Out of Applesauce, one case
Applesauce substitutes for oil
6 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Applesauce
1 cup oil for every ¾ cup applesauce
Yes, you can substitute applesauce for oil! Use ¾ cup applesauce for every 1 cup oil. This reduces fat and calories while adding moisture and natural sweetness to your baked goods.
- Verdict —
- You'll taste it
- Best for —
- muffins
One casethe full applesauce card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of ¾ cup applesauce | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Applesaucemuffins | 1 cup oilYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 2 | Mashed bananasmuffins | ¾ cup mashed banana per 1 cup oilTweak it | Tweak it |
| 3 | Pumpkin pureemuffins | ¾ cup pumpkin puree per 1 cup oilTweak it | Tweak it |
| 4 | Greek yogurtmuffins | ¾ cup Greek yogurt per 1 cup oilYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 5 | Avocadomuffins | ¾ cup mashed avocado per 1 cup oilTweak it | Tweak it |
| 6 | Coconut oilmuffins | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
Applesauce
different taste and texture
Pureed apples with sweet, fruity flavor and smooth texture. Good oil substitute for moist baked goods.
- Best for
- muffins, cakes, quick breads, brownies, cookies, pancakes, when you want to reduce fat
Reduces fat and calories while adding moisture. Use ¾ cup per 1 cup oil. Good for healthier baking.
Mashed bananas
different taste, similar texture
Similar fruit puree with different flavor. Works well as oil substitute in most baking applications.
- Best for
- muffins, cakes, quick breads, brownies, cookies, pancakes, when you want to reduce fat
Similar texture to applesauce but with banana flavor. Use ¾ cup per 1 cup oil. Good for banana-flavored baked goods.
Pumpkin puree
different taste, similar texture
Smooth puree with mild flavor. Good oil substitute that adds moisture and nutrients.
- Best for
- muffins, cakes, quick breads, brownies, cookies, pancakes, when you want to reduce fat
Mild flavor that works in most recipes. Use ¾ cup per 1 cup oil. Good for fall-flavored baked goods.
Greek yogurt
different taste and texture
Creamy dairy product that adds moisture and slight tang. Good oil substitute for moist baked goods.
- Best for
- muffins, cakes, quick breads, brownies, cookies, pancakes, when you want to reduce fat
Adds moisture and slight tang. Use ¾ cup per 1 cup oil. Good for when you want creamy texture.
Avocado
different taste, similar texture
Creamy fruit with healthy fats. Good oil substitute that adds moisture and nutrients.
- Best for
- muffins, cakes, quick breads, brownies, cookies, pancakes, when you want healthy fats
Adds healthy fats and moisture. Use ¾ cup per 1 cup oil. Good for when you want healthy fats.
Coconut oil
different taste, similar texture
Solid fat that melts at room temperature. Similar to oil but with coconut flavor.
- Best for
- muffins, cakes, quick breads, brownies, cookies, pancakes, when you want similar texture
Similar texture to oil but with coconut flavor. Use equal amounts. Good for when you want similar texture.
How it behaves in this recipe
When substituting applesauce for oil, the key consideration is that applesauce provides moisture and some fat-like properties, but not the same texture or mouthfeel that oil provides. The recommended substitutes work because they provide similar functionality to oil in baking applications, whether you're making muffins, cakes, or other baked goods.
Tips for substituting applesauce
8 tips- Applesauce works best as an oil substitute in moist baked goods like muffins, cakes, and quick breads
- Use ¾ cup applesauce for every 1 cup oil called for in the recipe
- Applesauce adds moisture and sweetness, so you may need to reduce other liquid ingredients slightly
- Don't use applesauce as an oil substitute in recipes where oil provides structure, like pie crusts or certain cookies
- For best results, use unsweetened applesauce to control the sweetness level
- Applesauce works particularly well in chocolate baked goods where the flavor complements the chocolate
- If your batter seems too wet, add a bit more flour to compensate for the extra moisture from applesauce
- Applesauce is a great choice for healthier baking and reducing the fat content in your recipes
Notes on applesauce
- Commercial oil substitutes can provide more complete oil functionality
- Butter can provide similar fat content with different flavor
- Shortening can provide similar texture in some applications
- Commercial low-fat baking products are available for specific needs
Questions
5 questionsCan you substitute applesauce for oil?
Yes, you can substitute applesauce for oil in many baking recipes. Use ¾ cup applesauce for every 1 cup oil. This reduces fat and calories while adding moisture and natural sweetness.
How much applesauce do you substitute for oil?
Use ¾ cup applesauce for every 1 cup oil. This ratio works well in most baking recipes where oil provides moisture and fat.
What can I substitute for oil in baking?
For baking, you can use applesauce (¾ cup per 1 cup oil), mashed bananas (¾ cup per 1 cup oil), pumpkin puree (¾ cup per 1 cup oil), or Greek yogurt (¾ cup per 1 cup oil).
Can I use applesauce instead of oil in brownies?
Yes, applesauce works well as an oil substitute in brownies. Use ¾ cup applesauce for every 1 cup oil. This will make your brownies moist and slightly denser.
Why is applesauce a good substitute for oil?
Applesauce is a good oil substitute because it adds moisture and some fat-like properties to baked goods. It's also healthier and helps reduce the fat content in recipes while adding natural sweetness.