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Healthy Banana Bread with Applesauce Recipe {Video}

August 16, 2019 Rebecca Baron 79 Comments

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My healthy banana bread with applesauce recipe has the perfect combination of ingredients to make a wonderfully moist and tasty quick bread. We make banana bread at our house a lot because it's the perfect way to use up old bananas.

Healthy banana bread with applesauce on a cutting board sliced with a slice in the background with butter on top on a white plate and ripe bananas in the background
Easy, healthy banana bread with applesauce recipe with no oil

The recipe is healthy as written, but there are some things you can do to make it even healthier, like subbing pure maple syrup * for the brown sugar or replacing the all-purpose flour with equal parts gluten-free flour * or spelt flour *, which is Clean Eating.

Check out this recipe to see how easy it is to make this recipe and how good it turns out!

Instead of butter, I used applesauce. Cutting out the butter and adding a little vanilla and cinnamon for flavor makes it delicious and moist. I guess that once you try this recipe, you'll like it better than banana bread with oil.

I love banana bread for lunch and it's a favorite of my children in their school lunches. I often make mini banana bread muffins because they are very child-friendly and not as messy.

I hope you enjoy this healthy banana bread recipe - it definitely didn't last long at my house - it was eaten by dinner time!

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healthy banana bread with applesauce on a cutting board

Healthy Banana Bread with Applesauce Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 54 reviews
  • Author: Rebecca Baron
  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 60
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Cuisine: Easy
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Description

This is an easy recipe that my whole family loves. It's a great way to use up old bananas too.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 Cups All-Purpose Flour (may sub up to half with whole wheat flour)
  • ½ Cup Unsweetened Applesauce
  • 4 Large Bananas, (ripe to over-ripe and mashed)
  • 2 Large Eggs
  • ¾ Cup Brown Sugar
  • 1 tsp Baking Soda
  • 1 tsp Vanilla
  • ½ tsp Cinnamon
  • ½ tsp Real Salt *


Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 F
  2. Mix flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl
  3. Mix brown sugar and applesauce until completely blended
  4. Add 2 eggs, vanilla, and bananas to the sugar and mix well
  5. Add wet ingredients into the dry and fold until all ingredients are wet
  6. Pour into a greased 9X5 bread pan *
  7. Bake on 350 for 60-70 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AZ

    March 03, 2025 at 9:06 am

    Excellent recipe. I cut the brown sugar to .5 cup and it was plenty sweet. Super moist, everyone loved it.

    Reply
  2. Gail

    January 04, 2025 at 3:33 pm

    Best banana bread recipe I’ve ever tried! Made my own unsweetened applesauce and substituted 1/2 cup of wheat germ for 1/2 cup of the flour required. Accidentally put in 1 tsp of sea salt instead of 1/2 tsp and will do it on purpose next time. Also added some chopped pecans. Soooooo good!!!

    Reply
  3. Jill Beck

    December 30, 2024 at 6:22 pm

    I followed this recipe to a T and it came out perfectly! So easy, so delicious! I like that it has no oil or butter, and the ingredients are simple and few. This is definitely a keeper! Thank you!

    Reply
  4. EDYE

    January 09, 2022 at 4:18 pm

    Just made this! So yummy!

    Reply
  5. WBJMinistry

    May 05, 2021 at 9:55 am

    I added a crumble top

    Reply
    • Yana

      July 16, 2023 at 1:11 am

      Im coming to you for tea! 😊👌That looks a beauty... It is a grat recipie... Great pic too..

      Reply
  6. Alicia

    April 05, 2021 at 10:04 am

    it is easy to make and the flavor/texture is unbelievable. my family enjoy the treat every time.

    Reply
  7. Valerie

    September 21, 2020 at 4:34 pm

    I’ve made this 3 times and always use 1/2 whole wheat flour. Love it! So moist and just right amount of sweetness. (I always use super ripe bananas). I add 1 teaspoon baking powder only because I saw it in the NYT’s recipe and the texture’s so nice I’m afraid to omit it! Not sure what would happen if I did? How long do you suggest for muffins?

