Deliciously Moist Vegan & Gluten-Free Applesauce Banana Bread: Your Ultimate Oil-Free Recipe

Just yesterday, as I was lost in the captivating world of photographing a freshly baked loaf of banana bread, my gaze drifted towards the window of my deck door. To my surprise, I saw giant, fluffy white snowflakes lazily drifting across the view. I did a double take, pulling my attention away from the perfectly golden-brown loaf on my cream backdrop to stare in bewilderment at the unexpected snowfall.

Considering it’s February, a little snow isn’t entirely out of the ordinary, but it was also a balmy 43 degrees Fahrenheit outside with absolutely no chance of accumulation. This winter in Virginia has been remarkably unseasonably warm, gracing us with more days in the mid-50s than typical below-freezing temperatures. Sometimes, it truly feels as if we’ve fast-forwarded straight past winter and landed firmly in a sort of “pseudo-spring” situation. And honestly? I’m not complaining one bit. When it comes to winter, I much prefer a highlight reel over the full, enduring saga, don’t you agree?

Despite the mild outdoor conditions, my kitchen remains a sanctuary for cozy, seasonal baking. And today, I’m thrilled to share a recipe that’s more than just a highlight reel – it’s a true star. This new vegan and gluten-free banana bread, made gloriously oil-free, is a testament to wholesome, comforting flavors. This Applesauce Banana Bread (Oil-Free!) is generously packed with ripe, spotty bananas and the secret ingredient: real-fruit applesauce.

Embracing Oil-Free Baking with Applesauce

If you’ve followed my culinary adventures for a while, you know I’m deeply “oil-free curious.” This means I adore the creative challenge of developing recipes with oil-free options, even if my personal diet isn’t strictly oil-free all the time. The beauty of oil-free baking lies in its ability to create incredibly moist and delicious treats without any added oils, making them lighter and often healthier.

One of my absolute favorite hacks for replacing oil in baking is a simple switch to applesauce. It’s a fantastic 1:1 substitute, meaning you can use the exact same measurement of applesauce as you would oil in your recipe. Applesauce performs wonders, infusing your baked goods with an abundance of moisture and a delicate touch of natural sweetness. This clever substitution not only reduces the need for added oils but also often allows for a reduction in sugar content, contributing to a healthier final product. It’s truly that easy to transform your favorite recipes!

I still vividly remember the first time I ever swapped oil for applesauce – it was years ago, experimenting with a boxed brownie mix. Back then, I wasn’t creating my own recipes or even much of a baker. I recall stirring the thick apple purée into the rich brownie batter, thinking, “How on earth is this actually going to work?” But to my astonishment, it worked beautifully! The brownies turned out incredibly fudgy and delightful. And if applesauce can work its magic in brownies, it absolutely shines as a perfect complement to bananas in this super simple and satisfying banana bread recipe. It’s a game-changer for anyone looking to lighten up their baking without sacrificing flavor or texture.

Key Ingredients for a Perfectly Moist Loaf

Creating this wonderfully moist and flavorful banana bread requires a thoughtful selection of ingredients, each playing a crucial role in its oil-free, vegan, and gluten-free perfection. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why these components are essential:

• Flax Eggs: Essential for vegan baking, flax eggs act as a powerful binder, replacing traditional eggs. Made by combining ground flaxseed with water and allowing it to gel, they provide structure and a slight nutty flavor.
• Ripe Bananas: The star of the show! Use very spotty, overripe bananas for the best results. These bananas are naturally sweeter and provide immense moisture, eliminating the need for added oil. They are the primary sweetener in this recipe.
• Coconut Sugar: A healthier alternative to refined white sugar, coconut sugar offers a rich, caramel-like sweetness that beautifully complements the bananas. It’s minimally processed and contributes to the natural sweetness profile.
• Eden Foods Organic Strawberry Apple Sauce: While any high-quality, unsweetened applesauce will work, I highly recommend Eden Foods’ flavored varieties. Their Organic Strawberry Apple Sauce adds a delightful fruity undertone, enhancing the overall flavor without any artificial additives. (Alternatively, you can use your favorite Eden Foods plain apple sauce or another flavored apple sauce from their range!).
• Gluten-Free Oat Flour: This provides a tender crumb and a subtle oat flavor. Ensure it’s certified gluten-free for those with sensitivities.
• Almond Flour: Adds richness, protein, and helps create a wonderfully moist texture. It also contributes to the bread’s satisfying structure.
• Gluten-Free Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: Incorporated for texture, heartiness, and added fiber, these oats give the banana bread a comforting chewiness.

That’s it! A simple yet powerful combination of ingredients that come together to create an exceptional loaf of banana bread.

Highlighting Eden Foods Applesauce: A Flavorful Twist

Instead of merely hiding the applesauce as an oil substitute, I decided to celebrate it as one of the main attractions in this recipe. After all, when you use an ingredient of such high quality, it deserves to shine! Eden Foods makes this easy with their exceptional line of organic applesauce, available in four delicious and distinct flavors: their classic Organic Apple Sauce, the vibrant Organic Apple Strawberry Sauce, the rich Organic Apple Cherry Sauce, and the comforting Organic Apple Cinnamon Sauce.

