Quick apple bread is a moist, flavorful loaf made with shredded apples, warm cinnamon and a buttery streusel topping. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch or a cozy snack with tea or coffee.
Apple quick bread
Baking bread at home is one of the simplest pleasures. This apple quick bread is easy to mix and delivers a tender crumb with bright apple flavor and a crisp cinnamon streusel on top. I bake it whenever apples are in season and it’s always a hit with family and guests.
Because this recipe uses freshly grated apples, the loaf stays extra moist without needing oil or yogurt. The cinnamon in both the batter and the topping pairs beautifully with the fruit, creating a comforting, classic flavor that works for any time of day.
What is a quick bread?
Quick breads are batters that bake into loaves without the need for yeast or rising time. They rely on chemical leaveners—baking powder and baking soda—to rise during baking. Think of the texture as a large muffin baked in a loaf pan: tender, easy to prepare and reliably delicious.
What type of apples?
Any apple will work in this recipe. I’ve made the loaf with different varieties and each produces a slightly different result, but all are tasty. Choose apples that you enjoy eating raw; just peel and grate them before folding into the batter.
Key Ingredients
- All-purpose flour — provides structure; you can substitute white whole wheat if you prefer.
- Grated apples — about 1 1/2 cups (roughly 3 medium apples).
- Granulated sugar in the batter and brown sugar in the topping for depth and caramel notes.
- Baking powder and baking soda — the leavening agents that give the loaf lift.
- Ground cinnamon — used in both the bread and the streusel for warm spice.
- Butter — melted and added to both the batter and the topping for richness and a tender crumb.
How to make apple bread
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix the dry ingredients: flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl.
- In another bowl combine melted butter, granulated sugar, egg and milk.
- Stir the grated apples into the wet mixture.
- Fold the flour mixture into the apple mixture, stirring just until combined; do not overmix.
- Pour the batter into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Make the streusel: combine melted butter, flour, brown sugar and cinnamon until crumbly.
- Drop small clumps of streusel evenly over the top of the batter.
- Bake for 55–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove the loaf and finish cooling on a wire rack. Slice only after the bread has fully cooled for clean slices.
Tips for making quick breads
- Mix wet and dry ingredients just until combined to avoid a tough crumb.
- Make sure the oven is fully preheated before baking for even rise and proper baking time.
- Allow the loaf to cool completely before slicing; cutting while warm can make the bread crumbly.
- After the initial 10-minute rest in the pan, run a knife around the edges to release the loaf if needed, then transfer to a cooling rack.
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 try this recipe, please leave a comment and share a photo — I’d love to hear how it turned out.
For more breakfast breads, explore the rest of the recipes in the breakfast breads collection.
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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
15 mins
55 mins
1 hr 10 mins
Equipment
-
Cooling Rack
-
Bread Pan (9×5 inch)
-
Grater
Ingredients
Bread
- 1 1/2 cups grated apples (about 3 medium apples)
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
Bread
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Combine melted butter, granulated sugar, milk and egg in a bowl.
- Stir in grated apples.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- Add the flour mixture to the apple mixture and stir just until combined.
- Place batter in a greased 9×5 inch loaf pan.
Topping
- Combine melted butter, flour, brown sugar and cinnamon until crumbly.
- Drop small clumps of topping over the prepared batter.
- Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 55–60 minutes.
- Cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then remove to a wire rack and allow to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter—stir until just combined for a tender loaf.
- Let the bread cool fully before slicing to avoid crumbling.
- Any apple variety can be used; peel and grate before measuring.
Nutritional values are estimates and assume the loaf is sliced into 10 pieces.
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutrition information is an estimate and should be used as a guideline. For exact results, calculate nutrition using the specific ingredients and brands you use.
Nutrition
Calories: 311kcal
Carbohydrates: 51 g
Protein: 5 g
Fat: 10 g
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