This amazing apple bread recipe is the most delicious taste of fall. With the flavors and warmth of sweet baked apples and cinnamon, it will fill your home with fragrance as it bakes!
This is a quick bread recipe that requires no yeast. With just five minutes of hands-on time, you’ll let your oven do the rest!
Apple Bread is incredibly moist, because the moisture from the apples bakes right into the loaf, creating a spongy texture you’ll crave! It’s swirled with delicious cinnamon and sugar for added fall flavor.
Have you been apple picking yet this year? If you’re like us, you have more apples than you know what to do with by mid-September.
I’m taking advantage of the flavors of fall and incorporating them into all of my recipes! This Apple Bread is fragrant, moist and delicious.
Even better, it’s SO easy and made with just a few simple ingredients you already have on hand!
I’ve got an incredible, FREE quick bread guide that will walk you through each and every recipe in my line-up, along with tips and tricks to enhance your baking experience!
Apple Bread Recipe
It yields six mini loaves (or two traditional one pound loaves), making it great for both indulging and gifting!
It has a tender crumb and can be served for breakfast, snack or dessert. No judgement here.
Why You’ll Love It
★★★★★
5 STAR REVIEW
“The best recipe! I’ve had many ladies at my book club tell me that it’s “fall in a bread”! It’s so moist, with a nice crusty top. Definitely a favorite in my house!!”
— ASHLEY —
Ingredients and Substitutions
See printable recipe card for complete ingredients and instructions.
- Sugar – Classic, granulated white sugar.
- Flour – All-purpose works well here, and I prefer bleached flour for a little finer grain.
- Baking Powder – All baked goods need a leavening agent.
- Salt – Adding a little salt to balance the sweet is essential for baking.
- Eggs – That moist, fluffy quality we love in quick breads is thanks to quality eggs. All of my recipes call for large eggs.
- Milk – Milk helps to retain moisture in this quick bread. You can use any type of milk- we generally have 2% in the fridge and it works well!
- Vegetable Oil – I prefer a basic vegetable oil for my quick breads so as not to alter the flavor.
- Cinnamon – Don’t skimp on ground cinnamon in this recipe.
- Diced Apple – Any apples will do, but Jonagold, Honey Crisp, Braeburn, and Pink Lady are all great for baking. You can grate the apples too, if you prefer!
Variations
- Add a Glaze – Drizzle or cover in Basic Glaze, Cream Cheese Glaze or Apple Pie Glaze to turn this quick bread into the ultimate dessert! You can even drizzle it with a little Salted Caramel Sauce.
- Add Nuts – Candied Nuts, walnuts or pecans are a delicious addition.
- Add a Topping – Simply combine cinnamon, brown sugar, flour and butter until crumbly and add just before baking.
Lighten it Up
- Replace half the oil with unsweetened apple sauce.
- Eliminate the cinnamon sugar mixture on top.
- Learn more about Baking Substitutions here!
Tools to Use
- Mixer (You can also mix by hand)
- Measuring Cups + Measuring Spoons
- Loaf Pans (Mini kraft paper)
- Or, try these Mini Ceramic Loaf Pans
How to Make
An overview, visit the printable recipe card for complete ingredients and instructions.
- Prep – First, preheat oven and grease loaf pans.
- Combine Dry Ingredients
- Combine Wet Ingredients (in a separate mixing bowl)
- Combine – Next, incorporate dry mixture into wet mixture until just combined.
- Pour into greased loaf pans.
- Add Apple Mixture – Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar topping mixture onto the loaf to give your Sweet Bread that delicious, moist fall flavor.
- Bake! It’s SO easy!
Tips
- Need help with baking conversions? Check out my Essential Measurement Conversion Chart or use the slider in the recipe card.
- Check Dates – Be sure to check the dates on your baking powder- a good rule of them is to replace every three months!
- Don’t Overfill Your Loaf Pan – Fill 2/3 full to compensate for rise.
- Use the Toothpick Test – Insert a toothpick in the center. When it comes out clean, it’s done.
- Use the Correct Loaf Pan – Learn more about Loaf Pan Sizes here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most apples will work for baking to add plenty of moisture to your recipes, but the softer ones won’t always hold up well for baking. Consider Jonathan, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Braeburn, Golden Delicious, Gala or Pink Lady.
Careful not to overmix your batter! Mix it just until combined.
Baking Alternatives
- Mini Loaves – Try this recipe in mini loaf pans, perfect for gifting! Bake 40 minutes for 6 miniature loaf pans or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
- Make Muffins – If you prefer to make them into muffins, just grease miniature muffin tins and fill each to 2/3 full. Bake 12 minutes.