    Reply
    • Rebecca Baron

      September 23, 2020 at 11:19 am

      I love your suggestions and I am sure they will help other people. I haven't actually timed how long muffins take. It depends quite a bit on how large they are, the pan and what flour you use but they are closer to half an hour, give or take 10 minutes. I just kind of keep an eye on them and check them with a toothpick when they start to look solid, puffy and brown.

      Reply
  8. Kara-Lynne N

    August 26, 2020 at 11:11 am

    I added chocolate chips and baked in muffin tin. Worked out perfectly! Baked for about 15 minutes.

    Reply
  9. Ashley Wyatt

    August 04, 2020 at 12:55 pm

    Topped with rainbow chips for a little fun!

    Reply
  10. Angelica

    July 10, 2020 at 10:46 am

    Added some walnuts yummy!

    Reply
  11. Nicky

    July 07, 2020 at 11:20 am

    I used 1 cup whole wheat flour and 1 cup all-purpose flour. I also replaced some of the brown sugar with stevia. Baked for 60 mins, though it was a little overdone. 45-50 mins probably would have been fine. But it still came out delicious!

    Reply
  12. Mary

    July 07, 2020 at 11:00 am

    This is a good recipe easy to make I think I could’ve taken them out a little bit earlier. Still very good.

    Reply
  13. James

    May 26, 2020 at 11:06 am

    Amazing texture

    Reply
  14. Rocio

    May 02, 2020 at 11:08 am

    I added walnuts to the recipe. Delicious!

    Reply
  15. Marcus

    April 29, 2020 at 10:20 am

    So tasty

    Reply
  16. Doug

    April 23, 2020 at 10:21 am

    It's ok...I don't feel like it has much flavor....it's not very sweet...could be my bananas weren't ripe ripe??...

    Reply
    • Rebecca Baron

      July 08, 2020 at 11:04 am

      Using ripe bananas will definitely make it much sweeter. The darker brown color the bananas are the sweeter they are.

      Reply
  17. Cam

    April 11, 2020 at 2:04 pm

    Soo tasty and so easy to make! I've made it a few times in a toaster over and it was just as good, plus
    I added some chocolat chips this lastest time making the recipe and it was great! Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Rebecca Baron

      April 11, 2020 at 3:50 pm

      I'm so glad you like it. Thanks for commenting!

      Reply
      • Lizzy

        June 29, 2020 at 2:12 am

        Hi there! I was curious to know the calorie count for this recipe - per slice? I’m on a calorie deficit and made this for our weeks breakfast!

        Reply
        • Rebecca Baron

          July 06, 2020 at 10:54 am

          Sorry about that. Somehow I forgot to add the nutrition label for this recipe. It's on there now!

          Reply
  18. Breanna

    April 07, 2020 at 11:09 am

    Perfectly baked

    Reply
  19. Dianne

    March 27, 2020 at 11:44 am

    Note to Self: Easy recipe and great taste. 6-cup bundt pan was very full but it worked fine. Used melted shortening dusted with almond flour as pan prep, which worked well.

    Reply
  20. Paula

    March 24, 2020 at 11:10 am

    Added walnuts. Turned out delicious!

    Reply
  21. Natalie

    March 23, 2020 at 12:04 pm

    I added walnuts and more spices (clove, nutmeg and ginger). So excited to try it.

    Reply
  22. Diahann

    February 18, 2020 at 10:32 am

    First time looks and smell good

    Reply
  23. Gerdia

    February 03, 2020 at 7:56 pm

    Excellent....next time will make muffins for my grandson

    Reply
  24. Donna

    December 16, 2019 at 2:16 pm

    Used whole wheat flour and it was super moist and fantastic. My new go-to!

    Reply
  25. Sarah

    September 01, 2019 at 12:27 pm

    So good! Husband LOVED it

    Reply
  26. Judie-Rae Hetchler

    August 10, 2019 at 1:16 pm

    Followed the recipie exactly and its sooooo DELICIOUS. Definitley a recipie to keep and make again & again.

    Reply
  27. KDS

    July 20, 2019 at 10:58 am

    Delicious!

    Reply
  28. Tiff

    June 04, 2019 at 4:19 pm

    Seriously this my new favorite recipe for banana bread! I made the recipe in mini muffin tins at 350 for 15 minutes! My kids are already asking me to make this again ? thanks!

