Healthy Banana Bread with Applesauce Recipe

August 16, 2019 Rebecca Baron 75 Comments

My healthy banana bread with applesauce recipe is the perfect combination of fruits to make a wonderfully moist and tasty sweet bread. We make banana bread at our house a lot because it's the perfect way to use up old bananas.

Healthy Banana Bread with Applesauce Recipe - My Natural Family (1)

The recipe is healthy as written, but there are some things you can do to make it even healthier, like subbing pure maple syrup * for the brown sugar or replacing the all-purpose flour with equal parts gluten-free flour * or spelt flour *, which is Clean Eating.

Check out this recipe to see how easy it is to make this recipe and how good it turns out!

Instead of butter, I used applesauce. Cutting out the butter and adding a little vanilla and cinnamon for flavor makes it delicious and moist. I guess that once you try this recipe, you'll like it better than banana bread with oil.

I love banana bread for lunch and it's a favorite of my children in their school lunches. I often make mini banana bread muffins because they are very child-friendly and not as messy.

I hope you enjoy this healthy banana bread recipe - it definitely didn't last long at my house - it was eaten by dinner time!

Recipe

Healthy Banana Bread with Applesauce Recipe

★★★★★5 from 51 reviews

Author: Rebecca Baron
Prep Time: 15
Cook Time: 60
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: Easy

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Description

This is an easy recipe that my whole family loves. It's a great way to use up old bananas too.

Ingredients

Scale

2 Cups All-Purpose Flour (may sub up to half with whole wheat flour)
½ Cup Unsweetened Applesauce
4 Large Bananas, (ripe to over-ripe and mashed)
2 Large Eggs
¾ Cup Brown Sugar
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Vanilla
½ tsp Cinnamon
½ tsp Real Salt *

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 F
Mix flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl
Mix brown sugar and applesauce until completely blended
Add 2 eggs, vanilla, and bananas to the sugar and mix well
Add wet ingredients into the dry and fold until all ingredients are wet
Pour into a greased 9X5 bread pan *
Bake on 350 for 60-70 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean

Keywords: low fat, moist, easy

Reader Interactions

Comments

EDYE
January 09, 2022 at 4:18 pm
Just made this! So yummy!
★★★★
Reply
WBJMinistry
May 05, 2021 at 9:55 am
I added a crumble top
★★★★★

Reply
- Yana
  July 16, 2023 at 1:11 am
  Im coming to you for tea! 😊👌That looks a beauty... It is a grat recipie... Great pic too..
  Reply
Alicia
April 05, 2021 at 10:04 am
it is easy to make and the flavor/texture is unbelievable. my family enjoy the treat every time.
★★★★★
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Valerie
September 21, 2020 at 4:34 pm
I’ve made this 3 times and always use 1/2 whole wheat flour. Love it! So moist and just right amount of sweetness. (I always use super ripe bananas). I add 1 teaspoon baking powder only because I saw it in the NYT’s recipe and the texture’s so nice I’m afraid to omit it! Not sure what would happen if I did? How long do you suggest for muffins?
★★★★★
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- Rebecca Baron
  September 23, 2020 at 11:19 am
  I love your suggestions and I am sure they will help other people. I haven't actually timed how long muffins take. It depends quite a bit on how large they are, the pan and what flour you use but they are closer to half an hour, give or take 10 minutes. I just kind of keep an eye on them and check them with a toothpick when they start to look solid, puffy and brown.
  Reply
Kara-Lynne N
August 26, 2020 at 11:11 am
I added chocolate chips and baked in muffin tin. Worked out perfectly! Baked for about 15 minutes.
★★★★★

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Ashley Wyatt
August 04, 2020 at 12:55 pm
Topped with rainbow chips for a little fun!
★★★★★

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Angelica
July 10, 2020 at 10:46 am
Added some walnuts yummy!
★★★★★

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Nicky
July 07, 2020 at 11:20 am
I used 1 cup whole wheat flour and 1 cup all-purpose flour. I also replaced some of the brown sugar with stevia. Baked for 60 mins, though it was a little overdone. 45-50 mins probably would have been fine. But it still came out delicious!
★★★★★

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Mary
July 07, 2020 at 11:00 am
This is a good recipe easy to make I think I could’ve taken them out a little bit earlier. Still very good.
★★★★★

Reply
James
May 26, 2020 at 11:06 am
Amazing texture
★★★★★

Reply
Rocio
May 02, 2020 at 11:08 am
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I added walnuts to the recipe. Delicious!
★★★★★