For this particular recipe, I chose the Organic Apple Strawberry Sauce. Its subtle infusion of strawberry adds a delightful, unexpected layer of fruitiness that perfectly complements the sweet banana notes. What I truly appreciate about Eden Foods applesauce is its unwavering commitment to clean ingredients. Each jar boasts a rich, authentic fruity flavor without any added sugars or unnecessary preservatives. The ingredient list is refreshingly simple – just fruit, as it should be! For instance, the apple strawberry sauce contains a wholesome blend of 90% apples and 10% strawberries, nothing more. I encourage you to experiment and pick out your favorite clean apple sauce flavor from their range to bake into this recipe; it’s a fantastic way to customize and enhance your banana bread flavor profile.

Crafting the Perfect Texture: Flours and Bananas

Many of the bread recipes I share on the blog often rely on nut butter to achieve a creamy, rich texture in baked goods. However, this particular applesauce banana bread takes a different path. It’s designed to be a bit lighter, utilizing the natural binding and thickening properties of applesauce to achieve its delightful consistency. This approach results in a bread that’s equally satisfying but with a unique, less dense feel.

For the flour base, I’ve carefully selected a blend that ensures both delicious flavor and a robust, hearty texture. We combine gluten-free oat flour, almond flour, and gluten-free old-fashioned rolled oats. This trio works in harmony: the oat flour provides a tender crumb, the almond flour adds richness and moisture, and the rolled oats introduce a wonderful chewiness and additional fiber. If you prefer an even heartier bread, feel free to increase the amount of rolled oats and slightly decrease the oat flour to achieve your desired density.

Now, let’s talk about bananas – they are, after all, the soul of any banana bread! For this recipe, I typically use 3 large, very ripe bananas, in addition to a few extra slices I like to press on top for a beautiful, decorative finish. The great news is that this recipe is quite forgiving, so anywhere from 2 to 3 medium to large bananas will work perfectly. The key is ripeness; the spottier the banana, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be.

We can all agree that while banana bread is undeniably delicious, it isn’t always the most photogenic star in the baking world. To elevate its visual appeal, try this simple trick: slice a banana lengthwise down the middle and gently place the halves on top of the batter before baking. As the bread bakes, these banana slices will caramelize beautifully, creating an aesthetically pleasing and delicious accent that makes your loaf look as good as it tastes.

My banana bread usually finishes baking within 55 minutes, but oven temperatures can vary. So, it’s always a good idea to keep a close eye on yours, especially during the last 15 minutes of baking, to ensure it doesn’t over-brown or burn. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean when it’s perfectly done.

Serving Suggestions & Customization for Your Oil-Free Loaf

This Applesauce Banana Bread (Oil-Free!) is truly a versatile treat, perfect for a healthy and hearty breakfast or a satisfying snack any time of day. I designed it to be simple and straightforward, celebrating the natural flavors of banana and apple. However, it also serves as an excellent canvas for your creativity, readily accommodating a variety of optional mix-ins to suit your taste preferences!

Consider enhancing your loaf with some delicious additions. Here are a few ideas to get you started: crunchy crushed walnuts, sweet dried fruits like cranberries or raisins, fresh berries for a burst of tartness, or classic vegan chocolate chips for a touch of indulgence. I recommend gently folding in about 1/2 to 1 cup of your desired add-ins with the batter just before pouring it into the bread pan for baking.

For the ultimate treat, try serving a warm slice of your applesauce banana bread with a generous smear of your favorite nut butter – almond, cashew, or peanut butter all make fantastic companions. A dollop of extra apple sauce or a dusting of cinnamon can also elevate the experience. This bread stores beautifully in the refrigerator for up to a week, or you can freeze individual slices for a quick and easy grab-and-go option whenever a craving strikes.

If you give this amazing Applesauce Banana Bread (Oil-Free!) a try, I would absolutely love to hear from you! Please be sure to leave me a comment, rating, and review below so I can use your valuable feedback to create even more delicious recipes for you to enjoy. Don’t forget to give me a shout out on Instagram and use the hashtag #floraandvino to show me your beautiful creations. And for more inspiration, check out my Pinterest page to pin more delightful recipes like this one for later enjoyment.

Craving more oil-free, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free banana breads? You’re in luck! Explore my other popular recipes, like the unique Black Sesame Butter Banana Bread and the decadent Vegan & Gluten-Free Chocolate Chunk Bread. If you love what you see and want to stay updated with all my latest posts and recipes, head over to my homepage and subscribe to get delicious updates delivered straight to your inbox!

XO Lauren

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This post is brought to you by Eden Foods, but all words and eats are my own. Thanks for supporting the sponsors that keep me hungry!