Banana Bread (Easy + Healthier)

banana bread apple sauce

Traditionally I make banana bread with either ½ cup of oil or 1 stick of butter which lends to a very moist and rich bread.  I’ve heard that you can replace the oil with apple sauce for a lighter version.  I had never tried it before because I thought it would compromise the taste and flavor.   I figured it’s time to give apple sauce a chance…honestly, The Jamie Oliver Food Revolution has been a wake up call for me.  It makes me more conscience about food and more aware about saving a few calories & cutting fat here and there.  Little changes in your diet can make a difference in your overall health.  Trust me — you won’t miss the oil or butter in this recipe.  You’ll find this banana bread slightly denser with a very pleasant chewy texture.  It’s moist and very flavorful.  The hint of cinnamon in the apple sauce compliments the bananas quite well.

banana bread collage

 

easy healthy banana bread

Simple, delicious & moist

Enjoy!!

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51 comments

  1. Lauren says:

    This looks like a deliciously moist banana bread loaf! The addition of cinnamon applesauce sounds like a lovely compliment to the ripe bananas.

  2. lindentea says:

    I use apple sauce instead of oil all the time and it works great, your recipe and pictures look great, I’ll try this very soon. Thank you!

  3. Sarah Jio says:

    Hi there! What great proof that applesauce produces a yummy looking loaf! I’m the health and fitness blogger for Glamour magazine, my blog is Vitamin G, and I’d like to link to this on my blog tomorrow. I’ll give you attribution for the top photo and send some traffic back your way. hope that’s cool! Thanks much, Sarah

  4. kitchenrunway says:

    Lauren & lindentea: Thank you so much! Hope you try the recipe soon!

    Sarah: Thank you for visiting and I’m excited about being linked on your blog! I know your readers will love the less fat alternative. =)

  5. Lindsay says:

    mmm….I’m totally trying this! We love banana bread – but the recipe I have calls for so much butter!

  6. Ali Reinsdorf says:

    I love this! I usually use applesauce in my breads to make them healthier. I also like to throw some non fat yogurt in to make it extra moist and delicious!

  7. kitchenrunway says:

    Lindsay: totally understand…the amount of butter is sometimes scary….Hope you enjoy the recipe!

    Ali: Ohhhh….non fat yogurt – that sounds like a good alternative – thank you for the suggestion!

    Adrienne: Thank you! Yay – I can’t wait to hear about (and see pictures!) Fun!

  8. Steffany says:

    I have been looking for something healthy to moisten my breads/cakes for a long time. Someone suggested applesauce to me a while back but I never tried it. I had an ex boyfriend whose mother used mayonaisse in everything and her cakes turned out so moist and delicious, but I hate mayo and OBVS applesauce or non-fat yogurt is a better alternative, lol! (: Will definitely try to make this bread.

  9. Leslie says:

    Thanks so much for sharing. I made this last nite and it was my FIRST bread from scratch attempt. My job loves it. I usually bake when I’m fasting and they are complaining that for every pound I lose they gain 10lbs. Oh well I may take up crocheting lol. Fantastic clear instructions and pictures. My bread was a bit dry so I may try the yogurt next time in additon to applesauce. YIPPPEEEEE I’m an official baker!

  10. kitchenrunway says:

    Steffany: Yay – glad you’re going to try using apple sauce/non-fat yogurt as an alternative. Hope you enjoy it! Thank you for stopping by!

    Leslie: Thank you!! Yes – you are an official baker! I’m so happy that you tried it and that your job loves it (even if they are gaining weight while you are losing it!) Sorry your’s came out a bit dry – I think the addition of the yogurt may be worth the try =) or maybe try adding a bit more apple sauce. Every oven is a bit different too – so maybe you’ll have to bake less then 50mins. Happy baking Leslie!

  11. kitchenrunway says:

    Ravenouscouple: Thank you!! Ohhh….I love zucchini bread – I will definitely try the substitute! Yum!

  12. Corey says:

    The Banana Bread amazing!!!! I just made it for my family and they loved it. Oh, and it is sooo easy……I am really enjoying your web site. Great job girl…..

  13. kitchenrunway says:

    Corey: Yay!!! I’m so happy that you made it and that your family loved it!! Thank you for the support!

  14. Julie says:

    I’m making this today for Ry and I!!! So excited to try it! Ill let you know how it turns out 🙂 Thanks Lady!!

  15. Michelle Flynn says:

    This was very yummy! Yet another Kitchen Runway recipe that didn’t last in my house very long! I can’t wait to try more. 🙂

  16. kitchenrunway says:

    Julie: I can’t wait to hear what you and Ry think! Take care!

    Karen & Judy: I don’t have the nutritional information for this recipe. It does contain less fat then using traditional butter or oil because of the use of naturally sweeten apple sauce, but I didn’t replace the sugar or the flour. I’m sure you can make a even healther version by subsitituting the sugar and flour with other alternatives such as agave/stevia or whole wheat flour. There are some websites out there that can help you calculate the nutritional value such as http://www.livestrong.com. I hope that helps.

    Michelle: Yay!! I’m glad it was a hit! Looking forward to you trying more recipes! Thank you for sending me your banana bread picture – I’ve posted it on the Kitchen Runway Facebook page! Take care!

  17. Kelly says:

    Great recipe. I has been using apple sauce in all of my baking; I bake alot! I just made this tonight, and used chia seeds as well as apple sauce and only one egg. I also decrease the sugar and use real maple syrup. Turned out amazing! I have also always done half whole wheat half all purpose flour. Great heathly banana bread!!
    Thank you for a great recipe : )

  18. MaryRose says:

    Came across this recipe. Substituted left-over cooked carrots I had from Easter instead of bananas. I also used chopped pecans (a personal favorite). Wow! It tastes great. This would be a great way to get kids to eat their vegetables.

