Applesauce Bread (Vegan + Oil-Free)
Vegan Applesauce Bread is made healthy with whole grains, naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup, and spiced with cinnamon and other warming spices, making it an easy breakfast or snack!
Hello, healthy bread lovers!
This applesauce quick bread is just for you! It’s moist and delicious, and pairs perfectly with a cup of tea or coffee any time of day!
Why We Love This Recipe!
- It’s healthy. It’s naturally refined, sugar-free, and made with only whole-food, plant-based ingredients. This apple bread is dairy-free, egg-free, and, as a bonus, oil-free!
- Easy to make. This one-bowl recipe is made with everyday pantry ingredients. You may already have everything you need on hand!
And if you’ve already made this recent applesauce recipe, Instant Pot Applesauce (+ Slow Cooker), and haven’t devoured it yet, then you’re all set. If not, there’s still time to make a batch, and I know you’ll love it.
Ingredient Notes
- Flour – I have used a variety of flours with this recipe with success – spelt, whole wheat flour, all-purpose, or 1 to 1 gluten-free flour blend all work well.
- Applesauce – If you don’t have time to make your own homemade applesauce, feel free to use unsweetened store-bought applesauce.
- Oats – Wholesome and healthy, oats add fiber and whole grains, but feel free to omit them.
- Pure maple syrup – This natural sweetener pairs well with applesauce and makes this bread refined-sugar-free. However, if you prefer, you can substitute pure cane or coconut sugar instead, date syrup, or chopped dates as noted in the recipe card.
- Non-dairy milk – Use your favorite unsweetened, plain, vanilla, almond milk, cashew milk, soy milk, oat milk, etc.
- Spices – A mix of cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg adds tons of flavor. Feel free to use only cinnamon if you prefer.
How To Make Applesauce Bread
Here is a quick overview with photos for reference:
Combine the dry ingredients. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and salt.
Add wet ingredients. Add the applesauce, maple syrup, and milk to the dry ingredients.
Stir to make batter. Mix the dry and wet ingredients until just combined (above left).
Bake. Pour batter into a greased loaf pan (above right) or a loaf pan lined with parchment paper, and bake for 55 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Cool and enjoy. Once done, let cool for a few minutes and cover right away. Once covered for a few hours, the outside of the bread will become more moist, and the flavors will deepen overnight.
Top Tips
- Spoon & level the flour. When measuring flour, it’s helpful to use the ‘spoon & level’ method to ensure you don’t add too much. Instead of scooping the flour with a measuring cup, use a spoon to fill the measuring cup without packing it, then level it with the back of a knife.
- Don’t overmix the batter. It’s best baking practice when making any quick bread not to overmix. Overmixing the ingredients will cause the gluten proteins to create an elastic batter that tends not to rise well. Instead, mix just until there are no streaks of flour.
- Add extra add-ins. For variation, stir in 1/2-3/4 cup of raisins or walnuts at the end, along with the wet ingredients.
Storage & Freezing
- Counter: Usually, my fresh-baked loaf is gone within a day or two. I like to store it on the counter covered in an almost airtight container. It will last 4-5 days.
- Refrigerator or Freezer: For longer storage, keep in the refrigerator for 7-8 days. Can be stored in the freezer for 2-3 months. To freeze, let the applesauce bread cool completely, then cut it into slices and store it in a freezer-safe container or in baggies, with parchment paper between the slices so they don’t stick together. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight before eating.
FAQs
Can I make this recipe gluten-free? Yes, you can make this apple bread GF using a good gluten-free flour blend. I suggest using Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten-Free flour blend (affiliate link). Oat flour will work too, but the loaf may be a little denser – but will still be delicious!
Can I make this sugar-free? Absolutely, you can easily make this applesauce loaf sugar-free by substituting the pure maple syrup with a zero-sugar sweetener such as Monk Fruit Sweetener.
Can I make muffins instead? Yes, instead of using this recipe to make bread, you can make apple muffins. To make muffins, spoon the batter into a well-greased or paper-lined muffin tin, filling each cup about 2/3–3/4 full. Bake for 20–25 minutes.
More Ways to Use Up Applesauce!
More Vegan Quick Bread Recipes!
If you try this applesauce bread recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment and rate it below. I love to hear what you think, or any changes you make.
Print Recipe
Cinnamon Applesauce Bread
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: Serves 8 – 10 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Made with whole grains, spiced with cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg, and naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup and applesauce, this healthy applesauce bread is made in 1 bowl and bakes up moist and delicious!
Ingredients
- 2 cups light spelt flour (all-purpose and whole wheat flour ok too)
- 1/2 cup old fashioned oats, optional
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- pinch of salt
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla, optional
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9 x 5 loaf pan with oil or line it with parchment paper.
Mix dry ingredients: In a medium/large mixing bowl, combine the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and salt.
Add wet ingredients: Add the applesauce, maple syrup, and milk to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Bake: Pour batter into prepared loaf pan, optionally top with a small handful of whole or quick oats, place pan in the oven, and bake for 55 minutes. Let cool before slicing.
Makes 8 – 10 slices
Notes
Store: Keep leftovers covered for 4 days. To keep longer, store in the refrigerator for 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Since this bread has very little fat, it has a slightly chewy texture. If it bothers you and you don’t mind oil, feel free to replace the non-dairy milk with oil.
In place of pure maple syrup, use pure cane white or brown sugar, coconut sugar, date paste, or 1/2 cup chopped dates. It’s extremely versatile!
Gluten-free: To make this GF, use a good gluten-free flour blend, such as Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten-Free Flour Blend.
Sugar-free: Substitute the maple syrup with a zero-sugar Monk Fruit Sweetener.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 55 min
- Category: Bread
- Method: bake
- Cuisine: American
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Could you omit the oats all together and lower the applesauce perhaps?
Great question, Maria! I would say you can just skip the oats all together, no need to make any other changes. I haven’t tried this myself, but I think you’ll be just fine. Do let us know how it goes, it’ll be super helpful to others!
Its in the oven now. It would be helpful to know how you test oil free bread for doneness. My oven temp is a little erratic so I always have to check for doneness. Thank you
Fabulous bread. I added raisins to this most excellent recipe of yours.
Thank you!
This simple recipe makes a delicious breakfast bread! I’m making for the second time and will try replacing some of the applesauce with mashed banana, since I have some on hand.
I only have all purpose flour, could I use this instead of spelt flour?
Yes, all purpose flour will do fine, no need to adjust anything. Do let us know how it goes, it’s super helpful to others too. :)
PS: I’m going to try to sweeten it next time with date paste in place of maple syrup, which I do with a lot of recipes.
I made this bread and it’s delicious! I used my homemade organic unsweetened almond milk and it was perfectly moist. The extra touch of sprinkled oats on top give it such a special homemade look. It would be great to give as gifts, especially in the Fall, but anytime! Thanks for this recipe!
I am trying to find a bread for a triple bypass friend. No sugar, no white flour, no oil. Do I have to add the maple syrup? Any other alternative? Thanks
Hi Terri, you don’t have to add the maple syrup. I would suggest adding applesauce in it’s place and see how that goes, using 1/4 – 1/2 cup. Would love to know how it turns out! Wishing the best for you and your friend!
I really enjoy your bread recipes, but I only own a muffin tin. Would this work as muffins?
Thanks Isaac! Yes, you can definitely make muffins with this recipe, just cook them for about 20 – 25 minutes only. Would love to hear how it goes, it might help others. Enjoy! :)
Could I use whole wheat flour instead?
Can I use flour blend for this recipe?
Yes, you can use a flour blend that is similar to an all-purpose flour.