Reply
Marcus
April 29, 2020 at 10:20 am
So tasty
★★★★★
Reply
Doug
April 23, 2020 at 10:21 am
It's ok...I don't feel like it has much flavor....it's not very sweet...could be my bananas weren't ripe ripe??...
★★★★★
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- Rebecca Baron
  July 08, 2020 at 11:04 am
  Using ripe bananas will definitely make it much sweeter. The darker brown color the bananas are the sweeter they are.
  Reply
Cam
April 11, 2020 at 2:04 pm
Soo tasty and so easy to make! I've made it a few times in a toaster over and it was just as good, plus
I added some chocolat chips this lastest time making the recipe and it was great! Thanks so much!
★★★★★
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- Rebecca Baron
  April 11, 2020 at 3:50 pm
  I'm so glad you like it. Thanks for commenting!
  Reply
  - Lizzy
    June 29, 2020 at 2:12 am
    Hi there! I was curious to know the calorie count for this recipe - per slice? I’m on a calorie deficit and made this for our weeks breakfast!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    - Rebecca Baron
      July 06, 2020 at 10:54 am
      Sorry about that. Somehow I forgot to add the nutrition label for this recipe. It's on there now!
      Reply
Breanna
April 07, 2020 at 11:09 am
Perfectly baked
★★★★★

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Dianne
March 27, 2020 at 11:44 am
Note to Self: Easy recipe and great taste. 6-cup bundt pan was very full but it worked fine. Used melted shortening dusted with almond flour as pan prep, which worked well.
★★★★★
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Paula
March 24, 2020 at 11:10 am
Added walnuts. Turned out delicious!
★★★★★

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Natalie
March 23, 2020 at 12:04 pm
I added walnuts and more spices (clove, nutmeg and ginger). So excited to try it.
★★★★★

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Diahann
February 18, 2020 at 10:32 am
First time looks and smell good
★★★★★

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Gerdia
February 03, 2020 at 7:56 pm
Excellent....next time will make muffins for my grandson
★★★★★
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Donna
December 16, 2019 at 2:16 pm
Used whole wheat flour and it was super moist and fantastic. My new go-to!
★★★★★
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Sarah
September 01, 2019 at 12:27 pm
So good! Husband LOVED it
★★★★★
Reply
Judie-Rae Hetchler
August 10, 2019 at 1:16 pm
Followed the recipie exactly and its sooooo DELICIOUS. Definitley a recipie to keep and make again & again.

Reply
KDS
July 20, 2019 at 10:58 am
Delicious!
★★★★★

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Tiff
June 04, 2019 at 4:19 pm
Seriously this my new favorite recipe for banana bread! I made the recipe in mini muffin tins at 350 for 15 minutes! My kids are already asking me to make this again ? thanks!
★★★★★
Reply
- Rebecca Baron
  See Also
  Pumpkin Pie Cream Cheese Ball Recipe - Tatertots and Jello
  June 07, 2019 at 4:19 pm
  I’m so glad you like it, especially your children. That can be a tall order!
  Reply
  - Beth T
    May 28, 2020 at 3:07 pm
    This will be my new go to banana bread recipe!
    So much healthier without the oil and tasted wonderful. Made the recipe exactly and mine was done at 50 minutes. It could be oven differences or because I used a dark metal pan.
    ★★★★★
    Reply
Neela
May 17, 2019 at 10:52 am
Great recipe! Love the consistency of the bread and it has the perfect blend of sweetness.
★★★★★
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Aja
May 15, 2019 at 10:19 am
Added chocolate chips and cut the recipe in half so it’s a bit smaller.
★★★★★

Reply
Maryann M
May 11, 2019 at 10:52 am
Excellent! I added about 1/3 cup of chocolate chips for the kids.
★★★★★
Reply
Lori Lough
May 09, 2019 at 8:01 pm
So far so good
★★★★★

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Carolyn
April 03, 2019 at 4:17 pm
After reading all the comments, I made this recipe and substituted whole wheat flour for white flour and I used date sugar (really just ground up dates) for the brown sugar. It came out great!
★★★★★
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- Rebecca Baron
  April 15, 2019 at 4:17 pm
  Good to know. Thanks for commenting so other people know about substitutions that will work!
  Reply
Kathy
April 01, 2019 at 4:14 pm
Just made this today. I substituted 1/2 cup of organic pure maple syrup for the brown sugar and added dark chocolate chips. I did use regular white flour (2 cups as stated) and the bread is delicious and very moist. I did take it out of oven after 55 minutes as it was getting very brown. Next time, I will check it at 45 and 50 minutes. I was wondering if using the maple syrup could make it that brown. I was afraid it was burning but no burnt taste at all. I have been using unsweetened applesauce as substitute for several other recipes, so was happy to find this one for banana bread. Thanks!
★★★★★
Reply
- Rebecca Baron
  April 15, 2019 at 4:15 pm
  I’m not sure why it got so brown. It could be a difference in our ovens or altitudes or the rack it was on in your oven vs. mine. I’m glad it turned out for you though!
  Reply
AnneT
March 09, 2019 at 8:02 pm
Delicious! Added an extra banana and chopped walnuts. Made mini loaves ?
★★★★★

