You ran out in the middle of the recipe. You simply hate the flavour. You're allergic. Whatever the reason is that you're looking for an alternative, I have healthy applesauce substitutes for you.
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Sure, unsweetened applesauce is a healthy snack. But, did you know that it also plays an important role in many baking recipes.
Sometimes it's added for its taste and sweetness.
Other times it's used as a healthy swap for fat, such as butter or oil. It works because it can replicate the moisture provided by the fat, all while decreasing the total calorie and fat in the recipe.
Similarly, applesauce instead of eggs works. That's because the liquid in eggs helps the dry ingredients bind together. Since applesauce is full of moisture, it can be a good replacement.
With that clear, we can talk about substitutes.
So, what's a good substitute for applesauce? The best substitute depends on why applesauce is in your recipe. Once you understand the role that applesauce plays in your recipe, you can choose an option that matches those needs.
Read on for all that information and more.
Top picks
If you're in a rush, I get it. Below is my favourite store bought applesauce replacement that you can find at your local grocery store.
But, if you have some time, I suggest making your own puree from banana, pumpkin, sweet potato, or other produce.
Keep scrolling for all the details on how to use pumpkin puree and all your other options.
Buy Now → 1. Pureed apples
Pureed apples can be used in place of applesauce in a 1:1 ratio.
Pros:
- This is simply homemade applesauce, so the flavour will be extremely similar to store bought applesauce.
- Because it's homemade, it won't have any additives or sweeteners added. So, it's an even better bet for your health.
Cons:
- You need a food processor or high powered blender to make homemade applesauce. So, if you don't have this equipment in your kitchen collection, this won't be an option.
Special notes:
- To make the swap, place a cored apple into a food processor or high powered blender. You don't even have to peel the apple beforehand, but if you want to more closely imitate the texture of applesauce then you should. The result will be 100% natural, homemade applesauce.
Equipment needed:
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Buy Now → 
Buy Now → 2. Mashed bananas
Mashed banana work well as applesauce substitutes. For every ½ cup of unsweetened applesauce, replace with one medium banana.
Pros:
- Bananas have a similar moisture and fibre content to applesauce.
- Very simple to prepare, as you only need a masher or fork to turn the banana into a puree.
- Bananas are a very nutrient-dense and healthy food.
Cons:
- Mashed banana cooks more quickly than applesauce. So, you'll need to adjust your cooking time and keep a close eye on your baking.
Special notes:
- If possible, use ripe bananas as they become moister and sweeter with age, better matching the taste and consistency of applesauce. They make a great substitute.
- The ratio above works when applesauce is the ingredient in the recipe. If you're using applesauce as a replacement for butter, oil or eggs, you'll need to play with the ratio. For butter, try a 1:1 ratio. For oil, try a ¾ to 1 ratio.
Equipment needed:
Buy Now → 3. Pumpkin puree
Pumpkin puree can be used in place of applesauce in a 1:1 ratio.
Pros:
- Pumpkin puree has a similar texture to applesauce, which will lead to a more similar consistency in your baked goods.
Cons:
- Pumpkin puree takes longer to cook than applesauce. So, you'll need to adjust your cooking time and keep a close eye on your baking.
- It's less sweet than applesauce. So, you might want to add a bit of sweetener.
Special notes:
- Be sure to buy a can of pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie mix. The first is 100% pumpkin, the second is a sugary mix used to make homemade pumpkin pie.
- The ratio above works when applesauce is an ingredient in your recipe. If you're using applesauce as a replacement for butter, oil or eggs, you'll need to play with the ratio.
Caitey Jay's top pick:
Buy Now → 4. Other fruit puree
Fruit puree can be used as a sub for applesauce in a 1:1 ratio.
Pros:
- Applesauce is simply a peeled, cored and pureed apple. Just like you can make homemade apple puree, you can make other homemade fruit purees. If you have pears on hand, use them. They'll have a similar flavour and texture to appleasure.
Cons:
- You need a food processor or high powered blender to make homemade applesauce. So, if you don't have this equipment in your kitchen collection, this won't be an option.
- If you don't have pears on hand, you can use other fruits like peaches, prunes or apricots. These will work well for texture, but will change the final flavour of your dish. Choose a fruit that has a flavour that would pair well the recipe you're making. Think chocolate and berry puree.
Special notes:
- The ratio above works when applesauce is the ingredient in the recipe. If you're using applesauce as a replacement for butter, oil or eggs, you'll need to play with the ratio. Try substituting one cup of butter or oil with ½ cup of fruit puree.
