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This easy Banana Applesauce Muffins recipe uses applesauce instead of oil or butter and makes delicious, lighter homemade banana muffins in minutes.

plate of banana applesauce muffins with chocolate chips.

Easy Banana Muffins with Applesauce

These delicious muffins are basically banana muffins with applesauce used in place of oil or butter. They’re lighter and lower in fat than regular banana muffins, and they’re absolutely delicious! I have been making this easy recipe for years, and it’s a family favorite for a quick snack or lighter breakfast on the go. Best of all, this is a one-bowl recipe for easy clean-up!

My kids love these! In fact, I had a bunch of bananas to use up, so I made this banana muffin recipe twice last week. For more banana muffin recipes, try my banana bread muffins or zucchini banana muffins or banana cranberry muffins or these quick 2-ingredient banana muffins next!

bananas, applesauce and ingredients for muffins.

Ingredient Notes

Here’s a quick overview of what you need to make these muffins. You’ll find complete amounts in the printable recipe card below.

  • Ripe bananas — Look for bananas that have plenty of brown spots.
  • Unsweetened applesauce — I prefer to use applesauce with no sugar added, but you can use regular if you want.
  • Egg — acts as a binder
  • Brown sugar — for a little sweetness
  • Flour
  • Baking powder and soda — to help the muffins rise
  • Cinnamon — for extra flavor. You can omit this if you like.
  • Salt
  • Chocolate chips — These are optional, but my kids love muffins with chocolate chips!

How to Make Banana Applesauce Muffins

First, mash bananas in a large bowl. Mix in the egg and applesauce. Then, add the dry ingredients, and mix until just combined using an electric mixer, stand mixer or a spoon. Fold in the chocolate chips, and scoop batter into a greased muffin pan, then bake for 18-20 minutes.

The chocolate chips are optional, but the kids and I highly recommend them. Everything tastes better with chocolate, you know! Enjoy them as is or with a pat of honey butter or butter for even more flavor.

Recipe Tips

You can use nonstick spray, butter or paper or silicone muffin liners for easier clean up.

Test the muffins around 18 minutes. They are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean. There may be a little melted chocolate on the toothpick, but it shouldn’t be wet with batter.

They’re slightly sweet, but not too sweet — perfect for an easy breakfast, brunch or snack time! Mornings are always hectic here, so I love it when I can give the kids a quick breakfast.

Now, I am most definitely not a morning person, so I usually make muffins the day before and set them aside. Hopefully, these banana applesauce muffins will still be there in the morning!

banana muffins with applesauce and chocolate chips on the table.

Storage

Store the muffins at room temperature in an airtight container for 3-4 days. I recommend placing a paper towel on the bottom of the container to absorb moisture. You can freeze them for up to 3 months.

Are These Banana Muffins Healthy?

These muffins are lower in fat since they are made without oil or butter. But, they do have brown sugar and chocolate chips, so they’re not the healthiest muffins on the planet. They taste good, though, and they’re made from scratch!

5 from 13 votes

Banana Applesauce Muffins

By: Dee
This easy Banana Applesauce Muffins recipe uses applesauce instead of oil or butter and makes delicious, lighter homemade banana muffins in minutes.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients  

  • 3 ripe bananas 1-1ยฝ cups
  • โ…“ cup all-natural unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 ยฝ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ยผ teaspoon sea salt
  • ยพ cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup chocolate chips optional
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Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350โ„‰ and grease a 12-cup muffin pan
  • Mash bananas with a fork in a large mixing bowl
  • Add applesauce and egg, and mix together
  • Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, brown sugar and cinnamon, and mix with an electric mixer until just combined
  • Stir in the chocolate chips using a spatula
  • Scoop batter into a prepared muffin tin, about 2/3rds full
  • Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean and tops spring back when touched.

Video

Notes

Individual oven temperatures may vary. Begin checking for doneness at 18 minutes. Muffins are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean — There may be a little stickiness from the bananas.
You can use non stick spray, butter or paper or silicone liners.
ย 

Nutrition

Calories: 220kcal, Carbohydrates: 43g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 16mg, Sodium: 160mg, Potassium: 184mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 27g, Vitamin A: 72IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 51mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Bread, Breakfast
Cuisine: American
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Recipe Rating




44 Comments

  1. Dee M says:

    Thanks, Michelle. These go very fast in our house! ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Dee M says:

    Thanks so much for hosting, Miz Helen, and I hope your weekend was great! ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Dee M says:

    Thanks, Ricki! We've made these several times already, and everyone loves them. I hope you do too! ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. Ricki M says:

    Oh these look good. I'm a little short on the ripe bananas at the moment (I only have 1 and was going to use it this morning for my smoothie), but I might have to save some from the next bunch I pick up to make these muffins. I really enjoy muffins in the morning, so I will be saving this recipe.

  5. Michelle Nahom says:

    Yum! Those look delicious! I think we have some ripe bananas here! Thanks for sharing them at Foodie Fridays!

  6. Miz Helen says:

    Hi Dee,
    This is a perfect muffin for fall, I just love these flavors! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with Full Plate Thursday and have a great weekend!
    Hope to see you again real soon,
    Miz Helen

  7. Dee M says:

    We had them again last Sunday. I hope you like them! ๐Ÿ™‚

  8. Dee M says:

    I hope your family loves them as much as mine do! ๐Ÿ™‚

  9. My Maine Blog says:

    This looks like a great recipe … a great Sunday morning breakfast recipe. I will trying this one soon.

  10. Rattlebridge Farm says:

    I've got to make these muffins! My family will love them. Thanks for sharing your recipe at Foodie Friday!