Applesauce is a popular condiment made from pureed apples and features a deliciously sweet and tangy taste. Not only is it great to pair with a variety of foods, but it’s also a popular ingredient in many baked goods.

If you’ve run out of applesauce or want to try alternatives that yield comparable results, there are many nutritious, practical, and delightful substitutes for applesauce you can use instead. The ones we’ve listed here are not only delicious but also easy to make and customizable. Take a look at some of the best applesauce substitutes that won’t sacrifice flavor or nutrition.

1. Fruit Purees

Fruit purees are a fantastic applesauce substitute since they are simple to make and come closest in terms of the taste and texture of applesauce. You can make purees with a variety of fruits depending on the flavor you want. The disadvantage is that they may lack the rich taste of applesauce.

Preparing a fruit puree is rather simple. All you need is a single fruit of your choice, some water or juice for consistency, and seasoning for added flavor. Simply blend the ingredients together until you achieve the desired texture, and enjoy! You can even mix multiple fruits together to create unique flavor combinations.

1 cup of applesauce = 1 cup of fruit puree.

2. Yogurt

Yogurt may not seem like an obvious choice as a substitute for applesauce, but it can work as a great alternative in recipes that call for this condiment. Yogurt is low in sugar and calories and has a creamy consistency but without the sweetness of applesauce.

As a substitute for applesauce, both plain and flavored yogurt are easily accessible and can be used in many different ways. You add honey or cinnamon if you want it sweeter, or whisk the yogurt in a blender or food processor to make it creamier.

1 cup of applesauce = 1 cup of yogurt.

3. Avocado

Avocados are another fantastic substitute for applesauce since they are creamy and naturally sweet. They also have good fats and vitamins. But it may be challenging to achieve the consistency of applesauce.

To make a creamy avocado puree, you just need a ripe avocado and a blender. Peel and pit the avocado, then blend it until you have a thick, creamy puree. Since avocado has a very mild taste, it’s excellent to use in many different dishes. If you’re using it to replace applesauce in recipes that require the sweet and tangy flavor of applesauce, add some lemon juice and honey to the avocado puree.

1/2 cup of applesauce = 1 mashed avocado.

4. Mashed Bananas

Mashed bananas are another wonderful alternative to applesauce. Bananas provide plenty of nutrition and don’t have added sugars or preservatives. They’re rich in vital vitamins and minerals like potassium, magnesium, niacin, and vitamin B6, making them an ideal replacement for applesauce.

Making mashed bananas is also pretty simple. All you need to do is take a ripe banana and mash it up with a fork. You can then use mashed bananas in place of applesauce in baking recipes, as the creamy texture and natural sweetness of bananas will be excellent in desserts, bread, and other sweet treats. Make sure you use a ripe banana to get a sweeter mash that will taste quite similar to applesauce.

1/2 cup of applesauce = 1 medium-sized ripe banana mash.

5. Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese makes an excellent substitute for applesauce thanks to its creamy texture and lower calorie count. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to applesauce that still offers an appealing texture and plenty of flavors, cottage cheese is worth a try.

To use cottage cheese to replace applesauce, simply blend it in a food processor until you get a smooth and creamy consistency. Then, add extra flavor with seasonings like cinnamon or nutmeg. You can also get creative with using cottage cheese for a range of savory options, as it has a naturally mild taste, unlike applesauce which is sweeter.

1 cup of applesauce = 1 cup of pureed cottage cheese.

6. Pumpkin Puree

Pumpkin puree is another amazing substitute for applesauce. It not only provides all the health benefits of applesauce, but it is also low in calories! It also contains vitamins A and C and is rich in minerals like potassium and magnesium. Plus, it is practically fat-free!

When using pumpkin puree in place of applesauce, you might need to adjust the taste as pumpkin has a stronger flavor. But that should not be a problem as you can simply roast the pumpkin before pureeing it. This way, you can enjoy all the nutritional goodness of pumpkin puree without the strong pumpkin flavor.

1 cup of applesauce = 1 cup of pumpkin puree.

7. Coconut Milk

Believe it or not, coconut milk is an excellent substitute for applesauce due to its unique properties. It is dairy and gluten-free, meaning it can be enjoyed by those with food allergies or special diets. Plus, its creamy texture adds adequate moisture to recipes, and it has a subtly sweet flavor that adds a great taste without the added tartness of applesauce.

The most exciting part about using coconut milk instead of applesauce is how much easier it is to make and store. You can whip up a batch quickly with just shredded coconut and water and keep it in your fridge for future use! Not only does it offer a subtle sweetness, but because it’s so versatile, you can use it for both savory and sweet dishes.

1 cup of applesauce = 1/2 cup of coconut milk (Coconut milk can be thick, so you can add water to thin it out if needed.)

8. Honey

This may seem like an unlikely choice, but honey’s scrumptious flavor and silky texture make it a unique option for replacing applesauce. The sugary taste adds a captivating twist to recipes that would usually be accompanied by the sharpness of applesauce. The only drawback is the lack of tartness in comparison to apple sauce.

Honey has a sticky, syrup-like consistency that can be a little difficult to work with, but you can fix this problem by adding more liquid to thin it out. A delightful concoction of honey and water mixed in equal proportions creates a sweet paste that serves as a great alternative to applesauce in various recipes.

1/4 cup of applesauce = 1 teaspoon of honey + water mixture.