Applesauce Bread With Greek Yogurt

Name: Applesauce Bread With Greek Yogurt
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 1¼ cup apple sauce (unsweetened (can be homemade or storebought)); 2 large eggs; 1/4 cup Vanilla Greek yogurt; 1/2 cup coconut oil; 1/2 cup fine cane sugar (or light brown sugar); 1/4 cup light brown sugar; 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups all purpose flour (whole wheat or GF works); 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

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This Greek Yogurt Applesauce Bread is incredibly moist, lightly sweetened, and full of cozy cinnamon flavor. The applesauce keeps the bread tender while the Greek yogurt adds richness, making it an easy homemade loaf that’s perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert.

sliced applesauce bread on a cutting board.

My Take on This Appleasauce Bread

I always keep applesauce in my pantry because it works so well in baking. It adds natural moisture and sweetness while helping to create a soft, tender loaf. As a certified nutrition coach, I enjoy finding simple ways to make homemade baked goods that feel a little lighter without sacrificing flavor. This applesauce bread has become one of my favorite recipes. I enjoy it year-round (not just in fall), but honestly, I make it whenever I’m craving something cozy and comforting.

Recipe Overview

Skill Level

Beginner

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

55 mins

Key Ingredients

Below are the key ingredients to make this applesauce bread. Full measurements are listed further down in the recipe card.

Applesauce: The star of the recipe. Unsweetened applesauce keeps the bread moist while adding natural apple flavor. You can get store-bought or make a homemade applesauce
Greek Yogurt: Adds moisture and richness while helping create a tender crumb.
Coconut Oil: Provides healthy fats and keeps the bread soft and moist.
Cinnamon and Nutmeg: These warm spices give the bread its cozy flavor and pair perfectly with the applesauce.
Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and a subtle caramel-like flavor.
Walnuts: Optional, but they add a delicious crunch and nutty flavor.

How To Make Applesauce Bread

Prepare the Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.

Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the applesauce, eggs, Greek yogurt, coconut oil, cane sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla until smooth.

process shot to make the batter for the apple sauce bread.

Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Make the Batter: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.

Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle chopped walnuts over the top, if using. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top begins to brown too quickly, loosely cover it with foil during the last 15 to 20 minutes of baking.

process shot to add batter to the pan and baking.

Cool and Serve: Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 to 15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Tips for the Best Applesauce Bread

Do not overmix the batter. Stir until the flour just disappears. Overmixing leads to a dense, tough loaf.
Spoon and level your flour. Do not scoop directly from the bag. Too much flour will make the bread dry.
Use unsweetened applesauce. Sweetened applesauce will make the bread too sweet since there is already sugar in the batter.
Let it cool before slicing. I know it is hard to wait, but slicing too early makes the middle gummy.
Melt the coconut oil first. Cold coconut oil will not blend smoothly into the batter.

apple sauce bread slice on a cutting board with a bite taken off.

Variations and Add-Ins

Add raisins: Fold in about 1/3 cup of raisins for little bursts of sweetness.
Swap the walnuts: Pecans work great too.
Replace coconut oil with melted butter or avocado oil.
Add chocolate chips: Mini chocolate chips stirred into the batter make this feel a little more indulgent.
Add diced apples for extra texture.
Make it gluten free: A 1 to 1 gluten free flour blend works well here.
Dairy free: Use a dairy free yogurt like coconut yogurt in place of the Greek yogurt

How to Store

Storing: Store the bread wrapped tightly or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep it in the fridge for up to a week.

Freezing: This bread also freezes really well. Wrap individual slices and freeze for up to 3 months. Just thaw at room temperature or warm in the microwave for about 30 seconds.

a full whole apple sauce bread topped with chopped walnuts.

Common Questions

Can I use sweetened applesauce?

You can, but the bread will be noticeably sweeter. If that is okay with you, go for it. I would reduce the cane sugar by about 2 tablespoons to balance things out. Or simply skip the 1/4 cup of brown sugar.

Can I substitute the coconut oil?

Yes! Melted butter or a neutral oil like avocado oil or vegetable oil will all work as a 1-to-1 swap.

Can I use plain Greek yogurt instead of vanilla?

Absolutely. Plain Greek yogurt works just as well. The vanilla in the batter already gives you plenty of flavor.

Can I make this bread without Greek yogurt?

Yes. Sour cream works well as a substitute.

Why did my bread sink in the middle?

This usually happens if the bread was underbaked or if the oven door was opened too early. Make sure you bake it until a toothpick comes out clean from the very center, not just the edges.

Can I make this into muffins?

Yes! Pour the batter into a lined muffin tin and bake at 350°F for about 18 to 22 minutes. This recipe makes about 12 standard muffins.

More Quick Bread Recipes

Thank you so much for being here and for cooking along with me. If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Leave a comment and ⭐️ rating below.