Reply
Laurie Arneberg-Moss
February 09, 2019 at 8:03 pm
Everyone loved it
★★★★★

Reply
CRYSTAL | BEAT BAKE EAT
August 12, 2018 at 4:12 pm
I love healthy banana breads!
Replacing the butter with applesauce is brilliant. I discovered this substitute years ago and I’ve been doing it ever since.
Thanks for sharing!
★★★★★
Reply
- Rebecca Baron
  August 16, 2018 at 4:13 pm
  Yes. I love the applesauce trick. It makes it so moist! Thanks for stopping by. Your blog has me drooling. . .
  Reply
Miriam
April 08, 2017 at 3:39 pm
I tried it and it came out great thank you… The only thing I did different is put walnuts
★★★★★
Reply
- Rebecca Baron
  April 17, 2017 at 3:39 pm
  Good to know. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
  Reply
Bonnie
October 08, 2016 at 4:09 pm
I made this bread today. It’s really good!!!
★★★★★
Reply
- Rebecca Baron
  November 10, 2016 at 4:09 pm
  Yey! I’m so glad you liked it. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
  Reply
Kat
February 25, 2015 at 4:06 pm
I made this this morning but made muffins instead of loaf. I also sub. 1/2 the flour for wheat flour and used 1/2 the amount of sugar. I used splenda brown sugar blend. I doubled the cinn. I also added some frozen blue berries to the muffins before putting in the oven. Yummmmmy!!
★★★★★
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JM
January 22, 2015 at 4:05 pm
Thanks for sharing this recipe….I was looking for one with exactly four ripe bananas!
★★★★★
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sarah budke
January 22, 2015 at 4:04 pm
This recipe looks very good- I will have to try it this upcoming week. Thanks for sharing it!
Reply
Stacy
October 08, 2014 at 4:03 pm
Thanks for the recipe! I used whole wheat flour, added walnuts and always sub 1/2 of the called for sugar with ground flax seed. It was delicious!!
★★★★★
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Dee
September 23, 2014 at 4:02 pm
Made it with whole wheat flour and it was delish! !!!! Will definitely use this recipe again! Thanks!
★★★★★
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frank k
May 31, 2014 at 4:00 pm
Great recipe! Our kids are very sensitive to sugar, get jittery even with natural oj. We substituted brown sugar and apple sauce with 7 bananas total. We also replace flour with Kodiak Power Mix. The result is amazing. We have been making the bread with variation of pineapples, bananas and apples, abs. delicious, thanks so much!!
★★★★★
Reply
- Rebecca Baron
  June 03, 2014 at 4:01 pm
  What great ideas!
  Reply
Tammy
May 12, 2014 at 3:59 pm
Great recipe, couldn’t wait for it to cool off to eat it!
★★★★★
Reply
Ashley
May 04, 2014 at 3:57 pm
hello,
just wondering if I could use coconut flour instead of all purpose?
thank you
Reply
- Rebecca Baron
  May 04, 2014 at 3:57 pm
  You could but you would have to change quite a few things so personally I wouldn’t attempt it. For one, you would need way more eggs since coconut flour soaks up liquid like crazy.
  Reply
Kate
May 03, 2014 at 3:55 pm
I found your site by searching applesauce banana bread. Thank you go the recipe, I can’t wait to make it
★★★★★
Reply
Cassie
May 03, 2014 at 3:54 pm
Bread is in the oven now, smells yummy!! I love issuing applesauce instead of oils!
★★★★★
Reply
elaina
April 22, 2014 at 3:53 pm
This looks easy and delicious! Thanks.
Reply
Megan
April 09, 2014 at 3:50 pm
I love your recipe! Thanks for sharing. So moist and no one can believe it is dairy-free ? It’s my go-to when bananas start to get brown.
★★★★★
Reply
Krista
March 24, 2014 at 3:46 pm
Looks yummy
Reply
carrie randall
March 13, 2014 at 3:45 pm
I make banana bread all the time, but I have never tried the applesauce thing. I will have to give this a try!
Reply
Sheri
March 01, 2014 at 3:43 pm
Great taste and WAY less sugar/oil than my Mom’s old recipe. I DID add walnuts to it! YUM!
★★★★★
Reply
Regina
January 13, 2014 at 3:41 pm
Looks perfect- making today!
★★★★★
Reply
- Rebecca Baron
  January 13, 2014 at 3:41 pm
  Great. Please let us know how it turns out!
  Reply
Angie
October 15, 2013 at 3:37 pm
Can you substitute all purpose flour for whole wheat flour?
Reply
- Rebecca Baron
  October 15, 2013 at 3:37 pm
  Yes but it will make it drier and denser so you may want to compensate but adding more liquid to it.
  Reply
nitasha evans
October 11, 2013 at 3:35 pm
This sounds so yummy!
★★★★★
Reply
Marsha
September 24, 2013 at 3:24 pm
While substituting oil for my homemade applesauce, this recipe sounds great! I’ve heard about doing this and your recipe sounds like the one I need to try.
★★★★★
Reply
- Rebecca Baron
  September 25, 2013 at 3:25 pm
  Let me know if you try it. I would love to hear if you like it!
  Reply
Michelle F.
September 07, 2013 at 3:20 pm
looks so delicious.
★★★★★
Reply
- Rebecca Baron
  September 10, 2013 at 3:22 pm
  It is! The applesauce makes it so moist!
  Reply

