How Much Sugar Is in Applesauce?
A half-cup of sweetened applesauce has about 21 g of sugar — more than a whole [apple](/sugar-in/apple), because it's cooked down and has extra sugar added on top of the fruit's own.
in 1/2 cup, sweetened (128 g) · about 5 teaspoons
- Per serving
- 21 g
- Per 100 g
- 16 g
- Type
- Mostly natural
- In teaspoons
- ≈ 5 tsp
A big chunk of a day's sugar in one serving.
A half-cup of sweetened applesauce carries about 21 g of sugar — more than a whole medium apple, even though it's half the size. Cooking and pureeing the fruit removes most of its fibre structure, and most jarred applesauce has sugar added on top of what the apples already contribute, so the total climbs past the fruit it came from.
The fix is on the label: unsweetened applesauce, which is just cooked apples, runs roughly half the sugar of the sweetened version. It's a classic case of a 'kid-friendly' food carrying more sugar than the whole fruit it's made from — check for 'unsweetened' or 'no sugar added' before buying.
How applesauce compares
Out of 114 everyday foods and drinks we track, applesauce ranks #36 for sugar per serving — more than 69% of them.
- Orange juice21g
- Nutella21g
- Applesauce (this page)21g
- Iced coffee (sweetened)20g
- Brownie20g
Bars show sugar per serving. Tap any food to see its full breakdown.
Lower-sugar swaps
- Choose unsweetened applesauce — same texture, roughly half the sugar
- Eat a whole apple instead, which keeps the fibre and fills you up more
Frequently asked questions
- Is applesauce healthier than eating a whole apple?
- Not usually. Sweetened applesauce has more sugar than a whole apple and less fibre, since cooking and pureeing break down the fruit's structure. A whole apple is the better choice.
- How much sugar does unsweetened applesauce have?
- Roughly half of the sweetened version — the sugar comes mostly from the apples themselves rather than added sugar, so checking the label for 'unsweetened' makes a real difference.
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Sugar values from USDA FoodData Central; actual amounts vary by brand, ripeness, and recipe. Last updated 2026-08-28.