1. u003cstrongu003eCan you make brownies with applesauce instead of eggs?u003c/strongu003eu003cbr/u003e

Yes! Applesauce is one of the best natural egg substitutes. It keeps brownies moist and tender while reducing fat. These u003cemu003eeggless applesauce browniesu003c/emu003e taste just as fudgy as classic ones.u003cbr/u003e

2u003cstrongu003e. Are applesauce brownies healthier than regular brownies?u003c/strongu003eu003cbr/u003e

Yes. Because applesauce replaces eggs and reduces butter or oil, these brownies are u003cemu003elower in fat and naturally sweetenedu003c/emu003e. They’re perfect for anyone looking for a u003cstrongu003ehealthy brownies recipe with applesauceu003c/strongu003e.u003cbr/u003e

3u003cstrongu003e. Why are my applesauce brownies too moist or gummy?u003c/strongu003eu003cbr/u003e

Overbaking or too much applesauce can cause gumminess. Use the exact u003cstrongu003e½ cup applesauceu003c/strongu003e and bake only until the edges set. Let them cool fully for the texture to settle.u003cbr/u003e

4u003cstrongu003e. Can I make these brownies without butter or oil?u003c/strongu003eu003cbr/u003e

Yes, you can make u003cstrongu003eoil-free applesauce browniesu003c/strongu003e by skipping butter/oil, but the texture will be more cake-like. Adding even ¼ cup fat gives the best fudgy texture.u003cbr/u003e

5u003cstrongu003e. Can I reduce the sugar in applesauce brownies?u003c/strongu003eu003cbr/u003e

Absolutely. Since applesauce is naturally sweet, you can reduce sugar to u003cstrongu003e⅓ cupu003c/strongu003e and still get delicious brownies. This is ideal if you're looking for u003cstrongu003elow sugar brownie recipesu003c/strongu003e.u003cbr/u003e

6u003cstrongu003e. How do I store applesauce brownies?u003c/strongu003eu003cbr/u003e

Store in an airtight container:u003cbr/u003eu003cstrongu003e2 days at room temperatureu003c/strongu003eu003cbr/u003eu003cstrongu003eUp to 1 week in the refrigeratoru003c/strongu003eu003cbr/u003eu003cstrongu003eUp to 2 months in the freezeru003c/strongu003e (wrap slices individually)

9. u003cstrongu003eHow much applesauce should I use in brownies?u003c/strongu003e

A standard ratio is u003cstrongu003e½ cup applesauceu003c/strongu003e for replacing 1 egg and part of the fat. This amount keeps brownies soft without becoming gummy.

Applesauce Brownies, How to make Eggless Applesauce Brownies

These applesauce brownies are rich, soft, and incredibly quick to make. They are also my favorite kind of guilt-free indulgence — naturally sweet from fresh apples, easy to cut down on sugar, completely egg-free, and perfect for a busy day.

Moreover, they are the best use of leftover apples at home, especially when you want a cozy dessert without reaching for too much butter, sugar, or fancy ingredients. The applesauce keeps the brownies moist, soft, and rich without any heaviness, making them a wonderful everyday treat for the whole family. Simple, wholesome, and irresistibly chocolatey — these brownies prove that comfort food doesn’t need to be complicated.

Since we’re right in the heart of baking season, I thought this would be the perfect time to share this recipe. My applesauce cookies from Halloween were a huge hit on the blog, and many of you asked for more easy applesauce treats. Therefore, if you loved those soft, melt-in-the-mouth cookies, these brownies are sure to become your next favorite cozy treat.

A Bite of History – Applesauce Brownies

Applesauce has been used in baking for more than a century, long before it became a “healthy swap” in modern recipes. During World War II, when butter and eggs were rationed, home bakers began relying on fruit purées — especially applesauce — to keep cakes and breads soft, moist, and naturally sweet without using precious ingredients. This simple substitution not only stretched pantry supplies but also created a lighter, wholesome style of baking that still feels comforting today.

Brownies themselves were born in the early 1900s in the American Midwest, originally as a quick chocolate bar cookie. Over time, clever home cooks discovered that adding applesauce made brownies fudgy without the heaviness of butter or eggs, giving us the guilt-free version many of us enjoy now.

So in every bite of these applesauce brownies, you’re tasting a little piece of history — a blend of old-fashioned thrift, homestyle creativity, and modern-day mindful indulgence.

Ingredient Roles in Eggless Applesauce Brownies and Substitutes

Ingredient	Role in the Recipe	Best Substitutes
Applesauce	Natural sweetener, replaces eggs, keeps brownies moist and soft, adds light apple aroma.	Mashed banana (adds banana flavor), pumpkin purée (less sweet, denser), Greek yogurt (cakier texture).
Butter / Oil	Adds richness, helps achieve fudgy texture, balances moisture.	Neutral oil, coconut oil (mild coconut flavor), ghee (richer Indian-style taste).
Sugar	Sweetens, creates crackly top, balances tartness of applesauce.	Coconut sugar, brown sugar (chewier), jaggery powder (earthy flavor), maple syrup (reduce applesauce slightly).
Cocoa Powder	Provides chocolate flavor, thickens batter, gives rich color.	Dark cocoa powder, melted chocolate (reduce butter slightly).
Flour	Gives structure, holds batter together.	Whole wheat flour (dense), oat flour (soft & wholesome), almond flour (reduce applesauce, add 1 tbsp more cocoa).
Vanilla Extract	Enhances chocolate flavor, adds aroma.	Almond extract, coffee decoction (1 tbsp), cardamom for an Indian twist.
Salt	Balances sweetness, boosts chocolate flavor.	Pink salt or sea salt flakes for gourmet finish.
Chocolate Chips / Nuts (Optional)	Add texture, richness, and extra chocolate bursts.	Walnuts, pecans, chopped dates, raisins, or pumpkin seeds.