  19. kitchenrunway says:

    Kelly: I’m glad you had success with the recipe. Maple syrup sounds like a great addition!

    MaryRose: That does sound like a great way to sneak some veggies in! Thank you for trying the recipe!

  20. Tobius says:

    Thanks for the recipe, I was trying to make some banana bread for some ones birthday, and I ran out of the only butter subsitute that this person can have, so here I was on a Sunday with none of her butter in the house to make her the banana bread and the store that sells it closed..
    I came across the recipe and it was a hit, thanks!!!! 🙂

    Now this is the only way I am going to make it!! Saves me a ton on the special butter…

  21. Deborah says:

    The recipe looks fab – however 1 cup of sugar is too much for me and my family. I’ll be trying your recipe tonight but will be using 1/4 cup sugar and 1/8 teaspoon of Stevia powder. No added sugar applesauce and bananas already have a enough sugar and for bread only need a little boost.

    Thanks again for sharing your recipe!

  22. kitchenrunway says:

    Tobius: I’m so glad to hear that the recipe was a success!! I’m happy that it will also save you some money. That’s always a good thing! Have a great day!

    Deborah: Thank you for sharing your sugar subsitute and measurements. I’m sure others are interested in learning how to cut back on sugar as well. Take care!

  23. Rebecca says:

    Just wanted to let you know I tried your banana bread today. It was super easy to make too! Since I don’t eat nuts, I added some dark chocolate chips instead. Yummy!

  24. kitchenrunway says:

    Hi Rebecca!! Ohh…. dark chocolate and bananas go so well together plus you get a dose of antioxidants! 🙂 Thank you for trying the recipe!

  25. Brittany says:

    I stumbled across your site and loved what I saw! Finally a healthier recipe for banana bread that still has the sweetness of a regular loaf! I substituted one of the cups of flour for wheat flour. I also loved the spice (cinnamon) and added a bit of nutmeg and pecans to get in the mood for the upcoming FALL! (Us Arizonans have to simulate fall since we don’t quite feel it in the weather 😉 )
    Thanks again!!

  26. Morgan says:

    I made this and loved it but am wondering what the nutrition facts and and especially the calories in this because I am trying to lose weight and am wondering if I can eat this while trying to lose weight, thanks!

  27. Tina says:

    I use applesauce in place of the oil in all my cakes and they always come out moist, never tried it in banana bread but making this tomorrow thanks for the recipe.

  28. Megin says:

    Hi Quyen!

    I’m so glad I found this recipe and website! I modified the recipe slightly: used 5 bananas instead of 3; 3/4C brown sugar instead of 1C white super; and added 1/2C dark chocolate chunks. So maybe adding the chocolate chunks reduces its healthy factor but oh well! VERY moist and delicious.

  29. andrea says:

    Wonderful banana bread! Concerned it might be a little dry i added a few dollops of non fat yogurt and used pecans instead…it turned out amazing.. the most moist banana bread ever..i paid close attention to folding the ingredients only til moistenened and i’m sure this helped tremendously…thank you for sharing this delicious recipe

  30. kitchenrunway says:

    @Brittany: nutmeg & pecans sound great! Thank you for trying the recipe! I love AZ. Such a fun place to visit! Take care!

    @Morgan: I’m not sure about the nutrition facts. There are a few online sites that you can enter all the ingredients in and it can tell you that information. Since there’s still sugar in the bread I’m guessing the recipe is lower in fat but still has quite a bit of calories.

    @Yii-Huei – thanks for trying the recipe! Glad you liked it!

    @Tina – Thanks for trying the recipe!

    @Megin – YUM!!! I love the flavor that brown sugar adds and you can’t go wrong with dark chocolate. Besides, you upped the bananas so I think it all balanced out!

    @andrea: Thank you!! So glad that you liked it! Woot Woot!!

  31. Jackie says:

    Tried this today loved it and my kids(8 and 9 y/o) loved it also! Made some substitutions, used Almond flour, used 1/2 cup sugar and 2 tbsp. honey and a few shakes of cinnamon!

  32. kitchenrunway says:

    Jackie: Glad you and the kids loved it! Thank you for sharing your substitutions! YUM!

    Denisse: Yes, you can use frozen bananas.

  33. Kenleigh says:

    Love this easy recipe. Made a few substitutions for allergies by using gel/chia eggs and used almond flour too. Turned out perfectly…I know this because the kid loved it and didn’t notice a difference.

  34. Amber Kirkwood says:

    I’ve used this recipe once before and it was delicious! I am wanting to make them as muffins instead of a full bread pan. What is the cooking times if you do it as muffins? Thank you!

  35. kitchenrunway says:

    @Kenleigh: I’m so glad that you love this recipe! Those are great substitutions! Thank you for sharing!

    @Amber: Thank you for trying the recipe. I would start at 20 minutes and check the muffins with a toothpick to see if it comes out clean. Increase the time as needed. I hope that helps. Take care and thank you for trying the recipe!

  36. Diann McBee says:

    I made this and enjoyed though did cut sugar down to not quite a cup. I only had regular applesauce so added cinnamon from spice rack. I also added dried cranberries!

    On request would be to post serving/nutritional info.

    Thanks!

  37. Alexia says:

    Thanks for sharing! While it’s not my favorite banana bread recipe it is definitely one I’ll make again when I don’t want to use half a stick of butter :p

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