Quick apple bread is a moist, flavorful loaf made with freshly grated apples, warm cinnamon and a buttery streusel topping. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch or a mid-day snack.
Apple quick bread
I love baking all kinds of bread, and quick breads are some of the easiest and most rewarding. This apple quick bread is made with simple pantry ingredients and plenty of grated apple for natural moisture and flavor. I bake it often during apple season and share loaves with family and friends — everyone always asks for more.
The recipe produces a tender crumb with a cinnamon-sweet flavor and a crisp streusel on top. Serve it warm with butter for breakfast or slice it thin for a snack with tea.
What is a quick bread?
Quick breads are batters that don’t require yeast or an extended rising time. Instead they rely on baking powder and baking soda for lift and are baked directly in a loaf pan. While they come together quickly, many quick breads need 45–60 minutes in the oven to finish baking through.
What type of apples?
You can use any apple variety you have on hand. I’ve made this loaf with several different apples and each time it turned out well. Choose firm apples you can peel and grate — tart varieties balance the sweetness nicely, while milder apples provide a subtler apple flavor.
Key Ingredients
- Flour – All-purpose flour works well; white whole wheat is a good swap if you prefer.
- Apples – Fresh grated apples provide moisture and texture. Any variety will work.
- Sugar – Granulated sugar sweetens the batter; brown sugar is used in the streusel for depth.
- Leavening – Baking powder and a little baking soda give the loaf a reliable rise.
- Cinnamon – Ground cinnamon complements the apples in both the loaf and the topping.
- Butter – Adds richness to the batter and helps make a crisp streusel topping.
How to make apple bread
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Whisk together melted butter, granulated sugar, egg and milk in a bowl.
- Stir in the grated apples until evenly distributed.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the apple mixture, stirring just until combined.
- Pour the batter into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Make the streusel by mixing melted butter, flour, brown sugar and cinnamon into small clumps.
- Scatter the topping in small clumps over the batter.
- Bake for 55–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove to a cooling rack and cool completely before slicing.
Tips for making quick breads
- Mix wet and dry ingredients just until combined — overmixing leads to a dense loaf.
- Make sure your oven is fully preheated before baking.
- Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling; patience pays off.
- After cooling for 10 minutes in the pan, run a knife around the edges to help release the loaf.
- Cool the bread on a rack so air can circulate and the crust stays crisp.
More delicious recipes with apples
- Apple Tart
- Apple Coffee Cake
- Apple Fritters
- Pumpkin Apple Muffins
- Apple Butter
- Babka with apple filling
- Apple Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread
- Apple Pie Filling
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment and share a photo on Instagram.
Be sure to explore other breakfast breads and baked goods for more inspiration.
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Blueberry Peach Muffins
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Cranberry Nut Muffins
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Mini Banana Muffins
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Pecan Sticky Buns
Apple Bread
Kathy Berget
Pin Recipe
Equipment
-
Cooling Rack
-
9×5-inch Bread Pan
-
Grater
Ingredients
Bread
- 1 ½ cups grated apples (approximately 3 medium apples)
- ¼ cup butter (melted)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 ¼ cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Topping
- ¼ cup butter (melted)
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
Bread
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine melted butter, granulated sugar, milk and egg in a bowl.
- Stir in grated apples.
- In another bowl, mix flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- Add the flour mixture to the apple mixture and stir just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Place batter in a greased 9×5 inch loaf pan.
Topping
- Combine melted butter, flour, brown sugar and cinnamon to form a streusel.
- Drop small clumps of the topping over the batter in the pan.
- Bake at 350°F for 55–60 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- When mixing wet and dry ingredients, stir just until combined to avoid a heavy loaf.
- Be certain the oven is fully preheated.
- Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbly slices.
- After cooling for 10 minutes in the pan, run a knife around the edges to help release the loaf.
- Cool the bread on a baking rack for best texture.
Any type of apple can be used in this recipe.
Nutritional values are based on slicing the loaf into 10 slices.
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is an estimate and should be used only as a guideline. For precise nutritional data, calculate using the exact ingredients and quantities you use.