10 Best Applesauce Alternatives for Baking

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Are you out of applesauce or looking for an alternative? No problem! These five apple sauce alternatives are easy to use in baking, plant-based, and add delicious flavor to your favorite recipes. From mashed bananas and avocados to pureed fruit and dairy-free yogurt, there’s something for every taste. Give these a try, and you’ll never run out of ideas for applesauce alternatives!

There must be plenty of people with an aversion to applesauce, as applesauce substitutions are a common question. Often, this is an applesauce egg substitute in recipes.

The good news is it’s an easy thing to replace.

Benefits of applesauce

Applesauce is a common ingredient in many baked goods because it adds moisture and helps sweeten the finished product. Here are ways to use applesauce in baking:

• Fat substitutes — You can use applesauce instead of oil or butter in most baked goods like cakes, muffins, breads, and pancakes. Use a 1:1 ratio of applesauce to oil. So, if your recipe calls for 1/3 cup oil, you’d use 1/3 cup applesauce.
• Egg substitute — Applesauce makes a great egg substitute in baked goods that call for 2 or fewer eggs. Use 1/4 cup of applesauce for each egg called for in the recipe. Note: If a recipe calls for 3 or more eggs, many egg substitutes may not work.

If you’re out of applesauce or looking for an alternative, there are several options to choose from.

Note that these options may change the taste, color and texture of the finished product. Experiment to find the combination that works best for your recipe.

Alternatives to applesauce in baking

You need an applesauce substitute in baking. Maybe you’re outdoors or have an apple allergy. Whatever the reason, here are some alternatives to applesauce.

• mashed banana Applesauce has a similar texture and provides natural sweetness. Mash one ripe banana for every cup of applesauce. Note: Mashed bananas add a different flavor to the finished product
• pure fruit Can be used as a substitute for applesauce. Some excellent alternatives include pureed pears (see recipe below), peaches or plums. Many baby foods offer pureed fruit, which makes them easy to use in baking.
• Pumpkin puree 1:1 for applesauce in most recipes. Note: Pumpkin adds an orange color and distinct flavor to the finished product
• Silken tofu Can be whipped in a food processor and then used 1:1 for applesauce.
• canned food Coconut milk Can be diluted 1:1 with applesauce. Shake the can before you open it to spread the fat evenly throughout.
• Vegan May – Substitute an equal amount of vegan mayo for applesauce in baked goods.

Other applesauce substitutes

Here are great options for recipes with 1/4 cup applesauce or less:

• Mashed avocado – If your recipe calls for 1/4 cup or less of applesauce, mashed avocado would be a good substitute. Avocado adds moisture and creaminess but no sweetness. Note: avocados will add a green color to the finished product.
• curd — Use dairy-free Greek yogurt as a substitute for applesauce in recipes that call for a small amount of applesauce (1/4 cup or less). Note: Curd adds moisture and a tangy flavor to the finished product.
• Mashed sweet potatoes Adds moisture and a slightly sweet flavor to the finished product.
• Buttermilk — When you’re making pancakes or muffins, using vegan buttermilk as a substitute for applesauce works well. This works best in recipes with 1/2 cup applesauce or less.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does baking applesauce do?

Applesauce adds moisture to baked goods with minimal added fat. Apples contain natural sugars that add a hint of sweetness to your baked goods. This means that most recipes calling for applesauce will reduce the amount of granulated sugar.

What can I substitute for applesauce in the cake?

Other options can provide moisture and sweetness to the mix when you don’t have applesauce on hand for your cake. Plant-based yogurt, fruit purees, and even mashed bananas are all viable alternatives that can be used in place of applesauce.

Recipes that use applesauce

Use your favorite applesauce substitute in any of these recipes:

As you can see, there are many alternatives you can use in place of applesauce in your baking and cooking. Experiment with different options to find the one that works best for you.