- Make it Ornate – Alternatively, you can also bake it in an ornate loaf pan with the same minimal effort!
Leftover Idea
- Make this apple bread recipe into French Toast – Simply slice, dip in batter and cook as you would any other bread!
- Make Bread Pudding – Substitute Brioche for this apple bread. It’s incredible! Don’t forget to top it with Cinnamon Ice Cream!
Dietary Considerations
- Nut Free
- Vegetarian
- For Gluten Free, sub with 1:1 gluten free flour
How to Store
- Room Temperature – Store quick bread in a sealed plastic bag or covered in saran wrap at room temperature for up to 2-3 days.
- Refrigerate – Store in an airtight container refrigerated up to 5-6 days.
- Freeze – Freeze loaves or slices by wrapping them tightly in heavy foil or plastic wrap. Then place them in freezer bags (I like to do at least 2 to prevent freezer odors from seeping in), and freeze for up to 3 months. Bring to room temperature on a countertop or allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Slice and serve to enjoy. You can even warm it up to get that just out of the oven flavor!
For more tips and tricks to store quick breads and keep them as fresh as the day they were baked, don’t skip How to Store Banana Bread.
More Quick Bread Recipes
Apple Bread
Ingredients
- 2 cups white granulated sugar
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups milk
- ⅔ cup vegetable oil
- 1 large apple diced and peeled
Topping
- ⅔ cup white granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease loaf pans.
- Combine sugar, flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
- Beat eggs, milk and oil in a separate bowl until just combined.
- Gradually add dry mixture to wet until just moist. Add diced apple and cinnamon.
- Pour mixture into loaf pans, filling to the ⅔ mark to compensate for rise.
- Combine cinnamon and sugar topping.
- Spoon topping onto each loaf and swirl in with a knife.
- Bake 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes clean.
Tips
Substitutions
- Milk – Whatever you have on hand from skim to whole milk, even almond milk to make it dairy free.
- Vegetable Oil – Canola oil or melted butter can be used in a pinch.
Variations
- Add a Glaze – Drizzle or cover in Basic Glaze, Cream Cheese Glaze or Apple Pie Glaze to turn this quick bread into the ultimate dessert! You can even drizzle it with a little Salted Caramel Sauce.
- Add Nuts – Candied Nuts, walnuts or pecans are a delicious addition.
- Add a Topping – Simply combine cinnamon, brown sugar, flour and butter until crumbly and add just before baking.
- Lighten it up –Replace half the oil with unsweetened apple sauce and eliminate the cinnamon sugar mixture on top.
Alternative Baking Ideas
- Large Loaves – Don’t want 6 miniature loaves? You can also make this Sweet Bread recipe in 2 – 1 pound loaf pans or cut the recipe in half for just 1 loaf pan and bake 50 minutes, or until it passes the toothpick test.
- Mini Muffins – If you prefer to make them into muffins, just grease miniature muffin tins and fill each to 2/3 full. Bake 12 minutes.
- Make it Ornate – Alternatively, you can also bake it in an ornate loaf pan with the same minimal effort!
To Store
- At Room Temperature – Store quick bread in a sealed plastic bag or covered in saran wrap at room temperature for up to 2-3 days.
- Refrigerate – Store in an airtight container refrigerated up to 5 days.
- Freeze – Freeze loaves or slices by wrapping them tightly in heavy foil or plastic wrap. Then place them in freezer bags (I like to do at least 2 to prevent freezer odors from seeping in), and freeze for up to 3 months.
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
I really like your recipes, presentation, family stories and you. I’d love to adopt you!!!
Oh gosh, you are too kind! Thank you for following along!
I made this apple bread today and was very happy with the way it turned out. I did add an extra apple to the batter and it was delicious. Definitely a great little gift in its own container.
Thank you for sharing! Happy Holidays, Loretta!
How big are the baking dishes supposed to be?
As for a standard loaf pan, there is no single standard. 8-inch or 9-inch?
2 1 pound loaf pans or a 1.5 pound loaf pan.
Can I incorporate apple butter in this instead of (or in addition to) the apples and cut some of the granulated sugar out? Not sure how it would turn out but just trying to think creatively with what i have 🙂
I haven’t tested it, sorry! You can just make it as cinnamon bread though if you prefer.
Your notes about the apple cinnamon mini loafs says to decrease the butter by half to make a healthier version. However, your recipe does not list butter as an ingredient. I planned to make this later today and want to make sure I have it correct. Thanks.
Oh gosh, my apologies. Oil. They’re interchangeable. I’ll correct immediately.