fat with applesauce, you get a lighter loaf that’s lower in calories and fat without compromising on taste.
Simple Ingredients: You likely have everything you need for this recipe in your pantry and fridge right now.
Easy One-Bowl Method: The batter comes together in minutes in a single bowl, making cleanup an absolute breeze.
Perfectly Tender Crumb: The texture is simply divine—soft, tender, and melts in your mouth.
The Magic of Applesauce in Banana Bread
So, what makes applesauce such a fantastic ingredient in baking? It’s all about the science of pectin and moisture. Applesauce is naturally high in pectin, a type of fiber that helps trap moisture within the bread’s structure as it bakes. This results in a supremely moist loaf that stays fresh longer.
It acts as a brilliant substitute for oil or butter, cutting down on saturated fats while adding its own subtle, natural sweetness. This allows the flavor of the bananas and spices to shine through even more. For the best results, I always recommend using unsweetened applesauce to control the overall sugar content of the loaf.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe relies on simple, wholesome ingredients. Here’s your shopping list:
Simple, wholesome ingredients are all you need for the best banana bread.
Overripe Bananas: The key to amazing banana flavor! The darker and spottier, the better, as they are much sweeter and easier to mash. You’ll need about 3 medium bananas.
Unsweetened Applesauce: This is our secret weapon for moisture.
All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for our bread.
Baking Soda: Our leavening agent that helps the bread rise.
Cinnamon & Nutmeg: These warm spices are the perfect complement to banana.
Salt: A pinch of fine sea salt enhances all the other flavors.
Egg: One large egg, preferably at room temperature, to bind everything together.
Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and a wonderful molasses depth. You can also use granulated sugar or coconut sugar.
Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract for a boost of flavor.
How to Make Banana Bread with Applesauce (Step-by-Step)
Making this bread is as easy as mix, pour, and bake. Follow these simple steps for a perfect loaf every time.
Prep Your Station: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Mash the Bananas: In a large mixing bowl, mash the overripe bananas with a fork until they are mostly smooth, with a few small lumps remaining for texture.
Mix Wet Ingredients: Add the applesauce, egg, brown sugar, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Whisk everything together until it’s well combined.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate, smaller bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
Fold Together: Gently pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Use a spatula to fold them together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few streaks of flour are perfectly fine.
Bake to Perfection: Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
Cool Completely: Let the banana bread cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before carefully transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is crucial for the perfect slice!
A perfect slice of moist banana bread, ready to enjoy.
Pro Tips for the Best Banana Bread
Do Not Overmix: Overmixing the batter develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to a tough, dense, and gummy loaf. Mix only until the flour is just incorporated.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: An egg at room temperature will incorporate more easily into the batter, creating a more uniform texture.
Measure Flour Correctly: For a light and tender crumb, spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Don’t scoop directly from the bag, as this compacts the flour.
Check for Doneness Properly: Ovens can vary. Start checking your bread around the 50-minute mark. If the top is browning too quickly, you can tent it loosely with aluminum foil for the remaining bake time.
Recipe Variations & Add-Ins
This recipe is a wonderful canvas for your creativity! Here are a few ideas to make it your own:
Nuts: Fold in 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for a delightful crunch. It’s a nod to a classic banana nut bread.
Chocolate: Add 1/2 cup of semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips for a decadent treat. For inspiration, check out our favorite chocolate chip banana bread.
Spices: Feel free to add a pinch of cardamom or allspice along with the cinnamon and nutmeg for a more complex flavor.
Topping: Sprinkle the top of the batter with a cinnamon-sugar mixture or some rolled oats before baking for a beautiful crust.
Storage & Freezing Instructions
Storing at Room Temperature
To keep your banana bread moist, store it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. It will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Freezing Banana Bread
This bread freezes beautifully! Once completely cooled, you can wrap the entire loaf (or individual slices) in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil or a freezer-safe bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature.
FL Recipes
Banana Bread Recipe with Applesauce (Ultra-Moist & Easy!)
This banana bread recipe with applesauce is the secret to an incredibly moist, tender, and healthier quick bread. Made with simple pantry staples, this easy one-bowl recipe delivers a flavorful loaf that stays fresh for days. Perfect for a wholesome breakfast or snack!
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, mash the bananas. Whisk in the unsweetened applesauce, packed brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt.
Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Use a spatula to fold them together until just combined. Do not overmix; a few streaks of flour are okay.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, tent it with foil.
Let the banana bread cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Nutrition
Calories: 155kcalProtein: 3gFat: 1gFiber: 2g
Notes
Do Not Overmix: Gently folding the batter is key to a tender loaf. Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Freezing: Wrap cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Keyword banana bread with applesauce,healthy banana bread,moist banana bread
Yes, you can, but it’s not ideal. If you only have sweetened applesauce, I recommend reducing the brown sugar in the recipe by about 1/4 cup to prevent the bread from being overly sweet. Unsweetened applesauce gives you the best control over the final flavor.
The bread does not taste like apples. The applesauce provides moisture and a very subtle background sweetness that actually enhances the banana and spice flavors. The most noticeable difference is the incredibly moist and tender texture.
The most reliable way is to use a toothpick or wooden skewer. Insert it into the thickest part of the loaf. It’s done when it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached. If you see wet batter, it needs more time.
The most common culprit for dense banana bread is overmixing the batter. Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, fold them together gently with a spatula until they are just combined. A few flour streaks are perfectly fine and will bake out.
To maintain its wonderful moisture, allow the bread to cool completely first. Then, store it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 4 days.
More Delicious Banana Bread Recipes
If you’re as obsessed with banana bread as we are, you’ll love exploring other variations. For another wholesome option, be sure to try our super popular healthy banana bread recipe.
I can’t wait for you to try this incredibly moist banana bread recipe with applesauce. It’s a true delight! If you make it, please leave a comment and a rating below—I love hearing from you! And don’t forget to share your beautiful creations on Pinterest.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