Healthy Banana Bread with Applesauce Recipe - My Natural Family (2024)

FAQs

Is banana bread healthy or unhealthy? ›

Even though some banana breads are high in sugar, fat, and overall calories, most banana breads serve as a good source of key vitamins and minerals. For example, bananas are rich in potassium and vitamin B6. Banana bread made with these fruits contains a good amount of these nutrients.

Learn More Now ›

What does applesauce replace in baking? ›

If you're looking to make some of your favorite baked goods a wee bit healthier or vegan, applesauce is your magical friend! Applesauce can be used as a substitute for oil, butter, or eggs, and still give you delicious baked treats.

Discover More ›

How much applesauce to replace banana? ›

Applesauce (store-bought or homemade) can substitute for a banana in baked goods. Replace one banana with 1/2 cup of applesauce, but don't use more than 1 cup of applesauce because the mixture will be too wet.

Get More Info ›

Can I use applesauce instead of bananas in muffins? ›

Sometimes I'll peel and grate an apple into a make shift apple sauce and then add that to my baking recipes in place of banana. It sweetens everything without adding processed white sugar and also acts as a binder much like our beloved banana.

Can I replace 3 eggs with applesauce? ›

Applesauce is a great neutral egg replacement, meaning you won't taste any apple in the final product. When subbing in applesauce for eggs, use ¼ cup for every egg your recipe calls for, and add an additional ½ teaspoon of baking powder to the dry ingredients.

Show Me More ›

What is a substitute for mashed bananas in banana bread? ›

If you're set on a specific recipe that calls for the standard two or three mashed bananas, you can replace one or two of them with applesauce (½ cup equals 1 banana).

Learn More ›

How much applesauce equals one banana in baking? ›

You can replace 1 banana with 1/2 cup of applesauce, but avoid using more than 1 cup total applesauce in a recipe (it'll be too wet and dense and cook unevenly).

Get More Info ›

How many cups is 1 banana? ›

A large banana (counts as 1 cup of fruit). A small orange (counts as ½ cup of fruit).

Tell Me More ›

Does applesauce replace eggs in baking? ›

Egg substitutions in baking as a binder

For recipes which use eggs primarily as a binder (such as drop cookies), possible substitutions for one egg include: 1/2 of a medium banana, mashed. 1/4 cup of applesauce (or other pureed fruit) 3 1/2 tablespoon unflavored gelatin blend: 1 cup boiling water and 2 teaspoon gelatin ...

Find Out More ›

Is banana bread healthier than normal bread? ›

Banana bread not only satisfies our taste buds but also offers several health benefits that regular bread may not provide. With its nutrient-rich ingredients, reduced added sugars, healthier fats, and potential for customization, banana bread proves to be a delicious and nourishing choice.

See Details ›

Is bread considered healthy or unhealthy? ›

The highly processed flour and additives in white, packaged bread can make it unhealthful. Consuming too much white bread can contribute to obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. However, buying bread with the word “whole” as the first ingredient still does not guarantee a healthful product. It is only the first step.

Show Me More ›

Why should we eat banana bread? ›

Banana Bread is a delicious snack to manage blood sugar, support stress hormones & aid digestion. It has a moist texture due to the bananas and coconut oil, like a brownie. You can add more flour if you prefer a more cake-like texture.

Learn More ›

Is bread healthy yes or no? ›

Bread is high in carbs, low in micronutrients, and its gluten and antinutrient contents may cause issues for some people. Still, it's often enriched with extra nutrients, and whole-grain or sprouted varieties may bestow several health benefits. In moderation, bread can be enjoyed as part of a healthy diet.

Explore More ›

Healthy Banana Bread with Applesauce Recipe - My Natural Family (2024)

Recipe

Healthy Banana Bread with Applesauce Recipe

Description

Ingredients

Instructions

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FAQs

Is banana bread healthy or unhealthy? ›

Can I replace 3 eggs with applesauce? ›