I canned 84 pints of applesauce this year. Both Jeff and I like to eat it as a part of our lunches but beyond just being a snack straight out of the jar, applesauce has a multitude of other uses – both sweet and savory. In case, you put up more than just a few jars yourself here are some Sweet & Savory Ways to Use Applesauce:
Use Applesauce as a Fat Replacement in Baked Goods
Applesauce can be used as 1-to-1 replacement for oil or melted butter in all those baked goods – cakes, quick breads, etc. It keeps everything moist and tasty and makes it a bit a lighter. The applesauce won't even be noticeable, the people you feed will only remember how good it was – not that you used applesauce instead of oil. Some recipes to try include:
Chocolate Avocado Brownies that also happen to be flourless for the gluten-free folks.
Use up the ever abundant garden zucchini in a chocolate marbled bread with applesauce instead oil.
This same fat replacement trick will work for your best friend too in these dog biscuits made with applesauce.
Pile it on as a Topping
Potato Latkes are famously topped with applesauce but I often put it on top of pancakes instead of syrup, too. My friend, Jess, from The 104 Homestead uses applesauce as an ice cream topping. It's great mixed with some granola and yogurt too.
Applesauce Drinks
This is probably not the first way to use applesauce that comes to mind, but it is a versatile and tasty use:
Make cocktails like Apple Pie Bellini for your fall parties.
Add applesauce with berries and bananas for a smoothie that sure to please and fill a hungry stomach.
Have a Savory Lunch & Dinner
Most of us probably know that applesauce makes a great accompaniment to pork chops. Applesauce however can be so much more than just a side dish.
Make applesauce a comfort food with homemade Mac and Cheese.
Add it for hint of flavor and sweetness in a curried fall soup.
Don't forget to include in tasty sweet and spicy appetizers for game day and beyond.
Naturally Sweet Treats
Beyond being a fat replacement, applesauce can give sweet treats an amazing, unique flavor. Let it be the star in things like:
No Churn Apple Cinnamon Swirl Ice Cream is a great way to use up fall preserves in the hot days of summer.
Combine berries, herbs, and applesauce to dry into a delightful fruit leather perfect for lunch boxes and more.
Heck, you can even make an applesauce pie for a tasty and different twist to the traditional apple pie.
Layer Applesauce with Other Ingredients to Create Sauces & Dressings
Applesauce can make the perfect base layer for many dressings and sauces:
Make a strawberry vinaigrette for your salad that uses applesauce instead of oil for added flavor and sweetness.
Mix ketchup and spices with applesauce for a BBQ sauce perfect for ribs.
Combine herbs and sherry vinegar with applesauce for sweet and savory salad dressing.
Eat a Hearty Breakfast
My husband will eat applesauce straight out of the jar with some peanut butter toast for breakfast. But there are so many other creative ways to enjoy it:
Pair applesauce with oats and let it sit overnight for a quick grab and go meal.
Applesauce muffins are full of spicy sweetness and freeze well for busy mornings.
Make a homemade breakfast sausage that includes some applesauce.
Maybe these tips will inspire you to see all those beautiful jars gracing your pantry as the start of something truly delicious rather than a monotony of applesauce on the side of brown bagged lunches.
What's your favorite way to use up applesauce?
Delores says
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!
Homespun Seasonal Living says
Ohhh yum! I’m so glad this will help you use it all up!
James Burnette says
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
Homespun Seasonal Living says
It sounds so yummy! I’ve used rhubarb sauce in homemade BBQ sauce and it worked deliciously.
Stacy says
I love apple sauce and apple butter as an ingredient in salad dressing, and sauce for roast pork. It provides sweetness and body.
Denise says
I’ve been trying to justify making homemade applesauce. You just gave me many good reasons! :)
Kathie Lapcevic says
I’m so glad you found inspiration and an excuse, ha!
Davinder says
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.