Equipment needed:
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Buy Now → 5. Mashed sweet potato
Mashed sweet potatoes can be used as an alternative to applesauce in a 1:1 ratio.
Pros:
- Mashed sweet potatoes have a similar level of sweetness to applesauce.
- Sweet potatoes are a nutrient-dense alternative that's high in fibre. So, they're a good swap for your health.
Cons:
- They're a more complicated swap. To make the swap, bake the sweet potato, then mash it. If using as a substitute for fat, you'll also need to add water until the texture is similar to applesauce.
Special notes:
- This replacement works best in dense baked goods like cake and muffins.
- The ratio above works when applesauce is the ingredient in the recipe. It doesn't work well when applesauce is used as a replacement for butter, oil or eggs unless you play around with the amount of other ingredients.
- Many other vegetable purees can work as applesauce substitutes. But, sweet potatoes are my preference because of their natural sweetness.
Equipment needed:
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Buy Now → 6. Greek yogurt
Greek yogurt can be used to replace applesauce in a recipe when it was used a fat alternative. Substitute in a 1:1 ratio.
Pros:
- Greek yogurt is a good alternative for applesauce when it was being used to replace fat in a recipe.
- Greek yogurt has a high level of nutrients, especially protein. So, it can lead to more satiating baked goods.
Cons:
- The final texture of your baked good will be thicker and creamier.
- It can make dough or batter a little wet. Add yogurt before your liquid so you can adjust if need be. You can also fix this by adding flour.
- It doesn't have the sweetness that applesauce has, so you may need to increase the amount of sweetener in your recipe.
Special notes:
- The ratio above works when applesauce is an ingredient in your recipe. It also works if applesauce was used as a replacement for fat.
- Other dairy products can work as well, but yogurt is my preference.
7. Silken tofu
Silken tofu can be used an applesauce substitute in a 1:1 ratio.
Pros:
- It's a good vegan option that can be used when applesauce is being used as a replacement for butter.
- Unlike firm tofu, silken tofu has a lower protein content, giving it a closer consistency to applesauce. It is still more dense, however, so it works best as a substitute when making dense baked goods like cakes or muffins.
Cons:
- It has a strong taste. So, it works best in baked goods with other strong flavours that can overpower it, like banana or chocolate.
- It doesn't have the sweetness that applesauce has, so you may need to increase the amoutn of sweetener in your recipe.
Special notes:
- The ratio above works when applesauce is an ingredient in your recipe. It also works if applesauce was used as a replacement for butter or oil. In that case, you'll want to replace every ½ cup of fat with ⅓ cup of silken tofu.
Caitey Jay's top pick:
Buy Now → Summary
There are a number of reasons you might be looking for a applesauce substitutes. From food intolerances to lack of availability to taste presences.
The best applesauce substitution depends on the role that applesauce plays is in your recipe. Once you understand that, you can narrow down your options to choose an ingredient matches those needs.
These are the best apple sauce substitutes:
- If applesauce is used for taste and flavour, then the best substitutes for applesauce are apple puree, mashed bananas, mashed sweet potatoes, pumpkin puree or any other homemade fruit puree.
- If applesauce is used to replace fat or eggs, then the easiest applesauce substitution is pureed apples or greek yogurt. But silken tofu, mashed bananas and other fruit purees can work if you play around with ingredient ratios.
What is unsweetened applesauce?
- Applesauce is made by cooking apples with water or apple cider.
- It has an substantial flavor, that tastes like apples. It's sweetness is balanced by tartness.
- Apple puree is the essentially the same as applesauce. Purees are always smooth, while applesauce can be smooth or chunky.
- Applesauce is high in soluble fibre, which can help lower cholesterol levels. It's also high in polyphenols.
- Applesauce should be stored in the pantry until opened. Once opened, it should refrigerated.
How to use applesauce substitutes in baking
I want to share a few ideas on how you can start using applesauce (or applesauce substitutes) in baking:
- Applesauce as a main ingredient for flavour and sweetness.
- Applesauce instead of eggs to help dry ingredients bind together.
- Applesauce instead of oil to provide moisture and reduce overall calorie and fat count.
- Applesauce instead of butter to provide moisture and reduce overall calorie and fat count .
If you're feeling adventurous, try using applesauce or an apple sauce substitute in one of my baking recipes:
Have you tried any of these subs for applesauce? Do you have any of your own? Please take a minute to leave a comment below with your suggestions.
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