Applesauce as An Oil Alternative?

Baking with applesauce may seem a little strange, but it makes for an excellent addition to any recipe. It can add a touch of sweetness, a whole lot of texture, and can even be used if you want to make your baked goods a bit healthier. Here’s everything you need to know about baking with applesauce.

What Is Applesauce?

Applesauce is easy to make. It’s made from simply cooking apples and mashing them. Some applesauce is sweetened and otherwise seasoned. It can be made with cinnamon, brown sugar, maple syrup, or other rich, tasty ingredients. Or it can be served up unsweetened and let the apples speak for themselves. 

Of course, there are countless different kinds of apples, and they all taste different! So the type of apples used to make the applesauce affects the taste. A tart apple makes for tangier applesauce and a sweeter variety makes for milder applesauce. 

Is Applesauce Healthy?

In short, yes! That said, not all applesauce is created equal. The healthiest applesauce is made with unpeeled apples and no sweeteners. The more sugar you add, the less healthy this snack gets. That said, even sweetened applesauce offers a lot of nutritional benefits. 

Applesauce Is Jam-Packed With Fiber

Apples contain pectin, which is a type of soluble fiber, This means they’re full of good-for-you nutrients that help you feel full, longer. Fiber’s also great to support gut health. It promotes healthy digestion and can keep you regular. The good news, when it comes to applesauce, is that it contains virtually the same amount of fiber as a raw apple. So you don’t have to worry about cooking out any of the fiber content.

Applesauce Contains A Daily Dose Of Vitamin C

If you associate citrus fruit with Vitamin C, you’re not alone. And while oranges, grapefruit and other citrus fruits do contain lots of the immune system-supportive nutrient, so does applesauce! In fact, many store-bought applesauce brands contain up to 80% of the daily recommended serving of Vitamin C. Manufacturers often add ascorbic acid to applesauce to act as a natural preservative, and it’s loaded with Vitamin C. 

Applesauce Has A Low Glycemic Index

Apples, and applesauce, support healthy blood sugar levels. Why? Because it has a low glycemic index. This means that the carbohydrates in apples are turned into blood sugar more slowly than many other foods, so you don’t get a huge sugar spike when you eat apples or applesauce. 

Applesauce Contains Vitamins, Minerals, And Nutrients 

Apples contain powerful nutrients from phytochemicals….which is just a fancy way of saying they contain plant compounds that are super good for you. Antioxidants work to support your immune system by fighting free radicals, which can stress out your system. They support healthy aging and can even contain anti-inflammatory properties. You’ve no doubt heard the saying ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away,’ and while that may not be entirely accurate, it’s certainly true that apples are great for you. 

How To Use Applesauce When Baking 

One of the benefits of cooking with applesauce is that you can use it makes any recipe a bit healthier. Whether you choose to replace the oil in a recipe, or just add it to the ingredient list for the added vitamins, minerals, and nutrients it brings to any dish, it makes baking a little bit better! 

Consider Making Your Own

Sure, there are lots of affordable applesauce options you can pick up at the grocery store. But if you really want to take advantage of the nutrient power of apples, look for a brand that makes applesauce with unpeeled apples. Or, just make your own!

Many of the powerful antioxidants and phytochemicals in apples live in the peel. So if applesauce is made from peeled apples, you may miss out on some of that goodness. Making applesauce with unpeeled apples does make for a slightly chunkier, grainier blend. But when baked in your favorite recipes, it’s hardly noticeable. And packs a serious nutritional punch! 

Swap out the Fats for Applesauce

Use applesauce to replace some or all the liquid fat in a recipe. You can swap applesauce for butter, oil, coconut oil, and more. It allows you to cut down on calories and fat content in any baked good. When you use applesauce in your baked goods, it adds buoyancy and texture, which is especially great for cakes and cookies.

This is exactly why Fresh From the Heart uses applesauce in our recipes. Our recipes are healthier, and have a chewy, fluffy, delicious texture! Some of our favorite recipes that include applesauce are rich Almond Butter Cookies and chocolatey, fudgy Chocolate Fudge Cookies.