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Applesauce Brownies, How to make Eggless Applesauce Brownies

Recipe by Sandhya Riyaz

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: Dessert / SnackCuisine: American (with a healthy homemade twist)Difficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Baking time

minutes

Soft, fudgy, and naturally sweet, these egg-free applesauce brownies are a guilt-free treat made with simple pantry ingredients — perfect for quick baking days and using up apples at home.

Ingredients to make Applesauce Brownie

Wet Ingredients
½ cup, ½ Unsweetened applesauce/ Apple (1 nos.)
¼ cup ¼ Melted butter OR ¼ cup neutral oil
⅓ to ½ cup, ⅓ to ½ Granulated sugar (you may reduce to ¼ cup if preferred)
1 teaspoon, 1 Vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
½ cup, ½ All-purpose flour
¼ cup, ¼ Cocoa powder
¼ teaspoon, ¼ Salt
¼ teaspoon, ¼ Baking powder (optional, adds slight lift)
Mix-ins
¼ cup, ¼ Mini chocolate chips
2 tablespoon, 2 Chopped nuts (optional)

Directions to make Eggless Applesauce Brownies

Make Fresh Applesauce
Peel and chop one apple.
Blend until smooth and set aside.
Melt Butter and Chocolate
Add butter and chocolate pieces to a microwave-safe bowl.
Heat in 15–20 second bursts until melted. Stir in sugar while the mixture is still warm.
Combine
Add the applesauce to the melted chocolate mixture. Mix until smooth.
Mix Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, and salt.
Combine dry and wet ingredients
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients.
Fold gently until combined.
Add chocolate chips if using.
Bake
Grease or line a small square baking pan.
Spread the batter evenly.
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 18–22 minutes or until the edges look set.
Cool completely before cutting.

Notes

1 cup = 250 ml

Directions Applesauce Brownies with step by step images

Make Fresh Applesauce
Preheat oven at 350°F (175°C). Peel and chop one apple.
Blend until smooth and set aside. (u need to be quick after this step as the mixture starts to turn brown very quick)
Melt Butter and Chocolate
Add butter and chocolate pieces to a microwave-safe bowl.
Heat in 15–20 second bursts until melted. Stir in sugar while the mixture is still warm.
Combine
Add the applesauce to the melted chocolate mixture. Mix until smooth.
Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Fold gently until combined. Add chocolate chips if using.
Bake
Grease or line a small square baking pan.
Spread the batter evenly. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 18–22 minutes or until the edges look set.
Cool completely before cutting.

Pro Tips for Perfect Applesauce Brownie

Do not overmix the batter
Overmixing develops gluten and makes brownies dense. Fold gently until just combined.
Use unsweetened applesauce for best texture
Sweetened applesauce can make brownies too wet and overly sweet.
Check brownies at the 18-minute mark
Applesauce brownies continue to cook as they cool. Pull them out when the center looks just set.
Line the pan with parchment for clean slices
This keeps the edges neat and prevents sticking.
For extra fudgy brownies, reduce baking time slightly
Removing them a little early gives that melt-in-mouth center.
Add a tablespoon of coffee decoction
It intensifies the chocolate flavor without tasting like coffee.
Let brownies cool completely before cutting
Applesauce keeps them extra moist — cooling helps them firm up for clean squares.

Serving Suggestions

Dust with cocoa powder or powdered sugar for a café-style finish.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert.
Add a drizzle of melted chocolate for extra richness.
Enjoy with evening tea or coffee as a light, guilt-free sweet treat.
Pack in kids’ snack boxes — egg-free, moist, and not overly sweet.
Crumble over yogurt for a wholesome parfait-style snack.

FAQs – Eggless Applesauce Brownies

1. Can you make brownies with applesauce instead of eggs?

Yes! Applesauce is one of the best natural egg substitutes. It keeps brownies moist and tender while reducing fat. These eggless applesauce brownies taste just as fudgy as classic ones.

2. Are applesauce brownies healthier than regular brownies?

Yes. Because applesauce replaces eggs and reduces butter or oil, these brownies are lower in fat and naturally sweetened. They’re perfect for anyone looking for a healthy brownies recipe with applesauce.

3. Why are my applesauce brownies too moist or gummy?

Overbaking or too much applesauce can cause gumminess. Use the exact ½ cup applesauce and bake only until the edges set. Let them cool fully for the texture to settle.

4. Can I make these brownies without butter or oil?

Yes, you can make oil-free applesauce brownies by skipping butter/oil, but the texture will be more cake-like. Adding even ¼ cup fat gives the best fudgy texture.

5. Can I reduce the sugar in applesauce brownies?

Absolutely. Since applesauce is naturally sweet, you can reduce sugar to ⅓ cup and still get delicious brownies. This is ideal if you’re looking for low sugar brownie recipes.

6. How do I store applesauce brownies?

Store in an airtight container:
2 days at room temperature
Up to 1 week in the refrigerator
Up to 2 months in the freezer (wrap slices individually)

7. Can I use homemade applesauce in brownies?

Yes! In fact, homemade applesauce brownies taste richer and more natural than those made with store-bought applesauce. Just make sure the applesauce is smooth and not watery.

8. Can I make vegan applesauce brownies?

Yes — use applesauce + oil and skip dairy butter. Choose dairy-free chocolate chips, and your brownies become completely vegan.

9. How much applesauce should I use in brownies?

A standard ratio is ½ cup applesauce for replacing 1 egg and part of the fat. This amount keeps brownies soft without becoming gummy.