An easy & healthy recipe for cozy banana bread made with unsweetened applesauce & plain Greek yogurt (no oil) + fresh orange zest and juice, chopped nuts & dark chocolate chips. Cut it into thick slices & store it in the fridge or freezer for a fragrant & flavor-packed snack any time of the day. (gluten-free & dairy-free option)
One of my favorite snacks is a thick slice of homemade banana bread or a banana muffin (like strawberry or double chocolate). I like to smear it with creamy peanut butter for extra protein, pair it with a tasty beverage, and settle down with a good book for a cozy reading session.
When I'm craving something a bit lighter (usually in the warmer months), I swap out part or all of the oil in my banana bread recipes for applesauce, which adds moisture + a mild sweetness without the extra fat.
Healthy Banana Bread
In today's recipe I decided to do half applesauce & half plain Greek yogurt so I could add back in some healthy fat + protein to make the bread more balanced nutritionally. I always buy whole milk yogurt (better for absorbing fat-soluble vitamins D, E & K), but you can use low-fat or non-fat if that's what you prefer.
Even without the oil, this healthier version is still moist & packed with tons of flavor from the combo of banana + orange + vanilla. The major difference? It's not quite as rich & tender in terms of texture. If you want your banana bread to have those qualities, omit the yogurt and use your favorite cooking oil instead (mine is avocado oil).
I'm perfectly fine losing some of the richness in this case, as it's a good excuse for me to use up the half empty containers of unsweetened applesauce + yogurt lingering in my fridge. Surely I'm not the only one!
Gluten Free Banana Bread With Apple Sauce!
It seems like the only times I use applesauce these days is for my pumpkin apple muffins or make-ahead lunch boxes, so I need extra ideas if you have them!
The ingredients are super simple, so you likely have everything you need on hand right now. I almost always keep a few navel oranges in my fridge (it extends their shelf life) for smoothies or baking since it's a cheap way to add a ton of flavor. If you have any extra, use the zest for herb & citrus salt.
The prep is quick & easy for this healthy banana bread. Grab what you need out of your pantry & fridge and you'll be ready to bake in 10 minutes or less.
Applesauce Zucchini Bread Recipe
An easy recipe for cozy banana bread made with applesauce & Greek yogurt (no oil) + fresh orange zest and juice, chopped nuts & chocolate chips. Cut it into thick slices & store it in the fridge or freezer for a healthy, fragrant & flavor-packed snack any time of the day. (gluten-free & dairy-free option)
DAIRY-FREE + RICHER OPTION: Omit the yogurt and use 1/2 cup of cooking oil instead (like avocado oil or melted coconut oil). This will create a richer banana bread so if that's what you're looking for while still getting some of the extra moisture from the applesauce, then go for this version.
MEAL PREP + FREEZER OPTION: If you're making this ahead of time, cool the banana bread completely, slice it into thick pieces, place squares of parchment paper in between each piece so they don't stick together, and store the loaf in a ziptop bag in the freezer. Pull out what you need and it will come to room temp fairly quickly (30-ish minutes). This is the best option for ensuring that your banana bread stays super fresh.
One Bowl Applesauce Bread
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Update (June 2021): This recipe was originally published in January 2015, but I've recently updated the post with all new photos, a printable recipe card with updated ingredients & additional helpful tips.
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How To Make Banana Bread With Applesauce
Banana bread is always best enjoyed fresh from the oven, but can easily be frozen in individual ziplock bags for grab-and-go snacks or packed for lunch. A slice of frozen banana bread makes for the ultimate ice pack in your child’s lunchbox.
If you have over-ripe bananas on the counter or stashed in the freezer, you were meant to bake a loaf of banana bread! Use the over-ripe bananas to create Banana Bread Recipe For Kids, Healthy Banana Muffins or this recipe below.
Follow the step-by-step instructions to make banana bread with yogurt and applesauce, checking out our favorite mix-ins to add to this banana bread recipe before baking!
Easy Applesauce Bread Recipe
Preheat the Oven to 400°F: Preheating the oven is an essential step in baking because it ensures that the oven reaches the desired temperature before you place your bread inside. This initial high temperature is a clever technique for jumpstarting the rise of the banana bread and creating a beautiful, golden crust.
Spray the Loaf Pan with Nonstick Cooking Spray: Greasing the loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray or butter is crucial to prevent the banana bread from sticking to the pan. It also aids in achieving a smooth release of the bread after it’s baked.
Combine the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, you’ll combine several wet ingredients: Greek yogurt, brown sugar, granulated sugar, applesauce, eggs, and vanilla extract. This mixture provides moisture, sweetness, and flavor to your banana bread. The Greek yogurt adds a tangy richness, while the applesauce helps keep the bread moist.
Applesauce Banana Bread (oil Free!)
Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium-sized bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, and salt. The flour serves as the structural base for the bread, while the baking soda acts as a leavening agent, causing the bread to rise. Salt enhances the overall flavor by balancing the sweetness.
Mix the Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gently add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in the large bowl. Stir just until the two mixtures start to come together. Overmixing can lead to a tough or dense texture, so it’s essential to handle the batter with care.
Add Mashed Banana and Mix-Ins: Incorporate the mashed banana into the batter and gently stir. This step introduces the signature banana flavor and moistness to the bread. Additionally, you have the option to personalize your banana bread by adding mix-ins like chocolate chips, shredded coconut, dried fruits, or nuts. These mix-ins can bring extra texture and flavor to your bread.
Vegan Banana Bread With Applesauce
Bake at 400°F for 10 Minutes, Then Reduce to 350°F: The initial high baking temperature of 400°F helps the bread rise rapidly, creating a lovely crust on the surface. After the first 10 minutes, lower the oven temperature to 350°F. This reduction in temperature allows the inside of the bread to cook thoroughly without over-browning or burning the top. This dual-temperature technique results in a moist and tender interior while maintaining a delightful crunchy exterior.
Check for Doneness: Bake the banana bread at 350°F for about 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The toothpick test ensures that the bread is fully baked and not gooey in the center.
Remember that baking can be a bit of trial and error, especially with different ovens and ingredients. Don’t be discouraged if your first attempt isn’t perfect—it’s all part of the learning process!
Little Apple Treats (vegan) Applesauce Bread Recipe
Banana bread will be dense if the batter has been over-mixed. Stir the ingredients until just mixed then pour straight into the loaf pan. If your kiddos are helping in the kitchen, give them a specific
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