15 Recipes That Use Up That Jar of Applesauce

updated Aug 26, 2023

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A close up of an applesauce muffin, unwrapped on a marble surface — Credit: Photo: Vicky Wasik. Food Styling: Brett Regot
Applesauce Muffins

In addition to keeping a jar stashed in the pantry, I love to make a big pot of applesauce after a day of apple picking — there’s something just so satisfying about its simplicity. However, after a few days of eating it from a bowl, dusted with cinnamon, I tend to grow tired of the snack. Luckily applesauce is good for so much more than just snacking. There are loads of sweet and savory recipes using applesauce, where it serves as a useful ingredient (especially when baking!) to add moisture or serve as a substitute for eggs, oil, or butter.

From oatmeal cups and breakfast bars, to cakes and muffins, here are 15 recipes to give you easy ideas of what to make with applesauce.

Want to Make Your Own? Here’s How to Make Applesauce

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Applesauce Muffins

These muffins are naturally sweetened with applesauce and have the most incredible soft, tender texture.

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Applesauce Cookies

Applesauce cookies are perfect for after school or any time you could use a soft, homey treat that's not too sweet.

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Nutty Banana Sheet Cake

This is as moist and tender as a cake can be, thanks to both applesauce and mashed bananas in the mix. Poppy seeds, walnuts, and sunflower seeds make this cake hearty — but not dense — and add a great layer of crunch.

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Apple-Oat Breakfast Squares

These soft breakfast bars are reminiscent of those packages of instant apple-cinnamon oatmeal, in the best way. And because the recipe calls for using ground oats in place of traditional flour, they also happen to be gluten-free.

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Olive Oil Carrot Muffins

These muffins are completely vegan, thanks to the use of applesauce in place of eggs or butter. They also use whole-wheat flour, so you can feel great about eating them in the morning.

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Homemade Apple Cider Doughnuts

Warm, cinnamon sugar-dusted apple cider doughnuts are easier to make at home than you might think.

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Applesauce Cake

Drizzled with a hot rum sauce, this applesauce cake is delightfully moist.

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Jam and Poppy Seed Noodle Kugel

This custardy pudding, threaded with poppy seeds and dollops of sweet-tart jam, is a Hungarian variation of classic noodle kugel.

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Apple Cider Doughnut Cake

All the flavors of a classic apple cider doughnut in bundt cake form, including a generous coating of cinnamon sugar.

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Chocolate Marble Cake

This chocolate marble cake, called mamorkuchen in German, is tender and sweet with ribbons of chocolate swirling through the batter and a light almond scent.

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Strawberry Cheesecake Breakfast Bars

These colorful bars utilize applesauce in the crust to help bind the dry ingredients together. Other berries like blueberries or raspberries would be a great swap-in for the strawberries, if you prefer.

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Slow Cooker German-Inspired Short Ribs

These German-inspired short ribs are made with a vegetable-heavy gravy that includes a combo of tomatoes, zingy sauerkraut, and applesauce, which adds just a hint of sweetness.

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Baked Oatmeal Cups

Think of these baked oatmeal cups as the best possible version of oatmeal muffins. Feel free to have fun experimenting with other toppings like chopped hazelnuts, dried apple, and even mini chocolate chips.

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Apple Zucchini Muffins

These muffins stay moist for days, thanks to the applesauce and grated zucchini in the batter, which means they are perfect for on-the-go breakfasts all week long.

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Cakey, Oaty Energy Bars Packed with Fruits & Seeds

These lightly sweetened, gluten-free, and vegan bars are the perfect thing to grab when you’re running out the door in the morning or feeling an energy crash mid-afternoon.

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Apple-Cinnamon Toastie

This gluten-free, vegan breakfast loaf is ideal for toasting and slathering with jam or nut butter.

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