When you’re trying to eat healthy, baking at home may seem out of the question because of all the fat, calories, and cholesterol found in the oil, butter, and eggs. But luckily, applesauce works as a substitute for all three. It gives food a refreshing and light taste, and it also keeps calories at bay so you can indulge without sacrificing a healthy lifestyle. Check out the recipes ahead to see the best ways in which you can replace applesauce while baking, and enjoy!
– Additional reporting by Lauren Harano
Related: Fresh Out of Eggs? These Replacements Can Go in Almost Any Recipe
POPSUGAR Photography / Jenny Sugar
Apple Pie Muffins
Craving apple pie but don’t want to indulge in a 411-calorie buttery piece? Here’s a dairy-free muffin recipe with much less fat since it uses half a cup of applesauce.
Get the recipe: apple pie muffins
POPSUGAR Photography / Jenny Sugar
No-Bake Carrot Cake Protein Balls
Have your (carrot) cake and eat it too, but without all the calories and fat found in a traditional sugary slice. These no-bake protein balls are sweet, nutty, and soft, and they’re cake-like without a drop of flour. This recipe calls for half a cup of applesauce.
Get the recipe: no-bake carrot cake protein balls
POPSUGAR Photography / Jenny Sugar
Coconut-Blueberry Cookie Bars
Bake up a batch of these Paleo-friendly coconut-blueberry cookie bars that offer nearly 20 percent of your recommended fiber for the day. This recipe calls for one cup of applesauce.
Get the recipe: coconut-blueberry cookie bars
POPSUGAR Photography / Jenny Sugar
Banana Apple Chunk Bread
Instead of a traditional banana bread recipe, try our banana apple chunk bread for yourself. The addition of applesauce only complements the other fruity flavors and keeps each bite dreamy and moist.
Get the recipe: banana apple chunk bread
POPSUGAR Photography / Leta Shy
Pumpkin Quinoa Muffins
Instead of loading up on a store-bought version at the coffee shop, bake your own quinoa muffins at home. This recipe will keep portion control in check, and the addition of applesauce and pumpkin purée will keep things moist without any eggs or oil.
Get the recipe: pumpkin quinoa muffins
POPSUGAR Photography / Jenny Sugar
Oatmeal Pumpkin Spice Bread
This Paula Deen pumpkin spice bread gets a healthy makeover by subbing in applesauce for part of the recipe’s called-for canola oil to lighten things up without totally changing the texture. Serve yours up hot with a spread of nut butter for a healthy breakfast, or enjoy it a satisfying postdinner treat.
Get the recipe: oatmeal pumpkin spice bread
POPSUGAR Photography / Jenny Sugar
Apple Pie Muffins
If you’re craving apple pie but looking to keep things lighter in the calorie and sugar departments, let these apple pie muffins come to the rescue. They’re completely free of dairy, and every bite of the filling tastes like it’s bursting with a piece of your favorite treat.
Get the recipe: apple pie muffins