    Reply
    • Rebecca Baron

      June 07, 2019 at 4:19 pm

      I’m so glad you like it, especially your children. That can be a tall order!

      Reply
      • Beth T

        May 28, 2020 at 3:07 pm

        This will be my new go to banana bread recipe!
        So much healthier without the oil and tasted wonderful. Made the recipe exactly and mine was done at 50 minutes. It could be oven differences or because I used a dark metal pan.

        Reply
  29. Neela

    May 17, 2019 at 10:52 am

    Great recipe! Love the consistency of the bread and it has the perfect blend of sweetness.

    Reply
  30. Aja

    May 15, 2019 at 10:19 am

    Added chocolate chips and cut the recipe in half so it’s a bit smaller.

    Reply
  31. Maryann M

    May 11, 2019 at 10:52 am

    Excellent! I added about 1/3 cup of chocolate chips for the kids.

    Reply
  32. Lori Lough

    May 09, 2019 at 8:01 pm

    So far so good

    Reply
  33. Carolyn

    April 03, 2019 at 4:17 pm

    After reading all the comments, I made this recipe and substituted whole wheat flour for white flour and I used date sugar (really just ground up dates) for the brown sugar. It came out great!

    Reply
    • Rebecca Baron

      April 15, 2019 at 4:17 pm

      Good to know. Thanks for commenting so other people know about substitutions that will work!

      Reply
  34. Kathy

    April 01, 2019 at 4:14 pm

    Just made this today. I substituted 1/2 cup of organic pure maple syrup for the brown sugar and added dark chocolate chips. I did use regular white flour (2 cups as stated) and the bread is delicious and very moist. I did take it out of oven after 55 minutes as it was getting very brown. Next time, I will check it at 45 and 50 minutes. I was wondering if using the maple syrup could make it that brown. I was afraid it was burning but no burnt taste at all. I have been using unsweetened applesauce as substitute for several other recipes, so was happy to find this one for banana bread. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Rebecca Baron

      April 15, 2019 at 4:15 pm

      I’m not sure why it got so brown. It could be a difference in our ovens or altitudes or the rack it was on in your oven vs. mine. I’m glad it turned out for you though!

      Reply
  35. AnneT

    March 09, 2019 at 8:02 pm

    Delicious! Added an extra banana and chopped walnuts. Made mini loaves ?

    Reply
  36. Laurie Arneberg-Moss

    February 09, 2019 at 8:03 pm

    Everyone loved it

    Reply
  37. CRYSTAL | BEAT BAKE EAT

    August 12, 2018 at 4:12 pm

    I love healthy banana breads!
    Replacing the butter with applesauce is brilliant. I discovered this substitute years ago and I’ve been doing it ever since.
    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Rebecca Baron

      August 16, 2018 at 4:13 pm

      Yes. I love the applesauce trick. It makes it so moist! Thanks for stopping by. Your blog has me drooling. . .

      Reply
  38. Miriam

    April 08, 2017 at 3:39 pm

    I tried it and it came out great thank you… The only thing I did different is put walnuts

    Reply
    • Rebecca Baron

      April 17, 2017 at 3:39 pm

      Good to know. Thanks for taking the time to comment!

      Reply
  39. Bonnie

    October 08, 2016 at 4:09 pm

    I made this bread today. It’s really good!!!

    Reply
    • Rebecca Baron

      November 10, 2016 at 4:09 pm

      Yey! I’m so glad you liked it. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

      Reply
  40. Kat

    February 25, 2015 at 4:06 pm

    I made this this morning but made muffins instead of loaf. I also sub. 1/2 the flour for wheat flour and used 1/2 the amount of sugar. I used splenda brown sugar blend. I doubled the cinn. I also added some frozen blue berries to the muffins before putting in the oven. Yummmmmy!!

    Reply
  41. JM

    January 22, 2015 at 4:05 pm

    Thanks for sharing this recipe….I was looking for one with exactly four ripe bananas!

    Reply
  42. sarah budke

    January 22, 2015 at 4:04 pm

    This recipe looks very good- I will have to try it this upcoming week. Thanks for sharing it!

