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Applesauce tends to be a pantry staple. Whether you can it yourself or buy it at the grocery store, it’s an amazing snack, topping, and so much more.
The great thing about that jar of applesauce is that it can easily be used to extend, replace other ingredients, add moisture, increase flavor, and more to both your sweet and savory dishes.
Applesauce as a Fat Replacement
Fat is a necessary part of our nutrition and shouldn’t be avoided at all costs but good quality fats are expensive and finding natural replacements can be a frugal and wise choice.
Applesauce can be used as a replacement for melted butter or oil in most baked goods like cookies, cakes, breads, etc. Simply replace the fat with an equal amount of applesauce and proceed with the recipe as written.
It’s important to note that applesauce does not replace softened butter that must be creamed, only melted butter or liquid fats (like vegetable / olive oil) in order to get the same results from tried and true recipes.
Time may need to be added to the baking depending on the amount of water in the applesauce, however; simply test for doneness with a toothpick or skewer. No other modifications are necessary.
Applesauce as an Egg Replacer
Applesauce can add moisture and binding capability to many recipes. Use ¼ cup applesauce instead of an egg and proceed with the recipe as normal.
This can come in handy for making something vegan when necessary. It can also prevent a trip to the grocery store just for eggs.
A Word of Caution about Replacing
One or the other – not both. Don’t try to replace both fat and eggs with applesauce in the same recipe as results aren’t likely to be exactly as expected.
Use it as a fat replacement and use a real egg or a flax egg in the original recipe. Alternatively, use the applesauce egg and vegetable oil.
Make Sure it’s Smooth
If, like me, you can chunky applesauce, puree it in a blender or food processor befor using it as a replacement or in any of the recipes below for best success and flavor.
The Best Recipes Featuring Applesauce
Whether you want something for dinner, dessert, or snacking we've got an applesauce recipe for you in the list below. Whether you have just a bit of leftover applesauce or shelves full of jars, there's a way to put it all to good use in these inspiring recipes:
BBQ Applesauce Chicken
A straightforward way to turn chicken into something worth making on a weeknight. Unsweetened applesauce, BBQ sauce, and basic seasonings come together quickly for sandwiches or a simple plate. Works with fresh or leftover chicken.
Veal Stroganoff
Applesauce works its way into the tomato sauce here, adding a subtle sweetness that balances the savory flavors. A different take on a classic.
Kathy's Delicious Applesauce Meatloaf
A traditional meatloaf that uses applesauce alongside seasoned tomato sauce for a moist, flavorful result. A reliable weeknight dinner option.
Crock-Pot Sweet Kielbasa Recipe
Five ingredients, cooked low and slow. Applesauce and brown sugar bring sweetness while mustard and garlic keep it savory. Good for an easy dinner or a gathering spread.
Apple Sauce Mac and Cheese with Apple Sausage
Applesauce works into the sauce here without announcing itself — just adds a creaminess that makes the whole thing richer. Comfort food that's a bit different from the standard version.
Harvest Salad with Applesauce Vinaigrette
Fresh apples, celery, and pecans with an applesauce and apple cider vinegar dressing. A lighter way to use pantry applesauce with something fresh and seasonal.
Oven Baked Ribs
Ribs braised in a brown sugar applesauce with cinnamon and paprika. The applesauce keeps them tender and adds just enough sweetness to balance the spice.
Turkey Breakfast Sausage
Homemade breakfast sausages with applesauce for a touch of sweetness. A straightforward recipe that's easy to make ahead and freeze.
Applesauce Brownies Recipe
Applesauce Brownies - Applesauce gives these brownies a thick, fudgy texture that holds up well. Rich chocolate flavor and a good pantry recipe to have on hand when you want something from scratch without a lot of fuss.
Applesauce Pie
A good way to use up pantry applesauce and get apple pie without making a filling from scratch. Can be spiced with cinnamon, topped with a buttery crumble, or kept plain.
Applesauce Coffee Cake
A streusel-topped coffee cake that stays moist longer than most. Minimally spiced and straightforward to make this is a reliable brunch recipe or something to bring to a gathering.
Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies
Soft, chewy cookies with oats, applesauce, and chocolate chips. A good way to use applesauce and easy enough for a weeknight baking session.
Applesauce Bundt Cake Recipe
A pantry-friendly cake with warm spice and a simple vanilla glaze. There's nothing fussy about this cake that works for an everyday dessert or a birthday.
Applesauce Cupcakes Recipe
Moist applesauce cupcakes with maple frosting. A good fall baking project that works any time of year when you have applesauce to use up.
Oatmeal Applesauce Cookie
Soft oatmeal cookies made with applesauce for extra moisture. Naturally dairy-free and a simple from-scratch cookie that comes together quickly and keeps well in the cookie jar.
Chocolate Applesauce Bundt Cake
A lightly spiced chocolate bundt cake made with applesauce for a moist crumb and a rich chocolate frosting. Easy enough for a weeknight and good enough for a celebration.
Applesauce Bran Muffins
Lightly sweet bran muffins made with whole grains and maple syrup. The applesauce keeps them from drying out, which is the main problem with most bran muffins.
Melt-In-Your-Mouth Vegan Bread Pudding
Six ingredients, dairy-free, and a good use for a stale loaf. The applesauce keeps it light without losing the creamy texture you want in bread pudding.
Honey Applesauce Cake
A simple, throw-together cake with honey and cinnamon. Good for gifting and easy enough to make on short notice.
Spice Cake Recipe
Warm spices, cream cheese frosting, and a straightforward recipe. A good option when you want something comforting without a lot of complexity
Oatmeal Bars
Six ingredients, oatmeal crust, crumbly topping. Easy to make, hold up well for snacking, and a reliable way to use up a bit of applesauce.
Applesauce Peanut Butter Granola
A crunchy, customizable granola with a flavor twist from the peanut butter. Good on its own, on yogurt, or stirred into a bowl of applesauce if you want to lean into it.
Protein Cookies
Made with any protein powder you have on hand, naturally dairy-free and gluten-free, with chocolate chips for a bit of sweetness. A practical on-the-go snack.
Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups: Blackberry & Lavender
Real-ingredient fruit roll-ups made from blackberry and lavender, dehydrated into a chewy snack. A good project if you have a dehydrator and want something different.
Blueberry Banana and Applesauce Smoothie
Six ingredients, fresh flavor, and a good way to use a small amount of applesauce. A straightforward everyday smoothie.
Applesauce Smoothie
Apple and cinnamon with Greek yogurt for thickness. Tastes like apple pie in a glass and comes together in minutes.
Overnight Applesauce Oatmeal
Apple pie flavor in overnight oats with a handful of ingredients. A good make-ahead breakfast for busy mornings.
Healthy, Sugar-Free Apple Pie Granola (vegan)
Both fresh apples and applesauce go into this sugar-free granola. Good for breakfast or as a smoothie bowl topper, and naturally dairy and gluten-free.
I just put up over 20 quarts of applesauce, plus apple butter, curry apple chutney, and apple pie jam. This post is very timely for me! Thank you!
Ohhh yum! I’m so glad this will help you use it all up!
I’ve been kicking around making a BBQ sauce with applesauce as the base. Just get rid of the tomatoes and make a spicy applesauce. Pork and apples go so well anyway.Thanks for sharing
It sounds so yummy! I’ve used rhubarb sauce in homemade BBQ sauce and it worked deliciously.
I think that would be great i eat jalapeno peppers in applesauce let me know if you make some bbg sauce
I love apple sauce and apple butter as an ingredient in salad dressing, and sauce for roast pork. It provides sweetness and body.
I’ve been trying to justify making homemade applesauce. You just gave me many good reasons! :)
I’m so glad you found inspiration and an excuse, ha!
We found a new use for apple sauce. Indian sweet called ‘gujrela’ is made with carrots and milk, sugar, spices. Those who do not like milk can safely use apple sauce. The resultant sweet can be kept at room temperature for significant time.
Has anyone ever stuffed a chicken with applesauce withe two sliced jalapeno peppers and orange slices i the put it in my air fryer turned out great
Thank you for this amazing resource!