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My applesauce bread recipe makes for a moist, lightly-spiced, and naturally sweetened loaf. There are no eggs OR dairy needed!
Love baking with applesauce? You’ve got to try my applesauce brownies, applesauce cookies, or apple blondies next!
When the weather cools down, my oven goes into overdrive. If my family ever can’t find me, they know I’m probably getting my bake on.
At the beginning of fall, we always have an abundance of homemade applesauce. And since I can never say no to a breakfast bread recipe, I always make a loaf of apple bread!
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- A good use of leftover applesauce. On the rare occasion I have too much applesauce lying around, I love using it to make bread.
- It’s actually healthy. There’s no butter, dairy, or eggs needed, and only the smallest amount of oil is used to make a light and moist bread.
- Make it diet-friendly. It’s already vegan, and with simple swaps, it can be gluten-free AND sugar-free!
- A gorgeous texture. The applesauce adds moisture, giving the bread a tender crumb and the perfect bite.
★★★★★ REVIEW
“I’ve made this recipe 2x so far. It’s very easy and makes a beautiful loaf.” – Diane
Ingredients needed
- Flour. Nothing fancy is needed here, just regular all-purpose flour. You can also use whole wheat flour for extra fiber.
- Coconut sugar. Sweetens the bread but also gives it a light molasses flavor. Brown sugar or white sugar can be substituted.
- Cinnamon and nutmeg. Two warming spices that perfectly complement apple flavor.
- Baking soda and baking powder. Both leavening agents are used to give the bread rise and fluffiness.
- Salt. Enhances the sweetness.
- Unsweetened applesauce. Make sure it’s plain and unsweetened, as we’re adding plenty of sugar.
- Apple cider vinegar. Interacts with the baking soda as eggs would.
- Oil. Use any neutral-flavored oil, like vegetable oil or coconut oil.
- Water. To mix everything together. I also tested unsweetened almond milk, but I found water to be just as effective.
- Walnuts and raisins. Optional, but there’s something special about walnuts and raisins in sweet bread!
How to make applesauce bread
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Prep work. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper.
Step 2- Mix. In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients (minus the mix-ins). In a separate bowl, stir together the wet ingredients until combined. Combine the wet and dry ingredients, then fold in the raisins and nuts.
Step 3- Bake. Transfer to the loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out just clean.
Step 4- Cool. Remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes before carefully transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Use smooth, not chunky, applesauce. It should be very smooth, almost like a thick liquid. If it’s chunky, give it a quick blend.
- Leave some parchment sticking out the sides. For easier removal.
- Make applesauce muffins! Pour the batter into a 12-count muffin pan lined with muffin liners and bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Variations
- Gluten-free. Use a gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum added.
- Sugar-free. Swap the sugar for a brown sugar substitute.
- Add more spices. Use apple pie spice, pumpkin pie spice, or chai spice for a bolder spice flavor.
- Use different mix-ins. Try pecans, chocolate chips, or coconut flakes.
Storage instructions
To store: Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days or in the refrigerator for two weeks.
To freeze: Freeze leftover slices in a freezer bag for up to three months.
Frequently asked questions
When added to baking, applesauce adds sweetness and moisture, often making it a perfect substitute for eggs, oil, and sweetener.
More quick bread recipes to try
Applesauce Bread
Video
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/3 cups brown sugar or any sugar of choice
- 2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup oil coconut oil, vegetable oil, etc.
- 1 1/2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 2/3 cups walnuts Optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add your flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, baking soda, and baking powder, and mix well. In a separate bowl, whisk together your oil, apple cider vinegar, applesauce, and water until combined.
- Combine your wet and dry ingredients together. Fold through your raisins/nuts of choice. Transfer to the loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a skewer comes out just clean.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, before carefully transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published September 2022, updated and republished September 2024
This was great! I did cook for a little bit longer but my oven is usually like that.
Just today bought many apples so that I can start making applesauce by myself!
Do you think I can also put some coconut flour mixed with rice flour? I have both and want to use them.
La migliore che ho mai fatto!! 💜💖Grazie 🙏
Written as is, it’s too much nutmeg and needs more cinnamon imo. The cake does come out pretty moist, I need to add a bit of moisture next time. It’s a good recipe. Thank you for sharing!
It is delicious and it has a satisfying crumb
I cut the sugar in half and added chocolate chips and the walnuts.
It is a keeper for me
turned out great! we are exploring vegan recipes and we are definitely keeping this one!
Thankyou! Love your recipes. Could this be baked like a slice? Not sure why, but my husband prefers a piece of slice to a piece of cake or muffins (I’m not sure what the difference is) 😉
I don’t see why not haha! 😀
I’ve made this recipe 2x so far. It’s very easy and makes a beautiful loaf. For the first recipe I used unsweetened home made apple sauce and a dash more nutmeg! The second was unsweetened store-bought. Both were excellent! I meant to share after baking but… the bread was too good!
This is now bookmarked as a favorite recipe!
I used whole spelt flour and only 1/3 coconut sugar. Turned out great!
Thanks for the feedback, Tali!
I doubled this recipe and it made 3 medium sized loaves. my kids ate 1 whole loaf in about 5 minutes. 🙂 this is amazingly delicious, so moist, and so budget friendly. I did use regular brown sugar because that’s what I had on hand. This is a keeper recipe we’ll make often! Thank you!