    Reply
  43. Stacy

    October 08, 2014 at 4:03 pm

    Thanks for the recipe! I used whole wheat flour, added walnuts and always sub 1/2 of the called for sugar with ground flax seed. It was delicious!!

    Reply
  44. Dee

    September 23, 2014 at 4:02 pm

    Made it with whole wheat flour and it was delish! !!!! Will definitely use this recipe again! Thanks!

    Reply
  45. frank k

    May 31, 2014 at 4:00 pm

    Great recipe! Our kids are very sensitive to sugar, get jittery even with natural oj. We substituted brown sugar and apple sauce with 7 bananas total. We also replace flour with Kodiak Power Mix. The result is amazing. We have been making the bread with variation of pineapples, bananas and apples, abs. delicious, thanks so much!!

    Reply
    • Rebecca Baron

      June 03, 2014 at 4:01 pm

      What great ideas!

      Reply
  46. Tammy

    May 12, 2014 at 3:59 pm

    Great recipe, couldn’t wait for it to cool off to eat it!

    Reply
  47. Ashley

    May 04, 2014 at 3:57 pm

    hello,
    just wondering if I could use coconut flour instead of all purpose?
    thank you

    Reply
    • Rebecca Baron

      May 04, 2014 at 3:57 pm

      You could but you would have to change quite a few things so personally I wouldn’t attempt it. For one, you would need way more eggs since coconut flour soaks up liquid like crazy.

      Reply
  48. Kate

    May 03, 2014 at 3:55 pm

    I found your site by searching applesauce banana bread. Thank you go the recipe, I can’t wait to make it

    Reply
  49. Cassie

    May 03, 2014 at 3:54 pm

    Bread is in the oven now, smells yummy!! I love issuing applesauce instead of oils!

    Reply
  50. elaina

    April 22, 2014 at 3:53 pm

    This looks easy and delicious! Thanks.

    Reply
  51. Megan

    April 09, 2014 at 3:50 pm

    I love your recipe! Thanks for sharing. So moist and no one can believe it is dairy-free ? It’s my go-to when bananas start to get brown.

    Reply
  52. Krista

    March 24, 2014 at 3:46 pm

    Looks yummy

    Reply
  53. carrie randall

    March 13, 2014 at 3:45 pm

    I make banana bread all the time, but I have never tried the applesauce thing. I will have to give this a try!

    Reply
  54. Sheri

    March 01, 2014 at 3:43 pm

    Great taste and WAY less sugar/oil than my Mom’s old recipe. I DID add walnuts to it! YUM!

    Reply
  55. Regina

    January 13, 2014 at 3:41 pm

    Looks perfect- making today!

    Reply
    • Rebecca Baron

      January 13, 2014 at 3:41 pm

      Great. Please let us know how it turns out!

      Reply
  56. Angie

    October 15, 2013 at 3:37 pm

    Can you substitute all purpose flour for whole wheat flour?

    Reply
    • Rebecca Baron

      October 15, 2013 at 3:37 pm

      Yes but it will make it drier and denser so you may want to compensate but adding more liquid to it.

      Reply
  57. nitasha evans

    October 11, 2013 at 3:35 pm

    This sounds so yummy!

    Reply
  58. Marsha

    September 24, 2013 at 3:24 pm

    While substituting oil for my homemade applesauce, this recipe sounds great! I’ve heard about doing this and your recipe sounds like the one I need to try.

    Reply
    • Rebecca Baron

      September 25, 2013 at 3:25 pm

      Let me know if you try it. I would love to hear if you like it!

      Reply
  59. Michelle F.

    September 07, 2013 at 3:20 pm

    looks so delicious.

    Reply
    • Rebecca Baron

      September 10, 2013 at 3:22 pm

      It is! The applesauce makes it so moist!

      Reply
    • Tina

      February 23, 2024 at 7:04 pm

      I have never commented on an online recipe and believe me, I have tried numerous recipes for a variety of foods.
      Your recipe for banana bread is absolutely delicious. My husband and I are enjoying right now!
      Thank you!

      Reply

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Hi! I’m Rebecca Baron! I have been cooking healthy, made-from-scratch meals for my family of six for 15 years and it has helped us feel so much better. Join us on our journey!

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