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Banana Applesauce Muffins with chocolate chips are made without oil or butter and bake in just 20 minutes. An easy banana muffin recipe everyone loves!

banana applesauce muffins with chocolate chips on a white plate

These 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 had a bunch of bananas to use up, so I made these muffins twice last week. And then I realized that I had never updated this post that was originally published way back in 2014.

So, I took new pictures, wrote a printable recipe card, and baked another batch of these banana chocolate chip muffins just for you all to enjoy! Seriously, these babies go fast!

How to Make Banana Muffins with Applesauce and No Oil or Butter

In this muffin recipe, the applesauce takes the place of oil and butter. I used unsweetened applesauce in the recipe because that’s what we always have on hand.

These muffins are made from scratch, Y’all. If you want an even quicker muffin recipe, try these 2 ingredient banana muffins made with cake mix!

You can make the muffin batter in one bowl. Just combine your dry ingredients, and then mix in the wet ingredients.

mix banana muffin batter in mixing bowl

The chocolate chips are optional, but the kids and I highly recommend them. Everything tastes better with chocolate, you know!

Pour the muffin batter into a prepared muffin pan. You can use nonstick spray or paper or silicone muffin liners for easier clean up.

banana muffins with chocolate chips batter in muffin tin


Fill the muffin cups about two-thirds full, and bake for 18 to 20 minutes. The cinnamon and brown sugar give the muffins a nice golden color.

In fact, they were turning brown after only 10 minutes, so I tested them early, but they weren’t done. It took about 18 minutes, and they were perfect!

banana muffins made with applesauce in muffin tin

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!

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!

banana applesauce muffins in muffin tin next to bananas

More Recipes with Mashed Bananas

Banana Applesauce Muffins Recipe

5 from 11 votes

Banana Applesauce Muffins

By: Dee
Banana Applesauce Muffins with chocolate chips are made without oil or butter and bake in just 20 minutes. An easy banana muffin recipe everyone loves!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients  

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 3 ripe bananas mashed
  • cup all-natural unsweetened applesauce I used a single serving cup that I normally pack in the kids’ lunches, and it was 1/3 cup.
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
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Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Mash bananas with a fork, and set aside.
  • In large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
  • Add brown sugar and cinnamon. Add the bananas, applesauce and egg, and mix well.
  • Stir in the chocolate chips.
  • Scoop batter into a muffin tin that has been sprayed with non stick spray or use paper or silicone muffin liners for easier clean-up. Fill cups about 2/3rds full
  • Bake for about 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean and tops spring back when touched.

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.

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: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Like this? Leave a comment below!
basket of banana applesauce muffins and muffin on a plate

Recipe was originally published in 2014 and updated in January 2020.



banana applesauce muffins in muffin pan with bananas and apples



banana applesauce muffin with melted butter on a blue plate



kids taking banana applesauce muffins out of a basket

As you can see, my little helpers decided to have some fun when I was taking the pictures.





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39 Comments

  1. Dee M says:

    Thanks, Michelle. These go very fast in our house! 🙂

  2. Dee M says:

    Thanks so much for hosting, Miz Helen, and I hope your weekend was great! 🙂

  3. Dee M says:

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

  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! 🙂

  8. Dee M says:

    I hope your family loves them as much as mine do! 🙂

  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!