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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.
If you’re looking for fresh, frugual inspiration for your pantry stash of applesauce, look no further we’ve got you covered below with recipes that will make your taste buds and stomach happy!
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:
Savory Applesauce Recipes
Applesauce isn’t just for desserts and baked goods. Enjoy the delicious taste of fall apples any time of year with these savory recipes. From main dishes to sauces, these recipes will bring something new to your table.
BBQ Applesauce Chicken
This is one of the best ways to turn chicken into something tasty and unexpected. You probably have everything you need already on hand to whip this recipe up. Use fresh cooked or leftover chicken with a blend of unsweetened applesauce, seasonings, and BBQ sauce for simple sandwiches or even put on salads for a quick meal.
Veal Stroganoff
Tender pieces of veal covered in a refreshing tomato sauce. The applesauce in this recipe turns the tomato sauce from an everyday flavor into something new. The sweetness of the apples brings out the tenderness of the veal to make each bite delicious.
Kathy's Delicious Applesauce Meatloaf
Packed full of flavor this meatloaf recipe comes out so deliciously moist! A traditional recipe that uses seasoned tomato sauce and applesauce as its filling to create a delicious, juicy flavor. This will become one of your favorite ways to make meatloaf from here on out.
Crock-Pot Sweet Kielbasa Recipe
Take the stress out of dinner! This kielbasa requires only 5 ingredients and is cooked until delicious in a crockpot for easy cleanup. Made with applesauce and brown sugar for sweetness but paired with mustard and garlic for a savory bite it’s the perfect flavor combo. Also great for serving at parties and game day!
Apple Sauce Mac and Cheese with Apple Sausage
The creamiest mac and cheese you’ll ever taste and a comfort food to please the whole family! You won’t even notice the applesauce in the final product but it’s what helps create a light but ultra-creamy sauce that’s nothing short of indulgent.
Harvest Salad with Applesauce Vinaigrette
All the flavors of fall in one hearty bowl. This salad uses fresh apples, celery, and pecans for a tasty crunch paired with a tangy applesauce and apple cider vinegar vinaigrette for a refreshing flavor. A tasty way to use up the applesauce in your pantry to create something light and filling.
Oven Baked Ribs
Always a crowd pleaser these ribs are simmered in brown sugar applesauce that makes them fall off the bone tender. Seasoned with cinnamon and paprika they’re the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavor.
Turkey Breakfast Sausage
Homemade applesauce is the touch of sweetness that breakfast sausages need. These are a healthy substitute to store-bought and the smoky apple flavor gives you a new taste you’re going to love.
Sweet Applesauce Recipes
Take your baked goods and classic desserts to a whole new texture level with these ideas! With everything from brownies to pudding, these sweet recipes are the best way to use up the canned applesauce in your pantry.
Applesauce Brownies Recipe
Applesauce Brownies - Applesauce gives the brownies a thick, fudgy texture that you’ll soon fall in love with. Rich chocolate and pure indulgence in every bite, this is particular recipe has become my favorite brownie of all time.
Applesauce Pie
A great way to use up extra applesauce in your pantry and have apple pie without apple pie filling. This pie can be spiced up with cinnamon and topped with a buttery crumble or enjoyed with just the simple ingredients it’s made from. Easy to whip up and deliciously versatile this is a good recipe to sastisfy any sudden pie craving.
Applesauce Coffee Cake
Topped with a sweet streusel this coffee cake makes the perfect brunch recipe. Minimally seasoned the cake comes out ultra-moist and with the perfect amount of sweetness. And since it’s so moist, it’s a cake that stays fresh longer than most which means leftovers won’t go to waste.
Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies
Soft and chewy cookies full of applesauce, oats, and chocolate chips perfect for the cookie jar.
Applesauce Bundt Cake Recipe
Made right from the pantry this easy cake is a perfect dessert to whip up for any occasion. With warm, spiced flavor the cake is ideal for simple desserts and birthday celebrations alike. Serve with a bit of vanilla ice cream for an over-the-top dessert or enjoy as is for simple sweetness.
Applesauce Cupcakes Recipe
A great recipe for a fall dessert any time of year, these cupcakes have all the apple flavor you expect during that season wrapped into a moist cupcake. Topped with maple frosting they’re an indulgence you don’t want to miss out on.
Applesauce Bran Muffins
Feel good about grabbing one of these applesauce muffins as you run out the door. Lightly sweet but made from healthy whole grains these muffins are filling and flavorful. The applesauce helps keep them from drying out like many bran muffins and they use just maple syrup for sweetness.
Melt-In-Your-Mouth Vegan Bread Pudding
Totally dairy-free this bread pudding is a great way to use up the stale loaf on the counter! With only six ingredients it comes together quickly, and the applesauce helps keep it light and creamy. Top it with ice cream or even a vegan yogurt and it quickly becomes ultra-rich.
Honey Applesauce Cake
A delicious moist cake with a honey cinnamon flavor. This is a throw-together easy recipe that whips up in a pinch and is perfect for gifting. Minimal ingredients but a delicious light, comforting taste that is sure to become one of your favorite cakes.
Spice Cake Recipe
Topped with homemade cream cheese frosting this cake recipe will beat out any store-bought variation. With warm spices like cinnamon and ginger, you’ll want to curl up with a slice of this one on a chilly afternoon.
Oatmeal Bars
Perfect for snacking these bars have an oatmeal crust and a delicious crumbly topping. They’re easy to make but filling to munch on and they’re a hit with even the pickiest of eaters. With only six ingredients you’ll be whipping up these applesauce bars again and again.
Snacks, Drinks, and Other Recipes
Cooking isn’t the only way to use applesauce from the pantry. In fact, as you’ll see below, applesauce can be made into just about everything. These delicious recipes take the applesauce taste and natural sweetness to a whole new level in creative ways to help you use up your stock.
Applesauce Peanut Butter Granola
The perfect kind of crunch, this homemade granola recipe is a flavor twist that’s easy to customize. Enjoy it right out of the jar or pop it on top of your yogurt and smoothies. Heck, you could even sprinkle some on top of a bowl of your own applesauce. It’s a tasty addition to any snack.
Protein Cookies
Made with any protein powder you have on hand these cookies are a delicious on-the-go snack! Naturally dairy-free and gluten-free, they’re made with chocolate chips for a lightly sweet snack that is packed with protein for fuel.
Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups: Blackberry & Lavender
Not just for kids, this favorite treat from your childhood is making a healthier comeback! With a refreshing blackberry and lavender flavor these fruit rollups are made from real-food ingredients before being dehydrated into a tasty snack.
Blueberry Banana and Applesauce Smoothie
Creamy, healthy, and much more like dessert than a healthy snack. This smoothie is made with only six ingredients and comes out with a fresh burst of color and flavor. A tasty pick-me-up in the middle of the day.
Applesauce Smoothie
Apple pie in a glass is what this smoothie results in. Made with the classic flavor of apple and cinnamon and thickened up with Greek yogurt, it’s a smoothie recipe that’s both fueling and comforting.
Overnight Applesauce Oatmeal
A cost-effective breakfast recipe that’s delicious and hearty. These overnight oats have an apple pie flavor with only a handful of ingredients. A tasty make-ahead recipe for busy days.
Healthy, Sugar-Free Apple Pie Granola (vegan)
Cozy fall flavor wrapped into a healthy snack. This sugar-free granola uses both fresh apples and applesauce for its sweetness. Perfect for breakfast or as an add-on to a smoothie bowl this granola is loaded with nourishing ingredients and is 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!